Best pickleball shoe? In my opinion, is not even a pickleball shoe...

May 2024 • Dan Lawson

Now for a controversial take on a non-controversial topic -- pickleball shoes.  I've gotta say, the best pickleball shoes that aren’t actually pickleball shoes are...drumroll please...basketball shoes. I'll lay it out for you. But first, welcome to the enlightened side of footwear, where we prioritize not looking like we raided grandma’s orthopedic closet.

So as I said, the so-called “best pickleball shoes” out there are actually basketball shoes, no question about it. Why? Because nothing screams agility, lateral movement, and all-around swagger like a sleek pair of kicks designed for court combat.

Here’s my take on why basketball shoes reign supreme:

1. Support & Stability

Pickleball shoes, as much as they try, often fall flat (literally and figuratively) in the support department. Basketball shoes, on the other hand, are engineered for quick cuts, jumps, and rapid direction changes. Your ankles will thank you when you’re chasing down a perfectly placed dink without rolling into next week.

Some of my overall favorites are:

• Nike Giannis Immortality: These have an unreal grip and ankle support that makes chasing down those fast dropshots feel like you’re gliding. These are my personal go to kicks for the courts.
• Adidas Harden Vol. 6: For a little more cushion with tons of stability, you’re locked in—plus, Harden’s game is a lot like pickleball: it's slower than most basketball players but incredibly strategic.

2. Lateral Movement

Pickleball is a lateral game—side-to-side is your bread and butter. Basketball shoes are designed for exactly that. They lock down your feet in a way pickleball shoes only wish they could, allowing you to sprint for that shot without feeling like your foot might break free from your sole.

Best Lateral Movement Kicks:

• Under Armour Curry 10: Lightweight, breathable, and the kind of shoe that makes you feel like you’re moving on clouds. They grip the court like a F1 driver.

3. Style Over Dad Vibes

And last but not least, let's just talk about how good these shoes look. I mean, do you want to look like you’re hitting the pickleball court or prepping for shuffleboard? Basketball shoes offer something that pickleball shoes just don’t—style that doesn’t immediately age you 30 years. And let’s be real, a slick pair of basketball shoes paired with the right pickleball apparel (Good Get anyone?!) just feels right.

Stylish (yet functional) Picks:

• Jordan 1 Lows: Iconic style and surprisingly good court performance. Plus, who doesn’t want to channel their inner MJ while dinking?
• Puma Court Rider 2.0: Fly kicks that scream personality. Also, great grip for those hard-to-reach volleys.

In short: if you want to play pickleball and look like you don't belong at a podiatry seminar, do yourself a favor—go basketball. Anything else? Eh, that’s just settling.