I rolled my ankle on a pickleball court because I was wearing running shoes -- the kind with thick, chunky foam soles that are everywhere right now. It was a routine backhand -- I planted to change direction and my foot rolled right off that tall, squishy midsole. The foam that felt so comfortable walking around became a liability the instant I tried to cut laterally. My ankle folded underneath me before I could react. Two weeks off the court, a compression brace, and a lot of ice later, I learned the hard lesson that every experienced player already knows: the shoes matter more than the paddle.
Running shoes are designed to move you forward. Pickleball moves you sideways. That fundamental mismatch is why so many new players end up injured. Modern running shoes are the worst offenders -- brands like Hoka, Nike Vaporfly, and New Balance Fresh Foam have pushed midsole heights to extremes. That thick foam stack raises your foot inches off the ground, creating a taller center of gravity that is inherently unstable during lateral movement. When you try to cut sideways on a court surface, all that foam compresses unevenly and your ankle has nowhere to go but over. It is like trying to play pickleball on stilts.
This guide covers what to look for in a pickleball shoe, the best options at every price point, and the mistakes to avoid. If you take one thing away from this article, let it be this: proper court shoes are not optional.
Why Court Shoes Matter for Pickleball
Pickleball demands a specific kind of movement. You are constantly shuffling laterally, lunging forward for dinks, backpedaling for lobs, and planting hard to change direction. A typical rally might involve four or five direction changes in under ten seconds.
Lateral support is the single most important feature. Court shoes have reinforced sidewalls and a wider base that keeps your foot stable during lateral cuts. Running shoes have none of this -- their narrow profile and cushioned midsole actually increase the risk of rolling over on your ankle.
Court grip is the second priority. Court shoes have flat, non-marking rubber outsoles with herringbone or modified herringbone tread patterns. These provide grip on hard court surfaces without leaving marks. Running shoes have treads designed for pavement and trails -- they can be too grippy on smooth court surfaces (causing knee strain from sudden stops) or not grippy enough on dusty outdoor courts.
Low-to-ground feel matters more than cushioning. This is the big one that gets people hurt. Unlike running, where you want maximum heel cushion, pickleball benefits from a lower profile shoe that keeps you connected to the court. Those thick foam running shoes (Hokas, Vaporflys, and similar maximal cushion shoes) put your foot 30-40mm off the ground. That is great for absorbing impact on a five-mile run, but on a pickleball court it turns every lateral cut into an ankle injury waiting to happen. The higher the stack height, the more leverage gravity has to roll your foot over when you change direction. Court shoes keep you closer to the ground -- typically 15-25mm of midsole -- so you can feel the surface and react quickly without wobbling on a foam tower.
What to Look for in a Pickleball Shoe
Before diving into specific recommendations, here is what separates a good court shoe from a bad one for pickleball:
Lateral Support
Look for a reinforced upper -- especially around the midfoot and heel. The shoe should feel snug around the sides of your foot without being tight. Some shoes have outrigger soles (the sole extends slightly past the upper) for extra stability on lateral cuts.
Outsole Tread Pattern
Herringbone is the gold standard for court sports. The V-shaped pattern provides multidirectional grip without being so sticky that it catches on the court. Avoid shoes with deep lugs (trail shoes) or smooth outsoles.
Toe Durability
Pickleball players drag their toes -- a lot. The serve, the split step, and lunging for dinks all put wear on the toe box. Look for a reinforced toe cap or toe guard. Without it, you will blow through the front of your shoes in a few months.
Weight
Lighter is generally better, but not at the expense of support. Most good court shoes weigh between 10-14 ounces. If a shoe feels like a brick, you will lose quickness. If it feels like a sock, you will lose stability.
Breathability
You are playing on hot courts in Southern California. Mesh uppers and ventilation holes keep your feet from overheating. Leather and synthetic uppers look nice but trap heat.
Best Pickleball Shoes by Category
Best Overall: Court-Specific Shoes
These shoes are designed for racquet sports and work perfectly for pickleball. They prioritize the exact features you need -- lateral support, court grip, and durability.
