Shoe buying guides
Pickleball shoes
Running shoes are built to go forward; pickleball sends you sideways. Here’s what a good court shoe does differently, plus our guides for men and women.
Quick answer
Wear a court shoe (a pickleball or tennis shoe), not a running shoe. Court shoes have a lower, wider base, firmer sides and a tougher outsole for quick lateral steps, so you’re less likely to roll an ankle at the kitchen line. Wide feet need 2E or 4E sizes.
Why court shoes matter
Most of a pickleball game happens in short, sharp bursts. You shuffle along the kitchen line, lunge for a dink, stop dead. A running shoe wants to roll you forward from heel to toe. A court shoe keeps your foot flat and locked in place when you push off sideways, and that’s the whole difference. Most of that side-to-side work happens at the line covered in the kitchen rule explained.
What to look for
- Lateral support: a firm upper and a wide base so the shoe won’t roll on hard cuts.
- A tough outsole: outdoor hard courts chew through soft rubber. Look for durable rubber or an outsole warranty.
- Grip for your surface: herringbone treads grip best on outdoor hard courts. Gum rubber grips indoor gym floors without marking them.
- Toe protection: low volleys mean dragging your toe across the court, so a reinforced toe outlasts a bare one.
- Fit: snug heel, a thumb’s width at the toe. Shop later in the day, when your feet are slightly bigger.
- A place to carry them: a bag with a vented shoe compartment keeps dirty soles off your paddle (pickleball bags compared).
- Wide sizes: if your foot spills over the footbed, look for models sold in 2E or 4E widths.
How we pick shoes
We compare brand specs and widths, expert hands-on reviews and verified owner reports, with special attention to how long the outsole lasts on outdoor courts and how often owners report sizing problems. See how we research.
Shoe guides
- Best pickleball shoes (2026) for men and womenLiveFour court shoes compared with lab data on stability, outsole, weight and fit, including wide-foot options.
- ASICS pickleball shoes comparedComing soonThe Gel-Resolution and Gel-Renma models players ask about most.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play pickleball in running shoes?
You can for a casual game, but it’s a gamble. Running shoes sit on soft, raised heels made for forward motion, and pickleball’s side-to-side steps can roll them right over, which is how a lot of ankle injuries start.
Are tennis shoes good for pickleball?
Yes. Tennis shoes are built for the same lateral movement and hard courts. Many pickleball shoes are close relatives of tennis models.
Do I need different shoes for indoor and outdoor pickleball?
Often, yes. Outdoor courts wear soles down fast, so a tough outsole matters. Indoor gym floors favor gum rubber that grips without leaving marks.