Selecting the Best Pickleball Shoes in 2025

When it comes to picking the right shoe for pickleball, there are several factors to consider.

Everything from your playing style, fashion sense and support and safety features matter. 

Read on to see what things are important when it comes to selecting a shoe, as well as some of the best choices in the footwear market.

About the shoe

Selecting the best shoe, not the brand, but the shoe itself requires a bit of consideration. Here are some things you should look at:

Support and stability

Look for shoes with excellent support and stability to help prevent ankle injuries. Remember, while there’s an element of moving up and back in pickleball, a lot of the movement in the game is side-to-side. You’ll want a shoe with a solid base to help with these lateral movements. Shoes with strong sidewalls or reinforced support are ideal for stability. Running shoes are not a good option, as they likely don’t have the stability on the sides of the shoe that are a benefit for pickleball play.

Cushion and comfort

Pickleball requires a lot of quick movements and stops and starts. You’ll definitely want a shoe that has ample cushioning in the middle to help with the tension of all the shock. This is especially important for those long matches and long days on the hard court. A shoe that doesn’t have enough cushioning can ruin a good day of pickleball.

Grip and traction

If you’re gardening or walking the neighborhood, it might not matter, but if you’re getting ready to dink and drop, you’re definitely going to want a shoe with good traction. You can’t afford to have a misstep or slip in any way. Durable shoes with rubber outsoles and good tread makes a difference and will work on a number of surfaces, including indoor and outdoor courts.

Breathability

Make sure your feet stay cool and dry. The best way to do that is to find some mesh or ventilation panels to help. If you’re feet are continually sweaty, you’ll definitely feel it in those intense games.

Longevity

Generally speaking, you get what you pay for. Look for good quality shoes that last. Obviously, shoes will wear out, and based on how often you play or how hard you are on your shoes, they’ll eventually wear out. If possible, choose shoes made from durable materials that can withstand a bit of force. Reinforced toe caps and overlays can certainly help make your shoes last longer.

Comfort

Making sure the shoes fit just right is mandatory. You want to make sure your feet don’t slide too much inside the shoe, but you do want to make certain there is some room for your toes to move freely. Think about being secure without any discomfort on pressure points. Remember, different brands and styles fit differently, so be careful about buying shoes without trying them on first. Width is just as important as length, as well. Fitting correctly around the toes as well as the sides of the foot are both necessary. If you’re buying shoes online, make sure you understand how or if the company has a return policy in case the shoe doesn’t fit the way you want. 

Heavy or light

Shoes that are lighter can enhance agility and increase movement, but be careful. Oftentimes the lighter shoes aren’t as durable and might not last as long. A heavy shoe can definitely slow you down, so try and find a balance, if possible.

The best shoes for you are ones that you’re comfortable in, will last a decent amount of time and are affordable within your budget. Try on lots of different styles and brands to see what works for you and your playing style.

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Now that we have gone over the most important factors you should consider when selecting pickleball shoes, below are 8 shoes we recommend you should consider in your search for a new pickleball shoe, based on those that were most highly reviewed on Pickleball Central, pickleball’s largest online retailer.

K-Swiss Express Light Pickleball Shoe

This shoe has been designed for speed and agility, which helps you fly across the court. With its lightweight build, you can make quick, composed movements, and the responsive fit makes every step feel natural. The Express Light is very durable and features a support chassis and tough rubber outsole. The drag guards protect both your feet, the shoe itself, and provide a long-lasting performance. 

Featuring a moisture-wicking sock liner, the K-Swiss Express Light allows your feet to stay cool and dry during play. With the additional heel grip you get enhanced traction that restricts unwanted movement inside the shoe. Additionally, the cushioned design offers a soft and supportive feel that produces comfort and uncompromising stability.

