Indoor and outdoor pickleball have the same rules, paddles, and strategy, but that is about it. Overall they are very different. They have different ball types, conditions, and shoe types.
You guessed it…
This article focuses on the best indoor pickleball shoes. Although some shoes can be used for both indoor and outdoor, there are a few key things to really keep in mind when looking for that perfect pair for your feet and your game.
Let’s get one thing straight first, there really is no such thing as an actual indoor pickleball shoe. Most of the shoes I’ve worn and reviewed are either volleyball shoes or squash shoes. It doesn’t matter what sport it’s for as long as it checks off the important factors.
Important Factors When Choosing The Right Indoor Pickleball Shoe
The most important factors are:
- Lateral support
- Traction
- Non marking
Indoor pickleball courts are played on a sleek hardwood which is a little softer which could be an issue if you don’t have traction.
You’re not going to be able to confidently go after those lateral or tougher shots if you’re afraid of sliding and hurting yourself. You’ll notice that indoor and outdoor pickleball shoes have different tread patterns for different functions.
Finally, it’s important to have a light-colored rubber bottom with a special kind of tread. If you wear regular outdoor shoes you run the risk of marking up the court.
Many times there are already a ton of confusing lines all over the court, you don’t need more from your shoes.
Let’s dive right into what I consider to be the best indoor pickleball shoes.
Resources:
Top 5 Indoor Pickleball Shoes For Men
#1. ASICS Men’s Gel-Dedicate 7 Pickleball Shoe
The Gel Dedicate 7 is one of the best indoor pickleball shoes I have tried. Whenever I play, I always see someone rocking a pair of these.
I came to realize they should really only be used for indoor pickleball if you want to get the most bang for your buck. They lasted me about 8 months indoors, whereas they lasted only about 5 months outdoor courts.
These shoes provided amazing stability for lateral movement and elite court traction. I recommend these for any level of player.
I’ve mentioned the gel technology in other reviews and I really do see a lot of improvement with absorbing shock in the gel vs other foam shoes.
The Gel Dedicate 7 Tennis shoe provides amazing arch support for those who need a pickleball shoe for flat feet.
The size was perfectly true for me and these shoes are good right out of the box, but get better as your foot contours to the foam,
I highly recommend these tennis shoes or any Asics shoes.
More info: What’s The Difference Between Pickleball Shoes And Tennis Shoes
Pros
- Very stable
- Good weight at 11.9 oz
- Great arch support
- Perfect amount of traction
- Amazing Value
Cons
- Soles can wear out quickly on outdoor courts
- Can feel tight an narrow if you have wide feet.
#2. ASICS Men’s Gel-Resolution 8
As far as comfort and performance go these shoes are very high on the list. The Gel Resolution 8’s have the arch wrapping design that really just holds your foot in from the middle while the toe has plenty of space.
This is a very light and flexible shoe, you just feel fast in them not to mention look fast. They have an amazingly sleek design that is so fun to look down at.
For indoor courts, I love them because they have a ton of grip where it matters most. I noticed a lot of traction right on the balls of your feet and front of your toes. So you can really dig.
These are great shoes if you’re a tennis player converting into a pickleball player and prefer to play the long game.
Pros
- Wide fit accommodates most foot sizes.
- Very supportive insole
- Very durable
- No break-in time
- Great flexibility
- Offers great arch support
Cons
- Slightly heavier shoe.
- Not very adjustable for wider feet.
#3. New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam X Lav V2 Court Shoe
The New Balance Fresh Foam X Lav V2 is just a cool pair of indoor pickleball shoes for men. Not only that, but they perform very well too. These were by far one of my favorite pairs of pickleball shoes.
The way they absorb hard stomps or missteps is what really kept me coming back to these shoes. If you can’t tell by looking at the, they have a ton of cushion, and really absorb impact well.
I really like how the entire bottom is flat as well to give you increased stability, and it makes it easy to backpedal if someone hits a high lob shot to keep you back.
The traction is perfect, there was no slipping or sliding on the indoor court surface, and high rear ankle support gives you a little added confidence to go after some harder shots.
Pros
- Supportive Ankle Support
- Very stable
- Perfect amount of traction
- Great cushioning
Cons
- Slightly Heavier at 13.9 OZ
#4. HEAD Men’s Grid 2.0 Low
The HEAD Grid 2.0 is actually a squash shoe, which is always a great option for pickleball because squash involves a lot of lateral movement. You’ll notice the zig-zagged tread on the heel and the toe, this is standard for hardwood shoes.
I’m not 100% sure why, but if someone could comment and let me know I’m very interested.
One thing I am 100% sure about is that this shoe is STICKY. I felt like I could run hard in one direction, plant my foot and immediately change directions to the opposite direction.
It has a gum sole that not only doesn’t mark but also has to help with traction because right out of the box these things felt great. So sticky and supportive.
One thing to note is that for me they ran ½ a size too small. Go up about a half size and that should work for you.
Pros
- Fits true to size
- Very stable
- No break-in period
- Perfect amount traction
- Weight 12.5 OZ
Cons
- Won’t last as long with outdoor play
- Sides can be a weak point.
