Pickleball has grown massively in popularity in recent years, with many people taking up the sport for fun, exercise, and professional purposes. Played on a small court, either indoors or outdoors, with a plastic ball and a solid paddle, it’s a sport that combines elements of table tennis, badminton, and tennis.
And like any other sport, pickleball requires that the player invest in some basic equipment so that they can compete well and safely. One of the most important facets is having the right footwear, and as a retailer of athletic footwear, it pays to have a range of pickleball shoes in your inventory to cater to this new, growing market.
In this article, we will look at the growth of the pickleball shoes market, the best pickleball shoes out there, and what customers should look for when purchasing them, among other factors.
Table of Contents
Market overview
What are the best shoes for pickleball?
Top pickleball shoe brands
Features to consider when choosing pickleball shoes
Comfort
Support
Cushioning
Traction and durability
Weight
Tips for choosing the right pickleball shoes
Summing up
Market overview
According to Valuates Reports, the pickleball market was valued at USD 186 million in 2024 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8% to 2030 to reach USD 295.2 million.
The sport’s growing popularity, with many young people taking on the sport, has helped the market to grow substantially, which has led to the need for more specialized equipment, including pickleball shoes.
Advancements in innovation have seen manufacturers invest more in research and development, leading to the production of advanced materials, improved cushioning, and responsive technology in pickleball shoe construction.
Moreover, cross-sport adaptation means that many manufacturers have also reworked the best parts of basketball and tennis shoes to create the ideal pickleball shoes.
In addition, customization of these shoes has increased their demand. From women’s and men’s pickleball shoes, many brands allow their customers to customize colors and materials to suit their preferences, leading even more people to buy this athletic footwear.
What are the best shoes for pickleball?
Pickleball is a fast-paced game that requires agility and quick reflexes. In this game, having the right footwear is crucial for performance, injury prevention, and comfort. Choosing the right shoes and insoles will impact the player’s efficiency on the court, helping them maintain balance during fast exchanges without injuries.
Overall, court shoes are the best choice for pickleball as they offer the proper traction for quick reflexes and are made for court surfaces.
Top pickleball shoe brands
Many athletic footwear companies now make pickleball shoes. Some of the top pickleball shoes on the market today include:
- K-Swiss Express light pickleball shoes: Ideal for outdoor courts, they have a hard-wearing outsole and a wide-toe box for comfort
- Asics Gel-Renma: Have excellent stability and cushioning, a comfortable fit with breathable mesh, and a durable outsole for indoor and outdoor play
- Adidas Barricade Tennis shoes: While these shoes were initially made for tennis, many pickleball players use them thanks to their comfortable arch support, lightweight cushioning, and non-marking soles, making them ideal for indoor courts
- Skechers Viper Court Pro: The shoes have good insole and midsole cushioning and an extra mesh that makes them comfortable, breathable, and lightweight
Some other players in the pickleball shoe market include:
- New Balance
- Nike
- Lacoste
- Puma
- Mizuno
- Babolat
- Champion
- Diadora
- Victor Sport
- Wilson
Features to consider when choosing pickleball shoes
As a small business and retailer, you must understand the athletic footwear you sell and know which is best for different types of activities. Therefore, when choosing pickleball shoes for sale, consider the following:
Comfort
Many players play the sport outdoors for long hours. To prevent overheating while playing, players need comfortable shoes with breathable materials. Pickleball shoes should also have large toe boxes and lightweight cushioning to prevent foot constriction.
Support
Pickleball often features significant movement and sudden changes of direction. The shoes, therefore, must have lateral support for directional changes, should bend naturally with the foot, and provide anatomic support for all foot types.
Cushioning
With the constant running and jumping in pickleball, one needs a shoe that can absorb shock. Pickleball should be well-cushioned and have bouncy soles to prevent joint problems.
Traction and durability
Those who prefer playing on indoor courts will need court shoes with more traction, but don’t leave scuff marks on the court’s surface.
Meanwhile, those playing on outdoor courts will need a durable pair that is able to withstand the wear and tear from the court’s hard surface. Therefore, outdoor court pickleball shoes should have a stronger rubber sole to increase their durability.
Weight
While lightweight shoes improve agility, heavy shoes can slow a player down, and lightweight pickleball shoes may not last as long as heavy shoes.
Tips for choosing the right pickleball shoes
As a retailer, you’re likely to encounter people who are looking to try the sport for the first time and need advice on which shoes to buy. Here are a few tips to help your customers pick the right pickleball shoes:
- Know your playing surface: Customers should choose a pickleball shoe that matches their playing surface. If they are playing indoors, lightweight shoes with rubber soles will do, but if they play outdoors, they will need shoes with stronger rubber soles to handle the grit of asphalt and other hard court surfaces.
- Foot type: Consider the player’s foot type when recommending the best pickleball shoes. Those with wide feet should look for brands with wider sizes, while people with flat feet should get shoes with arch support.
- Try before you buy: If possible, customers should try pickleball shoes before they buy them to ensure that they are comfortable
- Break them in: Before hitting the court, players should wear their pickleball shoes around the house to break them in
- Replace when necessary: Worn-out shoes can cause discomfort and injuries. Depending on how often a person plays, shoes should be replaced every 6-12 months.
Summing up
Investing in the right pickleball shoes is vital for players looking to improve their performance and prevent injuries. And when buying pickleball shoes, a person will need to consider comfort, cushioning, traction, and durability.
As a small business and retailer, it’s recommended to have a range of brands of pickleball shoes in your inventory so that you can cater to different types of customers depending on their budgets, needs, tastes, and preferences.
You should also be able to advise your customers on the best shoes to get based on their needs. This will help to establish you as a resourceful business and foster customer loyalty and satisfaction.