Women’s Express Light

Men’s Express Light

Specifications	True to Size	Heel Width	Midsole Width	Toe Box Width	Attached Tongue	Removable Insole	Weight
Women’s	Yes	Standard	Slightly Narrow	Standard	No	Yes	9.8 oz
Men’s	Yes	Slightly Narrow	Slightly Narrow	Standard	No	Yes	12.7 oz

Skechers Viper Court Pro Shoe

The Viper Court Pro was built to help you maintain your focus while playing your game by offering phenomenal breathing, cushionability, traction, rebound, and support. With the engineered mesh upper that is placed in specific areas of pressure, it gives you the ability to quickly and confidently move in any sudden direction. The removable insole allows you to adjust your arch support, while ULTRA FLIGHT cushioning in the midsole provides an excellent balance of rebound for shock absorption, agility and reduced fatigue. Featuring the Goodyear outsole, the Viper Court Pro provides excellent grip and traction.

Women’s Viper Court Pro

Men’s Viper Court Pro

Specifications	True to Size	Heel Width	Midsole Width	Toe Box Width	Attached Tongue	Removable Insole	Weight
Women’s	Yes	Standard	Standard	Slightly Wide	No	Yes	11 oz
Men’s	Yes	Standard	Standard	Slightly Wide	No	Yes	12 oz

K-Swiss 2E Wide Express Light Men’s Shoe

This is a wider version of the Men’s Express Light. So, even though the 2E is wider, you will get the same comfort, breathability and performance. This shoe even has the same lightweight feel and supportive build while accommodating above average wide feet. Initially, there may be a short break-in period, but you will quickly feel the exceptional lateral support, superb traction, and additional room in the toe for a better fit. 

Just like the Express Light’s standard design, you also get a supportive mid-foot and protection from toe drag, keeping your feet supported for agile movement on the court. To maintain in-game comfortably, the Express Light 2E Wide features a moisture-wicking liner that helps prevent overheating and discomfort. For additional traction, the 2E has a modified herringbone tread that helps you leave no marks on the court. With a Plantar support chassis you get enhanced balance, and the durable rubber outsole reinforces the toe and heel, providing resilient protection and wear. 

Specifications	True to Size	Heel Width	Midsole Width	Toe Box Width	Attached Tongue	Removable Insole	Weight
Men’s	Yes	Slightly Narrow	Standard	Wide	No	Yes	12.8 oz

K-Swiss Express Light Wide Women’s Shoe

The K-Swiss Express Light Wide Women’s Shoe is a wider-fitting version of the very popular Express Light Women’s Shoe. This shoe provides the same lightweight feel and breathable construction while accommodating wider feet because of the expanded toe box. You will likely need to break-in these shoes before they feel completely comfortable to you, but once adjusted, these shoes will deliver excellent lateral support and traction for sharp movements. As a wide but light shoe, the K-Swiss Express Light offers 180-degree protection around the plantar region, reducing the risk of twisting and trips. 

Like the standard shoe, the midsole also uses K-EVA material that makes each step feel extra soft. The support chassis enhances your stability, allowing you to make adjustments on the court at quicker speed. To make the shoe more breathable and comfortable throughout play, the sock liner helps reduce moisture buildup. For additional comfort, the heel and toe areas have drag guards that ensure durability, and prevent uncomfortable friction. The modified herringbone tread ensures the shoes don’t leave any marks and improves the traction across all-court surfaces.

Specifications	True to Size	Heel Width	Midsole Width	Toe Box Width	Attached Tongue	Removable Insole	Weight
Women’s	Yes	Standard	Standard	Wide	No	Yes	9.9 oz

K-Swiss Pickleball Supreme Shoe

The K-Swiss Pickleball Supreme Shoe features a responsive Surge 7.0 platform that helps produce power into your shots and create explosive movement as you make your way to the kitchen line. With a durawrap flex upper and EVA-attached tongue, this shoe ensures a moisture-wicking fit that keeps your feet dry and prevents blistering. Contributing to the K-Swiss Supreme exceptional fit and responsiveness is its top-tier traction and DragGuard 7.0 outsole. The CMEVA outsole provides an excellent balance of cushioning and support, reducing fatigue while maintaining stability.

