Pickleball-only · no tennis crossovers
The best pickleball shoes,
reviewed sole‑ly.
We bought and tested a shoe from every pickleball-only brand — the companies that make pickleball-specific shoes and nothing else — then ranked them. If a brand also makes a tennis shoe, it didn't make the cut. Honest, hands-on reviews of the men's models to help you find the best pickleball-specific shoe for your game.
The one rule: pickleball only
Tennis is a marathon. Pickleball is a sprint — quick points, sharp cuts, short explosive movements and a ton of kitchen drag. You don't wear marathon shoes to run a sprint. So I only test shoes from brands built around this sport: Selkirk, DAPS, Winner's Edge, Montis, Cypher, PB5star, Solase, Tyrol and Udrippin.
Read the whole story →- 9shoes tested
- 100%pickleball-only brands
- 0tennis crossovers
Watch the review
See every shoe tested on camera
We put a shoe from every pickleball-only brand head-to-head — fit, grip, durability and kitchen feel. Watch the full breakdown, then dig into the written reviews below.
The podium
Top picks right now
Desi Mid
My current daily driver. Patent-leather looks, a carbon plate, and an insole that never gives up.
P-38 Lightning
Built like a tank. The oldest name in pickleball-only footwear, with refined, no-compromise tech.
UD1
The budget entry point. The cheapest shoe on the rack — yet it plays great out of the box and still ships with a 6-month outsole warranty.
Best in category
Pick by what you value
DAPS Desi Mid
My daily driver. Best of everything.
9.6 /10 Best ValueUdrippin UD1
The cheapest way into a real pickleball shoe.
8.9 /10 Best Warranty & SupportSelkirk Courtstrike
New pair ships before you return the old — never without shoes.
8.2 /10 Most ComfortableSolase GoldForce
All-day, on-cloud comfort.
8.5 /10 Premium PickDAPS Desi Mid
The Ferrari. No budget? Start here.
9.6 /10 Best for SinglesCypher Key 211
Light, fast, built for long strides.
8.0 /10 Best for Narrow FeetMontis Drop 1.0
A snug, locked-in fit with no dead space.
8.7 /10 Best DesignPB5star Court2
The shoe that turns heads.
8.4 /10The full board
Every shoe, scored
Scored 0–10 across the six things that actually matter on a pickleball court. Tap a row to read the full review.
| # | Shoe | Overall | Comfort | Durability | Traction | Breathability | Style | Value | ~Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Desi Mid DAPS | 9.6 | 9.5 | 9.0 | 9.5 | 8.5 | 9.0 | 8.0 | $150 |
| 2 | P-38 Lightning Winner's Edge | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.5 | 9.0 | 7.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 | $150 |
| 3 | UD1 Udrippin | 8.9 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 7.5 | 9.5 | $93.50 |
| 4 | Drop 1.0 Montis | 8.7 | 7.5 | 9.5 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 8.5 | $140 |
| 5 | GoldForce Solase | 8.5 | 10.0 | 6.5 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 8.5 | 8.0 | $140 |
| 6 | Court2 PB5star | 8.4 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 9.5 | 6.5 | 9.5 | 8.0 | $140 |
| 7 | Courtstrike Selkirk | 8.2 | 8.5 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 9.5 | $110 |
| 8 | Key 211 Cypher | 8.0 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 9.5 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 8.5 | $120 |
| 9 | Velocity V Tyrol | 7.3 | 6.5 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 9.0 | 7.5 | 7.0 | $150 |
Prices are approximate street prices in USD. Check the discount codes page before you buy.
DAPS Desi Mid
My current daily driver. Patent-leather looks, a carbon plate, and an insole that never gives up.
Read the full review →The short answer
What is the best pickleball shoe?
The best pickleball shoe is the DAPS Desi Mid, our top-ranked pick at 9.6/10. We got there the hard way — by buying and testing a shoe from every pickleball-only brand we could find (DAPS, Winner's Edge, Udrippin, Montis, Solase, PB5star, Selkirk, Cypher, Tyrol) and scoring each on comfort, durability, traction, breathability, style and value.
That said, the “best” pickleball shoe depends on your game. The Udrippin UD1 is the best value, the Solase GoldForce is the most comfortable, and the Cypher Key 211 is the best for singles. The one thing they share: every shoe we review is made by a company that builds pickleball shoes and nothing else — never a repurposed tennis or running shoe.
Pickleball shoe FAQ
Common pickleball shoe questions
What is the best pickleball shoe?
After buying and testing every shoe from pickleball-only brands, our best overall pick is the DAPS Desi Mid, scoring 9.6/10. My current daily driver. Patent-leather looks, a carbon plate, and an insole that never gives up.
What's the best men's pickleball-specific shoe?
Every shoe we review is a men's model from a pickleball-specific brand (a company that makes pickleball shoes and nothing else). Our top men's pickleball-specific pick is the DAPS Desi Mid at 9.6/10, with the Udrippin UD1 the best value of the men's lineup.
What makes a pickleball shoe different from a tennis shoe?
Pickleball is a sprint, not a marathon. Pickleball-specific shoes reinforce the ball of the foot for time spent up at the kitchen, armor the sidewalls against toe-drags, and use grippier, lower-profile outsoles tuned for quick lateral stops — none of which tennis shoes are built for.
Do I really need pickleball-specific shoes?
If you play more than occasionally, yes. Tennis and running shoes wear through quickly and slip on pickleball’s short, explosive footwork. Shoes from pickleball-only brands are engineered specifically for the sport and last far longer on court.
What is the best value pickleball shoe?
The Udrippin UD1 is our best-value pick — the cheapest shoe on the board at about $93.50 a pair after a code, and its 6-month outsole warranty effectively gets you two pairs, landing under $50 each.
Which pickleball shoe has the best warranty and customer service?
The Selkirk Courtstrike has the best warranty and support we've dealt with — a 6-month outsole warranty where they ship your replacement pair before you mail the old one back, so you're never without shoes to play in.
What is the most comfortable pickleball shoe?
The Solase GoldForce is the most comfortable shoe we tested — a plush, “on-cloud” ride that’s ideal for all-day rec play.
What is the best pickleball shoe for singles?
The Cypher Key 211 is our pick for singles — one of the lightest shoes available, grippy out of the box, and built for long strides plus quick direction changes.