Best Court Shoes for Pickleball: Men’s and Women’s

So you’re wondering what shoes to wear for pickleball… You’ll need to keep an eye out for style, comfort, durability, and suitability to the specific needs of a pickleball court shoe. Also keep in mind the surface you’ll usually be playing on, since some of the best shoes for indoor pickleball are not the best for outdoor pickleball.

(Some of the below links are affiliate links which means we get paid a bit if you click through and buy something — don’t worry it doesn’t add anything to your cost! Just helps keep the site running.)

If you just want the recommendations already:

Women’s Outdoor Pickleball Shoe: ASICS Gel-Resolution 7 Shoes

Women’s Indoor Pickleball Shoe: ASICS Gel-Rocket 9 Shoes

Men’s Outdoor Pickleball Shoe: Adidas Barricade Club Shoes

BeMen’s Indoor Pickleball Shoe: ASICS Gel-Dedicate 6 Shoes

While you CAN play pickleball with an ordinary pair of running shoes, we wouldn’t recommend it. You’ll be a bit more nimble and less likely to injure yourself if you have the right pair of pickleball sneakers for the court surface you are playing on. As noted here, a lot of the injuries seen in pickleball tend to focus on the feet and ankles and wrists (from falling) and having the right shoes can help decrease that risk.

(And, no, as of yet there doesn’t seem to be any line of shoes made specifically for pickleball…)

We’ve found a few pairs of the best indoor and outdoor pickleball shoes for both men and women to help make your decision much more straightforward.

So let’s get to the shoes …

Best Court Shoes for Women

The best women’s court shoes for pickleball come in many different shapes and sizes, especially if you need something with support and comfort. Whether you opt for a pair of shoes for high-impact sports, such as tennis or volleyball, you’re guaranteed to have a couple you love. 

Below are a few of our top-rated pickleball shoes for women.

1. ASICS Gel-Rocket 9 Shoes

With a design originally for volleyball, these shoes will offer an optimal level of support and structure when you’re playing pickleball. They also have a whimsical style that is available in five different colors.

ASICS is, by far, one of the most popular brands for sports-related shoes, and the Gel-Rocket 9 Shoes are a guaranteed top seller.

Review

A few of the most impressive features of the ASICS Gel-Rocket 9 Shoes include:

• Forefoot GEL Technology

The most innovative part of these shoes is the specialized GEL technology located at the forefront of the shoe. This feature is ideal for absorbing most of the shock from your footsteps and for giving you optimal comfort for better performance.

• EVA Midsole

For added spring in your steps, the EVA midsole features extra cushioning so that you can experience improved bursts of movement and better rebound potential.

• TRUSSTIC System

As another innovative type of technology, the TRUSSTIC System is a specially molded compartment near the midfoot area. This piece controls torsion, so you can make cuts and direction changes quickly with confidence and security. Multi-directional movements will be quite comfortable with these shoes.

• Molding Liner

The added EVA sockliner will mold to the specific shape of your feet as the shoes are worn, which gives them a more customized feel. The sockliner can also be removed if you have special orthotics that you prefer to wear.

2. ASICS Gel-Resolution 7 Shoes

These shoes are a fantastic option for outdoor pickleball players, as they were originally developed for tennis. With a sleek and stylish appeal, they look great but also help you to play your best games with their iconic features.

Review

A few of the most notable features of the ASICS Gel-Resolution 7 Shoes include:

• Female-Specific Cushioning

Based on the female anatomy, these shoes have been specifically designed to offer gender-specific cushioning. You’ll find that there’s a lower-density top layer so that you can have better compression in the midsole area.

• Flexion Fit Upper

The proprietary technology in the upper of these shoes provides fantastic fitting comfort without taking away from their overall support. The Flexion Fit helps to create a far more customized fit to benefit all types of female athletes.

• TRUSSIC System

Similar to the previous pair of ASICS we reviewed, the Gel-Resolution 7 has the TRUSSIC system, as well. This technology helps to reduce the overall weight of the sole. It also ensures that the structure of the shoe is maintained.

• Memory Foam Collar

The fit of your shoes is of the utmost importance, and this pair has memory foam within the collar, which means that they mold to your feet. You’ll have a far more personalized fit for long-term play.

3. K-Swiss Hypercourt Express Shoes

As the final pair of the best indoor pickleball shoes for women that we’ll discuss, the K-Swiss Hypercourt Express Shoes are impressive. With a combination of synthetic and textile materials, these shoes are exceptionally breathable but comfortable to wear for all-season games. You might find that they are the best pickleball shoes 2019 has to offer.

Review

Some of the most notable features of these pickleball court shoes include:

• Lightweight and Airy

There’s no need to worry about dragging your feet on the court, as these shoes are far more lightweight than you would expect. They are also exceptionally airy, which is perfect for people who are prone to sweating in warmer weather.

K-Swiss understands that your comfort is an important consideration, and you can comfortably wear these shoes all day.

• Court-to-Foot Contact

The particular engineering that goes into these shoes gives you the optimal amount of contact from your foot to the court. They are inspired initially by runners, so you can guarantee you’ll have a more heightened and responsive playing experience.

• Molded Sockliner

The removable sockliner has its distinctive features you may want to consider. As it’s an Ortholite x40 sockliner, you may not even need to use your orthotics anymore. You’ll love the feeling of the advanced molding that adapts to your style of play.

