Best Pickleball Shoes for Lateral Stability: Men’s, Women’s and Unisex

8 min read

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The short answer

The Lacoste Women’s AG-LT23 Ultra (check price) scored 9.1 for support and stability in a retailer’s women’s playtest, the NOX Lux Nexo 2 (check price) is a pickleball shoe whose Lateral Support system, NOX says, widens the sole’s contact, and the Wilson Rush Pro 5 Men’s (check price) has a TPU stability chassis.

Our Top Picks: Pickleball Shoes for Lateral Stability

Each of these eight court shoes has a side-support part its maker names, which we quote beside any test we found. All our guides are under pickleball shoes.

Related guide: Best Shoes for Gym and Pickleball: Men’s, Women’s and Unisex

Related guide: Best Pickleball Shoe Brands (2026): One Shoe From Each

Related guide: Best Pickleball Shoes Under $100 (2026): 4 Strict-Cap Picks

Find a shoe with side support

Pick a sizing and what you want to spend. The suggestion is our editorial starting point, drawn from the eight shoes below, not a test result.

Whose sizing do you need?
Price tier

Compare the 8 shoes with side support

Every row is the size and colour we link.

Lacoste Women's AG-LT23 Ultra Tennis Shoes, Black & White…Lacoste AG-LT23 Ultra WWomen's LineGrip shoeFor women, tennis courtsTennisNot stated$150.00 Prime
Linked modelWomen's 8.5, Black & White
CourtTennis; court not stated
Weight (size, source)Not published for a size
OutsoleLineGrip rubber

Evidence: Tennis Warehouse women's playtest (a retailer), not independent

Lacoste Men's AG-LT23 Ultra Tennis Shoes, White/Light…Lacoste AG-LT23 Ultra MMen's LineGrip shoeFor men, tennis courtsTennisNot stated$150.00 Prime
Linked modelMen's 10.5, White/Light Green
CourtTennis; court not stated
Weight (size, source)Not published for a size
OutsoleLineGrip rubber

Evidence: Tennisnerd, AG-LT 23 hard-court version in US 10.5; Tennisnerd does not say Ultra, and tested an earlier colourway

NOX Pickleball Shoes Comfort Lux Nexo 2 | Men's & Women's…NOX Lux Nexo 2Unisex pickleball shoeFor men, for women, pickleballConcreteUnisex sizing$155.00
Linked modelM 10 / W 11.5, White
CourtConcrete, asphalt, synthetic
Weight (size, source)Not published
OutsoleHerringbone with micro-studs

Evidence: maker specs only, no independent test

Diadem Court Burst | Pickleball & Tennis Shoes for…Diadem Court BurstUnisex knit court shoeFor men, for women, pickleballHard courtsStandard$149.95
Linked modelM 11 / W 12.5, White
CourtHard courts, indoor and outdoor
WidthsStandard; 2E in two colours
Weight (size, source)Not published
OutsoleHigh-abrasion rubber

Evidence: WearTesters, Court Burst; size, colour and width not stated

WILSON Rush Pro 5 Men's Tennis Shoe - White/White/White…Wilson Rush Pro 5Men's TPU chassisFor men, all-court"All-Court Durability"No width option$121.97 Prime
Linked modelMen's 10, White
Court"All-Court Durability" (Wilson)
Weight (size, source)Not published
OutsoleDuralast rubber

Evidence: Tennis Express (a retailer), not independent

Babolat Women's Propulse Storm All Court Tennis Shoes…Babolat Propulse Storm WWomen's S-Block midfootFor women, all-courtAll CourtStandard$71.40
Linked modelWomen's 7.5, White/Sunset
Weight (size, source)Not published
OutsoleMichelin Premium

Evidence: maker specs only, no independent test

Babolat Men's Propulse Storm All Court Tennis Shoes…Babolat Propulse Storm MMen's S-Block midfootFor men, all-courtAll CourtStandard$71.40
Linked modelMen's 10.5, White/Dark Blue
WidthsStandard; Wide sold separately
Weight (size, source)Not published
OutsoleMichelin Premium

Evidence: maker specs only, no independent test

Babolat Men's Jet Tere 2 All Court Tennis Shoes…Babolat Jet Tere 2Men's ultra-light (Babolat)For men, all-courtAll CourtStandard$65.40
Linked modelMen's 10.5, Black/Sunset
Weight (size, source)320 g, EU 42.5 (Babolat)
OutsoleMichelin Premium

Evidence: tennis.com, Jet Tere 2; gender, size and colour not stated

Prices as of Nov 13, 00:18 UTC

Price tiers in the reviews: $ = lowest third, $$ = middle third, $$$ = highest third, among these eight only.

Which shoe for which player

What Side Support Looks Like on the Spec Sheet

  • Midfoot or upper reinforcement: Babolat’s S-Block, Wilson’s TPU chassis, the Jet Tere 2’s side reinforcements.
  • Wider sole contact: NOX’s Lateral Support system; tennis.com notes a lateral outsole flange on the Jet Tere 2.
  • Heel parts: NOX’s Heel Frame; Diadem’s heel counter, per WearTesters.
  • Drop and low profile: Babolat lists a 10 mm drop; NOX gives no figure. On the pages we read, no maker here gives a stack height or uses the word outrigger.
  • Midsole, insole and cushioning: EVA cushioning (Babolat, Diadem, NOX), Lacoste’s forefoot foam, Babolat’s OrthoLite insoles.

