What is the significance of wearing shoes specifically designed for pickleball?
The ideal shoe for pickleball would be a court shoe that is designed specifically to match the mechanics of the sport being played as well as the surface it is played on. The importance of proper shoe wear is mainly to help prevent injury, and to provide support and comfort maximizing performance in the sport.
The following characteristics are ideal for court/pickleball shoes:
- Stability and cushion laterally for quick changes in side to side motions
- Re-enforced toe area or cap for quick changes in forward and backward motions
- Sole of shoe designed to provide traction and grip on the surface of the court
- Arch support to match optimal foot alignment
- Breathable yet re-enforced material on top of shoe to provide ventilation the foot
By Dhana Ponners, PT, DPT, KEOMPT