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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 |
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…
