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Gear Guide
Gear Guide
Do You Need Special Pickleball Shoes, or Will Sneakers Work?
The honest answer for your first few sessions — and when it stops being fine.
For a first trial session, regular sneakers with decent grip are genuinely fine. The honest answer changes once you’re playing regularly.
Why Sneakers Work Short-Term
A single trial session isn’t enough exposure to meaningfully raise your injury risk, and most casual sneakers provide adequate grip for light, occasional play. There’s no need to buy dedicated shoes before you know you’ll keep playing.
Why Running Shoes Specifically Are the Wrong Choice
Running shoes are the one sneaker category to actually avoid — they’re built for forward motion with minimal lateral reinforcement, which raises ankle-roll risk specifically during the side-to-side movement pickleball demands.
When to Upgrade
Once you’re playing more than once a week, invest in proper court shoes — see our full guide on what to look for. The lateral support becomes worth the cost quickly once play gets regular.