Skechers Viper Court Pro Pickleball Shoe Review

The products featured in this article have been independently reviewed. When you buy something through the retail links on this page, we may earn commission at no cost to you, the reader. Sports Illustrated editorial staff are not involved in the creation of this content. Learn more here.

Skechers Viper Court Pro at a Glance

• Price: $115
• Drop: 0.5 inch
• Construction/materials: Goodyear Gold rubber compound outsole, TPU-based foam midsole, webbed mesh upper
• Colors:
• Women: Black and blue, blue and white, gray and pink
• Men: White and multi, black and red, gray and orange, white
• Best for: Aggressive movers in need of moderate stability and dedicated players who want a durable, long-lasting shoe

In pickleball, the name of the game is agility. If there is one piece of gear that can enhance your speed and help you stay balanced as you change direction on the pickleball court, it’s your shoes. As the popularity of the sport continues to grow, shoe designers are creating innovative designs specific to pickleball. Here, we’ll take a look at Skechers' most advanced pickleball shoe yet: the Viper Court Pro.

If you’re a Skechers loyalist—perhaps you know them as one of the best running shoe brands—then you’ll be familiar with their foam midsole and podiatrist-approved insole customary to the brand’s super light running shoes. If you’re new to this whole shoe thing, then know that Skechers has spent years researching how to make a lightweight shoe that protects your arches and keeps your lower legs stable. We were curious to see how this translated to court shoes.

The original Viper Court got high marks from customers thanks to its performance on the court, but it lacked some ankle support, which is essential to prevent one of the most common pickleball injuries. That’s where the Viper Court Pro comes in to save the day. In personal wear testing and through customer reviews, we found that these shoes are great for pickleballers looking to play multiple days in a row. They offer podiatrist-certified arch support and will help with balance on the court. In this review, we’ll take a look at the overall build of the shoe and break down what we liked and what you might want to consider before putting the Viper Court Pro on your 2024 wishlist.

Construction and Design

Midsole: The Skechers Viper Curt Pro gets its comfort and responsiveness from its TPU-based Ultra Flight foam cushioning midsole. It makes the shoe lightweight with just enough cushion to maintain good energy throughout play.

Outsole: The Goodyear rubber outsole is possibly one of the highest performers in terms of durability among pickleball shoes.

Upper: The upper of this shoe is primarily mesh that wraps around the medial of the foot around the heel and into the forefoot. It’s a chainlink-like weave pattern that feels stiffer than other mesh uppers, which is necessary for stability in explosive movements.

Standout Features

Goodyear Outsole

Whenever you encounter a court shoe with Goodyear outsole materials, you know it’s going to last. The rubber soles on the Viper Court Pro are some of the most durable in the world of pickleball shoes. For explosive movers who are split-stepping constantly and playing a lot, the outsole will last.

Ultra Flight Cushioning

In the Viper Court Pro, Skechers has employed lightweight TPU foam to create a stable-yet-light cushioning system. The ultra flight cushioning cradles your feet and is a good choice for players who need a little bit of cushion in a lightweight shoe.

Patented Skechers Arch Fit Insole System

The podiatrist-approved arch fit insole is a feature we love in Skechers shoes. This arch support works in conjunction with the midsole cushioning to provide stability. We found it will keep feet fresh for hours on the court.

Traction

The herringbone pattern on the bottom of these pickleball shoes provides excellent grip for both outdoor and indoor courts. Despite being so grippy, they are responsive so you’re getting great traction while still being able to move quickly and with precision.

What We Love:

• Incredible outsole with enhanced durability and traction
• Optimal support from the TPU-based foam midsole
• A midsole and insole that actually molds to your foot over time

Things to Consider:

• Upper is not as breathable as you might expect

Our Experience

I have a confession to make when it comes to my pickleball gear. Until just recently, I’ve been using my tennis court shoes, assuming there would be no difference because the court material is the same, the movements are similar and, well, I didn’t feel like paying for yet another pair of shoes. I know I’m not alone—in fact, I’ve seen people wearing running shoes out on the courts and turned away quickly so I wouldn’t see them sprain an ankle.

All this to say, when I pulled on a pair of pickleball shoes for the first time, I realized there is a difference in court shoes, and if you’re playing pickleball regularly, it’s a good time to invest in something that will support your feet and help you play your best.

Now, there are a lot of options out there, and I’ve never worn a Skechers shoe that wasn’t a running shoe. Generally, I am a big fan of K-Swiss on the court thanks to their durability, solid construction and wider toe box. But I love the lightweight foam Skechers uses in their running shoes, so I thought I would give the Viper Court Pro a fair shake. I’m really glad I did.

Out of the box, I was impressed with the shape. They are designed to handle quick side-to-side movements on the short court, and that’s evident just by looking at the construction and placement of extra bumpers along the medial outsole. I also liked how sturdy they felt despite being relatively light for a court shoe. (The women’s 8.5 is 11.2 ounces and the men’s 10.5 is 13.4 ounces.)

At first glance of the bottoms of the Viper Court Pro, I was a little worried that the herringbone pattern on the bottom Goodyear rubber outsole was going to create that sticky feeling, which anyone who played any court sport will know is super annoying. But I held out hope, laced them up (to the top hole using a runner’s knot) and hit the court.

