Best Pickleball Shoes For Kids [2023 Picks]

Middle-aged pickleball players will remember the days when polyester shoes were extremely popular. We only had one color choice, and they always seemed to squeak on contact with the court.

But now there are so many colors and styles from which you can choose! And it’s not just adults who have a lot of options – kids can now choose their own footwear for this sport as well.

Just like adults, pickleball is a demanding sport on little feet – which makes footwear a vital part of a child’s game. Good pickleball shoes provide traction on the court as well as go easy on tender toes during those frequent falls!

So today we’ll review some of the best shoes for pickleball available for kids.

Here are our top 5 picks for unisex child pickleball shoes:

• Editors Choice – New Balance Kids’ 574 V1
• Most Popular Sandals – KEEN Newport H2 Closed Toe Sandals
• Most Durable – Stride Rite M2p Journey2 Athletic Sneakers
• Most Stylish Shoe – Soulsfeng Kids Tennis Shoes
• Premium Look – Adidas Kaptir 2.0 Running Shoes

Top 5 Best Pickleball Shoes For Your Kids in 2024

Editors Choice – New Balance Kids’ 574 V1

Looking for a pickleball shoe for your kids? Check out the New Balance Kids’ 574 V1 Disc Lace-up Sneaker. This sneaker is designed with pickleball players in mind and offers a durable rubber outsole, lace-up closure for a secure fit, and lightweight EVA foam cushioning for added comfort.

Plus, the synthetic leather upper provides a stylish look that they’re sure to love. pickleballers of all ages will appreciate the quality construction and pickleball-specific design of this sneaker. So pick up a pair today and let your kids enjoy the game in comfort and style.

Benefits:

• pickleball-specific design
• lightweight EVA foam cushioning
• synthetic leather upper

Drawbacks:

• none noted

How It Performs in Our Test:

This pickleball shoe performed well in our test, offering pickleball players a durable rubber outsole, lace-up closure for a secure fit, and lightweight EVA foam cushioning for added comfort. Plus, the synthetic leather upper provides a stylish look that they’re sure to love.

Who Should Buy This:

This pickleball shoe is a great option for pickleball players of all ages. If you’re looking for a pickleball shoe that offers quality construction and pickleball-specific design, then this sneaker is a great choice.

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Most Popular Sandals – KEEN Newport H2 Closed Toe Sandals

The KEEN Newport H2 Closed Toe Sandal is a top pick for pickleball players looking for a sandal that provides both comfort and protection. This sandal features a closed-toe design to protect your feet from errant pickleball, while the water-resistant polyester webbing and quick dry lining keep your feet comfortable and dry all day long.

The Newport H2 also features a traction outsole with multi-directional lugs to provide superior grip on slippery and wet pickleball courts. The non-marking rubber outsole leaves no imprint when walking indoors, making this an ideal pickleball sandal for both indoor and outdoor play. So pick up a pair of Newport H2 Closed Toe Sandals today and enjoy pickleball in comfort and style.

Benefits:

• Closed toe design protects feet from errant pickleball
• Water-resistant polyester webbing keeps feet dry
• Quick dry lining for added comfort
• Traction outsole with multi-directional lugs for superior grip

Drawbacks:

• None found

How it performs in our test:

During our test, the Newport H2 Closed Toe Sandal performed excellently. The closed-toe design protected our feet from pickleball, while the water-resistant webbing and quick dry lining kept our feet dry and comfortable. The traction outsole provided superior grip on slippery pickleball courts, and the non-marking rubber outsole left no imprint when walking indoors.

Who should buy this:

If you are a pickleball player looking for a sandal that provides comfort, protection, and superior grip, then the Newport H2 Closed Toe Sandal is a great choice.

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Most Durable – Stride Rite M2p Journey2 Athletic Sneakers

The Stride Rite M2p Journey2 Athletic Sneaker is a top pick for pickleball players looking for a durable and comfortable sneaker. This sneaker features a synthetic rubber sole that is designed to withstand the rigors of pickleball play, while the Ortholite memory foam footbed provides superior comfort.

The M2p Journey2 also features a lightweight EVA outsole with rubber pods for superior traction and a hook-and-loop closure for a secure and comfortable fit. Plus, this sneaker is APMA-approved, so you can rest assured that it meets the highest standards of quality and comfort. So pick up a pair of Stride Rite M2p Journey2 Athletic Sneakers and enjoy the game in comfort and style.

