With pickleball being the fastest-growing sport in the United States in recent years, more and more people are giving it a try, and more people are asking the same question: “Pickleball shoes vs. tennis shoes: what’s the difference?”
While there are a few similarities between a tennis shoe and a pickleball shoe, and they can be used interchangeably, there are also a few differences to be aware of. It’s perfectly fine to wear general athletic shoes – such as basketball shoes or running shoes – to give the sport a try, but if you get into it and become more serious, you should look to invest in a good pair of pickleball shoes that will give you the correct support as you play.
With both sports requiring participants to move about their respective courts in similar ways, generally speaking, choosing to wear pickleball shoes is the best option, but tennis shoes can work well for pickleball as they provide similar support. However, you will also need to bear in mind which type of surface you will be playing on – indoor courts or outdoor courts – before you make your purchase.
Pickleball vs. Tennis
There are a few similarities between tennis and pickleball, with both being racquet sports played on a court and the players hitting the ball back and forth over a net. Both sports require the players to move about the court in a similar way, with lots of lateral movements and quick changes of direction.
With so much lateral movement across the court, you will need a sturdy shoe that offers lateral stability and support to help prevent ankle injuries.
Should you wear basketball shoes, for example, you probably won’t get adequate ankle support for those repetitive, sideways changes of direction that are so prevalent in tennis or pickleball.
While the on-court movements are similar in the two sports, the courts themselves can vary, not just from one sport to the other, but there are different types of tennis courts and different types of pickleball courts.
Pickleball Court vs. Tennis Court
The first noticeable difference in the courts is the size. Tennis courts are larger, with pickleball courts being more similar to badminton courts in size. But also, different types of court surfaces can be found. In tennis, courts usually fall into one of four categories – clay courts, hard courts (asphalt or concrete), grass courts, and carpet courts.
Each different surface has its own characteristics, which affect the playing style of the game, as the ball behaves differently on each one. Pickleball tends to be played on concrete, Astroturf, or indoor basketball courts, with regulated tournaments usually being played on a specialized polyurethane sport surface.
In addition to the ball behaving differently on each surface type, the soles of your shoes will also behave differently when playing tennis or pickleball on different surfaces. You will want to select a pair of pickleball shoes to suit the playing surface you intend to play on. Choosing indoor court shoes to play tennis on grass, for example, may not provide enough traction, resulting in more slips and more potential for injury.
Both sports can be played on indoor and outdoor courts, and you will encounter different playing surfaces in different locations. When playing pickleball, you are most likely to encounter a concrete or asphalt surface and should look for a court shoe that is designed for those surfaces rather than for grass.
Pickleball is not played on grass as the balls are different and do not bounce so well. You may find that when shopping for pickleball shoes, most are designed for both indoor and outdoor use, as there is less variation in the playing surfaces compared to tennis.
If you have a pair of tennis shoes already and are considering wearing them to play pickleball, one more thing to be careful of is that they weren’t designed for playing tennis on grass.
When playing on grass, especially at high-profile tournaments such as Wimbledon, players need to avoid damaging the playing surface, and the soles tend to be flatter with a less prominent tread pattern and, therefore, less grip.
Pickleball Shoes vs. Tennis Shoes
While choosing the correct type of sole will afford you a better grip on the court, there are a couple of other differences between a tennis shoe and a pickleball shoe to pay attention to. In tennis, the demands the game puts on your footwear differ on different surfaces.
For example, when played on clay, the extra bounce tends to keep tennis players on the baseline more, making lots of side-to-side movements, and a clay court shoe needs a sturdy upper to cope with these extra sideways motions.
Pickleball is played on smaller courts, with a little less lateral movement than in tennis, and the sturdier shoe is less important. When checking out court shoes that have been designed specifically with pickleball in mind, you may notice that most of them have mesh uppers, similar to the upper of a volleyball shoe.
The mesh helps your feet breathe and keep a little cooler, and as lighter shoes, they will sap your energy levels less. You may be thinking that volleyball shoes will work well for pickleball then, but they don’t offer as much support for sideways movements.
Pickleball Shoes
If you’re already hooked on pickleball or have the feeling you may be soon, you’ll want to invest in the best shoes for the job at hand. What surface will you be playing on? Most pickleball shoes are designed for indoor and outdoor courts, but if you are playing on concrete or asphalt, it will wear the soles quicker than if playing indoor pickleball on a basketball court with a wooden floor.
Having the right shoe for the right setting means they will withstand wear and tear better and should do a better job of keeping you fit, healthy, and injury free.
Men’s Shoes For Pickleball
ASICS Men’s Gel-Renma Pickleball Shoes
This court shoe from ASICS is good for pickleball because it has a non-slip gum sole, making it less likely to turn an ankle as a running shoe might. The synthetic leather overlays help provide good durability, and the flex grooves in the outsole improve flexibility.
K-Swiss Men’s Express Light Pickleball Shoe
This lightweight pickleball shoe from K-Swiss features a durable higher-density rubber outsole and is available in three different colors. The design incorporates enhanced midfoot stability and extra cushioning for improved comfort and a durable toe box for less wear and tear.
Skechers Men’s Viper Court-Athletic Indoor Outdoor Pickleball Shoes
These indoor pickleball shoes can also serve as outdoor shoes and feature Goodyear rubber outsoles for the ultimate grip on the court during your next pickleball games. It’s a great shoe with a relaxed fit with an adjustable lace-up front, making it also suitable as a hard-court tennis shoe.
Women’s Shoes For Pickleball
K-Swiss Women’s Express Light Pickleball Shoe
This lightweight pickleball shoe by K-Swiss features a high-density outsole and is available in a range of colors. The sock liner is made from OrthoLite foam, which helps to move moisture away and provide a drier, healthier environment for your feet, and the sturdy toe box increases abrasion resistance for added durability.
ASICS Women’s Gel-Renma Pickleball Shoes
This comfortable pickleball shoe from ASICS features a wrap-up outsole and is wider to help create smoother and more balanced movements. The faux leather overlays provide good durability, and the flex grooves in the outsole enhance flexibility.
Skechers Women’s Performance Pickleball Shoe
These versatile court shoes from Skechers can be used as indoor shoes but are also perfectly at home on an outdoor court. They can be used as tennis shoes or as pickleball shoes and are also suitable as walking shoes.
FAQs
Are tennis shoes the same as pickleball shoes?
A classic question in any pickleball shoes discussion: while there are many similarities between a pickleball shoe and a tennis shoe, the best shoes to play pickleball are those designed with the sport in mind. Tennis shoes that are made for grass do not have enough grip for playing pickleball.
Are tennis court shoes good for pickleball?
While some find outdoor tennis shoes good for pickleball, wearing proper shoes when you play pickleball will provide better support and grip on a pickleball court.
What kind of shoes should I wear to play pickleball?
Good pickleball shoes feature well-made, durable shoe components that won’t wear down too quickly and will provide good support and grip to keep you injury free. Look for ones that you can wear on indoor and outdoor pickleball courts.
Key Takeaways
- Tennis shoes and pickleball shoes are designed a little differently.
- While it’s best to wear pickleball shoes when playing pickleball, opting to wear tennis shoes is the next best option, but not those designed for playing tennis on grass. Tennis shoes designed for grass may not provide enough grip for a pickleball game.
- Pickleball-specific shoes are lighter, more breathable, and better for a pickleball game than tennis shoes or athletic shoes.
- Pickleball players may play both indoors and outdoors, and it’s a good idea to find an indoor court shoe that will also work outdoors.