We Tested Tons Of Pickleball Shoes To Determine The Best Pairs For All Levels

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Although pickleball is all fun and games, you might not realize that wearing pickleball-specific shoes could help level up your win record and lower your risk of injuries like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and bunions. Curious about what makes these shoes special? The Women's Health team consulted three experts to uncover the differences between pickleball shoes and regular sneakers. We also tested eight pairs ourselves to see if they live up to the hype.

"Investing in specific pickleball shoes can reduce the risk of injury as well as improve your performance," says physical therapist Kristin Lettenberger, DPT, CSCS, at Bespoke Treatments in New York City. "Just like we use running shoes for running and weightlifting shoes for weightlifting, pickleball shoes are designed to keep you safe on the court."

Unlike tennis shoes, pickleball shoes offer more traction and grip, making last-minute direction changes easier. When it comes to finding the best option, Lettenberger says you should opt for pickleball shoes that accommodate quick, lateral movements. She adds that they should also have solid ankle support, as pickleball movements are so unpredictable. But, most of all, they should feel comfortable on your feet, especially if you like to hit the court for more than an hour. Running shoes, cross trainers, or walking shoes aren't able to support side-to-side movements and sliding, so wearing those on the court could lead to injury, Lettenberger notes.

What to consider

Materials and durability

Pickleball shoes typically undergo a solid amount of wear and tear, which is why yours should be made out of durable materials that last a while. Letternberger says that your pickleball shoes should typically allow for 60 hours of play per pair. This is only equal to about three or four months. With that said, you'll want to look for rubber soles, as they don't dull down quickly and they offer long-lasting traction, says Letternberger. In terms of upper materials, mesh and leather are popular options that offer breathability and support on the court.

Cushioning and support

Cushioning and support are the two most important aspects to look for in a pickleball shoe as they'll make sure you feel comfortable during the game. Some options on this list, like the Wilson Rush Pro Ace Pickler Women's Pickleball Shoe, offer lighter cushioning for those of you that prefer a close-to-the-ground feel. Others, like the Nike Women's Court Air Zoom Vapor Pro 2, have a more responsive feel if you like a bit more bounce in your game. Out of all the options on this list, though, the Sketchers Viper Court Pro came out on top for most supportive pickleball shoe.

How we chose

For the past year, Women’s Health editors, including our commerce editor Lily Wohlner, have been researching the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated pickleball shoes. Our team consulted two pickleball experts and John Thompson, Men's Health's senior gear and commerce editor, who provided shoe recommendations and tips on what to look for in the best pickleball shoes for women. We then narrowed the list down to these eight tennis shoes for women, evaluating them on comfort, materials, support, durability, and style.

Whether you're a pickleball pro or just stepping into "the kitchen" for the first time, rest assured there's an option on the below list that will help you master the game. All you need now is your favorite tennis skirt.

Gel-Renma Pickleball Shoes

We tried a lot of pickleball shoes over the last few months, but the Gel-Renma from Asics topped our list for many reasons. Firstly, no matter which direction you move on the court, the shoes always feel stable. That's thanks to a feature that the brand calls "Trusstic" technology, which reinforces the middle area of the sole to prevent the shoe from twisting. We also love the gel base of this shoe, which increases impact absorption during hard landings to create smooth, nimble movements through the entirety of your game.

David Radisch, pickleball director at Sport Time in New York, also approves of the Gel-Renmas. He says he's tested many pairs of Asics in the past, but this pair excels in the comfort category. "I love them—there is way more cushioning in the heel in comparison to other pairs and they lasted pretty long," he says. The shoe's durability is, in part, thanks to the leather overlays on the top of the foot, which hold the foot in place.

This shoe also has a comfortable, roomy toe box, so it doesn't feel too narrow or constricting, which is a huge plus. However, after testing, we do think that it's best to go for a size up because it tends to run just a bit small.

If you're looking for a shoe with good slide, this pair is for you. However, it still has super solid traction for quick pivoting, side-to-side movements, and fast footwork. One of our testers, who plays pickleball weekly, says that after two to three hours of playtime, the shoe still feels extremely comfortable. And, its traction has held up over time, which is hard to achieve if you're constantly hitting the court.

Read More: Best Tennis Shoes

Gamecourt 2 Sneaker

This sneaker first drew us in with its wide range of fun colors. But, after trying it, we loved how lightweight it felt. Our feet literally felt like air on the courts, which is exactly how we like it. Made with a breathable, mesh upper and supportive rubber padding in the sole, achieving your best game ever is now reachable.

"I love the Gamecourt because it comes in a bunch of colors," says John Thompson, Men's Health senior gear and commerce editor. "It's super affordable and really lightweight. You can even wear it as a regular tennis shoe, which is a major plus."

Another pro? The shoes are extremely durable on the court. After taking it out for multiple spins, we found that it holds up very well. It features what the brand calls an Adiwear outsole, which is a non-marking rubber that ensures traction on hard courts.

We do find that there isn't as much padding under the ball of the foot with this shoe, which marked it down a few points in our book. While the heel is super cushioned and the toe box is comfortable, we were craving just a touch more mid-foot support during the game.

Pickleball Supreme Shoe

Stability is the name of the game when it comes to K-Swiss's extremely lightweight and supportive pickleball shoes. The upper wrap features a protective material, called "Durawrap Flex," which provides that worn-in feel so there's no break-in period and gives the shoe some nice give.

The common theme among us testers: The shoe is suitable for wide feet and bunions, as it has a larger toe box. We also agree that we hate taking it off after playing pickleball, as our feet feel way more comfortable wrapped in its support.

