I used to say shoes were the second most important piece of pickleball gear—right after your paddle. But after playing more and testing dozens of court shoes, I’ve changed my tune: shoes matter more than your paddle. Comfort, safety, injury prevention, and performance all start from the ground up.
So when I heard Diadem was releasing the Court Flo, I was intrigued. Their first shoe, the Court Burst, became my go-to for good reason. But after a month of wear testing the Court Flo—and chatting with Diadem co-founder Michael—I realized this isn’t just a Court Burst 2.0.
It’s a different kind of shoe entirely, blending court function with off-court lifestyle design. I’m giving it 4.25 balls, with a big caveat: for the right player, this could be the perfect fit.
- More comfort, less bulk
- Great grip, smooth ride
- Court + lifestyle crossover
- Ideal for all-day wear
Video Review
By The Numbers
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Weight | 15.1 oz per shoe (size 12) |
| Colorways | 3 |
| Heel Drop | 8 mm |
| Sizes Available | 20 sizes (men & women) |
| Extra Width Option | Men’s size 9+ / Women’s 10½+ |
| Price | $114.95 |
Nuts And bolts
- Upper – Airweave poly mesh fabric
- Insole – Cushioned foam with terry wicking fabric
- Midsole – FloFoam cushion
- Heelcup – Thermoplastic polyurethane insert
- Midsole arch Outer – Rigid, non-marking molded composite rubber
- Toe/Slide Guard – EndoShell flexible rubber
- Sole – High density rubber compound with herringbone tread
First Impressions
I went with the white/navy Court Flo, and right out of the box, it had that same high-quality, lifestyle-meets-court look I loved in the Court Burst—though not quite as sleek. The build felt solid, and interestingly, it’s about an ounce lighter than the Burst, despite feeling similar on-foot. The carbon rubber herringbone outsole? Identical.
The collar and tongue are well-padded, and the tongue sleeve keeps laces secure. Fit-wise, they felt snug across the top and in width, but the cushioning was on point. My size 12 fit well in length (I wear thin socks), though it may run a bit small overall.
Arch support was average, which suits me fine. What stood out most? The heel drop felt higher and the shoe less flexible heel-to-toe compared to the Burst or Babolat Jet Mach. My wife noticed the same. Safe to say—it needs a little break-in time.
Game On… Play Testing
Before hitting the court, I logged a few miles walking in the Court Flo around the house and neighborhood. That initial snugness around the midfoot started easing up—break-in was definitely underway.
During my first 2-hour rec session, the shoes felt supportive and comfortable. No sliding around inside, and the cushioning was solid—definitely above average. The toe box felt slightly roomier than the Court Burst, and overall, my feet felt stable and secure. Still, they weren’t quite broken in.
What stood out most? I didn’t feel quite as quick or responsive compared to the Court Burst. I chalked it up to needing more break-in time… or so I hoped.
After several weeks of play, the shoes broke in nicely. Stability, comfort, and cushioning held up well. But that slight lack of speed and responsiveness remained—and I also noticed they run a bit warmer. On the bright side, there’s still no visible wear.
Court Flo vs. Court Burst: Which One’s for You?
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Pros:
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Pros:
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- Ultra-breathable mesh
- Flo Foam midsole
- Built for court + lifestyle
In a recent chat with Michael, Diadem’s co-founder and a key player behind the design of the Court Flo, he made one thing clear: the Court Flo isn’t a sequel to the Court Burst—it’s a different shoe for a different player.
The goal wasn’t to improve on the Burst, but to offer a budget-friendly option ($35 less) for rec players who want a stable, cushioned, and durable court shoe—without the extra bells and whistles designed for aggressive tournament-level play.
You won’t find features like the Max Shield toe guard or ReboundX roll guard on the Flo, but you will get solid lateral support to help prevent ankle rolls, plus a clean, modern design that works just as well for post-game errands as it does for doubles. I wear mine both ways. Bonus: my wife thinks her white/sky blue colorway looks great!
Fit-wise, they run average in width—so wider-footed players might want to try before they buy.
| Feature | Court Flo | Court Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $114.95 | $149.95 |
| Target Player | Recreational/Regular Players | Competitive/Advanced Players |
| Cushioning | High | High |
| Lateral Support | Strong | Enhanced (with ReboundX roll guard) |
| Toe Guard | Standard | Max Shield reinforced |
| Breathability | Above average | Higher |
| Style & Versatility | Designed for court + lifestyle use | Performance-focused |
| Weight | ~1 oz lighter than Burst | Slightly heavier |
| Width Fit | Average | Average |
| Durability | Excellent | Excellent |
The Final Score
| Category | Rating (1 Out of 5) |
|---|---|
| Styling | 🎾🎾🎾🎾 ¾ |
| Fit | 🎾🎾🎾🎾 ¼ |
| Cushioning | 🎾🎾🎾🎾 ½ |
| Lateral Support | 🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾 |
| Responsiveness | 🎾🎾🎾 ¾ |
| Traction | 🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾 |
| Breathability | 🎾🎾🎾🎾 ¼ |
| Price Point | 🎾🎾🎾🎾 ¾ |
| Overall | 🎾🎾🎾🎾 ¼ |
These shoes won’t be the right fit for everyone, but they could be perfect for players who aren’t on the court 2–3 times a week or playing at a fast, aggressive level. If you still want a high-quality court shoe that delivers on comfort, protection, and style—on and off the court—the Court Flo checks a lot of boxes. I consider this a great shoe for solo drills when fast court action isn’t needed.
The price, stability, cushioning, and clean design all hit the mark. And based on my experience with the Court Burst (which shares the same outsole and rugged build), durability should be excellent here too.
Pickle on my friends, pickle on…
