How long do pickleball shoes last?

Life of pickleball shoes is a big challenge for every pickleball player. Everyone wants to know how long pickleball shoes last as well as how to choose shoes to save both their money and time. To maintain your pickleball shoes for a long time or make them last long depends upon multiple factors like usage frequency, court surface, shoe quality, and your foot structure.

On average, pickleball shoes last for 4 to 5 months. If you are playing in pickleball shoes for 4 to 5 days a week for 3 to 4 hours, then they would last for 4 months. If you are a casual player like you play it 3 days a week for 2 hours then it will last for 6 months.

Do you want to know how long pickleball shoes last? And when should you replace your pickleball court shoes? Then this is for you.

In this article, we will discuss the lifespan of pickleball shoes and what factors affect its quality, and how we make it long-lasting.”

How long do pickleball shoes last?- Explained

Here is a detailed discussion about the lifespan of pickleball shoes. How often should a player change their pickleball shoes? How long should I expect my pickleball shoes to last? And how to increase the lifespan of your pickleball shoes.

Factors Affecting Pickleball Shoe Longevity

These 5 Factors Affecting Pickleball Shoe longevity. Usage Frequency, Court Surface,  Shoes Quality, Maintenance,  and foot structure and here we will discuss it one by one below. 

(1) Usage Frequency

Pickleball is growing rapidly around the globe, especially in the USA. Everyone wants to play pickleball either 3 to 5 days in a week or 2 to 3 days a week. The longevity of pickleball shoes depends upon their usage frequency. As pickleball is one of the newest among the court sports. 

There are 2 types of pickleball shoe users (players). 

Regular Pickleball shoes user

If you are playing in pickleball shoes for 5 to 6 days a week for 3 to 4 hous a day, then you will be considered a Regular Pickleball shoes user. In this case it will last for 3 to 4 months. 

Casual pickleball shoes user

If you are playing in pickleball shoes for 3 to 4 days a week for 2 hous a day then you will be considered a Casual pickleball shoes user. In this case it will last for 6 months. 

(2) Court Surface

Pickleball can be played on indoor or outdoor courts. It can be a concrete, asphalt, wood lamination, grass or beach court. The longevity of pickleball shoes depends on the court surface. If you are playing pickleball on hard surfaces like concrete, asphalt  and wood-laminated courts then it will last in  4 months while if you are playing on a beach or grass court then it will for 5 months. After  this duration you will have to renew your pickleball shoes. 

The other point should be noted that if you are playing on newly built hard surface concrete, asphalt, or wood-laminated court then your pickleball shoes would not last for 3 months. New harder surfaces tend to accelerate shoe degradation, which causes more frequent replacements.

(3) Shoe Quality Materials

The quality of shoes is also an important factor and plays a vital role in the durability of pickleball shoes. You will face less wear and tear in high quality shoes. It will last a long time.

(4) Your Feet Structure

As we know, the feet structure plays a vital role in the longevity pickleball shoes. If you have bony feet and are extra long and hard then it can badly reduce your shoes durability and it will not last longer even if you are a casual player.

(5) Maintenance

Proper care and maintenance practices, such as cleaning and storage in a cool, dry place at room temperature after use can help extend the lifespan of pickleball shoes. Avoiding misuse, such as wearing them for activities outside of pickleball, also contributes to their longevity. 

Ultimately, proper maintenance and moderate usage will help you get the most out of your pickleball shoes.

Signs for When To Replace Your Pickleball Shoe To Prevent Injury

Most of the time you perfrom lateral movements in pickleball. This side to side movement will rub your shoes with court surfces which will ultimatly leads to wear and tear. You will lose your traction with court this is the perfect time to To Replace Your Pickleball Shoe To Prevent Injury. It is common in every type of pickleball shoes.

Best Types Of Shoes For Pickleball

Before the selection of pickleball shoes you should keep in mind the court surface. Whether it is indoor or outdoor. Hard surface or beach and grass turf. If this is confirmed, these are some pairs of shoes that I have used and I want to recommend to you also.

My Personal Experience

I have used Tyrol Drive Pro V shoes. It lasts about 3-4 months with the use of 3-4 times a week.

