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The SQAIRZ XRZ2 is a very stable, durable, well-built pickleball-specific shoe for players who take safety on the court as seriously as scoring points. Its squared-off toe box, anti-torsion midsole, reinforced upper, and signature outrigger sole are all aimed at lateral support, comfort, and anti-roll stability. It is heavier than most shoes I test, but that weight comes with a lot of structure and support.
I have always rooted for the underdogs in the consumer-products world — the smaller companies with the vision and nerve to compete against the mega brands. SQAIRZ is one of those companies. The brand launched around a simple design premise: a wider, squared-off toe box. Golf came first, then baseball, softball, and eventually pickleball.
I tested the original XRZ a little over a year ago and came away impressed. It had almost no break-in time and offered solid support from heel to toe. The XRZ2 is the new and improved version, with several meaningful upgrades rather than a complete redesign.
After nearly five weeks of testing, I can give the XRZ2 a solid 4.75 balls out of 5.
✅ Stable midfoot support
✅ Strong lateral balance
✅ Secure court grip
✅ Powerful push-off
SQAIRZ XRZ2 at a Glance
| Category | My Take |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4.75/5 |
| Type | Pickleball-specific court shoe |
| Best for | Players prioritizing stability, toe room, support, and durability |
| Fit | True to size in my testing |
| Comfort | Excellent; virtually no break-in |
| Cushioning | Ample without killing push-off |
| Stability | Excellent forefoot and heel lockdown |
| Traction | Stellar herringbone-style lugged outsole |
| Breathability | Above average for such a supportive upper |
| Best trait | Toe room + stability |
| Main tradeoff | Heavier than most pickleball shoes |
| Bottom line | A robust, comfortable shoe built foremost around support, durability, and player safety |
Pros
✅ Ideal toe room for balance and toe splay
✅ Excellent cushioning and support
✅ Out-of-the-box comfort — no break-in
✅ Advanced lateral stability
✅ Anti-torsion support through the midfoot
✅ Outrigger lugs improve balance & push-off
✅ Superior traction
✅ Blumaka removable insole
✅ Very nice styling
✅ Six-month sole warranty
✅ Sta-Put laces are designed to stay tied
Cons
❌ The heaviest shoe I have tested
❌ Only one width
❌ Earlier pairs lacked a tongue gusset; production is adding one
❌ Not as breathable as some players may prefer
❌ Above-average cost
Who This Shoe Is For | Who Should Skip It
| Who It’s For | Who Should Skip It |
|---|---|
| ✔ Players looking for maximum toe room | ✖ Players looking for a light, faster shoe |
| ✔ Heavier players or hard movers who want more support and stability | ✖ Players whose feet get hot and sweaty easily |
| ✔ Players who do not require a special insole or orthotic | ✖ Budget-minded players |
| ✔ Competitors prone to ankle or foot issues, or nursing one | ✖ Anyone who strongly prefers a narrow, minimal court shoe |
| ✔ Players who do not mind a robust, heavier shoe | ✖ Players loyal to a specific large-brand fit and feel |
| ✔ Players hard on their shoes | |
| ✔ Competitors who have had toe or toenail issues |
For players who want a roomy, supportive, durable court shoe and are willing to trade a little weight for stability, the XRZ2 deserves a serious look.
SQAIRZ XRZ2 Specs and Build
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Weight | 16.1 oz per shoe (size 12) |
| Price | $159 |
| Heel drop | 10 mm |
| Sizes | Women 6–11; Men 7–14 |
| Widths | 1 |
| Colorways | 6 men; 4 women |
| Trial / warranty | 30-day trial return/exchange period; 6-month sole warranty |
| Upper | Closed-cell Lycra mesh with silicone hotmelt hexagon reinforcement |
| Insole | Blumaka removable insole with grip texture |
| Midsole | Large, thick EVA material |
| Tongue | Padded, elongated thick foam |
| Heel support | Deep heel cup and padded collar |
| Arch support | Enhanced, above average |
| Toe / slide guard | Large molded TPU toe cap |
| Outsole | High-density rubber composite with lateral outriggers |
| Tread | Narrow traction pattern with toe pivot point |
| Lacing | Sta-Put lacing for a customizable snug fit |
What Makes the XRZ2 Different
The XRZ2 keeps the same basic last and biomechanical concept as the original XRZ, but SQAIRZ made several targeted upgrades. I spoke with founder and CEO Bob Winskowicz about what changed and why.
