A lot of companies have started making pickleball shoes in recent years, which is no surprise given the sport’s incredible growth.

But there are some red flags that consumers need to look out for before pulling the trigger on a new pair of “pickleball shoes.” In many cases, bigger brands have simply repurposed tennis shoes or general athletic shoes and slapped a pickleball label on them.

That’s not what we’re looking for as players. We want shoes that are designed specifically for the unique movements of pickleball.

So if you demand high level performance and comfort from your kicks, look no further.

We’ve tested several shoes from top brands in the pickleball space, sought feedback from pros and high-level amateurs and put together a comprehensive list to help you find the perfect pair of shoes for your game.

In most cases, using code “KITCHEN” at checkout will get you a discount. 👊

The DAPS pickleball shoes were released in 2025, and several pro players have switched to them. The DAPS out-perform the big brands in several key metrics, and you don’t just have to take our word for it — they have the data to back it up. They sent the shoe to the Heeluxe Performance Lab, which compared the DAPS to several other well-known shoes in the pickleball space.

The results favored the DAPS in several areas:

-Faster starts
-Quicker stops
-Better energy return
-More energy efficiency

You can find our in-depth review of the shoes here, and read our breakdown of what the shoe experts at Heeluxe had to say about them here.

DAPS come in men’s and women’s sizes.

JOOLA's FUNKSH1n_PB: R4LLy is a performance shoe designed top-down for pickleball players by pickleball innovators. Weighing just 350g, R4LLy offers an incredibly light yet stable platform. Every feature is designed to help you move faster, cut sharper, and play longer, all while staying supported from the first serve to match point.

This isn’t just a shoe adapted for the game — this is a pickleball shoe built, tested, and trusted by the best, including Ben Johns.

Check out our full review of the JOOLA R4LLy shoes here.

Billed as a highly agile and fast shoe, these kicks also boast impressive stability so that you can get into position before your shots. The upper material not only locks your foot in place with a light 4-way stretch fabric, but wicks sweat and breathes with ease. Diadem added flexible TPU overlays in key areas for toe draggers.

There are men’s and women’s sizes and various colors. Shop the full collection here.

The Selkirk CourtStrike Pro 3.0 was designed with one goal in mind: Create a lighter and cooler version of the CourtStrike pickleball shoe without compromising longevity or comfort.

The 3.0 upgrades include:

• Lightweight mesh weave upper for breathability and wear-resistance.

• Interior lining for additional comfort and durability.

• Lighter die-cut insole board for better ventilation.

The UD1 isn’t just a shoe, it’s your foundation for every move that matters. Built for players who cut harder, move quicker and never settle for average, the UD1 blends all-day comfort with unmatched traction and style.

🔗 Click here to see the full list