How To Choose the Right Footwear to Prevent Pickleball Injuries

The shoes you wear on the pickleball court play a significant role in your comfort, performance and injury prevention. Consequently, choosing the right footwear is essential.

This article is your guide to pickleball shoe selection. It explains the downsides of wearing the wrong shoes, the benefits of wearing the right ones, key shoe features to look for and more.

Why Your Pickleball Footwear Matters

You’re eager to take up pickleball but haven’t had a chance to buy a good pair of shoes. That’s not a problem, right?

Well, you might be able to get by with footwear that isn’t ideal for the sport. However, it’s just as likely that you’ll experience some or all of the following:

• Impaired performance. Being able to start, stop and move quickly is essential in pickleball. Your play will suffer if your shoes don’t properly support those movements.
• Discomfort or pain. Pickleball puts significant pressure on your feet as you move around the court. It doesn’t take long for them to feel sore and tired when you’re wearing inadequate shoes.
• Injuries. Ankle sprains, plantar fasciitis (painful inflammation of a thick band of tissue on the underside of your foot) and other injuries and conditions of the ankles and feet are common for pickleball players. Having the wrong footwear increases your risk of experiencing issues.

Benefits of Wearing the Right Pickleball Shoes

Wearing appropriate footwear for pickleball provides several benefits that make the game more enjoyable and help you perform at your best. Features to look for in pickleball shoes include:

• Support. A good shoe provides stability and support that reduces your risk of rolling an ankle or experiencing other injuries to your feet and legs.
• Cushioning. The right footwear helps absorb the energy and lessen the impact as your feet hit the court.
• Traction. Good shoes enable you to make the quick, decisive movements needed in pickleball.
• Durability. Well-made footwear will hold up to frequent, intense use.
• Fit. The right pickleball shoes will feel right and accommodate the size and shape of your feet.

What’s the Best Style of Shoe for Pickleball?

Shoe selection depends, in part, on your preferences, playing style, etc. However, many pickleball players find that tennis shoes (meaning those designed for tennis) work well. Shoes made for other court sports can also provide the necessary traction, cushioning and support.

On the flip side, you should avoid several shoe types. For example, walking and running shoes are designed primarily for forward rather than lateral (side-to-side) motion, so they aren’t good for pickleball. Casual shoes and open-toed shoes/sandals are also inappropriate because of their lack of support and traction. Hiking shoes/boots tend to have good support but are too heavy for pickleball.

Ultimately, a good tennis shoe or other court shoe is ideal.

How To Select the Right Pickleball Shoes

When shopping for pickleball shoes, here’s a good process to follow:

1. Do some research online. Read about the brands and types of shoes players are wearing. If you have a particular concern, like being prone to sprained ankles or plantar fasciitis, search for information on shoes that address those issues.
2. Try on several pairs. It’s ideal to go to a shoe store to buy your pickleball footwear so you can try on different shoes with guidance from a salesperson. If you choose to purchase shoes online, consider ordering multiple pairs to keep the best pair and return the others.
3. Wear your new shoes around the house. It can take a little time to “get a feel” for a pair of shoes, so it’s best to walk around in them a bit to confirm your purchase decision before you hit the court.

Talk With Your Baptist Health Provider About Pickleball and Foot Issues

Wearing the right pickleball shoes can enable you to play comfortably and safely. However, if you get injured or develop a condition like plantar fasciitis, talk with your healthcare provider. They can recommend treatment to address the issue or potentially refer you to a podiatrist who can help you get back in the game.

If you don’t have a Baptist Health provider, check out our online directory.

Next Steps and Helpful Resources

Common Pickleball Injuries and Prevention Strategies
Benefits of Pickleball for Cardiovascular Health
Is Pickleball Good Exercise?
Health Benefits of Pickleball