Indoor vs. Outdoor Pickleball Shoes: What’s the Difference?
March 09, 2023
Learning the differences between indoor and outdoor pickleball shoes ensures you wear the appropriate pair for every match, regardless of the surface.
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“It’s gotta be the shoes” was the memorable ad campaign Spike Lee and Michael Jordan filmed in 1989, referring to Mike’s Nikes being why he was unstoppable on the court.
While the shoes don’t make the player, they can make a difference in any sport. Pickleball, in particular, can be more confusing for new players because of the differences between indoor and outdoor pickleball shoes.
Scratching the Surface
The distinction between the two shoes has become rather ambiguous with the advent of various surfaces. Nevertheless, indoor court shoes are best for games on hardwood surfaces, including pickleball, volleyball, badminton, and squash.
Conversely, outdoor shoes suit rugged surfaces you’ll see on a court outdoors. Outdoor courts tend to be harder so that they can withstand rough weather, and outdoor shoes must tolerate the hard surface while providing support for wearers.
Sole Man
In the infancy stages of the game, outdoor shoes had synthetic rubber soles. Meanwhile, you would find organic gum rubber on indoor shoes. Today, most shoe manufacturers use a mixture of both rubbers when constructing an indoor shoe, with some all-court shoes sprinkling a small quantity of organic rubber for their soles. Therefore, the difference between the two shoes has become even more convoluted.
If you must settle on one pair of shoes to do everything, outdoor shoes are often your best bet. You might see a slight dip in performance if you venture inside, but durability will not be an issue.
Get a Grip
You want shoes that lend themselves to swift movements when you play a game like pickleball. Having the best grip in a pair of shoes is integral to success on any pickleball court, so the tread in each shoe must coincide with the court.
Larger tread patterns are more common if you prefer playing outside. You will have better lateral stability with larger soles on any surface. In contrast, indoor shoes have smaller, circular, flatter patches on the bottom to improve your ability to handle smoother surfaces. The indoor tread provides increased traction on hardwood courts because of its nearly suction-like grip.
Cushioning the Blow
Outdoor court shoes must have a few special advantages to increase comfort and protect you from harsher surfaces. Outdoor shoes have strengthened and enhanced lateral comfort to provide stronger support and insulation.
Indoor court shoes, in comparison, feature thinner lateral walls to provide your feet with improved ventilation. These designs make perfect sense when you think about the sports you mostly associate with a certain type of court.
An outdoor tennis court can double as a pickleball court, so players relying on these dual-use courts need a pair of outdoor shoes. Indoor court games are all about faster and more responsive movements, which indoor court shoes lend themselves to.
Understanding the differences between indoor and outdoor pickleball shoes can help you select the best footwear for your needs. Ultimately, only you know how often you play on each surface!
If you prefer the friendly confines of a roof over your head, Fromuth Pickleball has several wonderful pairs of men’s court shoes for pickleball. You’ll become the fleetest of the foot when you go with the equipment the pros wear!