The Sport:
Pickelball was created by lowering a net on a Badminton court and using a wiffle ball and table tennis racquets. Bob Nemnich, the executive director of the Carpenter Center in Terrytown, NE, refers to Pickleball as “table tennis on steroids.” The sport has grown in popularity and has graduated from using plywood paddles to using wood or graphite paddles along with a dedicated, larger wiffle type ball that is more durable to stand up to the increase in paddle strength.
The game is played similar to other racquet sports with two to four players in a singles or doubles format. The court dimensions are 20′ x 44′ which is similar in size to a doubles badminton court. The sport may played indoors or outdoors.
See more at this link from Starherald.com:Have A Ball With Pickleball
The best shoes to wear when playing Pickleball:
The proper Footwear for playing pickleball should provide stability, comfort and shock-absorption to support the necessary footwork and to prevent injury (Click here to read more about pickleball injuries in the article titled “Common Pickleball Injuries and How to Avoid Them” from our friends at thevolleyllama.com). There are several similarities and differences between the shoes needed to play pickleball. The similarities pertain to shoes that provide stability, shock-absorption and flexibility. Stability is provided by the lacing system and the shoe construction to prevent the foot from rolling during direction changes. Shock-Absorption is provided by the inner sole of the shoe to absorb the shock of landing on all parts of the foot. The entire shoe should provide the correct amount of flexibility so that the foot is stable to provide sure-footedness but not too flexible to cause instability during rapid movement. The differences would relate to where the match is played. Playing the sport on indoor surfaces require a gum rubber sole to provide the correct amount of grip, allowing the foot to plant for stopping, starting and changing directions on the slippery gym surface. Badminton, Racquetball and Volleyball shoes are all ideal choices for playing pickleball on indoor courts.
Examples of ideal shoes to wear for pickleball are listed below:
Men’s Badminton Shoes:
Victor SHW-8000C 
The upper of the Victor SHW-8000 is made of Micro Fiber and Mesh to help keep your feet cool during pickleball rallies. The midsole consists of Victor’s Energy Cushion material for energy transfer. The sole is made of solid gum rubber which is the best material for indoor court use.
Yonex SHB-SC5 MX
The SHB-SC-5 MX are a eye-catching, well constructed badminton shoe for men. The Super Cushion design provides additional foot comfort and ankle protection to provide support for the quick lateral movements required in Pickleball. The special YONEX Power Cushion absorbs shock and reverses the energy to be used for the next movement.
Women’s Badminton Shoes:
Victor SH-980AI Badminton Shoes
The SH-980AI shoes feature pink and white coloring with silver accents along the outside of the shoe. The outer sole distributes the landing force evenly throughout the sole and helps to avoid injuries caused by frequent court movement. The gum rubber sole is perfect for indoor court play. The energy cushion system provides a better rebound while supplying more shock absorption in the heel. Available in women’s US sizes 5.5-9.
Yonex SHB-02 LX Badminton Shoes
The Yonex SHB-02 LX offers a fit that secures and supports the foot, giving greater stability for faster, accurate footwork. Featuring a newer version of Yonex Powercushion technology, the shoe cushion layers absorb 30% more shock and provide 5% more repulsion for transfer of movement energy. The SHB-02LX is highly rated from Amazon with a 4.4 out of 5 rating, with most reviewers feeling that the shoes fit was as expected.
Men’s Racquetball Shoes:
Ektelon NFS Classic Low Mens Racquetball Shoes
The Ektelon NFC Classic offer (Natural Foot Shape) Technology, which provides ultimate fit with no break-in period. The upper is made from full grain leather and the sole consists of gum rubber. The NFC Classic is rated 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon, with many reviewers saying that the shoes are true to size.
Women’s Racquetball Shoes:
adidas Women’s Adipower Stabil 10.1
The Adipower Stabil 10.1 feature lockdown support from heel to forefoot. An updated heel lining slips the foot in, then keeps it from slipping out. The rubber sole provides ideal grip on all indoor surfaces.
Men’s Volleyball Shoes:
ASICS Gel Rocket 7 Volleyball Shoes
The Gel Rocket 7 offers a lighter weight upper and increased gum rubber on the outsole for improved traction on indoor court surfaces. The good looking and stylish design make this an ideal shoe ideal for pickleball players.
Women’s Volleyball Shoes:
Asics Gel Volleycross Revolution Volleyball Shoes
The Volleycross Revolution offers the largest amount of GEL cushioning ever offered in a volleyball shoe. The 2-layer midsole provide exceptional cushioning from high impact. The Volleycross is rated 4 stars at Amazon , with 80% of the reviewers saying that the shoes are true to fit right out of the box.
Playing Pickleball Outdoors:
Playing pickleball on Outdoor courts require soles that are made of a harder rubber sole that have a herringbone pattern to assist in the movement and grip on this much harder surface. Tennis shoes are usually ideal for playing on an outdoor court:
Tennis – Men:
New Balance MC1006 Tennis Shoes
The New Balance MC 1006 are the shoes that will keep your feet in comfort during the whole match. The REVlite midsole to help keep you light on your feet and a breathable mesh upper helps to keep your feet cool during long, demanding pickleball matches.
K-Swiss Vendy II Tennis Shoes
The Vendy II™features a Faux leather upper, a lightly padded footbed and a durable outsole which is ideal to handle the wear and tear for outdoor pickleball and tennis courts. Wide widths are available, which may be useful since reviews cite that the shoes may run on the small side.
Tennis – Women:
New Balance 696v3 Tennis Shoes
The revamped New Balance 696v3 feature elements such as an updated herringbone outsole pattern that helps traction and movement on hard courts, perforation in the forefoot that allow more breathability to keep you comfortable during hot days and intense movement. The REVlite midsole provides cushioning in a lightweight package.
K-Swiss Hypercourt Express Tennis Shoes
The Hypercourt Express shoes that performance can be functional and stylish. Combining the latest technology with classic K-SWISS design elements, allows the Hypercourt to look as good as it performs.
adidas Barricade Classic Bounce Tennis Shoes
The adidas Barricade is a well-known tennis shoe name which have earned legend status. Squeaking soles during intense pickleball movements won’t be a problem for this pair, due to a durable high-wear outsole designed for taking the beating on abrasive court surfaces. Take care when ordering this model as users have reported that the size runs big.
Good shoes are a necessity to play well and to help prevent injury. Whether you are playing pickleball outside or inside, these shoes will help you maximize your potential and prevent injury while playing this fast growing sport.
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