According to the SFIA report, more than 13.6 million people played pickleball across the United States in 2023.

What are the top traits all these pickleball players should be looking for in a pickleball shoe? And what key elements make a brand’s shoes stand out? Comfort, stability, durability and maneuverability are among the key features brands are focusing on in pickleball footwear.

“The top traits pickleball players should be looking for in a pickleball shoe are comfort, lateral stability and lightweight maneuverability,” asserts Dave Dorsey, racquet sports sales manager, Mizuno.

While the game of pickleball has similar demands as tennis, Dorsey explains, the playing space is tighter in pickleball and requires less full-speed footwork. Therefore, pickleball players need support for lateral movements, but the shoe doesn’t need to be a bulky and heavy more traditional “baseliner” tennis shoe. A more appropriate shoe for pickleball would be lightweight to help facilitate explosive movements and would be very comfortable to allow for all-day play.

“Pickleball players that want to take their game to the next level should look for a shoe that offers great step-in comfort, stability, and durability,“ concurs Dave Limke, senior business manager, Penn & Footwear, HEAD. The company’s new HEAD Motion Pro Pickleball shoe has been specifically engineered for pickleball, with features designed for pickleball-specific movements, notes Limke. These sport-specific details include a tread pattern optimized for high wear areas and a curved last of the shoe to improve propulsion, among other features.

“Regardless of whether you are new to the sport or have been playing for a while, consumers are looking for lightweight and comfortable shoes that offer stability and support to handle quick movements, and breathability especially in warmer regions,” chimes in Greg Smith, VP of product development & merchandising, Skechers. “Pickleball is a fast-paced and high-intensity sport and Skechers Pickleball shoes feature signature comfort and performance innovations that provide athletes what they need to focus on their game.”

Skechers is focused in on the ‘Comfort that Performs’ concept as a key point of differentiation. The brand works directly with two of the top pickleball professionals in the world – Tyson McGuffin and Catherine Parenteau. “Their feedback has helped to optimize some of our key comfort technologies including Arch Fit, Relaxed Fit, and Goodyear rubber outsoles designed to maximize performance and enhance the experience at all levels of play,” says Smith.

Here, we look at some of the top brands and styles hitting winners in this market.

HEAD / Motion Pro Pickleball

The first shoe from HEAD created specifically for pickleball, the Motion Pro has the extra durability picklers need — players frequently move from side to side and often spend hours on court each day. Along with extra tread around the outsole for grip, the shoe also has a hard-wearing rubber toecap. The shoe also boasts a breathable mesh, midfoot cooling system. The midsole features lightweight, highly responsive DynaFoam, and the TPU midfoot shank, reinforced upper and Lateral Control+ tech combine to deliver excellent stability. MSRP $129.

K-Swiss / Express Light

This lightweight and breathable shoe is built for both new and frequent players and offers superior stability with a 180-degree Plantar Support Chassis and interlocking fibers in the heel grip lining to prevent slippage. The Aosta rubber compound outsole provides heel-to-toe durability, while the DragGuard adds abrasion resistance. Plus, the Durawrap on the upper offers extra defense against excessive toe-dragging. The design features a K-Swiss Pickleball logo and customized Pickleball sock liner. MSRP $110.

Mizuno Wave Enforce Tour

Designed for tennis players and pickleball players, the Wave Enforce Tour features the brand’s high-rebound midsole material MizunoEnerzy, along with Mizuno Wave Tech that provides added ankle stability and shock redistribution for quick, explosive movements on court. The 3D-Solid upper material provides softness and flexibility while maintaining durability and breathability. MSRP $145.

Adidas Court Pickleball Shoe

A cushioned shoe built for pickleball, the Court style is made partially from recycled materials. It has a Bounce midsole for responsiveness, a performance rubber outsole and a textile upper for durability. MSRP $110.

New Balance FuelCell 996v6 Pickleball

Built for speed, endurance and flexibility on the court, this lightweight pickleball shoe features a durable toe-guard and upper. It also boasts FuelCell foam for a propulsive feel and an NDurance rubber outsole for durability in high-wear areas.

MSRP $134.99.

On ROGER Clubhouse Pro

The brand describes the ROGER Clubhouse Pro as a footwear style that suits all racquet sports — including pickleball, padel and tennis. This versatile shoe feature’s On’s soft foam cushioning and lightweight CloudTec sole. It adapts to different racquet sports thanks to its full-length herringbone outsole that grips and glides on a variety of surfaces.

MSRP $160.