What to look for in this category:
- Herringbone or modified herringbone outsole
- Reinforced midfoot and lateral sidewalls
- Toe drag guard
- Non-marking rubber sole
- Weight under 13 oz
Popular court shoe brands that consistently deliver: ASICS (Gel-Renma, Gel-Rocket series), Skechers (Viper Court Pro -- designed specifically for pickleball), New Balance (Fresh Foam LAV, 996 series), Nike (Court Air Zoom Vapor, Court Lite), K-Swiss (Express Light, Hypercourt series), and HEAD (Sprint Pro, Revolt Pro).
The ASICS Gel-Renma has become one of the most popular shoes in the pickleball community specifically because it was designed with pickleball in mind -- proper lateral support, a durable outsole, excellent toe guard, and a price point under $80 that does not break the bank.
Best Budget Option: Indoor Court Shoes
If you are just starting out and do not want to invest $100+ in shoes, indoor volleyball or badminton shoes are an excellent budget-friendly option. They have flat gum rubber soles (great court grip), good lateral support, and lightweight construction.
Why they work: Volleyball and badminton require the same lateral movement patterns as pickleball. The shoes are built for quick direction changes on hard court surfaces. At $40-60, they are half the price of premium court shoes.
The tradeoff: Indoor court shoes wear down faster on outdoor asphalt courts. The softer gum rubber outsoles are designed for gymnasium floors and will deteriorate more quickly on rough outdoor surfaces. If you primarily play outdoors, invest in a shoe with a more durable outsole.
Best for Wide Feet
Wide feet are common among pickleball players (the demographic skews older, and feet tend to widen with age). A shoe that is too narrow will cause blisters, numbness, and instability.
Look for: Brands that offer wide (2E) and extra-wide (4E) sizing. New Balance is the standout here -- they offer many of their court shoes in wide widths. K-Swiss also runs slightly wider than average. ASICS tends to run narrower, so size up or look for their wide options.
What to Avoid
Running shoes. I cannot say this enough. The cushioning and narrow profile that make them great for forward motion make them dangerous for lateral court sports. This is how I rolled my ankle, and it is the most common footwear mistake in pickleball.
Basketball shoes. They have lateral support, but they are too heavy, too high-top (restricts ankle mobility for quick movements), and the outsole tread is designed for indoor hardwood, not outdoor court surfaces.
Cross-trainers. Better than running shoes, but still a compromise. The outsoles are usually designed for gym floors and mixed surfaces, not specifically for court grip. If cross-trainers are all you have, they will work temporarily, but upgrade when you can.
Old or worn-out shoes. Even proper court shoes lose their support and grip over time. If the tread is worn smooth or the midsole is compressed and flat, it is time for a new pair. Most court shoes last 60-100 hours of play before the outsole wears down significantly.
How to Prevent Ankle Injuries on the Court
Shoes are the first line of defense, but they are not the only factor. Here are additional steps to protect your ankles:
Warm up before playing. Five minutes of light movement -- ankle circles, calf raises, lateral shuffles, and gentle lunges -- prepares your joints for the demands of play. Cold muscles and tendons are more susceptible to injury.
Strengthen your ankles. Single-leg balance exercises, resistance band ankle rotations, and calf raises build the stability muscles around the ankle joint. Even a few minutes of ankle strengthening three times per week makes a noticeable difference.
Learn proper footwork. Many ankle injuries happen because of poor movement mechanics, not just bad shoes. Stay on the balls of your feet (not flat-footed), use a split step before your opponent hits the ball, and shuffle laterally instead of crossing your feet over. Crossing your feet is one of the most common causes of ankle rolls.
Consider an ankle brace. If you have a history of ankle sprains, a lightweight compression brace adds an extra layer of support without restricting movement. They are inexpensive, fit inside any court shoe, and can prevent re-injury while your ankle heals.
Replace your shoes regularly. Track your hours of play. Most court shoes need to be replaced every 3-6 months if you play several times per week. The support and grip degrade gradually, so you might not notice until it is too late.
Indoor vs Outdoor: Does It Matter?
Yes. The court surface affects which shoe works best.
Outdoor courts (asphalt, concrete): You need a more durable outsole. Look for harder rubber compounds and deeper tread. Outdoor courts are rougher and will chew through soft gum rubber quickly. Most dedicated court shoes with herringbone tread work well outdoors.
