Serving Up Style the “Mac & Cheese” PE
By The Pickleball Weekly Editorial Team
May 6, 2026 • 5 min read
PICKLEBALL PLAYERS KNOW that the kitchen is where the magic happens, but world #1 Anna Leigh Waters just took that concept to a whole new level. Nike recently surprised their star athlete with a pair of custom Player Edition (PE) shoes that are as bold as her overhead smash.
While these mac and cheese beauties were created solely for ALW, they are built on the high-performance foundation of the Nike Zoom Challenge—a shoe that has already established itself as a heavyweight in the pickleball world.
A Custom Recipe for the G.O.A.T.
These aren’t your standard off-the-shelf kicks. Nike took the DNA of the Zoom Challenge and gave it a flavorful makeover inspired by Anna Leigh’s YouTube cooking show, In the Kitchen with Anna Leigh Waters, and her lifelong love of cooking with her grandmother.
The Ingredients of a Custom Classic:
- Palette: The standard black and white sole has been swapped for a vibrant yellow sole with a crisp white swoosh embedded in the tread.
- Pattern: Replacing the traditional black side panels is a striking yellow, red, and blue plaid pattern that gives the shoe a kitchen-tablecloth-chic vibe.
- Details: Bold yellow laces replace the standard white, and the inner side of the shoe features the word “Pickleball” emblazoned in bright yellow lettering.
- Hidden Gems: Inside the shoe, the insole features a literal ingredient list for mac and cheese—milk, butter, cheese, flour, and specifically, large elbow mac.
The Cookbook Tongue
The most sentimental touch is found on the tongue. It’s designed to look like a small cookbook cover with “Anna Leigh Waters” printed on the front. When you flip the cover open, it reveals her personal on-court mantra: “Just Be You.” It’s a rare, intimate peek into the mindset of a champion, literally tucked into the gear she competes in.
In or Out?
While the rest of us might not be able to snag the ALW labeled box just yet, the existence of this shoe is a massive dub (win) for the sport. Seeing Nike put this level of detail and storytelling into a pickleball-specific silhouette proves the game has truly arrived on the global stage.
The mac and cheese player edition is a perfect reflection of Anna Leigh Waters herself: fun, personalized, and built to dominate the kitchen. ●
Specs at a Glance
Brand: Nike
Model: Zoom Challenge “Mac & Cheese” Player Edition
Athlete: Anna Leigh Waters
Responsive Cushioning: With Zoom Air units in both the heel and forefoot, the shoe provides that springy, low-to-the-ground feel necessary for sprinting to the kitchen or recovering for a lob.
Sidewall Containment: One of the Zoom Challenge’s best features is the lateral support system. It keeps the foot locked in during those aggressive side-to-side bursts that define high-level pickleball.
Data-Driven Traction: The outsole is designed specifically for the stop-and-start nature of court sports, providing reliable grip on both outdoor grit and indoor composite floors.
About The Pickleball Weekly Editorial Team
The Pickleball Weekly Editorial Team produces in-depth reporting and cover features that examine the sport’s growth, innovation, competition, and culture. With contributors who understand both the strategy of the game and the forces shaping its future, the team is committed to telling the full story of modern pickleball.
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