9 Top-Rated Pickleball Shoes for Beginners in 2024, Recommended by Players and Experts
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Suffice it to say, the wildly popular sport of pickleball is here to stay. The recreational game seemingly exploded onto the scene overnight, and it's continued to grow ever since. Similarly, the options for pickleball shoes (and, honestly, pickleball clothes and pickleball paddles) have gone from 0 to 100 realllll quick. But there's actually a pretty wide variety of these models on the market, and to find the best pickleball shoes for beginners like you, you've gotta put in some work.
“The design of a pickleball shoe offers a lower stack height so that you feel closer to the court which provides more lateral stability and support because of the side-to-side movement,” says Jessie Irvine, a professional pickleball player. “You want to feel comfortable in the shoe, but in pickleball shoes, more emphasis is placed on providing ankle support as compared to making the shoe with lots of cushioning.”
In need of some assistance? The Shape team tested out a dozen pairs of the most popular pickleball shoes on the market for a whopping 288 hours. Our testers played a casual 86 games in these shoes and judged them on fit, comfort, support, flexibility, and durability. We then narrowed down the group to 9 of the best pickleball shoes for beginners with the highest rankings. Read on below.
Size: 6-14 | Width: Standard | Colors: 3
Designed to be both durable and comfortable, we found these Asics pickleball shoes to be the best pair of pickleball shoes for beginners. One tester found that the shoe moves and feels like a normal sneaker with even padding throughout. It provided top-notch support around the heel that held the foot in place so it never shifted or moved during abrupt turns. The traction also improved over time. “It started a bit smoother than expected and developed a better grip as the court surface scuffed up the sole,” says this tester.
The shoe is designed to be breathable with open mesh on the toes and the sides, and the heel is covered in a light PVC coating that allows for quick pivots and sudden stops. When it comes to wear and tear, the shoe held up great. The toe is reinforced to help with toe drags, but we did notice that the padding in the heel did begin to soften after a few wears.
Size: 5.5-11 | Width: Standard | Colors: 2
Perfecting your pickleball game without breaking the bank is possible with these kicks. At under $100, they provide lots of comfort and support and are a great option for anyone with wide feet who needs extra space in the toe box.
One tester said it felt like they were stepping into a cloud with these shoes. Doesn't get much better than that. The top of the shoe is made from breathable mesh, so there's great ventilation, and the soles are made from the same material as Michelin tires, so there’s extra durability and protection during quick stops or jumps. Additionally, they have lots of ankle support, and the extra support in the soles ensures the foot can absorb shock with aggressive movements on the court.
Size: 5-12 | Width: Standard | Colors: 2
Nike's pickleball shoes for beginners are very supportive around the ankle, with padding all around the shoe, as opposed to just in certain spots. The mesh on the outside allowed for excellent ventilation, and the extra cushion around the ankles increased mobility and functionality. We did notice that they run small and required a few wears to break them in, so we recommend sizing up by at least a half size.
Size: 5-11 | Width: Standard | Colors: 4
Designed with high-grip traction that provides stable footing, these Olukai sneakers are the perfect pair of pickleball shoes for beginners who also have plantar fasciitis. These feature all the quick-pivot mechanics needed for new pickleball players to successfully play. They also have solid arch support and traction to accommodate the agility of the sport. “Arch support along with a flexible mid-sole training shoe that conforms and pads the midfoot well is beneficial for plantar fasciitis,” says Berkcan Akpinar, M.D., Sports Orthopedic Surgeon and Assistant Professor at NYU Langone.
The strong herringbone tread and breathable mesh are stand-out features, as well. Our tester found that they were perfect for everyday wear because of their great design and stylish look.
Size: 5-11 | Width: Standard | Colors: 3
“With overpronation, it is critical to support the midfoot and the arch,” says Dr. Akpinar, and the K-Swiss Court Express Pickleball provides just that. The shoe comes with added shock absorption, so there’s extra stability with every move and step, and the addition of an Ortholite sock liner helps maintain breathability. These babies are super lightweight and have great traction on indoor and outdoor courts. However, we did find that the toe box was very narrow and took a while to break in, so these might be better suited for someone with more narrow feet.
Size: 5-12 | Width: Standard | Colors: 3
Sometimes you just want to get in a game of pickleball rain or shine, and that’s where a great indoor shoe is needed. We found these Asics shoes to be most reliable for indoor courts because they held up well on hardwood and laminate flooring — and left no marks after quick stops or sudden turns.
The soles were very sturdy, but thin enough that our tester said they could “feel my feet better on the court.' The shoe is also super flexible and molds nicely to the foot after just a few wears.
Size: 4-13 | Width: Standard | Colors: 3
Our male tester, who plays pickleball twice a week, found these shoes to be true-to-size, but a bit wider than usual, especially in the toe box. “The shoe has good insole padding and was comfortable while walking and playing,” he said, adding that the grip of the shoes is especially helpful when sliding and cutting on the court.
These scored high marks in durability and showed no signs of wear during our testing period.
Size: Women 5-12 | Width: Standard, wide | Colors: 2
For women who are looking for the best pickleball shoes for beginners and want a pair that'll last a long time, look no further. They cost a bit more than other options, but come with impressive features that make them worth every penny. 'I certainly recognized the quality from the moment I took them out of the box,' says one Shape tester.
These models hug the feet and protect against injuries thanks to the stable design that locks in your ankle and prevents it from rolling. Designed for speed, endurance, and flexibility, they offer more support than a traditional tennis shoe, making them ideal for a beginner.
Our tester found that the sneakers were well vented and had plenty of breathability and after one month of consistent wear, they never showed scuffs or wear. “There was no fraying of the laces or discoloration of the white mesh,' they said.
Size: 5-11 | Width: Standard | Colors: 3
People with flat feet require shoes with extra stability features to ensure the impact of each step is distributed evenly instead of pummeling specific spots. “Flat feet tend to absorb ground forces differently than feet with appropriate arch support, as a result, players should seek out softer surfaces to play on, and arch support becomes critical with orthotics as a frontrunner to supplement the player's choice of shoe wear,” says Akpinar. That’s why we picked these on shoes.
Equipped with extra foam in the midsole to absorb shock and provide an extra boost of support in the arch, these shoes impressed testers, “I'd recommend it for people with flat feet as it really cradled my flatter arch without any cramping or discomfort,' one Shape tester said.
The shoes are also designed to mold to the heel so it’s locked into place during play, and the toe cap has extra rubber for added durability. “This sneaker feels like it hugs your foot without feeling restricted,' says the tester.
Lauryn Higgins is a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist whose work focuses primarily on public health and wellness. A native of North Carolina, she now resides in Nebraska where she earned her master's degree in journalism. She currently works as a freelance journalist, adjunct professor of journalism, and as a Midwest stringer for the New York Times and The Washington Post. She has worked for the New York Times, NPR, Women's Health, Shape, Health.com, Teen Vogue and other outlets. For this article, she tested pickleball shoes, evaluated testing results from others, and interviewed the following experts:
