A proper pair of court shoes is crucial for both tennis and pickleball.
Unfortunately, court shoes don’t last forever, and even the perfect pair will eventually need replacing. While they offer essential stability and support when new, continuous use causes wear and tear, making them significantly less protective over time.
Replacing your shoes might not be as exciting as upgrading your racket or paddle, but it’s even more crucial. Here’s a guide to recognizing the signs that it’s time to retire your old shoes and tips for selecting the right pair to meet your durability needs.
First, anticipate your needs
Walking into a tennis or pickleball store and seeing the smorgasbord of court shoes can be quite overwhelming. You might see a gargantuan, clunky, brick of a shoe right next to one that looks more appropriate for running, and yet they’re both court shoes. They come in a variety of different styles and usually target different levels of durability to match the player type.
Heavier players
Heavier players are naturally tougher on their shoes since they apply more lateral force. Remember, court shoes are meant to stay sturdy on lateral cuts, but applying more force will chip away at that structure over time. To optimize durability, heavier players should go for burlier court shoes with rubber uppers. Rubber holds its shape longer than mesh, so these shoes will maintain their structure better under heavier loads. The Asics Gel-Resolution X, Court FF 3, and Adidas Barricade 13 are great options if you’re looking for long-lasting uppers.
ASICS Court FF 3 All-Court
women's
Never say die, scramblers
Those of you who never quit on a ball also put a lot of stress on your shoes. Here’s the thing: if that’s your play style, you probably don’t want to be lugging around a hefty pair of shoes all day. Those court shoes I mentioned earlier are certainly durable thanks to their burlier constructions, but they’re also very heavy. Fast movers should look at shoes that strike the best ratio of low weight to durability. The good news is, this style of shoe has developed a lot in the last several years. Take a look at the New Balance 996 V6, the Nike GP Challenge 1, and the Head Sprint Pro.
The 996 even comes in a pickleball specific variant for both men and women!
Big sliders
Sliding has become an important part of movement on hard courts, especially since brands started designing their shoes to make sliding easier. Don’t worry too much about your outsole’s durability here; sliding is going to destroy every outsole. The difference in durability from one outsole to the next will be negligible.
What isn’t negligible is the damage you do to the upper. When you slide, the medial portion of your back foot makes contact with the ground, which eventually starts to wear it out. You can quickly put a hole in your toe box and also shred through the top medial lace loop. The good news is, brands have started designing their shoes to directly target wear in these “slide-sensitive” zones, and we have a number of great options with reinforced toe boxes and lace coverings. The brand-new Asics Gel-Resolution X has been significantly fortified compared to the previous 9 — you should have no issues with sliding durability here, and it’s one of the easiest shoes to slide with as well. The Nike Vapor Pro 2 is another shoe with ample rubber in the toe box and a covered top medial lace.
Toe draggers
You know who you are. If you’re a toe dragger, you’ve probably spent enough time looking down at your shoe in frustration, knowing full well that you just put a hole through the toe. Toe dragging comes naturally for some players, and certain shoes are designed to hold up longer in the front toe box. Look for something with plenty of rubber up there, and you should be fine. The Gel-Resolution X and Court FF 3 are great options, again, and so is the New Balance CT Rally.
Honing in on your personal durability requirements is the best way to prolong the life of your court shoe, but eventually, every shoe wears out and needs to be replaced.
4 telltale signs that it’s time to replace your shoes
1. The Rule of Thumb
With the wide variety of court shoes available today, the traditional “rule of thumb” is more of a guideline than a strict rule.
Generally, it’s recommended to replace your court shoes every 50–60 hours of use. For example, if you play once a week for an hour, you should consider getting a new pair once a year.
That said, the lifespan of your shoes depends heavily on their type. High-durability, full-rubber court shoes will typically last longer than modern, lightweight mesh speed shoes. So, instead of strictly counting sessions, keep an eye on the wear and tear of your shoes to determine when it’s time for a replacement.
2. Outsole wear
The outsole takes the biggest beating of any part of a court shoe, and that’s because it’s in constant contact with the abrasive court. The good news is, it’s quite obvious when an outsole wears out.
For one, your shoe stops making that squeaky sound every time you take a step. As annoying as it is, that sound is actually a good thing — it means your shoes are providing optimal traction. When you don’t hear that sound anymore, it’s time to take a closer inspection of the outsole.
Take a look at the outsole’s tread. If it’s really deep in one area but then shallow in another, that means you’ve worn out your shoe. A shallow or balding tread means that your traction is gone, and that could lead to a loss of stability, grip, or even worse, a higher potential for injury. Of course, if there is a hole in your outsole, then you should get a new pair of shoes right away.
3. Structural degradation
Outsole wear is visually obvious, but a shoe’s structural wear is much less so. Structural wear doesn’t come from court contact but rather from the constant lateral pressure you’re putting on your tennis shoes. Like I said earlier, court shoes are built to stay rigid and supportive on lateral cuts, but the more you flex them, the more that starts to go away. This structural degradation happens to both the midsole and the upper.
Testing midsole wear is easy. Flex and twist the shoe in any direction — this should be difficult, and it shouldn't fold on itself like a runner. If it does, your midsole support is gone, and it’s time to replace your shoes.
Testing upper wear is a bit more challenging. Not all uppers are meant to be rigid, so this test requires more nuance and an understanding of how much your shoe is “supposed” to flex. Uppers with minimal rubber will naturally have a bit more give to them, but if they feel buttery soft like a running shoe with no support, that means it’s worn out. The same goes for rubber uppers, although these will likely never get to a point where they feel “soft.” Try to remember what the shoe felt like brand new; if it is now significantly softer, that means it’s time for a new pair.
Remember, structural wear is the least obvious form of wear, but it’s arguably the most important. It’s easy to think your court shoe is fine if it’s not showing tread loss on the outsole or if there aren’t holes on the upper, but lateral support and stability are the most important characteristics of a court shoe, so make sure to regularly check that they are still adequate.
4. Interior wear
Again, wear to the interior part of your shoe is less visually obvious, but it will definitely give you some clues. Blisters occur when you’ve worn out the cushioning in the heel, and lace bite will happen if you’ve packed out your tongue and tie your laces too tight. Both of these can be very uncomfortable and are definitely a sign that it’s time to get new shoes.
Still not sure? Let us help!
You can use this guide as a checklist to make sure your shoes are still in good shape. If they’re not, we have plenty of resources to help you pick out a new pair.
We have amazing shoe fitters in the store with years of experience helping players find their perfect fit. We also have a YouTube channel with court shoe reviews and comparisons that can help you narrow down your choices!