Detailed Reviews

Lacoste Women’s AG-LT23 Ultra, Women’s LineGrip shoe

Women's LineGrip shoe
Lacoste Women's AG-LT23 Ultra Tennis Shoes, Black & White…

Lacoste AG-LT23 Ultra W

women's 8.5 · Tennis

Women who want a tennis shoe built around side-to-side stability.

$150.00 from AmazonAs of Nov 13, 00:18 UTC

Lacoste writes: “The LineGrip technology offers superior stability during lateral movements while the molded rubber toe guard protects toe and medial drag zones for durability.” Lacoste’s store calls it the AG-LT Ultra; Amazon says AG-LT23 Ultra. Tennis Warehouse, which sells it, scored it 9.1 for support and stability in a women’s playtest; one tester said, “These shoes were super stable.”

Specs (women’s size 8.5, Black & White)

  • Court: tennis shoe; Lacoste names no court type
  • Stability parts: LineGrip rubber outsole, Pebax shank (Lacoste)
  • Weight: about 350 g per shoe, size not stated (Lacoste)

Pros

  • A grip pattern for lateral moves, in Lacoste’s words
  • Sold by Amazon.com

Cons

  • No court type, width or drop from Lacoste
  • Rated by a retailer that sells it

Who should buy it

Women who want a tennis shoe built around side-to-side stability.

Check on Amazon

Lacoste Men’s AG-LT23 Ultra, Men’s LineGrip shoe

The men’s version of #1 (same series), with the same LineGrip text. Tennisnerd played the “hard court version” in a US 10.5 (calling it the AG-LT 23, no “Ultra”) and wrote: “I would not get this shoe if you rely heavily on hard court sliding, as the outsole is quite grippy.”

Specs (men’s size 10.5, White/Light Green)

  • Court: tennis shoe; Lacoste names no court type
  • Stability parts: LineGrip rubber outsole, Pebax shank (Lacoste)
  • Weight: about 430 g per shoe, size not stated (Lacoste)

Pros

  • Tennisnerd rated comfort, support and stability “top-notch”
  • Sold by Amazon.com

Cons

  • A grippy outsole for players who slide, per Tennisnerd
  • Tennisnerd ordered a half size up

Who should buy it

Men who want #1’s LineGrip.

Check on Amazon

NOX Lux Nexo 2, Unisex pickleball shoe

Unisex pickleball shoe

NOX writes: “The Nexo 2 builds on its predecessor with a more refined fit, superior lateral support, and upgraded grip technology designed specifically for pickleball surfaces.” Its Amazon listing adds: “The Lateral Support system widens the sole’s contact with the court, giving you a steady base during fast lateral moves and frequent direction changes.” Sold by Great Call Athletics, a third-party store.

Specs (men’s 10 / women’s 11.5, White)

  • Court: concrete, asphalt or synthetic pickleball courts (NOX’s Amazon listing)
  • Stability parts: Lateral Support system, Heel Frame (NOX)
  • Outsole: herringbone pattern with micro-studs (NOX’s Amazon listing)

Pros

  • A wider sole contact for side moves, in NOX’s words
  • Made for pickleball, in unisex sizing

Cons

  • No independent test found
  • NOX and Amazon pair men’s and women’s sizes differently

Who should buy it

Players who want a pickleball shoe with a broad sole base.

Check on Amazon

Diadem Court Burst, Unisex knit court shoe

Unisex knit court shoe

Diadem writes: “Underfoot, Diadem’s Rebound X and Pro Stance X technologies deliver the lateral support and stability you need for quick cuts, hard stops, and fast recovery at the kitchen line or the baseline.” WearTesters describes a lateral TPU overlay running into the midsole forefoot (Diadem’s Rebound X) plus heel cup and counter. Sold by Great Call Athletics, a third-party store. Also in our ankle support guide.

Specs (men’s 11 / women’s 12.5, White, Standard)

  • Court: hard courts, indoor and outdoor (Diadem)
  • Widths: Standard; 2E in White and Navy/White (Diadem)
  • Outsole: high-abrasion, non-marking rubber (Diadem)

Pros

  • A lateral TPU overlay WearTesters traced into the midsole
  • Unisex sizing, with a 2E

Cons

  • WearTesters did not state the size or width it tested

Who should buy it

Anyone wanting one shoe for indoor and outdoor courts.

Check on Amazon

Wilson Rush Pro 5 Men’s, Men’s TPU chassis

Wilson writes: “Trusted EndoFit Midfoot Support works with a TPU Stability Chassis for a locked-in fit with exceptional lateral control.” Its Amazon listing adds a “Heel & Midfoot TPU Stability Chassis”. Tennis Express, which sells it, writes: “The EndoFit Midfoot Support keeps the foot anchored through hard lateral cuts and explosive push-offs.”

