Comparing Five Court Shoes: ASICS, New Balance, K-Swiss, Skechers and HEAD
Five popular court shoes compared on support, cushioning, weight, fit and price, with tips on paying less.
Many of the best-known pickleball shoes started life as tennis shoes, which makes buying confusing. We chose five well-known models and went through lab data and player reviews on each, so you can see what each does well, where it falls short and who it suits.
Figures below are list prices from September 2026. Retailers often discount, and models get refreshed, so check the current version.
Side by side
| Shoe | Designed for | Weight (men’s 10) | Wide fit | List price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASICS Gel-Resolution X | Tennis, popular for pickleball | 14.5 oz | Yes | $165 |
| New Balance Fresh Foam X CT-Rally v2 | Tennis, popular for pickleball | 14.3 oz | 2E | about $150 |
| K-Swiss Express Light | Pickleball | 12.7 oz | No | $115 |
| Skechers Viper Court Pro 2.0 | Pickleball | about 12 oz | Yes | $115 |
| HEAD Motion Pro | Pickleball | 14.6 oz | No, but roomy | about $130 laced, $199 with BOA |
ASICS Gel-Resolution X
This is the stability pick. A DYNAWALL frame and a two-piece midsole make it extremely stiff, and RunRepeat gave its torsional rigidity 5 out of 5. In durability tests the AHAR+ herringbone outsole lost well under a millimetre of rubber, so rough courts barely scuff it. Expect a warm upper, a weight near 15 oz and a few sessions of break-in, and note that narrow heels can slip.
Best for: frequent outdoor players who want protection first. A separate wide model is available.
New Balance Fresh Foam X CT-Rally v2
The landing is the draw. In RunRepeat’s court shoe tests the Fresh Foam X midsole soaked up more impact than any rival, and testers call the feel plush. Webbing in the upper and a TPU shank keep it steady, the upper dries quickly, and 2E widths exist. On the other side: it is heavy, the toe box is low, and players who drag a trailing toe on serves and low volleys wear through the front of the sole sooner.
Best for: sore knees, heels or backs, and long hard-court sessions.
K-Swiss Express Light
Designed around pickleball from the start, and cheaper than the tennis models. At around 12.7 oz it feels nimble. A modified herringbone tread grips concrete, sport tile and gym floors, a Durawrap toe shrugs off drag, and an Ortholite liner adds comfort. Pickleheads picked it as its top budget pickleball shoe. The heel and midfoot run narrow, though, and there is no wide size.
Best for: average to narrow feet, and players who want a quick shoe without tennis-shoe prices.
Skechers Viper Court Pro 2.0
Comfort is the pitch, and there is no break-in. The removable Arch Fit insole carries the American Podiatric Medical Association’s Seal of Acceptance, ULTRA GO foam cushions each step, and a Goodyear Gold rubber outsole grips indoors and out. The Relaxed Fit toe box has space for wide feet and orthotics, and it is sold in medium and extra-wide. The soft base feels less locked down than the ASICS or New Balance on hard cuts.
Best for: recreational players who want happy feet after two hours.
HEAD Motion Pro
This one is tuned for hardwood. The Hybrasion+ outsole grips gym floors especially well, and a Drift Defense rubber wrap shields the inner forefoot, where pickleball shoes tend to wear first. A BOA version tightens with a dial instead of laces. The curved sole feels less planted on aggressive side steps, it wears faster on outdoor concrete, and the BOA model costs a lot more.
Best for: players on gym floors whose feet run medium to slightly wide.
How to choose
- Mostly outdoors: ASICS for durability, or Skechers for comfort
- Mostly indoors: HEAD
- Sore joints or long sessions: New Balance
- For the lightest and least expensive: K-Swiss or Skechers
- Wide feet: the wide models from ASICS, New Balance or Skechers
Ways to pay less
- Look for a store-wide code. Offers like Pickleball Superstore on the promo code page may cover footwear.
- Buy the outgoing model when a replacement launches.
- Add shoes to a paddle order so a percentage code covers more. See getting more from every promo code.
Not sure you need court shoes at all? Read court shoes or running shoes. Paddle shopping too? Try the tier list.
Sources: RunRepeat lab tests; reviews at Pickleheads, Let’s Pickleball, Kitchen & Court and FORWRD; ASICS, Skechers and HEAD product pages; Pickleball Central listings. Buying through our links can earn us a commission, with no added cost to you.