Benefits:

• Durable
• Comfortable
• Secure fit
• APMA approved

Drawbacks:

• May not be suitable for wide feet

How It Performs in Our Test:

During our test, the Stride Rite M2p Journey2 Athletic Sneakers performed admirably. They were comfortable to wear and provided good support and traction.

Who Should Buy This:

If you’re looking for a durable and comfortable pickleball sneaker, the Stride Rite M2p Journey2 Athletic Sneakers are a great choice. However, if you have wide feet, you may want to look elsewhere.

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Most Stylish Shoe – Soulsfeng Kids Tennis Shoes

The Soulsfeng Kids Tennis Shoe is a top pick for pickleball players looking for a stylish and comfortable sneaker. This sneaker features a breathable mesh upper that expands with your foot as you walk, while the removable insole provides cushioning for extra comfort.

The lightweight and sturdy sole provide grip for both indoor and outdoor wear, making this sneaker perfect for pickleball or any other activity. Plus, the Soulsfeng Kids Tennis Shoe is available in a variety of colors to match your pickleball gear. So pick up a pair today and enjoy the game in comfort and style.

Benefits:

• Breathable mesh upper expands with your foot
• Removable insole provides cushioning and comfort
• Lightweight and sturdy sole for indoor and outdoor wear
• Available in a variety of colors

Drawbacks:

• Not available in wide sizes
• Some pickleball players may find the style too casual

How It Performs in Our Test:

The Soulsfeng Kids Tennis Shoe performed well in our test, with the breathable mesh upper expanding as needed and the removable insole providing cushioning and comfort. The sole was lightweight and grippy, making this sneaker perfect for pickleball or any other activity.

Who Should Buy This:

The Soulsfeng Kids Tennis Shoe is a great pick for pickleball players looking for a stylish and comfortable sneaker. This sneaker is available in a variety of colors to match your pickleball gear, and the breathable mesh upper and removable insole provide comfort and support.

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Premium Look – Adidas Kaptir 2.0 Running Shoes

The Adidas Kaptir 2.0 Running Shoe is a top pick for pickleball players looking for a premium look and feel. This shoe features a knit upper with a sock-like fit, a synthetic outsole for grip, and lace closure for a secure fit.

Plus, the comfortable knit upper provides a stylish look that pickleball players will love. The Adidas Kaptir 2.0 Running Shoe is available in a variety of colors to match your pickleball gear. So pick up a pair today and enjoy the game in comfort and style.

Benefits:

• Comfortable
• Secure fit
• Stylish
• Available in a variety of colors

Drawbacks:

• None

How It Performs in Our Test:

This shoe performed well in our test, providing a comfortable and secure fit with a good grip.

Who Should Buy This:

If you’re looking for a pickleball shoe with a premium look and feel, the Adidas Kaptir 2.0 is a great option.

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How To Choose Kids Shoes For Pickleball?

One of the first things to consider when buying children’s pickleball shoes is their age. Even though some younger kids can be very athletic, it’s best not to play this sport until they are at least 5 or 6 years old. That way they will have many years of growth ahead of them. Children that are young tend to lack coordination and need to build strength and muscle first.

Before you buy kids’ pickleball shoes, it’s important to be able to check for proper fit. You need to make sure the footwear is not too tight around the feet; this can cause pain and blisters. But don’t go too wide either – this may result in tripping or your child slipping on the court. For the best fit, you’ll need to have your child try on the shoes.

You should also consider whether your kids are playing indoors or outdoors with their pickleball shoes. Indoor courts can be slippery, so finding tennis shoes with very good traction is recommended. Outdoor courts are harder but still require good grip – however, for this surface, you still need good traction rather than something too sticky.

When your child is on the court, they are going to be doing a lot of running around. Whether they are playing singles or doubles, there’s a lot of movement involved in this sport. You should make sure that the shoes have proper support and cushioning for their feet – especially if they are going to be playing multiple games in a day.

One of the most important considerations is comfort. Pickleball shoes for kids should not only provide good traction and support, but they should also feel great on little feet. Try them out yourself! If they don’t fit properly or lack support, your child will definitely let you know.

Conclusion

What shoes are best for your child will depend on their size, age, and how much pickleball they plan to play. The list above contains some of the top brands available at around $200 or less – although you can pay more if you need something especially durable or breathable. At the end of the day, your kids will be doing most of their learning on the court – so make sure they are wearing the right footwear!