By Coach Gary Tan, Director of Pickle at PickleChoo and TAG International Tennis Academy, and an AFP-appointed PPR Coach Developer. Last updated: November 2026.
Almost every beginner who messages us asks the same first question: what paddle should I buy? It is a fair question — and we answer it in our guide to choosing a pickleball paddle. But it is not the question that matters most. If you are starting pickleball in Singapore, the single most important thing you put on is not your paddle. It is your shoes. Get the shoes wrong and you risk a rolled ankle in your first month; get the rest of your kit right for our climate and you will actually enjoy playing in the heat. This is the gear guide I give every new player before their first session.
If you are completely new to the sport, start with our beginner’s guide to pickleball in Singapore for the rules and what to expect — then come back here to kit yourself out.
Start With Your Shoes — They Matter More Than Your Paddle
Here is the mistake I see most often on our courts: a new player turns up in running shoes. It is completely understandable — most people already own a pair, and surely a sports shoe is a sports shoe? Unfortunately, running shoes are the wrong tool for this job, and the reason is simple physics.
Running shoes are engineered for one thing: moving forward. They have soft, built-up heels and cushioning designed to push you straight ahead, often with a raised sole that sits your foot high off the ground. Pickleball asks the opposite of your feet. It is a game of short, sharp, side-to-side movements — split-step, shuffle to the ball, plant, change direction, stop. When you make a hard lateral cut in a tall, soft running shoe, your foot can roll right over the edge of the sole, and your ankle goes with it.
This is not just coaching folklore. Ankle sprains are one of the most common acute injuries in pickleball, usually caused by exactly that kind of sudden misstep or quick change of direction, as pickleball.com notes. Court shoes exist to prevent it. As the sports-medicine team at Scripps puts it, shoes designed for pickleball or tennis give you “better traction and side-to-side support” than walking or running shoes — and that supportive court shoe is what helps prevent the ankle roll during quick movements. Your paddle affects how well you hit the ball. Your shoes affect whether you walk off the court healthy.
What Makes a Good Pickleball Shoe
You do not need a shoe with “pickleball” printed on the box. What you need is a court shoe — the same category used for tennis. Here is what to look for:
- Lateral support. A firmer, lower-to-the-ground build that holds your foot stable when you push off sideways. This is the whole point.
- The right outsole for your court. On our indoor and covered courts, a non-marking gum sole grips cleanly without leaving scuffs. On outdoor hard courts, you want a durable outsole with a herringbone or modified pattern that grips acrylic and sheds a little dust.
- A snug heel and midfoot. Your foot should not slide around inside the shoe when you stop sharply. Lace it down properly.
- Replace them when the tread wears smooth. Scripps makes this point too: once the tread wears down, the sole grips less — and a slick sole on a sudden stop is how people slip. A worn-out court shoe is almost as risky as a running shoe.
If you already own a decent pair of tennis shoes, you are set — tennis and pickleball demand the same kind of footwork, which is one reason the two sports cross over so naturally. Many of our players train in both; if you are curious, we compared them in pickleball vs tennis in Singapore. What you should avoid are running shoes, walking shoes, and flat casual sneakers with no lateral structure at all.
Running Shoes vs Court Shoes: Quick Reference
| Running shoes | Court / pickleball shoes | |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Moving forward in a straight line | Quick side-to-side movement and stops |
| Sole | Tall, soft, cushioned heel | Lower, firmer, flatter platform |
| Lateral support | Minimal — foot can roll over the edge | Reinforced to hold the foot stable |
| Grip | Tuned for road, not courts | Non-marking indoors; herringbone outdoors |
| Ankle-roll risk | Higher on sharp cuts | Lower — the shoe is designed for it |
Dressing for Singapore’s Heat and Humidity
Footwear sorted, the rest is about staying cool and comfortable in our climate. Pickleball is more forgiving than tennis on court size, but a competitive open-play session in Singapore humidity will still soak you through. Dress for it:
- Moisture-wicking fabric, not cotton. A light performance tee and shorts (or a skort) in a technical fabric will pull sweat off your skin and dry fast. Cotton soaks it up and stays heavy and wet.