Women’s Pickleball Supreme

Men’s Pickleball Supreme

Specifications	True to Size	Heel Width	Midsole Width	Toe Box Width	Attached Tongue	Removable Insole	Weight
Women’s	Yes	Standard	Standard	Standard	Yes	Yes	10.6 oz
Men’s	Yes	Slightly Narrow	Standard	Standard	Yes	Yes	12.7 oz

HEAD Motion Pro Pickleball Shoe

Designed for the fast-paced modern pickleball game, the HEAD Motion Pro Pickleball Shoe enhances your agility, speed, and precision on the court. The fundamental features that ensure this are the combination of a Hybrasion+ outsole and Dynafoam midsole. The 360º tread pattern ensures multidirectional grip for secure footing at every step. Complementing this, the lightweight EVA foam and embedded air cells produce responsive cushioning that enable quick pivots and intentional positioning. 

Not only does the Head Motion Pro prioritize agility and speed, but it maintains comfort and stability. It has a breathable mesh upper with a moisture-wicking sock liner to keep feet dry and cool. With a traditional lace-up design and wide toe box, you will experience a secure and accommodating fit. The internal TPU counter enables stability and the 3D anti-torsion shank helps you change direction instantly.

Women’s Motion Pro

Men’s Motion Pro

Specifications	True to Size	Heel Width	Midsole Width	Toe Box Width	Attached Tongue	Removable Insole	Weight
Women’s	Yes	Slightly Wide	Slightly Wide	Slightly Wide	Yes	Yes	12.1 oz
Men’s	Yes	Slightly Wide	Slightly Wide	Slightly Wide	Yes	Yes	14.6 oz

Babolat SFX3 All Court Shoe

Designed for comfort, the Babolat SFX3 All Court Shoe provides excellent stability for any kind of movement. With Active Flexion technology, these shoes were made to reduce stress on key pressure points. They are also built with a breathable construction and relaxed fit that make them ideal for players with wide feet, while still providing a supportive feel for those with standard foot sizes. The SFX3 features a bi-density insole that protects your feet from impact and shock, while protecting against toe dragging. Manufactured with a highly durable outsole, you can rely on the shoe providing reliable traction on both indoor and outdoor courts.

Men’s SFX 3

Women’s SFX 3

Specifications	True to Size	Heel Width	Midsole Width	Toe Box Width	Attached Tongue	Removable Insole	Weight
Men’s	Yes	Wide	Wide	Wide	No	Yes	13.9 oz
Women’s	Slightly Long	Standard	Standard	Standard	No	Yes	11.8 oz

SQAIRZ XRZ Pickleball Court Shoe

The SQAIRZ XRZ Pickleball Court Shoe was co-created with pickleball pros. They designed these shoes to keep you in position and balanced so you can play from any angle on the court. With the closed-cell Lycra, this shoe offers outstanding breathability while maintaining a sleek, and easy-to-clean exterior. The patented Sta-Put lacing system provides a secure, pinch-free fit that gives you confidence to make darts, sprints, and quick pivots. Featuring a variety of performance-driven elements, the SQAIRZ XRZ has a spacious toe box that enhances balance at the service line. The pivot point on the sole helps generate power and the NRG foam midsole helps you drive forwards as you approach the kitchen. Even after many uses the shoe maintains its herringbone pattern Smart Traction outsole ensuring reliable long-lasting traction.

Men’s SQAIRZ XRZ

Women’s SQAIRZ XRZ

Specifications	True to Size	Heel Width	Midsole Width	Toe Box Width	Attached Tongue	Removable Insole	Weight
Men’s	Yes	Standard	(53mm)	(110mm)	Yes	Yes	13.3 oz
Women’s	Yes	Standard	(53mm)	(110mm)	Yes	Yes	13.3 oz