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It’s rare when you can judge a book by its cover—but the PB5Star Court 2 looks great and plays even better. It’s the best-looking court (and pickleball) shoe I’ve tested, and the performance matches the paint.
You may not know PB5Star unless your feed is as pickleball-heavy as mine. After seeing posts and early reviews, I reached out; they sent a pair.
Seven weeks of play later, I’m sold on the comfort, stability, and arch support. I’m giving it 4.75 balls. For a newer brand, PB5Star is a real contender in pickleball footwear—and apparel.
- Dynamic Stability Assist™ for quick cuts
- 360° locked-in support
- Lightweight Strobel flex, breathable knit
- Multi-zone tread + high-abrasion grip
- Lace-lock fit with padded collar
Video Review
By The Numbers
| Feature | Men | Women | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (per shoe) | 15.21 oz | — | Measured at size 12 |
| Heel drop | 5 mm | 5 mm | — |
| Colorways | 8 | 10 | — |
| Sizes offered | 13 sizes | 14 sizes | — |
| Widths | Medium | Medium | 1 width available |
| Wear-test guarantee | 30 days | 30 days | — |
| Price (MSRP) | $159 | $149 | — |
Nuts And Bolts
- Upper – Woven perforated mesh
- Insole – Removable, thick foam with enhanced cushion pads and enhanced arch
- Midsole – EVA foam
- Integrated insole – Strobel “sock like” interior connecting midsole to static insole
- Tongue – Padded poly with Lycra mesh, secured to shoe with a 360 midfoot wrap
- Heel support – Deep heel cup and padded collar
- Arch support – Enhanced, above average arch
- Toe/Slide Guard – TPU reinforced upper zones
- Sole – High density rubber compound with media, lateral and toe bars
- Laces – Adjustable with lace lock
About The Brand And The Shoe
After speaking with Angela (CDMO) and digging through the site: PB5Star is a recent entrant led by Chris Gallagher (built/sold Vionic in 2018). Forbes called him a footwear “luminary,” and Court 2 reflects ~30 years of biomech work with pros and designers.
Purpose-built for pickleball’s start–stop demands, it uses the race-car-inspired Dynamic Stability Assist™ platform for stability and control. Highlights: deep heel cup, 360° elastic lockdown, speed lacing, tuned midsole.
Result: comfort, rollover protection, reduced fatigue—and a connected feel from a 5 mm heel drop (the lowest I’ve tested).
First Impressions
After spotting the Court 2 on social feeds, PB5Star’s site and in early reviews, I asked for a test pair—Basil Multi. In person, they’re cleaner and even better looking: sleek lines, strong color contrast, natural rubber sole that pops. They feel lighter than the scale suggests, and have a flared outsole and textured grip zones that look durable. I’d wear these casually, too.
Tried them on for 20 minutes: snug, comfortable “glove” fit. My size 12 runs true; if you want extra toe room or have wider feet, consider half a size up. Toe box felt adequate, cushioned insole with above-average arch support, and the low 5 mm drop adds a more connected stride. The tongue plus 360° elastic lockdown holds you without squeezing.
Break-in felt minimal—similar to the SQAIRZ XRZ and Babolat Jet Mach right out of the box.
Game On: Play Testing
First session (coaching + singles): comfort matched the at-home try-on. After an hour, cushioning felt “just right” without dulling push-off, stability was locked-in, and the arch support worked surprisingly well for my lower arches.
Break-in was basically zero—no foot migration, light on foot, smooth heel-to-toe flex, not clunky. Bonus: lots of compliments.
After two hours, no fatigue, hot spots, or rubbing. The trade-off: breathability runs warmer than some shoes, so sweaty feet may notice it; the upside is a thicker, more durable upper.
I kept them in rotation for six weeks. Still strong. The main nit: the upper fabric attracts dirt, and they’re not quite as flexible/snappy as a few competitors (more on that next).
How the Court 2 Compares
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- Quick-cut stability
- 360° locked-in support
- Lightweight, breathable comfort
- Long-lasting outsole
- Reinforced toe & heel
- Breathable, sock-fit comfort
Diadem Court Burst is still my durability/value benchmark; Court 2 brings the best blend of responsiveness + stability with standout looks; SQUAIRZ XRZ wins on comfort and width; Montis Holbrook leads cushioning and price.
Basics
| Category | PB5Star Court 2 | Court Burst | SQAIRZ XRZ | Montis Holbrook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (rel. rank) | 1 (lightest) | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Aesthetics (subjective) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Price (MSRP) | $159 | $150 | $160 | $120 |
| Durability (tested) | TBD | Proven (14 mo.) | TBD | TBD |
Performance (1 = best; ties noted)
| Metric | Court 2 | Court Burst | XRZ | Montis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall comfort | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Width | 2 (tie) | 2 (tie) | 1 | 4 |
| Cushioning | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 |
| Stability | 1 (tie) | 1 (tie) | 4 | 3 |
| Sole traction | 1 (all even) | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Responsiveness | 1 | 2 | 4 (close) | 3 |
| Breathability | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
| Protective toe wrap | 3 (tie) | 1 | 2 | 3 (tie) |
| Arch support | 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| Lacing security | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
One Upgrade We Recommend: CURREX PICKLEBALLPRO Insoles
Even a good pickleball shoe can come with a fairly basic factory insole. CURREX PICKLEBALLPRO insoles are designed specifically for court movement, with added arch support, forefoot cushioning, and heel stability to help the foot feel more secure during quick stops and lateral movement.
We like them because they can improve comfort and support without changing shoes entirely.
Pickleball Union readers can save 20% with code PBUNION20.
The Final Score
| Category | Score | Pickleball Meter |
|---|---|---|
| Styling | 5.00 | 🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾 |
| Fit | 5.00 | 🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾 |
| Cushioning | 4.25 | 🎾🎾🎾🎾 ¼ |
| Lateral support | 5.00 | 🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾 |
| Responsiveness | 4.75 | 🎾🎾🎾🎾 ¾ |
| Traction | 5.00 | 🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾 |
| Breathability | 4.25 | 🎾🎾🎾🎾 ¼ |
| Price point | 4.50 | 🎾🎾🎾🎾 ½ |
| Overall | 4.75 | 🎾🎾🎾🎾 ¾ |
The colorways (men’s and women’s) will pull you in; the Court 2’s performance should keep you there. It comes close to the Diadem Court Burst in overall comfort and feel—though the Burst is still a touch more flexible and plush.
Where the Court 2 wins: its well-designed, highly cushioned removable insole—the best I’ve tested. Add a 30-day “match fit” guarantee (play in them, return if you’re not happy), and it’s a confident buy. Kudos to PB5Star—CEO Chris Gallagher’s Vionic pedigree shows in this strong debut.
Pickle on my friends, pickle on…
