Have you ever thought are basketball shoes good for pickleball? Then don’t worry I will give you the right answer of the above question. Look there is a huge difference between pickleball and basketball game as well as their shoes. Movement of foot are different in both game. That is why both shoes has different kind of features. Basket ball shoes provides you a good ankle support, which also prevents you from ankle injury while playing.
Are basketball shoes good for pickleball: The Answer
This is a quick answer: Well, as I told you before, basketball shoes are well designed for the lateral movements and good ankle support. For this reason it also reduces the probability of ankle injury. On the other hand pickleball shoes are specially designed for quick lateral movements.
According to me, basketball shoes are not suitable for pickleball. If you want a comfortable, enjoyable game, then you should wear the proper pickleball shoes.
Features of Basketball Shoes
Before you decide why basketball shoes are not suitable for pickleball, you have a basic idea on basketball shoes. In this section of article we will discuss on various features of basketball shoes.
1. Ankle Support
You have to jump more in basketball than pickleball. Also there are more landings in basketball. For this reason basketball shoes are designed to prevent the injuries due to landing. That kind of shoes provides you a special ankle support.
2. Cushioning
While I was finding the answer of are basketball shoes good for pickleball, I thought this features of basketball shoes will help you to understand. Basketball shoes provides you a soft cushioning under your feet. This will help you to absorb the impact while jumping and landing. While there are no such features in pickleball shoes.
3. Weight
Generally basketball shoes are heavier in comparison with pickleball shoes. Reason for this heavy weight is, basketball shoes comes with few additional features like extra padding, ankle support and so on. For this heavy weight your pickleball game may affect while playing with basketball shoes.
Also Read: 7 Best Pickleball Paddles for Beginners
4. Providing Traction
Basketball shoes provides a good amount of traction on the court, which helps you to move forward and backward easily. But in case of pickleball shoes you need that kind of shoes which helps you to move your feet laterally.
I hope those few features of basketball shoes will help you to understand are basketball shoes good for pickleball.
Features of Pickleball Shoes
In this section of article we will discuss about the various features of pickleball shoes. You will also get a clear idea on why basketball shoes are not suitable for pickleball. So let’s start-
1. Lateral Support
Pickleball shoes are specially designed for side to side movements. Usually these kinds of shoes have lower profile as there is a less jumping and landing during game. Also pickleball shoes provides you a better lateral stability compared to the basketball shoes.
2. Weight
Weight of pickleball shoes are less in comparison with basketball shoes. As I told you before there is a very low profile in pickleball shoes. These helps to reduce the weight of pickleball shoes. But the main features of the pickleball shoe is, it provides a good amount of stability while playing shots.
3. Out Sole Design
Out sole design id a pickleball shoe will help you to understand are basketball shoes good for pickleball. There is a special type of out sole design in pickleball shoes, which provide you a grip on court surface. Design of the out sole of pickleball shoes will provide you a good amount of support during lateral movements.
4. Flexibility
As you already know pickleball game involves a lot of foot movements. For this reason the shoes for pickleball provides you a lot of flexibility. You will not found this types of flexibility in basketball shoes.
5. Durability
Pickleball shoes are more durable in contrast with basketball shoes. Because during basketball game it impacts more on shoes in comparison with pickleball game.
Pros and Cons of Basketball Shoes in contrast with Pickleball shoes
In this section of article we will discuss on pros and cons of basketball shoes, compared with pickleball shoes. This pros and cons will help you to understand are basketball shoes good for pickleball.
Pros of Basketball Shoes
1. Good Ankle Support
Basketball shoes provides you a good ankle support. You have to jump to play every shots and after every shots, you have to land on court. For this jumping and landing there is a probability to ankle injury. This ankle support will prevent you from injury.
Also Read: Top 5 Best Pickleball Rackets for quick Success
2. Cushioning
While jumping and landing there produce a high impact. This impact will cause an injury in your feet. To absorb the impact, basketball shoes uses a cushioning of comparatively soft material on the pickleball shoes.
3. Lateral Stability
Some basketball shoes are often designed for lateral stability. This lateral stability will help you while changing direction. You can use that kind of basketball shoes in pickleball.
I hope these pros of basketball shoes will help you on are basketball shoes good for pickleball.
Cons Of Basketball Shoes
1. Grip
Basketball is often played on hard type of court. While pickleball courts are made of rubber, wood, concrete, graphite, etc. That is why basketball shoes are made for smoothness and provides grip on basketball court. There is a probability of slipping while you play on pickleball court.
2. Heavy Weight
Basketball shoes are heavier than pickleball shoes. This bulkiness will affect on your footwork, agility and speed. Basketball shoes are not ideal for quick direction changes in pickleball.
3. Durability
Basketball shoes are less durable than pickleball shoes. It absorbs more impact compared to pickleball. Specially basketball shoes wear out quickly for its playing style and impact on shoes. I hope these pros and cons will help you to decide are basketball shoes good for pickleball and select you to right shoes for pickleball.
Wrap Up
I hope from the above discussion you will be able to find out are basketball shoes good for pickleball? In a very short the answer is NO. Always remember that a good pair of shoe will boost you game and prevent you from injuries. There are a lot of shoes available in market, but you have to choose the suitable one for yourself.
