Why wear pickleball shoes you ask? They preserve tread, increase lateral support and stability and cushion your soles on the court.
The upper mesh and sole tread on pickleball shoes lasts longer compared to standard running shoes. The constant lateral movements and sharp pivots are hard on the sole tread, which causes standard sneakers to wear and tear rapidly if exposed to hard surface pickleball courts.
Beginners will want to learn why you wear pickleball shoes to understand the value of the footwear. I also recommend experienced pickleball players follow the guide, to save yourself a pickleball bag full of money purchasing new shoes every few months.
Table of Contents
Why Wear Pickleball Shoes?
You wear pickleball shoes for their added support, grip and durability, which saves you from buying shoes every few months.
Support
Pickleball shoes provide additional support to your feet on lateral movements and fast pivots. If you look at the K-Swiss Court Express women’s pickleball shoes, you notice a thermal plastic plantar support chassis. This structure provides 180 degree protection to your feet and ankles.
Our in-house tester, Mariia, knows all about the difference in support between standard running shoes and pickleball shoes. When she first started playing pickleball, she wore trekking shoes, which lead to her feet sliding when moving from side to side. She eventually sprained her ankle using the said shoes, which prompted her to purchase pickleball shoes.
Reduce Injury
Mariia was a victim of an injury while using trekking shoes on a pickleball court. The shoes didn’t provide enough lateral support and her ankle sprained while performing a slide step. Had she worn pickleball shoes, the chassis would’ve protected her ankle, and she likely wouldn’t have sprained it.
There are worse injuries than a sprain, but it could’ve been worse. The bottom line is that if she had worn pickleball shoes, the injury could’ve been avoided.
Grip
Pickleball shoes are reinforced with durable rubber outsoles to withstand the constant friction with the hard court surface. When Mariia used running shoes on the court, she found the tread wearing away after three 1 hour coaching sessions and one match.
The Skechers Viper Court pickleball shoes offer a prime example of the high-quality tread found on pickleball shoes. These shoes typically last between 2 to 3 years, if you’re a casual pickler who plays a couple of times a year. However, if you’re a serious player who spends hours on the court every week, the rubber will likely wear down before the year is out.
Read More: Skechers Viper Court Pickleball Shoes For Women
Durability
Pickleball shoes are more durable than running or hiking shoes. Their reinforced chassis and optimized tread increase the longevity of the shoes. In my experience, its saved me from purchasing new footwear every 6 months.
It may seem affordable to operate with running shoes at the start, but purchasing pickleball shoes will save you money in the long run.
Read More: New Balance FuelCell 996V5 Pickleball Shoes
Comfort
Since pickleball shoes are made for court play, they provide greater comfort and cushioning during a game. I find they absorb the impact of each lateral movement and pivot, which reduces vibrations and cramp.
The lack of support in a running shoe has caused my feet to slide around on side-to-side movements. This created excess friction between my feet and the material, leading to blisters and days of discomfort. The supportive chassis and soft padding eradicates those challenges, keeping my soles blister and cramp free.
Verdict On Why Wear Pickleball Shoes
If you’re asked why wear pickleball shoes, tell the inquierer they offer more support, grip, comfort and durability compared to other footwear. The lateral movements, sharp pivots and constant friction with the court demands high traction, cushioned and supportive footwear, like pickleball shoes.
Wearing pickleball shoes prevents injuries like a sprained ankle in the case of Mariia. It also saves you from wearing perfectly good running or hiking shoes on the court. This saves you from frequently purchasing shoes.
FAQ
Is It Ok To Wear Running Shoes For Pickleball?
No, the outsoles on running shoes wear down quickly and the chassis doesn’t provide the support needed for lateral movement. Using running shoes for pickleball destroys the footwear rapidly.
Can You Wear The Same Shoe For Tennis And Pickleball?
Yes, you can wear tennis shoes for pickleball given their outsole grip, cushioned insole, and durability. However, I find that pickleball shoes are typically lighter than tennis shoes and don’t create fatigue in the feet that I sometimes experience during a long tennis game.
Can I Wear Walking Shoes For Pickleball?
No, walking shoes aren’t advised for pickleball because their outsoles lose grip rapidly and their chassis doesn’t contain your feet on side-to-side movements.
Do You Need Pickleball Shoes To Play Pickleball?
You aren’t obliged to use pickleball shoes to play pickleball, but it is advised. Pickleball shoes give maximum grip, comfort, stability and durability on the court, reducing the risk of injury and the destruction of your running or walking shoes.
Watch Here To See Why Wear Pickleball Shoes
