Indoor vs Outdoor Pickleball Shoes: Similarities and Dissimilarities

Knowing about indoor vs outdoor pickleball shoes is necessary to pick up the most suitable pair. Undoubtedly, there is a significant difference between both in terms of outsole, insole, material, and other factors. Similarly, they also have some similarities in cushioning, traction, and comfort. Besides all, most brands have manufactured universal pickleball shoes to play on all courts (Indoor & outdoor). It’s an economical step, but experienced professionals may have some issues.

Indoor pickleball shoes have soft & thin outsoles because of the sleek floor of indoor courts. On the other hand, outdoor pickleball shoes consist of thick & heavy outsole to bear the shocks on hard outdoor courts. Are you still confused? Stay on this blog to know every detail for further clarification.

Indoor vs Outdoor Pickleball Shoes: Comparison Table

Here is a quick comparison table for indoor and outdoor shoes pickleball below:

Indoor Pickleball Shoes	Outdoor Pickleball Shoes
They have soft outsoles.	They have a strong and hard outsole.
They have thin outsoles.	They have a strong and hard outsole.
Lightweight.	Heavier in weight.
Average breathability.	More Breathable.
Moisture management (optional).	They have more moisture management.
Fabric or breathable upper.	Synthetic breathable upper.
They have special grooves or tread patterns on the outsole.	Simple or no grooves on the outsole.
Thin cushioning.	High cushioning.
Low shock absorption capability.	High shock absorption capability up to a few millimeters (mm).
Suitable for smooth, slippery, and sleek floors.	Suitable for hard courts such as concrete etc.

Are Indoor and Outdoor Pickleball Shoes Same?

Remember indoor and outdoor pickleball shoes have various similarities and dissimilarities. They are crucial to address before buying suitable shoes. Prominently, there is a difference between rubber soles. Softer soles give a more sticky feel on indoor courts, while hard courts require thick and durable soles. They have certain grooves on the outer surface to maintain a grip while jumping and making lateral movements.

Likewise, outdoor courts are made with high-density materials such as concrete; therefore, hard soles are necessary. Hard and sturdy soles remain out of wear and tear while jumping and playing aggressively. The outdoor court terrain is also hard and creates high shocks; therefore, it’s necessary to have more cushioning.

The above discussion depicts that indoor and outdoor pickleball shoes might be similar (in certain features) but not the same. Therefore, choosing appropriate shoes is necessary to perform like a master on the court.

Pickleball shoes are the essential gear to start your career at pickleball. Due to certain playing conditions, brands manufacture different types of pickleball shoes to provide required traction, control, lateral movements, and other features. Here, we have listed a few facts about indoor vs. outdoor pickleball shoes for better understanding. Let’s dive in to clear up your confusion.

Indoor Pickleball Shoes – Facts & Figures

First, indoor pickleball shoe soles are made softer and thinner. The indoor court’s surface is slippery, shiny, and smooth, requiring something softer and thinner to maintain a grip. Similarly, they have grooves or tread patterns on the outer surface to increase the grip regardless of the indoor floor’s smoothness.

Furthermore, they are made with softer material, reducing the overall weight. There is a significant difference in weight between indoor and outdoor shoes, making indoor shoes easy to handle while traveling. On the other hand, the player has more control over them because they are lightweight, have thin soles, and are constructed from soft material.

Lastly, you might not care for the ultimate breathability because you have to play indoors. If the shoes have average breathability, you are good to go with them. Keeping this point in mind, indoor shoes are more economical than outdoor ones (only a few brands and models). For better understanding, we have listed the primary design features of indoor pickleball shoes below:

Read More: Best Pickleball Shoes For Achilles Tendonitis

Outdoor Pickleball Shoes – Facts & Figures

Outdoor pickleball shoes are heavier because of the thick outsole. The outsole is made thick because the outdoor court’s surface is hard (made up of concrete or similar materials). The rubber used to manufacture the outsole is also high-density, such as K EVA rubber.

High-density rubber can bear high shock waves produced while making quick lateral movements and jumping during play. They might cause foot injury, such as plantar fasciitis and ankle pain. Therefore, thick soles prevent serious injuries, provide required traction, and give you more control on the hard court.

They have modified herringbone patterns because an average grip is required. We want to clarify another thing: All-court shoes are outdoor pickleball shoes.

Breathability is another important consideration because you have to play outside the home. The shoes have to face different weather conditions (in summer and winter) and sunlight. The sunlight and aggressive weather conditions cause wear and tear on the shoes. Therefore, they are made with breathable upper mesh to control moisture and keep the foot ventilated.

Sweating on the foot causes low movement control and is unsuitable for extended play. Therefore, all outdoor court shoes are made highly breathable with high-quality breathable material (fiber or synthetic materials). For more, check out the key characteristics of outdoor pickleball shoes below:

You can also read: Best ASICS Pickleball Shoes

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