- Light colours for outdoor play. Several of our courts are open-air, and a dark shirt under the Singapore sun is a sauna. Lighter colours reflect more heat.
- A cap or visor and sunscreen if you are playing outdoors in the daytime. The ball is easier to track without the sun in your eyes, and your skin will thank you.
- A sweat towel and a change of shirt. Unglamorous, but you will want both. A dry grip on a wet day is the difference between control and a flying paddle.
And drink more water than you think you need. Scripps notes that dehydration brings on muscle cramps, fatigue and reduced coordination — all of which quietly raise your injury risk. In our heat, sip before, during and after you play. A five-to-ten-minute warm-up of light movement and dynamic stretches before you start is the other habit worth building; cold muscles and quick cuts do not mix.
The Rest of Your First-Session Kit
- A paddle. If you are buying your first one, our paddle guide walks through weight, grip size and core. For a first-ever session, though, you do not need to buy anything — we have paddles you can borrow.
- Water. A full bottle, every time.
- An overgrip. A fresh overgrip (a cheap wrap over your paddle handle) gives you a tacky, sweat-absorbing hold — a small upgrade that matters a lot in humidity.
- Eye protection (optional, but smart). Pickleball is played close to the net and the ball can come at your face quickly during fast hands exchanges. Lightweight sports eyewear is cheap insurance, and more experienced players increasingly wear it.
Your Quick What-to-Wear Checklist
- Court shoes or tennis shoes — not running shoes
- Moisture-wicking shirt and shorts or skort
- Light colours, plus a cap or visor and sunscreen for outdoor courts
- A full water bottle and a sweat towel
- Your paddle (or borrow one of ours) and, if you like, sports eyewear
Coming From Tennis?
If you already play tennis, you own most of what you need — your tennis shoes, your moisture-wicking kit, your cap are all perfect for the pickleball court. The footwork carries over too, which is why so many tennis players pick the game up quickly. Several of our players train in both sports with the network’s tennis coaches, whether that is a dedicated tennis coach in Singapore, the team at TAG International Tennis Academy, or the Japanese-style tennis coaching at Sanwa X. The one thing that does not transfer is the swing — but that is a lesson for another day.
Come Play — Kitted Out and Ready
Once your shoes and kit are sorted, the best next step is simply to get on court with someone who can guide you. We run group and private lessons across three PickleChoo venues: Arena at One North, Prime at New Industrial Road, and Apex at Henderson. Our on-court sessions are led by lead coach Vince Geo Serino and a team of TAG-certified coaches. To book, message us on WhatsApp at +65 9029 8400 or explore our pickleball lessons in Singapore. For the full picture of playing here — where to play, the rules, and how to book a court — see our complete guide to pickleball in Singapore. Bring the right shoes; we will take care of the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wear running shoes to play pickleball?
You can, but you should not make a habit of it. Running shoes are built for forward motion with a tall, soft sole, and they offer little side-to-side support. Pickleball is full of sudden lateral cuts and stops, and that combination is a common cause of rolled ankles. For an occasional first try they will get you through, but if you plan to keep playing, a pair of court or tennis shoes is the first thing to sort out.
Do I need pickleball-specific shoes, or are tennis shoes fine?
Tennis shoes are completely fine — they are the same category of court shoe and are built for the same quick, multidirectional footwork. You do not need a shoe marketed specifically for pickleball. What matters is that it is a proper court shoe with lateral support and a grippy, non-marking sole, not a running or casual shoe.
What should I wear to play pickleball in Singapore’s heat?
Light, moisture-wicking fabric rather than cotton, in lighter colours if you are on an outdoor court. Add a cap or visor and sunscreen for daytime outdoor play, and bring a sweat towel and plenty of water. Our humidity means you will sweat heavily even in a casual game, so dressing to stay cool and dry makes a real difference to how much you enjoy it.
Do I need eye protection for pickleball?
It is optional, but increasingly popular, especially among players who have moved past the beginner stage. The ball travels quickly during fast hands exchanges at the net, and you are standing close to your opponent. Lightweight sports eyewear is inexpensive and protects against the occasional ball or paddle to the face. It is a sensible choice, though not something a first-timer must buy before trying the sport.
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