There’s nothing I love more than trying new footwear, especially when they’re cute and aesthetically pleasing, so it's time to lace up a pair of SQAIRZ XRZ pickleball court shoes.

SQAIRZ recently partnered with ProXR Pickleball to create a court shoe for men and women. I tried the women’s shoe in white and pink, but they’re also available in a beautiful sky blue and white option as well.

This marks SQAIRZ’s official entrance into the pickleball world. They’re generally known for designing golf and baseball shoes, so clearly they are shoe experts. And after partnering with ProXR, they’re becoming pickleball experts, too. 

Admittedly, I was a little skeptical about the square toe design. The signature toe box creates a more stable base under the ball of the foot, and the toe is reinforced with silicone, which I prefer since I usually wear out my shoes starting at the toes. 

Standout features:

• - Light and breathable
• - Unique square toe design 
• - Aesthetically pleasing
• - Rubber laces that lock in place
• - Pivot points on the soul to help rotation
  
  

The weight of the shoe is light and the fabric is breathable, but reinforced in strategic locations to help with lateral movement and gradual wear and tear. 

The laces were a surprising standout for me. They have these small rubber sections to keep them locked in place, so you don’t have to worry about your shoes coming untied during an intense rally. 

And finally, I like the look of the shoe. I appreciate the clean all-white look with the pop of pink and gray. Sure, I love a bold shoe with crazy colors to add some shine to an outfit, but I appreciate this staple shoe that can easily be styled with a variety of outfits. 

Drawbacks:

• - Sizing 
• - Roomy toe box
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I do think I got a half size too big. If you wear K-Swiss, Asics, New Balance or Babolat, they recommend that you order your usual size. But if you wear Nike, Skechers, FILA, adidas or Wilson, size down half a size.

As a size 7 who usually goes for a 7.5 for extra room, I should’ve ordered the 7 because I found the toe box area to be a little too roomy. 

And if you prefer a snug fit for shoes, these might not be your favorites. As a result of the toe box design, your toes are going to have more space in the shoe. 

That being said, I tested these shoes out while drilling and playing a few games of singles to get a feel for properly running across the court. My feet felt supported and moved easily and quickly. 

Now, if you’re like my drilling partner who’s sprinting and sliding across the court like Connor Garnett, maybe these aren’t the top choice. But for the overwhelming majority of players enjoying a high-intensity game, I say give these new shoes a shot. 

My overall rating:

8 out of 10.

These are new on the market, and I look forward to SQAIRZ continuing to develop and add new styles and colors to their pickleball court shoe collection. 

If you try them, share your review with us on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).