One pickleball gear that can help you elevate your game instantly is your shoes.
Your shoes have a great impact on your performance as it can enhance your reflex and protect you from injuries.
The question arises,“Which shoe is best for me and what type of shoes are available?”
In this article I will give you all the knowledge you require for selecting a correct pickleball shoe for yourself.
After reading this article you don’t need to blindly believe in someone else’s review, rather you can make an informed decision for yourself.
Types Of Shoes According To The Court Surfaces
1. Outdoor Pickleball Shoes:
Court Surface:
Outdoor court surfaces are usually made of Asphalt, Concrete, and Polyurethane all of these materials are durable and rough as they are designed to withstand weather conditions.
Outsole:
For these kinds of courts you need outdoor shoes that have thicker outsoles which are made up of high abrasion synthetic rubber compound. It can withstand wear and tear of the outdoor surface without wearing off too soon.
Groves:
These types of shoes have deeper and more aggressive thread patterns with groves and channels that provide more traction on rough and loose surfaces.
Upper Material:
It is usually made up of sturdier material to provide more protection from abrasion and bumps of outdoor court.
Weight:
All of the above characteristics make outdoor shoes slightly heavier in comparison with indoor shoes.
Brands:
These brands are known for their outdoor pickleball shoes with durable outsoles for rough surfaces: ASICS Gel-Resolution, Babolat Propulse Fury, New Balance 806
2. Indoor Pickleball Shoes:
Court Surface:
Traditionally wood is used for indoor pickleball courts maple hardwood is best as it provides good ball bounce and traction. Now a days sports court tiles are used, they are made up of polypropylene or other shock absorbing material
Outsole:
Indoor shoes have an outsole of softer gum rubber. This material is sticker and provides superior traction on a smoother surface of indoor court. Resulting in sharp stops and quick movements. These soles if worn on rough surfaces wear fast as they can’t withstand the wear and tear of rough court.
Groves:
In these kinds of shoes threads and grooves are usually circular and of minimal depth, which results in maximizing the contact surface between floor and sole enhancing the grip.
Upper Material:
Often a breathable material is used for indoor shoes to improve ventilation and keep your feet dry and cool while intense indoor matches.
Weight:
These shoes are usually lighter in comparison to outdoor shoes and feel more agile and light during gameplay.
Brands:
These brands are known for their indoor pickleball shoes with excellent grip on smooth surfaces: NikeCourt Air Zoom Vapor Pro, Adidas SoleMatch Bounce, Adidas SoleMatch Bounce
Shoes According To Price Range
Low range (Under $75):
Low range shoes are good for casual or occasional players who don’t play pickleball regularly. This range is also good for people who are just beginners in the pickleball game and don’t want to invest a lot upfront. You can find decent functionality and traction in these ranges.
Brands like Fila, Skechers, and some lesser-known brands might offer shoes in this range.
Mid Range ($75-$125):
This is the sweet spot for many players as it offers a good balance of features and affordability. Enthusiasts who want to uplift their game and progress to the next level can get benefitted from mid range shoes. You can find brands with improved technology like better cushioning materials and more durable outsoles.
Brands like K-Swiss, Wilson, and some entry-level options from Babolat and HEAD fall into this range.
High-Range (Over $125):
This price range has some great options for players who are really serious about the game and progress to professional level as shoes in this range provide top-of-the-line performance and cutting-edge features.This range provides the latest technology premium materials, advanced cushioning systems, and exceptional durability.
Brands like ASICS, Adidas (limited pickleball-specific options), high-end Babolat and HEAD models, and Mizuno typically have shoes in this range.
Shoes According To Fit
It is important to keep in mind that price isn’t everything but the most important feature to look for while buying a shoe is fitting. You can find good fitting shoes for your feet in any range regardless of the price.
Following are the points you should check while looking for the perfect fighting shoes:
Overall Feel:
Shoes must be snugly fitting but not constricting. Your foot must feel secure held in place specially around the mid foot and heel. There must be no excess space for the foot to slide inside the shoes.
The movement you put on the shoes should feel comfortable, if you need to adjust it, pull it or push it, that means it’s pinching, rubbing or creating pressure points on your foot, that’s not a good fit for you.
Specific Area To Check Before Buying Your Shoes
Heel: Check the heel counter of your shoes, is it snuggly hugging your heel? As it is very important to prevent unwanted movements and ankle roll.
Midfoot or Arch: This area should be properly supported as it is very crucial for your balance, a good arch support will make you feel comfortable and grounded. Midfoot area should hug your feet snuggly. If this area feels hollow or unsupported then that’s not a good fitting shoe
Toebox: The rule says that there should be a thumb width gap between the tip of the big toe and the end of the shoe. Your toe should be able to wiggle free inside the shoe.
Top of the Foot: Fit of the top of the shoe must be comfortable. Apply a little pressure and see if any studs of corners are impinging. Tie your lace with appropriate tightness and see if it can hold properly or it starts to feel uncomfortable.
Bonus Tips:
Ideally you should try your shoes with the socks that you are going to wear on the court. This will give you the same feel you are going to have during the game.
When trying, try booth shoes and do some quick lateral movements and quick start-stop movement to feel your foot movement inside the shoes. It should not move too much.
