The single most important part of your shoe that will be keeping you safe from the heel, ankle, and Achilles tendon injuries are the outsoles of your pickleball shoes. Even though you are playing on a relatively small surface (at least smaller than tennis), you will still be expected to move quickly, stop quickly, and to do all of this sideways; as well as, forward and backward. What this requires of your shoes is to give you the ability to grip the surface underneath with security and precision, eliminating the chances of slipping, or of overusing your heels which would inevitably lead to injury over time.

But, if you are thinking of taking up pickleball, you know that there are two kinds of courts available. The ones outside, usually tennis courts with asphalt or concrete under your feet, and then there are the indoor courts with wood or more modern gym flooring. These two different surfaces require different shoes, and we cannot stress this enough. Even though some shoes will perform adequately on both, if you are serious about your game, you need two different pairs of pickleball shoes.

The midsoles of your pickleball shoes can greatly affect the way in which you play. You want them to give you plenty of shock absorption, but stability comes first. EVA foam midsoles are a good option, as they provide you with shock absorption without adding unnecessary bulk and weight – the lighter your shoes are, the faster you will be able to move. The places you want to protect from hard landings are the front and heel of the shoe and some makers will, also, include special technology that helps with your spring, making jumps easier.

Different players will have different types of feet which will, also, influence your choice of pickleball shoes. Most shoes on this list were not made for players who have low arches, are prone to overpronation, or suffer from plantar fasciitis. If you fall into any of these categories, you want to look into pickleball shoes that will offer better support features, such as the ASICS GEL-Resolution 7 which offers plenty of arch support. Otherwise, you will want shoes with removable insoles which you can substitute with your own that you know will allow you to play without experiencing any unnecessary pain.

Most cushioning will be happening in the insoles of your shoes and what you want is to have the features in the right places. The most important of these is in the forefoot, as pickleball requires a type of play that will be seeing you land and take off from this part of the foot. Gel and similar features are an excellent solution, as they will allow you to land softly without absorbing all the force out of your takeoffs in jumps. Your heels will, also, need to be cushioned but firmly held in place, so as to avoid any risk of injury. While memory foam may not be ideal under your feet, some makers offer it in the heel and collar lining that will allow you to wear your pickleball shoes without having to think about sore spots where blisters may occur.

A padded tongue is another good feature to have, as this is what will allow you to adjust the laces on your shoes. In pickleball, your shoes need to be securely laced, tightly enough so as not to allow your feet to be slipping sideways or forward inside the shoes. A padded tongue will allow you to do just this, without causing any discomfort to the tops of your feet.

Although the outsoles of your shoes are the part at which you may look first for stability, the upper material of pickleball footwear can, also, make a huge impact on your performance. A solid shoe will keep your feet in place, and flimsy materials may not provide the required level of security.

Leather court shoes are an excellent choice because the material is flexible enough to allow for a good fit, but won’t allow your feet to slip out from under you. The downside of leather is that with athletic shoes, you are usually looking at a lot of heat and perspiration, and they simply may not be breathable enough. That’s why perforated leather is an excellent choice, or, even better, leather components placed in crucial areas, such as the sides of your shoes. This will allow for lateral stability without having your feet feel too hot and constricted.

Synthetic and mesh are also excellent choices because of their type of knitting which allows for more breathability. These materials will mold to your feet much more easily than leather, allowing you to customize the fit so that it is snug, but not too tight. Another important thing is to purchase shoes that have flat stitching on the insides so as to avoid rubbing and developing blisters on your feet.

Finally, the lacing system of your shoes is crucial, as this is what can make or break a shoe, regardless of all other features. Laces which are not strong enough, that come undone or snap easily, will simply not do. Your shoes need to be securely on your feet, with no excess materials flinging about you, as you do not want to trip on your own shoes mid-game. Some brands will offer anatomically-correct lacing systems that will keep the shoes securely on your feet while avoiding pressure points that could cause you unwanted pain or strain. Others will come with laces that are below average in quality, or too short or too long. A great thing is that you can easily replace these should you need to.

The pair of shoes you choose for pickleball needs to have the correct features and offer the best traction and stability for your preferred court type. The period of time your shoes will last you greatly depends on how you use them. If you wear your shoes on the correct surface, they will last longer and give you the desired performance. As we already mentioned, tennis shoes will have harder, more resilient outsoles, which will do well on concrete and asphalt courts. Indoor shoes are softer, and with just one game on an outside court, you will have ruined the grooves on the soles, making them useless for further use on wooden floors. Many makers are aware of the wear that some parts of the outsole suffer, and will produce the shoes with reinforced critical points. Look for features such as abrasion-resistant rubber, so you can get the maximum out of your footwear.

If you tend to drag your toes or have a playing style that requires you to use the fronts of your shoes more, you may see this part of your footwear wearing down too fast. Choosing a pair of pickleball shoes with toe guards can prolong the lifespan of your footwear and save you a serious amount of money.

The uppers of your shoes will, also, perform differently; depending on the material they are made of. The leather is the most durable option and can serve you for a long time, especially if you take good care of it. Synthetic and mesh are softer, and as a rule, will break more easily. If you value breathability and cooling features, you may want to look into a shoe that uses a mixture of these materials, so that you can use them for a longer period of time.

A fact that you will have to face, however, is that most athletic shoes will wear down, as you are using them for a strenuous activity. The lifespan you can, usually, expect is around sixty hours, which, depending on how often you play, can last you anywhere from two months to over a year. Choosing higher quality shoes will ensure you get the most bang out of your buck, but so will wearing the correct type of shoes for different surfaces. After you’ve learned the basics of pickleball, you will find that the right pair of shoes can take you from beginner to winner, so make sure to choose wisely without trying to cut any corners.

It's important to look at the value of a pair of shoes before you purchase them. Whatever the price: low or high, might be right for your situation if there is value in the product.

We've looked at each product on our list and rated its value based on how long the shoe will last, how well it will stand up to the pressure you put them under. We would never want to include a pair of shoes that are outrageously expensive and will only last a few wears.