Everybody has a different idea of what they consider the best pickleball shoes. While some people want comfort, others want splashy, high-quality style.

What’s so important about court shoes anyway? Why should you invest in pickleball shoes over any other pair of running shoes? Well, a lot of engineering, testing, and design goes into creating suitable and durable sneakers that work well on various indoor and outdoor pickleball court surfaces.

Look for these court shoe features when comparing different styles:

Arch support if you have fallen arches or midfoot pain
Good airflow and breathable mesh upper
Includes dragguard or durawrap technology to avoid abrasion
Plantar support if you have or are prone to plantar fasciitis
Removable insole
Rubber sole with deep treads for traction
Shock absorption and ankle support for lateral movement
Support chassis for stability
Wide toe box for wider feet

Regardless of what you’re looking for, the following list includes our top picks for pickleball shoe options for men and women.

Nike Court Zoom Vapor Cage 4 Rafa

This standout pickleball shoe for hard courts is brought to you by Nike, a company that needs no introduction. The Nike Court Zoom Vapor Cage 4 Rafa is designed to help with acceleration and support your feet against tremendous force. With the zoom air unit in the heel, these shoes provide the cushioning underfoot you need and enough lateral support for quick side-to-side movements on the court.

What We Love

Ergonomic
Great traction
Lockdown and dependable support
Outsole wraps over the midsole
Removable insole
Premium materials
Zoom air unit for extra lift

Under Armour Lockdown 6

This stylish basketball shoe is perfect for indoor pickleball courts and sports a synthetic upper, which provides you with a responsive fit. Further, it has a lightweight and super-breathable sock liner that gives you underfoot cushioning and extra support.

The shoe offers an injection-molded midsole, which will help you feel light on your feet as you tackle your opponents on the court, and excellent traction due to the rubber outsole and multi-level adaptive traction pattern.

What We Love

A lightweight and responsive ride thanks to an injection-molded EVA midsole
Good shoe for wide feet
Great traction for movement control on indoor courts
Herringbone traction pattern
Lightweight shoe weighing 13.6 ounces
Molded synthetic upper for a responsive fit
Perforated leather that allows for breathability
Several designs and color options

Asics Gel Resolution 8

The ASICS Gel Resolution 8 men’s pickleball shoe promotes responsive strides and helps you feel close to the court. The integration of DYNAWALL technology allows for added midfoot stability when you make lateral movements. This shoe can help you make quick transitions thanks to the torque control design feature in the heel counter.

The GEL technology in the midfoot aids shock absorption from sudden movements on the court. The PGUARD toe protector works with the AHAR compound in the outsole to lower wear and tear while increasing traction on the court.

What We Love

Comfortable and dynamic fit due to Dynawrap
Durable outsole with new and improved tread for fast movements
Extra stability due to Dynawall technology for medial and lateral movement
GEL cushioning technology
Locked-in feel
Supportive FLEXION FIT upper

New Balance WC806 Tennis-W

The New Balance WC806 Tennis-W is specially designed for female tennis or pickleball players looking for exceptional support and stability. This tennis shoe is ideal for all types of court surfaces.

It features a padded collar with a webbing heel pull loop to easily pull the shoe on or off. It also comes with a LIGHTNING DRY® liner with a removable, padded footbed which provides comfort and dryness as you train. The shoe is rounded off with reinforced laces that provide sturdiness and an adjustable fit.

What We Love

Breathable design
Full-grain leather uppers
Lace-up for a secure fit
LIGHTNING DRY® liner
Full-grain leather uppers
The non-marking rubber outsole offers great traction

Asics Gel Challenger 12

This shoe is designed for recreational pickleball players and perfect for outdoor courts. You can easily perform skilled serves and make fast movements from baseline to net with with the SOLYTE™ midsole. These shoes are highly responsive with lightweight cushioning for quick side-steps.

These shoes offer underfoot support in both the rearfoot and forefoot, increasing stability as you play pickleball. The TRUSSTIC SYSTEM® technology provides excellent grip on court surfaces, reducing twisting and injury.

Enjoy added rebound along with moisture management with the inclusion of the removable OrthoLite™ sock liner which is perfect for narrow feet.

The GEL-CHALLENGER® 12 shoe has a bold look and makes a stylish statement to help you stand out on the court.

What We Love

Durable AHARPLUS™ outsole
Ergonomic design
Excellent stability with TGEL® technology
Improved grip and traction with TRUSSTIC SYSTEM® technology
Removable OrthoLite™ sock liner

Conclusion

Choosing the best shoes will depend on your own personal style and any special needs your feet may have. Whether you fall in love with K-Swiss Express Light shoes or the latest outdoor pickleball shoes from Wilson, what matters most is you feel comfortable and supported on the court.

No matter how well you play, a bad pair of shoes will ruin your game, and the right shoes can make all the difference. Pick out something that feels most comfortable and makes you move with confidence.