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I’m a bit of a shoe junkie when it comes to pickleball. I’ve spent around $800-$1,000 testing various pickleball shoes, so I’m ready to break down which ones are truly worth the investment. While this list is aimed at men, many of these picks work well for women too.
Why Pickleball Shoes Matter
Shoes might seem secondary to your paddle, but they’re arguably the second most important piece of gear you’ll use. After running through about 60 paddles, I knew it was time to focus on what’s underfoot. From the Babolat Jet Mach 3 (Ben Johns’ pick) to Skechers and K-Swiss, I tested a wide range of shoes including some basketball shoes, which weren’t bad either. Pro players like Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters also wear many of these brands.
Here’s a rundown of my top choices for the best pickleball shoes for men in 2025.
1. Asics Gel Resolution Pickleball Shoes
When I scrolled through a Reddit thread about the best pickleball shoes, one of the top comments called out the lack of mention of the Asics Gel Resolution. That was all I needed to pull the trigger and see what the hype was about.
They did not disappoint. And wow, I get it now. These shoes blew me away. They strike the perfect balance of grip and comfort, which helped my side-to-side movement feel effortless.
- Excellent grip and lateral support
- No break-in required
- Available in wide sizes
One thing I really appreciated is that they come in a wide fit, so more players can enjoy them. No break-in period needed. Zero blisters. Just pure comfort out of the box.
The fit was snug without being tight, and I felt quick on my feet whether I played indoors or outdoors. I also think these work great for both singles and doubles games.
They’re definitely pricier than a lot of other pairs I’ve tried, but I’d still say these are the best pickleball shoes (source).
2. Skechers Viper Court Smash
The Skechers Viper pickleball shoes were honestly a surprise to me. I’ve always leaned Asics when it comes to court shoes, so I didn’t expect Skechers to keep up. But I was wrong.
I went with the Skechers Men’s Viper Court Smash, and they exceeded expectations. I actually did a full write-up on them after just a few sessions.
- Comfortable once tightened properly
- Great grip without slowing you down
- Fantastic for singles and lateral movement
At first, they felt a little roomy. But after I tightened the laces, the fit was locked in and super comfortable.
On-court, the traction was solid without slowing me down, something I really need in singles where quick lateral movement is essential.
These handled that challenge easily, and I didn’t deal with any blisters or discomfort, even right out of the box.
As for which pair wins the tie for best pickleball shoe, it might come down to durability. I’ll keep testing and report back.
In terms of price, these Skechers come in a little higher than the Gel-Renma, but it’s worth comparing the two before deciding.
3. Babolat Jet Mach 3
The Babolat Jet Mach 3 shoes were one of the most upvoted picks on Reddit’s pickleball shoe recommendations, so I had to see how they stacked up against my favorites.
Here’s what I liked:
- Weighs just 13 oz
- Michelin outsole for elite grip
- Quick, responsive feel on court
When I put them on, I immediately noticed how light they were and how great they felt on my feet. I was pumped to try them out.
I go more in-depth in my full review, but here’s the gist. The shoes were super comfortable and featured a Michelin-grade outsole that delivered elite-level grip. At just 13 ounces, these are among the lightest shoes I’ve tested.
On court, that grip helped with side-to-side movement and getting to the kitchen line. However, I did notice that they slowed me down a bit on sprints, probably due to how sticky they felt.
That said, the Babolat Jet Mach 3 still delivers premium performance and feel, especially for players looking for a lightweight shoe with top-tier grip.
4. Asics Gel-Renma Pickleball Shoes
I think it’s kind of funny how the Asics Gel-Renma have ended up as one of my top picks because I didn’t expect much when I first grabbed them.
But after lacing them up, it became obvious fast: these things are legit.
- Super comfortable right out of the box
- Perfect grip-to-speed ratio
- Long-lasting durability
Here’s the short version.
