Skechers has been a giant in the footwear world for years, serving a broad range of athletic and casual markets. They’ve recently jumped into the pickleball space. With pickleball’s growth, brands like Skechers are jumping on the bandwagon to tap into a growing community of players in need of specialized gear. Here’s a real review of the Skechers brand in pickleball, the products they offer and what to expect when you choose Skechers for your pickleball needs.
About Skechers
Founded in 1992 by Robert Greenberg, Skechers started out making utility boots and skate shoes. Over the years they evolved to make a wide range of footwear for men, women and kids, becoming known for their comfort driven designs and stylish casual shoes. Their innovative approach and successful marketing has given them a global presence and they compete with other big athletic shoe brands.
Although Skechers is known for lifestyle footwear and performance shoes, their entry into pickleball shoes is a relatively new and smart move. As pickleball is growing across demographics, from retirees to younger athletic enthusiasts, Skechers saw the need for quality, supportive shoes for the fast paced, lateral movements of the sport.
Skechers and Pickleball: Why It Makes Sense
One of the most important things in pickleball, especially for intermediate and advanced players, is the right footwear. Pickleball is quick movements, fast pivots, lateral shifts and bursts of speed, you need shoes that provide stability and cushioning. Skechers expertise in designing shoes with comfort and performance in mind made their entry into pickleball a no brainer.
Skechers reputation for comfort is built on their proprietary shoe technologies like Air-Cooled Memory Foam insoles and highly cushioned midsoles which many pickleball players love for long hours on the court. Plus their focus on value gives players an alternative to some of the more expensive high performance shoes in the pickleball market.
Skechers Pickleball Shoe Line: What to Expect
Skechers has been rolling out more and more pickleball specific shoes and many players are finding them to be a good value. Here’s a look at the size of their first pickleball shoe offerings and what to expect from their product line.
1. Skechers Viper Court Pickleball Shoe
The Viper Court is one of Skechers’ top pickleball shoes. It’s designed for the demands of the game and is comfort and performance at a good price.
Features:
Goodyear Performance Outsole: The Viper Court has a Goodyear rubber outsole. Goodyear is known for its durability and grip. This outsole gives you superior traction which is important for the quick direction changes in pickleball.
Lightweight and Breathable Design: The upper is made of a breathable mesh material to keep your feet cool during long rallies. It’s lightweight but doesn’t sacrifice support.
Arch Fit Insole System: Skechers’ patented Arch Fit system provides arch support for better foot alignment and reduces stress on your feet, knees and lower back. A big plus for players who play multiple games in a row or are on the court for hours.
Target Audience: The Viper Court is for players looking for a high performance shoe that won’t break the bank. It’s good for all skill levels from beginners to advanced players who need extra support and stability.
2. Skechers Pickleball Elite Series
Skechers also has the Elite Series, a higher end line of shoes designed for more advanced players. These shoes have some extra performance features but at a higher price.
Features:
Advanced Cushioning Technology: The Elite Series has Hyper Burst cushioning for added shock absorption and responsiveness. Good for players who make hard stops and starts.
Midfoot Support: Reinforced midfoot stability features in the Elite Series shoes provide better lateral support to reduce the risk of injury from side to side movements.
Durable Upper Materials: While still breathable the Elite Series uses more durable upper materials to withstand aggressive play.
Target Audience: Players who are serious about their pickleball game and willing to invest in premium features for performance and comfort. These shoes are for competitive players who need extra durability and cushioning for long hours on the court.
3. Skechers Pickleball Shoes for Women
Skechers has pickleball shoes for both men and women with designs for men and women. These come in multiple colors, sizes and fits because the comfort with Skechers pickleball is all about inclusivity and style.
Features:
Women’s Specific Fit: Skechers has shoes with a narrower heel and more room in the forefoot to accommodate a woman’s foot for comfort and performance.
Stylish Designs: One thing Skechers always delivers on is style. The women’s pickleball shoe line has designs that balance style and function so players can look good while playing their best.
