Whether you are a novice to pickleball shoes vs tennis-shoes or you’re part of the passionate community of players who hit the courts regularly, proper footwear is essential for both performance and injury prevention. Choosing a shoe that’s designed for the sport helps maximize stability and traction to support quick lateral movements and sudden stops. It also absorbs impact to minimize pain in the feet and knees.

Can I Use Tennis Shoes For Pickleball?

Pickleball is a fast-paced game that requires a lot of quick lateral movements and sudden stops. Choosing the wrong footwear can not only affect your performance, but it can also lead to serious injuries like sprained ankles and plantar fasciitis.

While you can certainly use tennis shoes for pickleball, they are not ideal since they do not have the specialized soles needed for this sport. Additionally, they are usually made of hard materials and could damage indoor pickleball courts.

Pickleball shoes, on the other hand, are specifically designed for this abrasive sport. They are usually a bit heavier than tennis shoes and are built for the lateral movements and sudden stops that are typical of this sport. They also have durable and non-marking rubber soles that are ideal for indoor pickleball courts. They also offer extra support in the heel and midfoot area to help prevent injury. In addition, they feature a herringbone or diagonal pattern on the outsole to provide exceptional traction. This enables players to move effortlessly and change directions quickly without slipping.