Why your pickleball shoe matters more than your paddle
Last Edited
Aug 15 2025
Category
Gear
Pickleball players spend a lot of time deciding on their next paddle purchase. It's an important decision -- paddles aren't cheap these days -- and we certainly believe that it's crucial to have a quality paddle in order to play your best.
But the truth is most modern paddles from the top brands are pretty similar. If you're spending close to $200 or more on a paddle from an established brand in 2025, odds are it's a good paddle -- plenty good enough to get the job done at open play. Different models might offer slight differences in power, feel and spin, but unless you're a pro or high-level amateur, those differences aren't going to be super noticeable.
When it comes to shoes, the differences in performance and comfort are much greater from brand to brand and shoe to shoe. That's why we believe pickleball shoes are an underrated piece of equipment that can make a serious difference in your game -- if you make the right choice.
Read next: The best shoes for pickleball players
In this article we'll go over three reasons your choice of pickleball shoe can actually be more important and make a bigger difference than your next paddle purchase.
Our top pick -- DAPS pickleball shoes
DESI LOW - Men's Pickleball Shoe
DESI MID - Men's Pickleball Shoe
DESI LOW - Women's Pickleball Shoe
DESI MID - Women's Pickleball Shoe
1. Footwork is crucial in pickleball
It won't matter how good your paddle is if you're not in the right position when you go to hit the shot. Pickleball requires lots of quick, small steps, so you need shoes that are lightweight, offer great traction and plenty of bounce underneath your foot for those explosive bursts.
Tennis shoes do an OK job in that regard, but a good pair of pickleball shoes can do even better for the specific movements on the smaller court.
2. Added stability can make a big difference
This is where pickleball-specific shoes have a big advantage over tennis shoes. Tennis shoes are meant for long strides in a straight line, whether that's running along the baseline or charging the net. Pickleball shoes excel in the side-to-side shuffling that is often required when dinking or lunging for a ball that has taken you out wide.
That extra lateral stability helps keep you on balance and makes it easier to get back to a neutral position after you hit the shot, so you're always ready for what comes next.
3. The right pickleball shoes can prevent injuries
You've probably seen stories about all those pickleball injuries that have popped up since the sport exploded in popularity. Well, a lot of sports injuries can be prevented with footwear that fits properly, is intended for the specific movements of a sport and is made with quality materials.
Improper footwear can lead to a whole host of issues -- ankle problems, knee pain, back soreness, etc. The right pair of pickleball shoes can alleviate those concerns and keep you on the court for longer without putting your body through the wringer.
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