The Best Shoes for Pickleball

First, let's talk about the characteristics that make for good pickleball shoes.

• Grip: Since pickleball is played on a variety of surfaces, including concrete, wood, and synthetic materials, it's important to have a shoe with good traction. Look for shoes with a sticky rubber outsole or a herringbone pattern to help you stay on your feet and make quick movements.
• Support: Pickleball can be a high-impact sport, especially on your ankles and knees. A shoe with good arch support and a sturdy midsole will help stabilize your body and reduce the risk of injury.
• Shock absorption: Shoes or insoles with good shock absorption reduce impact from running and jumping across the court from going directly to your body and joints. Shock absorption helps to reduce fatigue and pain, and can help mitigate injury in the long term. This is particularly important if you are playing on surfaces like concrete, which are less forgiving on the body.
• Breathability: It's important to keep your feet cool and dry during a pickleball game, especially if you're playing in hot or humid conditions. Look for shoes with mesh uppers or other breathable materials to help keep your feet comfortable.

Now that we've covered the basic characteristics of a good pickleball shoe, let's take a look at some top contenders.

• ASICS Gel-Rocket 8: This shoe has a durable rubber outsole with a herringbone pattern for excellent grip, and also has a breathable mesh upper to help keep your feet cool and dry.
• New Balance Fresh Foam Arishi: This shoe has a lightweight design and a Fresh Foam midsole for a soft and responsive feel. It also has a breathable mesh upper and a rubber outsole with a hexagonal pattern for good traction.
• Nike Court Lite: This shoe has a durable rubber outsole with a pivot point for quick movements and a Phylon midsole for cushioning. It also has a breathable mesh upper and a padded collar and tongue for comfort.

Now let's talk about the benefits of supportive insoles. Even the best court shoes come with a one-size-fits all stock insole. It’s important to change out your stock insoles with something that adds arch support, comfort and shock absorption. Whether you're playing pickleball or any other sport, having a good insole can help improve your performance and reduce the risk of injury. Here are some reasons the Fulton athletic insole is particularly well suited for your pickleball shoes

• Custom arch support: Fulton insoles cork base molds to your arch to provide customized support. If you have flat feet or high arches, they help provide the right amount of arch support to help reduce strain on your feet and ankles and align your body.
• Shock absorption: Fulton insoles are made from cork, which is one of the most shock absorbing materials out there;  this helps to reduce the impact on your joints, which can be especially helpful if you're playing on hard courts.
• Comfortable foam: Fulton insoles are lined with a layer of natural foam, which feels incredibly comfortable, even after a long game.
• Antimicrobial material: The Fulton athletic insole is lined with a layer of antimicrobial and breathable cotton, which will keep your feet feeling fresh for the entire game.
• Deep heel cup: The Athletic Insole offers a deep heel cup, which stabilizes your body even through lunges, jumps, volleys, etc.

The best shoes for pickleball are those that provide good grip, support, and breathability. Using supportive insoles can also help improve your performance and reduce the risk of injury. With the right footwear, you'll be well-equipped to take on the competition on the pickleball court.