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CJ Johnson
Tony Roig
Take the Guesswork Out of Your Pickleball Shoes
Your paddle is important, sure. But what about the gear that gets you to where you need to be to swing the paddle? Yep, your shoes.
Playing in the right pickleball shoes is arguably even more critical than the paddle you play with. Playing with the wrong shoes can cause you difficulty on the court. But more importantly, playing with the wrong shoes can actually cause injury to your feet, legs, or otherwise (back, hips, you name it).
How can you know whether the shoes you are wearing are the right shoes for you?
CJ and I think that the easiest way to make sure is to ask yourself: what am I wearing these shoes for? What is their purpose?
If you are planning on walking in the shoes – walking shoes will work well. Jogging shoes are excellent for jogging. You get the idea.
If you are looking for shoes to wear while playing pickleball, then why not take the guesswork out of the shoes and go straight for pickleball shoes: shoes designed specifically for pickleball.
CJ and I have decided to do just this.
We rely on our Tyrol pickleball shoes to get us around the court comfortably and, of greater import, safely.
Perhaps you haven’t heard of Tyrol or do not know much about them. Tyrol is the only shoe explicitly designed for pickleball. It is not a tennis shoe labeled as a pickleball shoe. It is a shoe designed from the bottom up to meet the needs of the pickleball player.
One of the most unique designs of a Tyrol shoe is how it cradles your heel more than a tennis shoe. This design feature was added to provide maximum protection of the Achilles tendon that runs down the back of your leg and connects with your foot. The stop-start lateral movement of pickleball places a tremendous amount of stress on those ligaments and tendons.
Tyrol shoes are designed to cradle that area of your leg-foot connection, offering greater protection than any other shoe. A side benefit of the design is that your foot is “pulled” back into the heel area a bit more, reducing the pressure felt by the front of your foot with the shoe. This creates a more comfortable toe box feel for the shoe.
If you are not sure whether the shoe you are wearing is the right shoe for your pickleball play, you can take the guesswork out of it by getting a shoe designed specifically for that: a Tyrol shoe.
If you are ready to try Tyrol, use the code BP10 at checkout to get 10% off.
Your purchase with the code helps support our efforts to grow the sport and bring your quality content.
As you know, CJ and I do not endorse products lightly. You will not find us endorsing 3 different shoes and 14 different paddles. We turn down product endorsement offers all the time. We will only recommend products to you that we believe in or, more often, use ourselves.
Important disclosure: We’re proud affiliates for some of these tools, meaning if you click a link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Our recommendations are based on deep experience with and knowledge of these companies and their products, and we recommend them because they are genuinely helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we may receive. Please don’t spend any money on these products unless you believe they will help you achieve your goals.
Tony Roig
Hola. Hello. Konichiwa. After 40 years playing tennis, I am now a full-time pickleball player and professional. As a 5.0 rated Senior Pro Pickleball Player and an IPTPA-certified Master Teaching Professional, my focus is on helping players like you learn to play their best pickleball. In 2016, shortly after starting to play pickleball, my friend Tom and I jumped into the highest division at the first US Open in Naples, Florida. That morning it became clear just how much there is to learn in this seemingly simple sport – a lifetime of learning if you so choose. Since 2018, I have been on a mission to share my knowledge of pickleball so other players can enjoy the game at a higher level and attain their pickleball objectives. When not studying or playing pickleball, I like to travel with my other half, Jill.
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What is the process for ordering shoes ? Is this through Pickleball Central? How do you handle exchanges of the size or model isn’t right?
Hi Chuck go to https://tyrolpickleball.com/ to place an order. If you scroll to the bottom you should see a link to Tyrol’s return/refund policy. Use the code INDOORPICKLEBALL for 15% off the Striker Pro, Rally or Volley.
If I use the code for the discount, does that apply to their policy of a sale shoe not being eligible for a return?
Hi Susan, I’m sorry I don’t know the answer to your question. At the bottom of their website, you’ll find a return policy and the email address for customer support.
Any link to a Tyrol Canadian distribution outlet.
Helen the link in the blog post should be good for either. Tyrol is a CA based company. https://bit.ly/3DaXVsz
I am wondering if the shoes run true to size, or if they run small? Are they narrow in the toe area?
Hi Michele, I would say the shoe is a little on the generous side, about 1/2 size. I’m a women’s size 11.5 and the women’s 11 is a perfect fit for me. The toe box is wide so if you have a narrow foot this isn’t the best shoe choice for you. If you have more specifics, I’d recommend reaching out to them directly. info@tyrolpickleball.com
Love these shoes. I have the outdoor ones. Very stable and the soles don’t wear as quickly as others I’ve worn.
It’s always nice to hear that players love them as much as we do!
Do they make outdoor shoes
Hi Sherry, Yes they make outdoor shoes as well. They have a Vibram sole which wears well on hard surfaces. Tony and I both wear the Drive. On the website the indoor models are marked as such. If the shoe isn’t marked it’s designed for outdoors.
Can you get a single pair that is good for indoor and outdoor? I’m a beginner and will be playing indoor and outdoor.
Hi Sue, yes you can. My recommendation would be get an outdoor shoe and use it indoors. I use my Tyrol shoes outdoor and indoor (I play on a gym floor). If you have a wide foot, they are a great choice. If you need something more narrow, I’d recommend New Balance or Asics. You’ll find a link to the Tyrol website at https://betterpickleball.com/resources/. One last recommendation, don’t skimp on shoes they protect you body, knees, hips and back from taking a pounding on the court.