It’s like buying a paddle. You should try it out and go by feel, comfort, and what feels right.
Pickleball shoes should provide a balance of support and cushion. We all love walking on memory foam pillows but if you have something special with your feet – such as a sore achilles, stiff big toe, “marbles under your foot”, “knife jabbing into your heel” – you will especially benefit from increasing the support in your shoes. Arch support, deeper fit, real laces, torsion control, forefoot support, and a stiff upper should be on your checklist.

Next time you’re shopping for a shoe, give it a twist, a bend at the front of the shoe, and check the arch support on the inside. Keep an eye out for “court shoes” in general. They have been around much longer than the recent boom of pickleball shoes. Regardless of the label and brand, go for a shoes that will support your feet as you push off side-to-side.