Why Running Shoes Are Hurting Your Game
By Michael Falco
July 15, 2026 • 4 min read
FOR MANY NEW pickleball players, the first equipment purchase is a paddle. The second is often a bag. Shoes rarely make the top of the shopping list.
Instead, many players simply lace up the same running shoes they wear for morning walks, trips to the gym, or neighborhood jogs, assuming a shoe is a shoe. After all, if they’re comfortable enough to run in, shouldn’t they work just as well on a pickleball court?
It’s a logical assumption. It’s also one of the biggest mistakes new players make.
While running shoes are engineered for one type of movement, pickleball demands something entirely different. Wearing the wrong footwear doesn’t just affect comfort. It can reduce stability, slow your movement, and increase your risk of one of pickleball’s most common injuries: a rolled ankle.
Built for Different Directions
The easiest way to understand the difference between a running shoe and a court shoe is to think about how each activity moves your body.
Running is almost entirely a forward motion. Every stride propels you straight ahead with relatively little side-to-side movement. As a result, running shoes are designed to cushion repeated heel strikes and encourage smooth forward transitions from heel to toe. Their midsoles are often thick, soft, and highly cushioned to absorb impact over long distances.
Pickleball couldn’t be more different.
A single point might require you to sprint forward for a drop shot, shuffle laterally to defend a drive, retreat quickly to the baseline, then explode sideways into the kitchen for a volley exchange. Those constant changes of direction create forces that running shoes were never designed to handle.
Instead of supporting only forward movement, pickleball shoes must stabilize the foot during aggressive lateral cuts, sudden stops, and rapid changes in direction.
That’s where court shoes make all the difference.
Why Ankle Stability Matters
One of the most common injuries in pickleball is the lateral ankle sprain, often referred to as a rolled ankle. It usually happens in an instant.
A player lunges wide for a dink, plants awkwardly while chasing a lob, or lands slightly off balance after an overhead. If the shoe allows the foot to roll outward, the ankle ligaments absorb the force instead.
Running shoes unintentionally increase that risk. Because they’re designed for cushioning and forward efficiency, many feature taller midsoles and softer foam. While that cushioning feels wonderful during a run, it can make the foot less stable during side-to-side movements. Imagine standing on a thick foam cushion while someone pushes you sideways. Your foot has much farther to travel before finding solid support.
Court shoes take the opposite approach. Most have a lower center of gravity, firmer midsoles, reinforced sidewalls, and wider outsoles that provide a more stable platform during lateral movement. That additional support helps keep your foot centered over the shoe rather than rolling over its edge during quick directional changes.
The difference may not seem dramatic while walking through a sporting goods store. You’ll notice it immediately during your first fast kitchen exchange.
Performance Begins from the Ground Up
Proper footwear doesn’t just reduce injuries. It also improves the way you move.
Confidence in your footing allows you to react more aggressively, recover more quickly, and push off with greater efficiency. You’ll often notice faster lateral movement, better balance during resets, and more controlled stops near the kitchen line.
Players frequently spend hundreds of dollars searching for a paddle that offers a little more spin or power while overlooking the one piece of equipment that affects every movement they make.
Your feet are your foundation. Everything else builds from there.
What to Look For in a Pickleball Shoe
Not every court shoe is created specifically for pickleball, and that’s perfectly fine.
Many tennis court shoes perform exceptionally well because both sports demand similar multidirectional movement. The key is choosing footwear designed for hard court play rather than running or walking.
Look for shoes that offer strong lateral support, a durable outsole, a secure heel fit, and enough cushioning to remain comfortable during long playing sessions without sacrificing stability. A snug fit through the midfoot helps prevent unnecessary movement inside the shoe, while adequate toe room allows your feet to expand naturally during play.
Equally important is replacing shoes before they become excessively worn. As outsoles lose traction and midsoles compress, even the best court shoes gradually lose their ability to protect your feet and ankles.
Your Shoes Won’t Fix Everything
Even the best footwear can’t prevent every injury.
Strengthening your ankles, calves, hips, and core remains an important part of staying healthy on the court. Dynamic warm-ups, proper footwork, and avoiding overtraining all contribute to injury prevention.
However, wearing the wrong shoes makes those goals significantly harder to achieve.
Think of it this way. You wouldn’t wear cycling shoes to play basketball or hiking boots to run a marathon. Pickleball deserves the same consideration.
A Small Change That Makes a Big Difference
Sometimes the smartest investment is the one supporting you every time you step onto the court.
Court shoes provide the stability, traction, and confidence that pickleball demands. They help your body move the way the sport asks it to move while reducing unnecessary stress on your ankles, knees, and lower legs.
Your paddle may win you points.
The right shoes help make sure you’re healthy enough to play the next match. ●
About Michael Falco
Michael Falco is a Certified Master Trainer and ISSA Personal Trainer, an ISSA Nutritionist, and an FWI Certified Life Coach. He trains clients at LA Fitness in North Wales, PA, and writes the Health & Wellness column for The Pickleball Weekly.
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