Indoor courts (gymnasium, sport court): Softer gum rubber outsoles provide better grip on smooth indoor surfaces. Indoor volleyball and badminton shoes excel here. Avoid outdoor shoes with hard rubber on indoor courts -- they can be slippery on polished gymnasium floors.
If you play both: Get a shoe with a medium-durability outsole and herringbone tread. It will work reasonably well on both surfaces. Or, if you play frequently, consider having two pairs -- one for indoor and one for outdoor.
How Much Should You Spend?
You do not need to spend $150 to get a good pickleball shoe, but you should not go below $40 either.
| Price Range | What You Get |
|---|---|
| Under $40 | Too cheap -- poor support, bad materials, no durability |
| $40-60 | Budget court shoes, indoor shoes -- good for beginners |
| $60-90 | Sweet spot -- proper court shoes with good support and durability |
| $90-130 | Premium options -- better materials, lighter weight, more features |
| $130+ | Top-tier -- professional-grade, maximum performance and durability |
For most recreational players, the $60-90 range is the sweet spot. You get proper lateral support, a durable outsole, and reasonable comfort without overpaying for features you do not need.
Breaking In Your New Shoes
New court shoes can feel stiff. Here is how to break them in without risking blisters:
- Wear them around the house for a few hours before playing in them
- Play a short session first -- 30-45 minutes, not a full two-hour open play
- Wear proper athletic socks -- moisture-wicking, cushioned, crew length. Cotton socks cause blisters
- Lace them snugly -- court shoes should feel secure but not tight. Your heel should not slip when you move laterally
The Bottom Line
The right shoes will not make you a better player, but the wrong shoes will absolutely make you a worse one -- or an injured one. I learned this the hard way with a rolled ankle and two weeks away from the court. Do not repeat my mistake.
If you are playing in running shoes, cross-trainers, or worn-out sneakers, upgrading to proper court shoes is the single best investment you can make in your game. Your ankles, knees, and feet will thank you.
Check out our complete guide on what to bring to the court for the rest of your gear checklist, and find courts near you in our LA court guides.
Can I wear running shoes for pickleball?
You can, but you should not. Running shoes lack lateral support and have tread patterns designed for forward motion, not side-to-side court movement. This significantly increases your risk of ankle sprains and knee injuries. Court-specific shoes are always the better choice for pickleball.
What is the difference between indoor and outdoor pickleball shoes?
Indoor shoes have softer gum rubber outsoles that grip polished gymnasium floors. Outdoor shoes have harder, more durable rubber that withstands rough asphalt and concrete surfaces. Using indoor shoes outdoors will wear them out quickly. Using outdoor shoes indoors can be slippery. If you play on both surfaces, a medium-durability herringbone outsole works for both.
How often should I replace my pickleball shoes?
Most court shoes last 60-100 hours of active play. If you play three times per week for about 90 minutes each session, that is roughly 3-6 months. Replace them when the tread is worn smooth, the midsole feels flat and compressed, or you notice less grip and support during play.
Are pickleball-specific shoes worth it?
Pickleball-specific shoes from brands like ASICS and Skechers are designed with the sport's exact movement patterns in mind. They are a great choice but not the only option. Any quality court shoe designed for tennis, volleyball, or badminton will work well for pickleball. The key is lateral support and a non-marking court outsole -- the sport-specific label is less important than the shoe's construction.
Do I need different shoes for singles vs doubles?
Not necessarily, but singles is more physically demanding with more court coverage. If you play a lot of singles, you may want a slightly lighter shoe with more cushioning for the extra running. For doubles, lateral support is the top priority since most movement is side-to-side at the kitchen line. A good all-around court shoe works for both formats.
Should I wear ankle braces with my pickleball shoes?
If you have a history of ankle sprains or instability, a lightweight compression ankle brace is a smart addition. Modern braces are thin enough to fit inside court shoes without affecting fit or comfort. They provide extra support during lateral movements without restricting your range of motion. Even without a history of injury, a brace can be good insurance during intense play.
Ready to play?
Check out our court guides to find the best places to play in LA.