"The rubber is harder on it, so I feel like it's also a really good support shoe," says Thompson, who confirms that it's a great shoe for beginners. He likes that it has treads, so if your foot rolls over, it has added protection. "It's one of the more durable pickleball shoes that K-Swiss makes," he adds.

We did have one qualm, though: It doesn't offer as much ankle support as other options on this list. A few of us felt like our ankles rolled more than usual during wear.

Viper Court Pro - Pickleball

If you want to feel like a star on both the indoor and outdoor courts, this shoe will have you bouncing around like it's nothing. Complete with responsive, lightweight cushioning and a shock-absorbing insole, you'll notice the traction and stability it offers the second you slide it on.

We love that it has removable insoles, which help the shoe mold to your foot, reducing shock and increasing weight dispersion. This feature makes us feel extremely stable and supported on the court, and when shuffling around "the kitchen" portion of the court.

"I think this is a solid shoe because it's low to the ground and a little more lightweight than a lot of the [other] shoes, but also has just enough support," Thompson says. "I would pick these if I were going to play competitively." If that's not saying a lot, IDK what is.

Contributor Jennifer Nied is also a mega fan of the shoe. She told us it feels extremely grippy and gave her amazing traction on the court. "I felt like a pro even as a total beginner," she says.

Although we love the Viper Court Pro (it almost came out on top!), one note we do have is that it runs narrow, so it's not the best option for those with a wider foot. We also find that the white color option often sells out quickly. However, the other color options are typically in-stock.

Read more: Best Cross-Training Shoes

FuelCell 996v5 Pickleball

This may not look like a pickleball or tennis shoe, but trust us—it works smarter, not harder, than your average sneaks. The Revlite midsole delivers incredibly lightweight cushioning while the sturdy technology enhances your footwork on hard courts. The result? Unmatched support with every stroke.

Radisch says he sees a lot of pickleball players wear New Balance shoes on the court, and Thompson also confirms that this pair is a solid pick. The "fuel cell" foam midsole combines "NDurance" rubber outsole for elite comfort and traction.

One of our testers, an avid pickleball player, notes that the shoe provides excellent support around and under her feet. After testing it ourselves, we found that it performs just as well on hard courts. This is thanks to the Ndurance outsole, crafted from durable rubber to enhance support and durability in the high-wear areas of the shoe. This outsole is also non-marking, so it won't add streaks to the court while you play.

After testing, we found that the FuelCell 996v5s ride a bit high on our ankle bones. If you're not wearing a higher sock, this can cause some chafing at first. But, once you break the shoe in, this should lessen substantially.

Women's Court Air Zoom Vapor Pro 2

Nike's Zoom Air cushioning technology and data-driven traction are what give this shoe its claim to fame. Made to maneuver quickly and nimbly on hard courts, this shoe bounces right off the ground for a comfortable game and enhanced energy return.

Like the Skechers pair, the Air Zoom Vapor Pro 2 is low to the ground, making it easier to move quickly—perfect for pickleball. And, it has springy cushioning in the forefoot to help propel you to the ball. The midsole also has some thick cushioning, offering needed support without adding any unnecessary weight to the shoe.

After testing, we found that the mesh material in the upper helped our foot remain cool and sweat-free, which is a huge plus when you play pickleball for hours like we do. There's also a stretchy internal sleeve within the shoe, which hugs your foot with a sock-like fit without feeling constricting.

Of course, the shoe get extra points in our book for looking super sleek on the courts. One of our testers even said she wears it during errand days, as it matches well with her athleisure 'fits. However, she did have to size up a half size as the shoe tends to run a bit small.

Rush Pro Ace Pickler Women's Pickleball Shoe

The K-Swiss option mentioned above is awesome for wide feet, but these are literally made for people who prefer a wider toe box. Thanks to its 4D Support Chassis, an arch in the outsole that generates lift and control, the stylish and supportive pickleball shoe is perfect for players who like to go all out on the courts.

"My favorite is the Wilson, and I like it because it's a little more comfortable," says Thompson, who adds that it's great because he has wider feet. "It's a great tennis shoe to play in as well, and it's clean enough to wear to a country club."

One of our testers, who has plantar fasciitis, also loves this shoe because it provides stability for her heel. And, we're not surprised why she's a fan. It has a high-density OrthoLite foam, which offers a solid amount of support. Plus, it's made with a heel counter, which provides a higher level of stability and control.

If you're looking for something with super high cushioning, this shoe may not be your best option. It has a bit of a harder feel, so it's not the bounciest, softest pair if that's what you're looking for.

Express Light Pickleball Shoe

If you have achey feet, this pickleball shoe is for you. It offers mid-foot protection for major arch support and stability and its patented K-eva material makes the midsole feel ultra soft for protection all game long.

"I had it for about seven months," Radisch says. "It's really good in terms of cushioning and everything." The shoe also has solid durability because of the rubber high-density outsole and the durawrap helps support your foot if you have a habit of toe-dragging on the court.

One of our testers is on her third pair of the shoe, and she absolutely loves it. As someone that often plays pickleball two times a day, for two to three hours each session, our tester says that the shoe dries quickly, so it's good to go for her second session, even though her feet often sweat. She notes that the wicking technology is phenomenal.

We do find that this pair of kicks tends to run a bit small, so we recommend sizing up if you opt for it.

Read more: Best Walking Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis

Meet the experts

• Kristin Lettenberger, DPT, CSCS, is a physical therapist at Bespoke Treatments in New York City.

• David Radisch is the pickleball director at Sport Time in New York.

• John Thompson is Men's Health's Senior Gear and Commerce editor.

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