Specs (men’s size 10, White/White/White)

  • Court: Wilson’s text says “All-Court Durability”
  • Stability parts: EndoFit inner sock, heel and midfoot TPU chassis (Wilson)
  • Outsole: Duralast high-abrasion rubber (Wilson)

Pros

  • A heel-to-midfoot TPU chassis for lateral control, in Wilson’s words
  • Sold by Amazon.com

Cons

  • Rated by a retailer that sells it
  • No width option

Who should buy it

Men who want Wilson’s TPU chassis.

Check on Amazon

Babolat Women’s Propulse Storm All Court, Women’s S-Block midfoot

Women's S-Block midfoot

Babolat writes: “The ultra-resistant synthetic upper provides a precise fit around the foot, while the S-Block technology enhances lateral stability and ground traction with each change of direction.” The S-Block is a piece between the midsole and the upper. The seller rotates between Tennis Warehouse and Tennis Express, third-party racquet shops.

Specs (women’s size 7.5, White/Sunset)

  • Court: All Court (Babolat)
  • Fit and drop: Standard; 10 mm (Babolat)
  • Outsole: Michelin Premium rubber (Babolat)

Pros

  • An S-Block midfoot piece for lateral stability, in Babolat’s words
  • Fit, drop and court type published

Cons

  • No independent test found

Who should buy it

Women who want Babolat’s S-Block midfoot piece.

Check on Amazon

Babolat Men’s Propulse Storm All Court, Men’s S-Block midfoot

The men’s version of #6 (same series), with the same S-Block text. Sold by RacquetGalaxy, a third-party store.

Specs (men’s size 10.5, White/Dark Blue)

  • Court: All Court (Babolat)
  • Fit and drop: Standard; 10 mm (Babolat)
  • Outsole: Michelin Premium rubber (Babolat)

Pros

  • #6’s S-Block midfoot piece, in men’s sizing
  • A separate Wide version for men

Cons

  • No independent test found

Who should buy it

Men, in Standard or Wide.

Check on Amazon

Babolat Men’s Jet Tere 2 All Court, Men’s ultra-light (Babolat)

Men's ultra-light (Babolat)

Babolat writes: “The integrated lateral reinforcements on the outside and inside of the shoe provide greater stability and support, while making the Jet Tere 2 ultra-light.” tennis.com found that “A small flange on the lateral side of the outsole provides a bit more stability and court contact when pushing out of corners,” but added: “While sufficient for most, aggressive movers playing at a 4.0+ level may not find enough lateral support.” Pickleball Warehouse, which sells it, scored the women’s model 7.0 for support and stability. Sold by Tennis Express, a third-party shop.

Specs (men’s size 10.5, Black/Sunset)

  • Court: All Court (Babolat)
  • Weight: 320 g, EU size 42.5 (Babolat)
  • Fit and drop: Standard; 10 mm (Babolat)

Pros

  • Side reinforcements on a light build, in Babolat’s words
  • An outsole flange on the lateral side, per tennis.com

Cons

  • tennis.com and a women’s playtest found its side support limited

Who should buy it

Men who want the shoe Babolat calls ultra-light.

Check on Amazon

How We Chose Shoes with Side Support

How this guide was built

Built from manufacturer documentation, published third-party reviews and owner reports; we have not tested these products ourselves.

What each shoe had to pass

  • A named lateral feature in the maker’s own product text.
  • Price: the new, in-stock Amazon offer was at or below the maker’s regular price on November 9, 2026.
  • Distinct models: at most a third may repeat our other guides; two do (Diadem, Wilson).
Sources and shoes that did not make it

Sources and shoes that did not make it

Pickleheads writes: “The SQAIRZ XRZ2 rivals my top pick, with a perfect 10 for stability.” The women’s XRZ2 and the men’s HEAD Revolt Pro 5.0 were on Amazon above their makers’ prices, so neither is a pick. ASICS’s site refused our reader; see our ASICS pickleball shoes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are the best shoes for lateral movement?

We do not rank one. Look for the parts listed above and read makers’ claims against testers’ notes; on the Jet Tere 2 they differ. See also our best pickleball shoes.

Q. Is there a difference between a tennis shoe and a pickleball shoe?

Six of these eight are sold as tennis shoes; NOX’s is for pickleball, Diadem’s for both. See wearing tennis shoes for pickleball.

Q. What shoes not to wear for pickleball?

PickleRage writes: “Running shoes are great for straight-ahead motion, but they lack the lateral stability needed for fast-paced pickleball games.” Every shoe here is a court shoe.

Q. What are some good shoes for outdoor pickleball?

NOX names concrete and asphalt courts; Diadem, outdoor play. See the outdoor guide above.

Final Verdict

The Propulse Storm pair brings Babolat’s S-Block to both genders; Babolat calls the Jet Tere 2 ultra-light.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

Pickleball Sporting Goods Team
Pickleball Sporting Goods Team

Written and reviewed by the Pickleball Sporting Goods Team. See the About page for how we work.