What Do I Look for in a Pickleball Shoe?

I play an athletic, fast-paced, advanced-level pickleball and need a shoe that is durable, functional, and comfortable. Because I wear barefoot-style shoes off the court, I look for shoes that have a wide toe box and zero drop without sacrificing the cushioning and support required for playing pickleball on a hard court surface. I’ve tried out a ton of brands, so keep reading for my personal review of each.

Of note, I avoid shoes with a narrow toe box (most shoes) and shoes with excess cushion. If you came here for a review on any of these shoes, this isn’t the place for it. Some well-known brands and popular shoes I will never try include:

Selkirk CourtStrike
Selkirk Legacy
JOOLA R4LLy
Nike GP Challenge Pro

Stria G1 Pro
Wilson Pickle Pro
Franklin ACV Pro

My Current Shoe

Squairz XRZ2

A shoe designed specifically for Pickleball. They are partnered with Paddletek, DUPR, and worn by Pro Zane Navratil.
– Wide “roomier” toe box
– 6 month outsole warranty
– Reinforced Toe Cap for toe dragging (the most durable toe-cap on any shoe I have worn)
– Lateral outriggers
– Cushioned midsole for repetitive hard-court impact and athletic movements

Notace Koto 1
COMING SOON

– Wide toe box, zero drop
– Reinforced forefoot and heel for comfort and stability during athletic court movements
– Toe guard to protect while toe dragging
– I will update my review after wearing it!

Honorable Mentions

Xero X1 Basketball

Worn by NBA and WNBA players. Incredible shoe, but can wear down easily on a pickleball hardcourt.
Hopefully this shoe gets an outsole upgrade in the near future.

Montis Drop 1.0 Wide

Well-built shoe including the reinforced toe, support and cushioning, and tread, but was too narrow for me.
This shoe gets honorable mention status because I have heard they are currently working on a wider toe box shoe.

Initially Yes, But No

Xero 360 Rally

I was really excited about the release of this shoe. It felt great when I first put it on. Unfortunately, after a few sessions I quickly realized this is a true minimalist barefoot shoe. There was absolutely no padding between the outsole and foot and my foot took a beating. I think it’s a fantastic barefoot shoe that could be worn casually or on a softer surfaces.

CUURT Shoes

I was hopeful for these because of their wide toe box and zero drop design. But that was the end of it. These shoes were uncomfortable, felt clunky, and didn’t play well. The soles were too grippy and didn’t allow for me to shuffle and slide laterally and I kept getting “stuck”.