The first is the hotmelt hexagon reinforcement on the upper.
According to SQAIRZ, the pattern is designed to increase localized upper stiffness and reduce stretch in high-stress areas. In plain English, it is intended to help keep the foot contained during aggressive lateral movement.
The outsole compound was also revised for better abrasion resistance while still allowing the rubber to conform to the court surface for traction.
A new TPU toe cap adds more protection in a high-wear area, especially for players who drag a toe during lunges or lateral movement.
The fourth major change is the Blumaka non-slip insole. SQAIRZ says its high-friction surface is designed to reduce in-shoe movement during lateral cuts and braking. The company also reports 14% greater energy return and 17% greater cushioning than a standard insole.
SQAIRZ also told me it made a mid-production improvement by adding a gusseted tongue-to-footbed lockdown. That should help secure the foot even further in newer production pairs.
Personally, I found the out-of-the-box fit and comfort very similar to the original XRZ, with a slight edge to the XRZ2. The newer shoe felt a bit more stable and a little more nimble, and the Blumaka insole makes a noticeable difference in comfort, fit, and stability.
First Impressions
The first thing I noticed was the color. I tested the Electric Volt colorway — royal blue, white, and chartreuse — and the shoe has a striking look. The honeycomb-like silicone reinforcement on the upper gives it a more technical appearance than the original.
The second thing I noticed was the heft.
At just over a pound for each size-12 shoe, this is the heaviest pickleball shoe I have tested. But it also feels very solid and well constructed in hand.
The squared toe looked a little unusual to me when I first tested the original XRZ. I have come to appreciate it, both visually and functionally. The extra forefoot room is one of the defining traits of the shoe.
The whole shoe was also more flexible from heel to toe than I expected for such a robust build. It still maintained anti-torsion so twisting from heel to toe is minimized which is ideal.
Fit and Function Testing
I did my usual test: wear the shoes around the house for a few hours while doing normal household tasks.
After about 15 minutes, they already felt like shoes I had worn for a month. There was essentially no break-in period.
- Fit was true to size for me in a men’s 12
- No rubbing, pinching, or discomfort around the toes
- No sliding during side-to-side movement or forward lunges
- Flexibility and cushioning were both above average
- The heel-to-arch anti-torsion structure was noticeable
- Arch support felt pretty good with the Blumaka insole
The toe box deserves special mention.
I spent years dealing with toe issues as a competitive runner, so being able to spread and move my toes more freely is not a small thing for me. That is still the signature SQAIRZ feature, and it works.
Game On: Court Testing
My first session was with my normal rec group, which was a good test because there is a lot of quick lateral movement, pivoting, lunging, and forward-backward transition work.
I wore my usual low-show thin socks.
The question I had was simple: would the weight slow me down?
It did not.
After the first game I mostly forgot I was wearing a new pair. Lateral and forward movement felt very good, and the XRZ2 played much more nimbly than I expected. Push-off from a dead stop into a lunge or quick grab was not compromised.
After about 90 minutes on a warm indoor court, breathability was also better than expected. I never really felt excessive heat inside the shoe, although I should add that my feet do not sweat easily.
The removable insole is very good for a stock insole.
It does not give me the same targeted support as my CURREX PICKLEBALLPRO insoles or Stride Sole orthotics, but cushioning is ample and the overall package works well. Players with higher arches may still prefer an aftermarket insole or orthotic.
Over the next five weeks, I wore the XRZ2 exclusively for pickleball. Performance remained solid, and I saw essentially no wear on the upper, outsole, or toe guard.
SQAIRZ XRZ2 Performance
1. Comfort ★★★★★
This is one of the strongest parts of the XRZ2.
Out-of-the-box comfort is excellent, the toe box gives the forefoot room to move, and the padded heel and collar feel secure without being overly tight.
2. Fit ★★★★★
Fit was true to size for me.
The squared toe box is not just a styling cue; it gives the toes room to splay and flex, which I appreciated throughout testing.
3. Cushioning ★★★★¾
There is plenty of cushioning through the shoe and the Blumaka insole adds another layer of comfort.
Importantly, I did not feel that the cushioning killed push-off or responsiveness.
4. Lateral Support ★★★★¾
The reinforced upper, heel cup, anti-torsion structure, and outrigger sole all work together well.
Forefoot and heel lockdown are solid without feeling squeezed.
5. Responsiveness ★★★★½
This is where the weight shows up most.
