You are considering the Sketcher Viper Court pro or smash pickleball shoes, so I bought a pair, and let me tell you, these shoes are incredible. For example, these shoes helped me win 11-0, 11-2, and 11-2 in consecutive sets today. I have around 5 pairs of pickleball shoes, and these are my favorite shoes similar to my favorite paddle in my Vatic Pro Prism Flash review.
As such, I can understand why these shoes ranked so well in Pickleballer’s best pickleball shoes in 2025.
That said, it’s important to understand that there are multiple types of Viper Court shoes, so let’s chat about that.
1. Understand Viper Court Shoe Series
When I was deciding between the Sketcher pickleball shoes, I was confused by the different Viper Court shoes.
So, I wanted to provide you some information to help you.
Pro
The Sketcher Viper Court Pro shoes are the premium court shoes.
Endorsed by top-ranked professionals such as Tyler McGuffin and Catherine Parenteau, the Viper Court Pro and 2.0 boasts a ripstop upper with rubberized reinforcements for durability, a Goodyear rubber outsole for traction, and Skechers’ ArchFit system for support.
It’s recognized for its lightweight design and stability. While the Smash and Rally have good technology, the Pro series may be the best.
When you check the price, you will see ethat these shoes are around $110-$120.
Smash
This vegan-friendly performance court lace-up features a smooth synthetic upper, providing a lightweight and comfortable option for players.
These shoes are in the $65 to $75 range.
Rally
Designed for elite players, this shoe includes a Goodyear Gold compound outsole, enhancing durability and enabling controlled slides on pickleball court surfaces.
I decided against the Viper Court Rally shoes because the Amazon reviews were higher for the Smash than for the Rally.
When I checked the price, I found that the Rally shoes recently were under $60.
Let’s talk about the experience.
2. My Performance
Performance is the most important attribute of a shoe, and I want to tell you about the Sketcher’s shoe grip, comfort and speed.
Grip
The grip on these Sketcher pickleball shoes are great even for outdoor play. I play both singles and doubles pickleball, but with singles, you want a shoe that can grip the court for lateral movements and for speed.
If there’s too much grip, you will lose speed. If there’s too little grip, you will slip around and potentially hurt yourself.
Of all my pickleball shoes, I believe that these Sketcher Viper Court pickleball shoes have the best grip/speed combination.
Let’s talk about comfort.
Comfort
These Sketcher shoes are very comfortable. With some of my other pickleball shoes, you would see that there are piece of the shoe that almost pierce the side of my ankle.
Not for these shoes.
As you can see in the picture below, the material is good quality that allows maximum comfort
Okay, let’s talk about speed.
Speed
With these shoes, I was able to run faster than many of my other pickleball shoes. I believe it’s due to the lightweight design.
In addition, I was able to run lines much faster than I would with some of my other shoes.
3. Shoe Features
What is impressive is the Sketcher Viper Pro shoes features.
a) Great Arch Support and Custom Fit
The Skechers Viper Court Pro features the arch fit insole system, designed with input from podiatrists. It molds to your foot for personalized comfort, reducing shock and improving weight dispersion. This makes it perfect for long games with less foot fatigue.
b) Lightweight Cushioning and Traction
The shoe uses ultra flight cushioning, making it ultra-light and responsive. Paired with a durable Goodyear gold compound outsole, it provides excellent grip, stability, and long-lasting performance. You’ll feel stable and secure during quick moves on the court.
c) I Love The Design
The Relaxed Fit upper ensures roomy comfort in the toe and forefoot. Its breathable mesh material and sleek, colorful design combine functionality with style. You even get a slight lift with a 1 1/4-inch heel for extra support.
Conclusion
Honestly, I could not imagine playing pickleball without the Sketcher Court Viper pickleball shoes. These shoes offer comfort and impressive technology.
In addition, I did not get any blisters even breaking in these shoes, which is always a huge win.