If you are interested in playing any sport, although the type of footwear you choose will not instantly make you a superstar at the discipline, it is still important to consider shoes that will help you perform well, while feeling comfortable and avoiding unnecessary injuries and strains. This is true when it comes to picking out a pair of shoes for playing pickleball.
In the following post, to help you out, we are going to look at some of the things you need to bear in mind when choosing shoes for pickleball.
Related: The Future Of The Sneakers Industry After The Pandemic
The Outsole
This is often just referred to as the sole. The outsole is, as you may already know, the bottom part of the shoe that actually makes contact with the ground. It is generally made of rubber and the quality of the outsole can be a good indicator of how long it is likely to last.
The better quality the outsole is, the longer the shoe will last. Browse this site for some great options.
The Insole
The insole is quite self-explanatory again. It’s the past of the shoe that’s inserted inside the shoe to provide comfort and soft cushioning underfoot. This is the part of the shoe you need to pay attention to when trying to determine if it will be comfortable or not.
The Uppers
The uppers when the term is used in describing shoes refers to the materials used on the top half of the shoe, the parts that cover over the topo of your feet. Obviously, depending on how flexible this material is and the way it has been constructed, will play a significant part in how much movement it offers you on the court.
The Laces and Tongue
These are two parts of footwear that are often disregarded far too easily, considering how important a role they play in the fit and comfort provided by shoes. The laces are obviously used to tighten the shoe. When tightening shoes, you want to be careful to make sure there is a balance between shoes that won’t easily fall off or hinder your playing ability, and fitting too tightly and causing circulation problems. The tongue is an extra layer of protection and comfort, this time for the top of your foot from the laces, so that should be made to a high standard too and with good quality material.
Size
Perhaps the most important consideration you need to make when choosing a pair of pickleball shoes is the size. Ideally, you want shoes that give you that snug fit, without being too restrictive so that you have the best level of support. Ideally, you should look for a size that offers you 1.2 an inch between the tip of the shoe and your longest toe. Your toes should also be able to move inside the toe box.
Value Versus Cost
While it’s understandable that you will have a specific budget set aside for your pickleball shoes, you need to look past just the price tag. You need to consider whether a shoe is good value or not. A higher price tag does not always denote that a pair of shoes is of better value.
Some reasonably low priced pairs of shoes are not considered to be the top range, but still offer great value and last a long time. You also need to think of it in terms of how often you play pickleball. For regular players, it may be more important to make a considerable investment in a pair of shoes, whereas if you are an irregular player who only plays recreationally on the weekend or even monthly, you may not want to spend as much on pickleball shoes.
