Best pickleball shoes in 2024 - top 7 compared

Buy if:

• You want the most comfortable pickleball shoes:

  if comfort is your priority, these are my recommendation—they're the comfiest court shoes I've ever had.

• You want support and speed too:

  Diadem hit a balance of strong overall support with a lightweight feel that lets you play fast.

• You don't want a break-in period:

  these are rare shoes that require almost no adjustment—they feel great right out of the box.

Pass if:

• You want the most durable shoes:

  try the tougher Babolat Jet Mach 3, the best outdoor pickleball shoe in 2024.

• Your budget is under $100:

  with our exclusive discount at Pickleball Central, you can get the K-Swiss Express Lights for $94.45.

• You want the best ankle support:

  check out the ASICS Gel-Challenger 13s, which have reinforced sidewalls.

Buy if:

• You want the best shoes under $100:

  the K-Swiss Express Lights rival shoes like the Babolat Jet Mach 3, but cost at least $40 less.

• You want shoes designed specifically for pickleball:

  K-Swiss made these with pickleheads in mind and I find them responsive to my movements on the court.

• You want a long-lasting shoe:

  I'm surprised by how durable these are for the price—the soles look good as new after 10 hours of testing.

Pass if:

• You have $150 to spend:

  I'd pay the premium and get the Diadem Court Burst if you want the most comfortable pickleball shoe.

• You play a lot outdoors:

  the K-Swiss hold up well enough for the price, but the Babolat Jet Mach 3 has the best durability I've tested.

• You want the best arch support:

  take a look at the ASICS Gel-Resolution 9 with its protective gel tech in the soles.

Buy if:

• You want a strong shoe for outdoor courts:

  these are designed for heavy use on hard tennis courts, with Michelin rubber outsoles and strong fibers in the upper shoe.

• You've rolled your ankle before:

  the "rocker heel" is built to facilitate the roll of your foot and prevent injuries.

• You want the #1 pro shoe:

  this is the top choice of pro players in an analysis done by YouTuber Shea Underwood.

Pass if:

• You mostly play on indoor courts:

  try the HEAD Motion Pros instead for the best indoor pickleball shoes of 2024.

• You want the most comfortable pickleball shoe:

  the Diadem Court Burst edges the Babolat Jet Mach 3 on comfort.

• Your budget is under $100:

  try the K-Swiss Express Lights for $95 with our discount, or the FitVilles for just $69.99 (if you have wide feet).

Buy if:

• You mostly play indoors:

  HEAD is a leader in indoor-specific tech and their Hybrasion+ outsole maximizes traction on basketball and gym floors.

• You want a little more room:

  the midsole is a touch wider here than on the Diadem, K-Swiss, or Babolat picks.

• You want a 30-day free trial:

  HEAD lets you try these out for 30 days and return them if you don't like them, as long as they're in like-new condition.

Pass if:

• You want more color choices:

  these come in just one color, so try the ASICS Gel-Resolution 9 for the most variety.

• You play almost exclusively outdoors:

  check out the durable and comfortable Babolat Jet Mach 3s.

• You want shoes made specifically for wide feet:

  the FitVille shoes are made for wide feet, and they have a budget price too.

Buy if:

• You need to support your arches:

  ASICS' gel technology and ​​DYNAWALL™ midsole really boost arch support.

• You want a more comfortable alternative to the Challenger-13s:

  these are much comfier and don't have the stiff feel of the ASICS Challengers, also on this list.

• You have $150 to spend:

  these are at the highest price end but they're worth it if you suffer from sore arches.

Pass if:

• You need ankle support:

  the ASICS Gel-Challenger 13s on this list have built-in ankle-supporting tech.

• You want shoes for wide feet:

  try the FitVille shoes on this list, designed for players with wide feet. They also provide arch support.

• You're on a $100 budget:

  check out the K-Swiss Express Lights, the best budget shoes I've played with.

Buy if:

• You want to protect your ankles:

  ASICS' WINGWALL™ tech gives you extra protection in the sidewall for increased ankle support.

• You want shoes with good traction:

  these have good grip on both outdoor and indoor courts.

• You have $100 to spend:

  at just $100, these are great value for money, especially as they're built to last.

Pass if:

• You have wide feet:

  the Gel-Challenger 13s have a narrow build, so try the FitVille shoes, made specially for wider feet.

• Comfort is your priority:

  these feel a bit stiff, so I'd pay the extra $50 for the Diadem Court Bursts if you want the most comfortable pickleball shoes.

• You're more in need of arch support:

  ASICS' other shoe, the Gel-Resolution 9, is my top pick for players who need arch support.

Buy if:

• You have wider feet:

  these FitVille court shoes were made specifically for wide feet, and they have extra-wide sizes too.

• You want arch support also:

  these have built-in arch support.

• You want good value for money:

  at just $69.99, these are the cheapest shoes on my list—but they don't feel cheap at all.

Pass if:

• You don't need wide shoes but want arch support:

  you'll get a better all-round performance from the supportive ASICS Gel-Resolution 9s.

• You only need slightly wide shoes:

  the HEAD Motion Pros are slightly wide shoes with great grip that should last you longer.

• You want a fast shoe:

  if you've got $150 to spend, the Diadem Court Bursts are the quickest shoes on this list.