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【Protect Your Ankles】: Why You Need Proper Pickleball Shoes | HK Play Pickleball Pulse

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Pickleball footwear
On your pickleball gear list, a proper pair of shoes should be just as important as your paddle and ball. Many beginners make the dangerous mistake of wearing running shoes onto the court. The movement patterns in pickleball are drastically different from running, and wearing the wrong shoes significantly increases your risk of injury.

The Problem with Running Shoes

Running shoes are designed for forward, linear motion. They typically have thick, soft heels to absorb the impact of running straight ahead. However, their uppers are usually soft and lack lateral support. When you make the quick side-to-side movements, sudden stops, and pivots required in pickleball, running shoes fail to provide the stability your ankles need, making ankle rolls highly likely.

What are "Court Shoes"?

What you truly need is a pair of "court shoes," which generally refers to shoes designed for sports like tennis, volleyball, or pickleball. They have several key features:

  • Excellent Lateral Support: This is the most critical feature. The upper and sole structure of court shoes are reinforced to securely hold your foot during rapid side-to-side movements, preventing your foot from sliding inside the shoe and your ankle from rolling outwards.
  • Durable Outsole: Pickleball courts (usually hard courts) are abrasive on soles. Court shoes have outsoles made of high-durability rubber with specific tread patterns (like herringbone) to provide grip while withstanding frequent dragging and friction.
  • Lower to the Ground: Compared to thick-soled running shoes, court shoes have a lower profile. This provides a better court feel and more stability, reducing the risk of sprains.
  • Reinforced Toe: Many players drag their toe during serves or when approaching the net. The toe area of court shoes is often reinforced for added durability.

Can You Use Tennis Shoes for Pickleball?

Absolutely! Tennis shoes are an excellent choice for pickleball because the movement patterns of the two sports are very similar. More and more brands are also releasing "pickleball-specific" shoes, which are built on the same principles as tennis shoes, sometimes with minor tweaks for the more frequent net play in pickleball.

Conclusion: Investing in a good pair of court shoes is an investment in your health and safety. It not only improves your movement efficiency and comfort on the court but is also the most important line of defense in protecting your ankles and knees from injury. Before you step on the court next time, make sure you're wearing real court shoes, not running shoes.

#EmergingSports  #SportForAll #PickleballLazyGuide #PlayPickleball #PickelballGear  #HKPlayPickleballPulse #PlayPickleballGear #SportsSafety #PickleballShoes #TennisShoes #GearMatters #InjuryPrevention 

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