I ran through a brief dynamic warmup with a lot of skipping, hopping, shuffles and crossover steps and found the grip was great without that terrible stuck-in-one-place feeling. Because the rubber is so resilient, I felt confident planting my foot and very stable not just in the warmup but throughout play.

This general feeling of stability is what I love most about the shoe. Many pickleball players need a bit of extra help with balance, especially those who are quick on their feet. The Viper Court Pro shoes acted like an aid that helped me maintain a solid base while moved around. I think this is likely due to the TPU foam that is both stiff and flexible simultaneously.

I have just one gripe with the Viper Court Pro. For how meshy the upper is, I was shocked at how hot my foot got at the end of an hour. Granted, I was wearing a thick tennis sock, and it was 101 degrees outside, but if I had to choose one thing to complain about, it would be how much heat the shoe retained. When I took them off, I peeled out the insole and it seemed that might be the culprit because it’s a little thicker than a regular insole. Of course, that’s because it is constructed to cradle your arch and mold to the shape of your foot. And when I took them out for a spin the next day, which was 85 degrees and less sweaty, my feet stayed comfortable and at a reasonable temperature through a 90-minute session.

After three wears, my feet felt right at home. The relaxed fit in the toe box made them very easy to wear. Any initial stiffness had subsided, and I felt pretty pleased with how quickly the shoe adapted to my foot shape. I was also pumped that I experienced no aches and pains in any of my lower extremities, which I think most pickleball players will appreciate.

So my final verdict? If you are someone looking for knee, ankle and calf stability in an ultra-lightweight package that has very good responsiveness, you should try the Viper Court Pro.

Customer Reviews

The Skechers Viper Court Pro earned high marks across the board from real customers. It might’ve lost points from some reviewers because of the stiffness out of the box and slipping in the back heel. (Pro tip, tie these shoelaces in a runner’s knot at the top hole to avoid any slipping.)

The rare one-star reviews came from customers who got a defective pair in the mail. The common defect was that the upper detached and became unglued within a few wears. If this happens to you, know that it shouldn’t, and contact the store to get a replacement.

“Knee pain from playing pickleball is gone. I was playing pickleball with a pair of running shoes by a different brand and my knees would always hurt the next day. Now with the Skechers, I can play on consecutive days and still not have knee pain. Thank you!” said reviewer New P, on January 1, 2023 at Skechers.com, with a 5/5 star review.

“These are by far the best Pickleball shoes I have worn on the court. I'm very tough on my Pickleball shoes and these are DURABLE, stylish and comfortable. After the first three weeks use (playing three times per week) I notice almost zero wear on the Goodyear treads so I purchased a second pair just to have another color to choose from. Already considering a third. I've recommended these shoes highly to others I play with and two have purchased them and enjoy them already. I will continue to recommend these shoes,” said reviewer Smokey on September 2, 2022 at Skechers.com, with a 5/5 star review. 

Who Is the Skechers Viper Court Pro Best For?

The Skechers Viper Court Pro is a good option for high-energy players who need a long-lasting shoe with moderate stability in a lightweight package. This is a solid choice for pickleball enthusiasts who generate their own speed and power and just need a shoe that can keep up with the demands of quick movements. If you’re interested in a shoe that will promote balance, the Viper Court Pro is our pick for you.

Who Is the Skechers Viper Court Pro Not Best For?

Players looking for a bouncy ride that will give energy back throughout play should opt for a plusher shoe than the Viper Court Pro. Additionally, if you have a narrower foot, the forgiving toe box and flexible upper might not be comfortable or fit as well as an Asics or New Balance pickleball shoe.

Finally, the higher profile that Skechers put in place to give better ankle support might irritate people with Achilles tendonitis. If that’s you, first of all, heal that injury before you play pickleball. Secondly, we recommend checking out the Original Viper Court—but only if you have stable ankles and strong calves.

Viper Court Pro vs. Original Viper Court

Compared to the original Viper Court, the Viper Court Pro has a slightly higher profile for added heel and ankle support. The outsole and traction is also more advanced than the earlier model, helping you run across the court without worrying about slipping. With some upgrades to the shoe design also comes with a slightly higher price tag—the Pro is about $30 more.

Skechers Viper Court Pro FAQs

What makes the Viper Court Pro a good sneaker for pickleball?

Thanks to its durable outsole and balanced midsole, the Viper Court Pro is an excellent option for pickleball. The shoe’s stability and responsiveness can handle explosive lateral movements while protecting your feet, ankles and knees.

Do the Skechers Viper Court Pro have good ankle support?

Yes, the Skechers Viper Court Pro offers good ankle support. The upper has a slightly higher profile that complements the thick Strobel to keep your foot in place, even when moving side to side.

What’s the difference between a shoe for tennis and a shoe for pickleball?

Both tennis and pickleball shoes are made for traction on court surfaces and for lateral movements. The difference is that the best tennis shoes will be better suited for long-court action and most will provide a stiffer toe box for better stops following more momentum. A good pickleball shoe, on the other hand, can have a more flexible, relaxed and sometimes wider toe for quicker movement closer to the net.

Final Thoughts

The Skechers Viper Court Pro is an advanced shoe for dedicated pickleball players. We recommend it for anyone who is moving quickly on the court and looking to add a bit of balance to their game. For players in need of stability and perhaps dealing with ankle, knee or foot pains, the support and insoles will definitely help. And if you just want a durable shoe with Goodyear performance outsole that will maintain traction longer than its competitors, these are worth the investment.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.