We tested the new JOOLA pickleball shoe Ben Johns wears
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Looking for new pickleball shoes?
In this video, we share our real-world experience after spending time on court with the new JOOLA R4LLy shoes.
We cover the fit, comfort, weight, stability, traction, durability features, and the one issue we’ve experienced so far, so you can decide if they’re the right pickleball shoe for your game.
JOOLA FUNKSH1n_PB: R4LLy pickleball shoe
The story behind the new JOOLA pickleball shoe
The shoe was developed by a team with years of experience at some of the sports and outdoor world’s most notable footwear brands, in collaboration with JOOLA’s roster of pro athletes. The footwear design team includes Gjermund Haugbro, Senior Director of Engineering; Eric Lonsway, JOOLA’s head of footwear product creation; and Scott Portzline, footwear designer.
Together, they bring a collective experience creating shoes for major sneaker brands like Nike, Reebok, and Adidas, as well as developing footwear for upcoming and emerging markets at outdoor brands such as SOREL, Columbia, Merrell and Burton.
“Our goal in assembling this team was simple: We wanted to create a pickleball-specific shoe with no distractions,” said Lonsway, “Because our athletes asked for it, and we wanted them to be able to lace up a pair of JOOLA R4LLy’s and go out and just think about pickleball, nothing else, just enjoy, or compete, but never having to worry about what’s on their feet.”
To fully understand the unique needs of pickleball players, the team spent hours consulting with JOOLA’s roster of pro athletes and studying the nuances of the sport to ensure the R4LLy shoe reflects how the game is currently played.
“The entire design process happened in 12 months,” said Gjermund. “I joined JOOLA in January of 2025, and from there, we went through 10-15 rounds of actual prototypes. Our pros wore every prototype of the R4LLy, each time returning valuable feedback that helped guide the design process.”
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The tech behind JOOLA’s R4LLy shoe
Every detail of the R4LLy was engineered to meet the demands of the modern game, and the result is a high-performance shoe that players can trust on every point.
Cordura® Advanced Fabric: An abrasion-resistant fabric that’s lightweight and breathable, designed to move naturally as players drag their foot at the kitchen.
Dynamic Fit Sleeve: Creates a customizable fit that keeps your foot securely in place during play.
Forefoot: This wider shape allows for natural toe splay, helping you stay balanced and ready for resets at the kitchen.
CPU2K Protective Toe Cap: Protects against toe drag on abrasive court surfaces so you can slide into position without thinking twice.
Qubit Foam Midsole: Engineered for pickleball with a lightweight supercritical foam, commonly used in running shoes, reformulated to reduce leg fatigue and keep players performing through longer rallies and high-pressure points.
Carbon Fiber Shank: Built into the sole to reinforce the midfoot and provide a stable twist-free platform during quick pivots and lateral cuts.
Durable Rubber Sole: Provides reliable traction on abrasive courts, giving players the confidence to stop hard, cut fast, and reset quickly mid-rally.
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