Best Court Shoes for Men

The best pickleball shoes mens are relatively easy to find, even as a woman who is searching for a pair of unisex shoes. We’ve curated a list of the best shoes for pickleball that men will love to have in their arsenal, as they are comfortable and easy to wear.

1. ASICS Gel-Dedicate 6 Shoes

The overall style of the ASICS Gel-Dedicate 6 Shoes is simple, which is perfect for someone who needs a functional pair of sneakers. With a design that is ideal for tennis, you can bet these are some of the best pickleball sneakers on the market.

Review

The most exciting features of the ASICS Gel-Dedicate 6 Shoes include:

• Breathable Materials

With a combination of textile and mesh, these shoes are incredibly breathable, which makes them ideal for playing outdoors or indoors in warm weather. The lace-up closure is also comfortable against the padded tongue and the padded collar.

• Molded Footbed

To provide a more custom fit for your pickleball shoes, the footbed of this pair will mold to the specific features of your feet. Over time, you’ll own a tailor-made pair of sneakers for both tennis and pickleball.

• Forefoot Gel Cushioning System

As a feature found in most ASICS shoes, the Forefoot Gel Cushioning System is ideal for shock absorption and comfort. To help reduce the likelihood of jammed knees or shin splints, the patented gel allows you to make smoother transitions with your movements.

• TRUSSIC System

By reducing the overall weight of the shoes, the TRUSSIC System also helps to maintain their structural integrity.

2. Adidas Barricade Club Shoes

With a beautiful sporty design, the Adidas Barricade Club Shoes are a handsome pair of shoes to have at your disposal. With a few impressive features, they’re comfortable and easy for any player to wear.

Review

The main features of the Adidas Barricade Club Shoes include:

• Adiprene Cushioning

Within the shoe, you’ll experience optimal cushioning with every step. This benefit is thanks to the Adiprene cushioning placed right under the heel. With this, even your most explosive movements will have little impact on your knees and joints.

• Torsion System

Another exciting feature of these Adidas shoes is the unique torsion system. Every quick movement that you make will be absorbed by the shoes so that they move with you. Multi-directional movements will be safe and give you even more confidence. This feature is especially great for aggressive players.

• Lightweight

You won’t want to cause early fatigue due to the heaviness of your shoes. The Adidas Barricade Club Shoes are very comfortable and lightweight when worn, even with the added cushioning.

3. Saucony Grid Stratos 5 Shoes

The Saucony Grid Stratos 5 Shoes are ideal for quick, sharp, and fast progress at a minute’s notice. If you’re searching for optimal support and comfort, this pair is a good recommendation.

Review

The primary features of the Saucony Grid Stratos 5 Shoes include:

• Soft Lining

On the inside of the shoes, you’ll appreciate how smooth the lining is. With their very soft material, the sides, upper and footbed of the shoe will feel comfortable against thin socks.

• Heel GRID System

The Heel GRID System is patented technology owned by Saucony. Its primary purpose is to give your heels an ample amount of cushion to accentuate your movements. The dynamic heel makes strikes and serves far more comfortable, while high-impact moves become less stressful.

• Rubber Outsole

With the addition of the rubber outsole, you’ll be able to have an optimal grip on both indoor and outdoor surfaces. The tread on these shoes is quite remarkable for pickleball and tennis courts alike.

4. ASICS Gel-Rocket 8 Shoes

The last pair of the best shoes for pickleball on this list are the ASICS Gel-Rocket 8 Shoes. Compared to other pickleball-friendly shoes, these have a more modern and stylish appeal. You’ll also appreciate the numerous features that are built into their design.

Review

• Forefoot GEL Cushioning System

Having an ample amount of support is essential for pickleball and tennis, which is the benefit of the Forefoot GEL Cushioning System. With this feature, you can limit the amount of shock on your joints, as the gel cushion will absorb it.

• TRUSSTIC System Technology

The structure and integrity of your shoes are ideal, mainly to prevent sprains, slips, and strains. With the TRUSSTIC System Technology, you’ll have optimal support from all areas of the shoe. Another notable piece of this feature is that it helps to reduce the overall weight of the sole.

• Gum Rubber Outsole

If you’ve had tennis shoes before, you know how significant traction is. The gum rubber outsole on the ASICS Gel-Rocket 8 Shoes allows you to get superior grip on both indoor and outdoor surfaces.

Best Court Shoes for Pickleball: Final Verdict

Here are some things to remember:

• Avoid running and gym shoes because those will be much more ridged than you need for the nimble action of a pickleball shoe
• The key is getting a shoe that allows for quick side to side movement
• Generally stick to volleyball shoes if you’re playing primarily indoors and tennis shoes if you’re playing outdoors
• If you are playing both indoors and outdoors and only want one pair, try to buy one that is made for indoor and outdoor tennis. (Just like pickleball balls, as we’ve noted elsewhere, there is a difference between indoor and outdoor pickleballs and there’s a difference between the type of shoe you’ll want when you’re indoors vs outdoors.)

We have selected two pairs each for the best court shoes for pickleball for both men and women. The best women’s court shoes for pickleball are easily the ASICS Gel-Resolution 7 for outdoor play and the ASICS Gel-Rocket 9 Shoes for indoor play.

As for the best pickleball shoes mens, we suggest the Adidas Barricade Club Shoes with their straightforward and simple design for outdoor play and the ASICS Gel-Dedicate 6 Shoes for indoor play.