Target Audience: Female players of all skill levels who want style and performance. Skechers’ focus on comfort and variety means men and women can find shoes for their game and personal style.
Skechers Footwear Technology: A Closer Look
One of the reasons Skechers is making waves in the pickleball world is their proprietary footwear technology. Let’s take a look at some of the comfort technologies and features that set Skechers pickleball shoes apart from others.
1. Goodyear Performance Outsoles
Skechers has partnered with Goodyear the tire company to put their rubber technology in the outsoles of many of their athletic shoes including their pickleball line. The result is better grip, durability and enhanced traction, — all important on the pickleball court.
Traction: With lateral movements and quick changes of direction in mind the Goodyear outsole helps players stay grip on the court and reduce slipping.
Durability: Pickleball is hard on shoes especially for players who spend hours on the court. The Goodyear outsole adds durability so the shoes will last longer and retain grip over time.
2. Arch Fit Technology
Skechers’ Arch Fit insole system is podiatrist certified to provide superior arch support which can be a game changer for players who have foot pain or pronation issues. The removable Arch Fit insole has plenty of cushioning and support to promote natural foot alignment.
Benefits for Pickleball Players: Since pickleball is all about movement and pivoting, proper foot alignment is key to preventing injuries. The Arch Fit system provides comfort and helps distribute weight more evenly across the foot reducing the impact on the joints.
3. Hyper Burst Cushioning
Hyper Burst is Skechers’ ultra-lightweight and highly responsive cushioning material made from a supercritical foaming process. It’s one of the lightest and most durable midsoles Skechers has ever made.
Impact Absorption: For pickleball players cushioning that absorbs shock is key especially during intense games with a lot of lateral and jumping movements. Hyper Burst provides great impact absorption without adding weight to the shoe.
Skechers Pickleball Apparel: A New Frontier?
Skechers is a footwear brand but they’ve been slowly getting into athletic apparel. Not yet as big in pickleball but wouldn’t be surprised if they get into pickleball apparel soon. They’ve designed comfortable performance driven clothing for other sports so maybe they can bring that to pickleball too and offer players more than just shoes.
Skechers vs Competitors: How Does It Compare?
When comparing comfort to Skechers pickleball shoes and other popular pickleball shoe brands like ASICS, K-Swiss and Wilson there are areas where Skechers pickleball shoes excel and a few drawbacks.
1. Affordability
One of Skechers’ biggest strengths is its price point. While other brands offer premium pickleball shoes at higher prices Skechers offers a more affordable option without sacrificing support and durability.
Pros: Skechers shoes are generally priced lower than many of the premium offerings from other brands so more players can access them.
Cons: While affordable some players may find that Skechers mid-tier shoes don’t offer the same performance and durability as the higher end models from ASICS.
2. Comfort
Skechers is all about supportive comfort, and that extends to supportive comfort in their pickleball line as well. Features like Air-Cooled Memory Foam and Arch Fit system means players can stay comfortable even during long intense matches.
Pros: Skechers is great in comfort so good for recreational players or those who prioritize cushioning.
Cons: Competitive players who prefer a more snug or locked in feel might find Skechers shoes too cushioned or not stable enough compared to Wilson or K-Swiss.
3. Technology
Skechers has some great technology in their shoes including Goodyear outsoles and Hyper Burst cushioning. These features make Skechers a contender in terms of innovation.
Pros: Using Goodyear rubber for traction and Hyper Burst for cushioning shows Skechers is serious about competing with established athletic brands.
Cons: Some players may still prefer the established reputation of brands that have been in the pickleball space longer and offer shoes specifically designed for competitive play.
What’s Next from Skechers
Skechers is clearly getting into pickleball shoes. As the sport grows so will the size of Skechers pickleball shoe line and possibly more pickleball specific apparel and accessories.
For players looking for an affordable, comfortable and stylish option the comfort with Skechers pickleball shoes is a good choice. Not yet as big in pickleball as some competitors but their reputation for comfort and innovation is worth considering.
Casual or serious Skechers pickleball has got you covered. Watch out for them. 😉