First off, the comfort level is insane. I’d give it a 10/10. No break-in time. No hot spots. Just an easy, comfortable wear right away.
Next, I’ve tried shoes that had too much grip and ended up slowing me down. That wasn’t the case here. The traction felt just right, enough grip without killing my speed. The lightweight build helped too.
These shoes have also held up well. I play several times a week, and I can easily see them lasting another 6 months.
Lastly, they’re a great deal. I’ve worn $200 shoes that don’t come close to the performance of these, and I got mine for under $90. Prices change, but they’re still one of the best values I’ve found.
5. Nike Zoom Pickleball Shoes
Since I was a kid, I always had a thing for Nike. Growing up, owning a pair of Nikes felt like a big deal, so I was genuinely excited to try out the Nike Zoom pickleball shoes.
Right off the bat, I appreciated that Nike designed these shoes specifically for pickleball. A lot of brands just repurpose their tennis or court shoes, but these were made with pickleball in mind from the start.
- Runs small (size up!)
- Cushiony feel
- Good grip and decent comfort
Take a look at the design below, but if you’re wondering why these shoes landed at #5 on this list, let me explain.
Although the style is great, my first impression when I put them on wasn’t amazing. I usually wear a size 11.5, but these felt tighter than expected because of the heavy padding inside.
At first, I regretted not going up to a size 12. But after playing a few games in them this week, the fit started to feel fine, so I stuck with my usual size.
The shoes didn’t cause any blisters, felt pretty good overall, and had solid traction and speed on the court. Still, the biggest drawback was the price point when compared to the earlier shoes on this list. You can check out my full Nike pickleball shoes review for more detail.
For over $100, I just didn’t feel the value stacked up against the others I tested. That said, keep an eye out, you might catch these Nike Zooms on sale.
6. Best Under $50: Fila Volley Zone
I hadn’t worn a pair of FILA shoes since I was a kid, so I was pumped to finally try the Fila pickleball shoes, specifically, the Fila Men’s Volley Zone Sneaker.
And let me just say, these shoes definitely delivered.
- Designed specifically for pickleball
- Comfortable for singles and doubles
- Slightly roomy fit
Here’s my full breakdown.
First off, I love that these aren’t just rebranded tennis or court shoes, they’re clearly marketed and designed as pickleball shoes. Too many brands slap “pickleball” on general court shoes just to drive sales.
I tested these shoes in both singles and doubles matches, and they held up great. The traction was excellent, and the comfort level was right up there with my favorite Asics pairs.
During my last singles match, I was doing a ton of quick movements, and these shoes kept up without issue.
So why are these sitting at #4? Honestly, they felt a little loose on my feet but not a deal breaker, but worth mentioning. Still, when you look at the price, they’re an absolute bargain.
How much are they? You can often find them for under $50, which is an insane value. Check the latest price below.
7. Honorable Mention: Reebok Court Advance
I picked these up for the sleek white design, but they’re more than just good looks. I am actually wearing these shoes right now while I am writing this article.
- Great for casual wear and play
- Memory tech foam makes them super comfy
- Slightly heavy at 15.5 oz
I didn’t expect much going into the Reebok men’s pickleball shoes, but they ended up being a pleasant surprise. I first noticed them because of their low price on Amazon, and the clean design, especially the white pair with subtle colored accents convinced me to give them a shot.
In terms of performance, they offered solid grip. Not quite on par with something like K-Swiss, but good enough for steady side-to-side movements on the court.
The one downside was the weight. At about 15.5 ounces, they’re definitely heavier than a lot of other options, which slightly affected my quick acceleration. But on the bright side, they’ve held up great, no major wear even with repeated use for both playing and casual wear.
Final Thoughts: Finding the Best Pickleball Shoes for You
Not every great pickleball shoe has to cost a fortune. Some of the best performers I tested were under $100.
Focus on grip, comfort, speed, and durability, and your game will thank you. This list will keep evolving as new releases drop, so check back often!