#5. ASICS Men’s Gel-Rocket 10
Asics with another amazing indoor pickleball shoe. This was a recent purchase for me and the first thing I noticed was traction.
They are so easy to feel and control. You can slide if you need it but if you really want to dig, the shoes will stick.
It’s durable, comfortable, and very stable, overall this is just a very dependable indoor court shoe.
You can play in these for hours and should have no issues with soreness in the feet or ankles. You explode for forward or back shots, yet still, have extreme control with the lateral movements.
Pros
- Great Value
- Fits true to size
- No Break-in Period
- Durable
- Very stable
Cons
- May be narrow in the toe box
- Arch Support is not great
Top 5 Women’s Indoor Pickleball Shoes
#1. ASICS Women’s Gel-Rocket 9
There are just not enough good things I can say about the Asics Gel-Rocket 9.
I have paid so much more for shoes that are not even close to the performance I got out of this shoe.
For stability and traction, they are amazing. You can really feel the court under your feet but they have enough cushion where you can really withstand a lot of impacts. It makes getting to hard shots very easy,
I was confident that with these shoes I would not get hurt when trying to push myself a little extra on the pickleball games.
The shoe just looks amazing as well, it comes in a variety of super cute colors that really bring a pop of color to your pickleball outfit.
Pros
- Very Supportive
- Fits true to size
- No Break-in Period
- Durable
- Amazing Traction on an indoor surface
Cons
- May need to size down
- They are volleyball shoes so they are not going to last long outdoors.
#2. Adidas Defiant Speed Indoor Pickleball Shoe
The Adidas Defiant Speed is a stylish and amazing women’s pickleball shoe for indoor courts.
They came out of the box a tiny bit stiff, but after a few rounds of pickleball, they were as comfortable as could be.
The ankle was the most notable improvement. It did dig a little at first, but then it softened up to create amazing support and extreme comfort.
It’s a wider shoe but it’s one of the lighter ones at about 12 ounces which is a beautiful combination because it allows for quick movements with ultimate stability in both lateral and running backward and forward.
I thought this shoe was not going to be anything special before the break-in period since it was stiff and felt a little snug, but it ended up being one of my favorites after a couple of hours with it on.
Pros
- Very Supportive
- No Break-in Period
- Durable
- Great for indoor and outdoor play
- Amazing Traction on an indoor surface
Cons
- May need to size down
#3. Adidas Originals Women’s Crazyflight Indoor Pickleball Shoes
This is an amazing shoe for the price. It has quite a few similarities to the Ligra 6. They were perfect right when I put them on and extremely comfortable. They come in some very cool colors like neon yellow.
I love the ultra boost foam in the heel because it almost forces you to be on your toes and keeps you in a nice athletic stance.
The heel on the back has some really comfy, breathable foam that goes up to the perfect height on my ankle to offer support as well as comfort.
They had amazing traction on an indoor pickleball court. The shoes have a lot of cushion for an indoor court shoe which is very nice if you’re playing a lot or doing a lot of running.
I really enjoyed how the bottom of the shoe was completely flat, even the arch. You can feel your entire foot on the court at all times.
They are such versatile shoes and can be worn on and off the pickleball court and I highly recommend them.
I’d recommend going a size DOWN. They were about a full size too big for me the first time I ordered them.
Pros
- A lot of ankle support and cushion
- Very stable base
- Durable
Cons
- Won’t last long on outdoor surface
- Comes out of the box slightly stiff.
#4. ASICS Women’s Gel-Tactic 2
Another great shoe for the price and of course no surprise it’s Asics again. The Gel-Tactic 2 fit very true to size for me and although they are not the most durable they are very cheap, so you can buy a couple of pairs to have a backup.
They are very breathable shoe that fits well in all the right places. It’s got a pretty wide toe, but it’s snug in the middle and the heel.
These shoes are stable in all directions with amazing stability so you can hit all the shots you need to.
Pros
- Amazing traction on the court
- Great stability
- Arch Support
Cons
- Slightly Narrow
- Stiff out of the box
#5. ASICS Women’s Upcourt 4
Asics is just unbelievable when it comes to women’s indoor pickleball shoes. They are just built to last and built for performance.
They feel slightly heavy but in a very sturdy and stable way instead of a clunky way. It is a slightly narrower shoe, so be aware of that when making the purchase if you have wide feet or bunions.
They have a good grip right out of the box, and they continue to have a good grip for quite a long time.
They are pretty comfortable but a little on the stiffer side.
Pros
- Amazing traction on the court
- Great stability
- Arch Support
Cons
- Slightly Narrow
- Stiff out of the box
Final Thoughts:
When choosing an indoor court shoe, you have a lot more options. You can go in a volleyball shoe, a squash shoe, or racquetball shoe, or a tennis shoe. I personally don’t think it really matters as long as it’s comfortable and focuses on the standards you need with the right shoe.
As I said before, the main factors are durability, breathability, comfort and support. If you can cover all these, you’re good to go.
