Fila Men's Axilus 2 Energized Sneakers, White/White/Fila Navy - 7

Why it's worth it

The Axilus 2 Energized has a molded forefoot cage, a heel cup, and a TPU midfoot stabilizer — the actual structural pieces that separate a court shoe from a running shoe. It's the right first pair for someone who plays twice a week.

If you're still playing in running shoes, this is the upgrade that matters most, and it costs the least of anything here. The molded forefoot cage and heel cup hold your foot in place laterally, and the TPU midfoot stabilizer keeps the shoe from twisting under load. Those are the same categories of features the expensive shoes use, executed more simply.

Fila runs wider than most court brands, and that's this shoe's quiet advantage. Owners who wear 2E and even 3E widths report making it work when New Balance and others don't fit, which is a genuinely hard problem to solve at any price. The rubber outsole grips both gym floors and outdoor courts well enough for recreational play.

From our review of 8 pickleball shoes for court support, by Eleanor Vance, Health & Beauty Editor

What we like

• +If you're still playing in running shoes, this is the upgrade that matters most, and it costs the least of anything here
• +Fila runs wider than most court brands, and that's this shoe's quiet advantage
• +Owners do note that the sole wears within a few months at two to three sessions a week, and that this version feels a bit…

What to know

• –The outsole doesn't last
• –Sizing is inconsistent between the left and right for some buyers, and the newer version feels narrower than earlier Axilus models