Not a “tennis shoe”, finally a legit Pickleball shoe!
| Verdict |
|---|
| Simply put, these are among the best pickleball shoes I have tried to date. Don’t get me wrong; the shoes are not without flaws, which I will address later. However, as a former tennis player, I assumed tennis and “pickleball” shoes were essentially the same. Tyrol has certainly proved me wrong. As a company focused exclusively on pickleball, Tyrol demonstrates a deep understanding of what constitutes the ideal pickleball shoe. The wider toe box enhances comfort and support, particularly for the quick lateral movements at the non-volley zone that tend to cause discomfort in my feet after a few games in traditional tennis shoes. Additionally, the increased height of the toe box helps to prevent the bruised toes many of us have experienced once or twice. The only downside to the wide/raised toe box is that it makes the shoe feel slightly large. I would highly recommend opting for a half size smaller than your usual size. For instance, I normally wear a size 11-11.5, but I would definitely choose these in a 10.5. That said, if you use custom insoles, a shoe that runs a bit large might actually be ideal. View at Pickleball Central |
| Specs | Description |
|---|---|
| True to Size | Tyrol Recommends going down a half size (ie. 10 to 9.5) |
| Heel Width | 72mm |
| Midsole Width | 84mm |
| Toe Box Width | 96mm |
| Attached Tongue | Yes |
| Removable Insole | Yes |
| Weight | 15.2 oz. |
First Look
When I first took the Drive V court shoes out of the box, I had no doubt that attention to detail is important to Tyrol. Everything from the materials used to the little details. As I continued to research the shoes I realized that not only did these little details look great, but they each had a purpose. Everything from the sculpted heel design, the medial side power clip, to the thick Vibram outsole, seem to be strategically designed to improve durability as well as comfort on the court. The Vibram outsole is quite thick, meaning no more unwanted holes forming on the sole of the shoe after just a couple months. The exterior heel counter plate looks very clean and definitely adds stability and support. I hear people complain about their heels and calves all the time on the court and I have not had any issues since switching to the Drive V’s.
My Experience
Comfort
Comfort both on and off the court is crucial to me. In the past, other shoes seemed promising at first, offering extreme comfort, only to become almost unbearably painful after a few games. However, the Tyrol Drive V shoe stands out with its lasting comfort. Although I’ve previously chosen Nike tennis shoes for their excellent ankle and calf support, my primary grievance has always been their narrow fit. The Tyrol Drive V, with its wide toe box, offers a more natural feel for my feet. Among my favorite features of this shoe is its open-weave mesh nylon upper, alongside the aerated insole and midsole, making it the most breathable shoe I’ve experienced to date.
Performance
These shoes outperform many others for one simple reason: Tyrol’s dedication is entirely to the sport of pickleball, crafting a shoe specifically tailored for it. This singular focus has enabled Tyrol to integrate everything pickleball players look for in a court shoe, without unnecessary additions. They’ve included a heel stabilizer and a sculpted heel design to prevent heel slippage, which, in turn, helps mitigate common calf and Achilles issues many of us have experienced. The enlarged and raised toe box provides our feet with extra room, a feature I’ve found to significantly reduce soreness in both the ball of my foot and my toes after several games. I feel very comfortable executing quick burst movements and quick stops with minimal to no foot slippage.
Durability
After a few months of pretty heavy use and two recent tournaments under my belt, the Tyrol Drive V court shoes are still in very good shape. Very minimal signs of wear throughout the entire exterior and interior of the shoe, as seen in the picture below. My right shoe is almost always the first to go and I’d say it appears to have PLENTY of life left!
As you can see in the right picture, I keep the laces pretty tight because I made the mistake of not going a half size down. I cannot stress enough that these shoes definitely run big! Trust me, get them a half size smaller than your usual size.
Maintenance
To be honest I have not done anything to help maintain the shoe. Most players typically wear their preferred shoe of sandal to the court and then switch to their court shoes once they get to their venue. I tend to get a bit lazy and will usually just wear my court shoes from the get go. This has definitely contributed to the shoe wearing down quicker. Still, the Drive V’s seem to be holding up well.
Comparison with Other Pickleball Shoes
For the purposes of this review I felt it acceptable to show you how many court shoes I currently own and explain why. As you can see below, I am a bit of a court shoe snob haha. I’ve tried a variety of brands specializing in court shoes. Everything from Nike, K-Swiss, Selkirk, ASICS, and Babolat, to name a few. My end goal is always the same, durability without any sacrifice in comfort. You simply can’t play your best if you are uncomfortable in your shoes. While the Tyrol Drive V court shoe is not perfect, it’s closer than any Pickleball court shoe I’ve tried thus far. Their attention to each detail seems to be unmatched. If you want a comfortable shoe that will actually last, the Drive V is definitely one to look into.