Babolat PB Shoes were my 2nd pair of shoes and they lasted for about 15 months. I used to play 3-4 times per week, 3 hours a time playing) ,indoors and outdoors. I was 6’1″ and 220 lbs but still they were good at that time. I think I will have used it last time in May/June 2023.

My 3rd shoes for pickleball were skechers viper pros . It lasted for 6 months, 3 days of playing for 3 hours and my court was mostly outdoor. Point to be noted that it should be a pro version not a Skechers Viper Court only. The Pro version is more durable than this.

My Worst Experience shoes that last less than 4 months

Adidas Ubersonic 4, It lasted for 2.5 months. Its outsoles were so third class and the cushion was so spongy. In its 2nd month of usage its soles are ripping in multiple places.

ASICS Gel Resolution 9 lasted like 3.5 months, playing 3-4 days a week typically for 2-3 hours each time. 

How to Tell When Your Pickleball Shoes Need To Be Replaced?

Check out the soles of your pickleball shoes regularly. If the coushion start to wear thin and you notice a decrease in shock absorption, it may be a sign that your shoes no longer provide good support for your knees. Additionally, look for signs of wear and tear, such as decreased cushioning, reduced lateral movement support, little court traction, and stability issues. These issues can lead to a decline in performance and may result in unusual odors due to moisture buildup. It is time to replace it.

Another sign is if the bottom of the shoe is no longer aligned properly with the pickleball court surface. If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to replace your pickleball shoes to ensure optimal comfort, support, and performance.”

How often should I replace my pickleball shoes?

As we have discussed above, the lifespan of pickleball shoes depends on multiple factors such as court surface type, shoe materials, your playing style, and frequency of usage. If your shoes are still in good condition but you are considering replacing them, check the expiration date on the shoes and replace them before that date. This determines how often I have replaceed my pickleball shoes.

Conclusion 

Pickleball shoes are made up of different types of materials. Most of the time, good pickleball shoes may not last longer, while sometimes lower quality pickleball shoes will do a good job. Therefore, the answer to the question of how long pickleball shoes last depends on factors such as usage frequency, court surface, shoe quality, and your foot structure. Under favorable conditions, pickleball shoes can last for 3 to 4 months on hard courts and up to 6 months on grass turf and beach pickleball courts.

FAQs about lifespan of pickleball shoes

How Long Should I Expect My Pickleball Shoes To Last?

After the question ‘how long do pickleball shoes last’, you may also want to know about how long should I expect my pickleball shoes to last? As pickleball is a fast-paced game that requires quick movements, the average lifespan of regular pickleball shoes is 3 to 4 months. However, if you use them very carefully, you may expect them to last up to 6 months. This is not a benchmark, but it is an expectation. Keep in mind, these are rough estimates. Factors like playing frequency and court conditions can affect shoe longevity.

How To Increase The Lifespan Of Your Pickleball Shoe?

Clean it properly with a soft shoe brush to remove dust from the threads, wash them with slightly hot water, and then keep them dry at room temperature. Ensure to use them only for pickleball. Soles are replaceable, and you should replace them after 1 month. Avoid misuse and repair minor damage immediately. These precautions have increased the lifespan of my pickleball shoes.

Make sure not to wash them in a washing machine and not to dry them in a dryer machine. After washing, do not expose them to direct sunlight for more than 8 minutes.

When to replace pickleball shoes?

Replace your pickleball shoes when you notice signs of wear, such as discomfort or a decline in performance on the court.

How often should you get new pickleball shoes?

If your pickleball shoes have major wear and tear, like holes or scratches in the rubber sole, it’s time for new ones. Also, if you feel uncomfortable or notice your performance declining, consider getting a fresh pair.

How long should pickleball shoes last?

Pickleball shoes generally last for about 4 months for regular players on outdoor hard surfaces. For casual players, who play less frequently, they can last up to 6 months.

How Often Should A Player Change Their Pickleball Shoes?

Players should change their pickleball shoes every 3 to 6 months based on usage, court type, and shoe quality. Signs like wear, loss of support, or discomfort indicate replacement needs.