The XRZ2 is not the quickest-feeling shoe I have tested, but the difference was smaller than I expected and never became a real limitation in play.
6. Traction ★★★★★
Traction is excellent.
The outsole gives plenty of grip for quick direction changes while still allowing a small amount of slide during cross-court shuffles.
7. Breathability ★★★★½
For a shoe with this much upper structure and reinforcement, breathability was better than expected.
It is not the most ventilated shoe I have tested, but it never became a major issue for me.
How the XRZ2 Compares
| Category | My Take |
|---|---|
| Weight | XRZ2 is the heaviest of the shoes I compared, followed by the Winners Edge P38 Lightning and the original XRZ. Despite the scale weight, it does not play as heavy as it looks. |
| Overall comfort | XRZ2 has a slight edge over the original XRZ, followed closely by the JOOLA R4lly and Franklin ACV Pro in my testing. |
| Toe box / overall width | XRZ2 and XRZ have the widest toe boxes of the group I tested, with JOOLA R4lly and Winners Edge P38 Lightning close behind. |
| Cushioning | Winners Edge P38 Lightning led my comparison, with XRZ2 next, then XRZ and JOOLA R4lly. |
| Stability | This was a close race. P38 Lightning led, with XRZ2 in the next tier alongside JOOLA R4lly and Franklin. |
| Sole traction | The top court shoes I tested were all very close here. XRZ2 delivered excellent traction while still allowing controlled slide during shuffles. |
| Responsiveness / push-off | PB5Star and Diadem Court Burst were the quickest in my testing. XRZ2 was close behind the next group, and the practical difference was small. |
| Breathability | JOOLA R4lly led clearly, followed by Court Burst and Montis, then XRZ2. |
| Protective toe cap | P38 Lightning had the most robust toe cap, followed by Court Burst, with XRZ2 and R4lly close behind. |
| Arch support | PB5Star Court 2 led my group, followed by XRZ2 and then the original XRZ. |
| Price | $159 places XRZ2 toward the premium end of the group. |
Durability
After roughly five weeks of exclusive pickleball use, wear was essentially nonexistent on the upper, outsole, and toe guard.
That is encouraging, especially because SQAIRZ clearly invested in abrasion resistance and reinforcement in the XRZ2.
Based on the materials, build, and my test period, I expect durability to be competitive with the other top pickleball shoes I have tested.
Value
At $159, the XRZ2 is not inexpensive.
It is $20 more than the original XRZ, but in my opinion the added reinforcement, improved outsole compound, TPU toe cap, Blumaka insole, and upgraded lockdown make the premium reasonable.
The 30-day trial return/exchange period and six-month sole warranty also add some peace of mind, especially for a shoe at this price.
SQAIRZ XRZ2 FAQ
Is the XRZ2 true to size?
It was for me. I wear a men’s 12 and the size 12 fit correctly throughout testing.
Is the toe box actually wide?
Yes.
The squared-off toe box gives the forefoot and toes noticeably more room to spread and flex than most court shoes I test.
Does the heavy weight make it feel slow?
Not nearly as much as I expected.
You notice the heft at first, but on court I did not feel that it limited quick grabs, lunges, or transitions.
Does it require a break-in period?
Not for me.
After about 15 minutes around the house, the shoes already felt broken in.
How is the XRZ2 different from the original XRZ?
The fit and overall platform are similar, but the XRZ2 adds upper reinforcement, an optimized outsole compound, a new TPU toe cap, the Blumaka insole, and improved lockdown.
Who should avoid it?
Players who strongly prioritize a lightweight, minimal, highly ventilated shoe may prefer something else.
Budget-minded shoppers may also find the $159 price hard to justify.
Is the stock insole good enough?
For many players, yes.
It is better than most stock insoles I test. Players with higher arches or specific orthotic needs may still want an aftermarket option.
✅ Stable midfoot support
✅ Strong lateral balance
✅ Secure court grip
✅ Powerful push-off
The Final Score
| Category | Rating (1 Out of 5) |
|---|---|
| Styling | 🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾 |
| Fit | 🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾 |
| Cushioning | 🎾🎾🎾🎾¾ |
| Lateral support | 🎾🎾🎾🎾¾ |
| Responsiveness | 🎾🎾🎾🎾½ |
| Traction | 🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾 |
| Breathability | 🎾🎾🎾🎾½ |
| Price point / value | 🎾🎾🎾🎾 |
| Overall | 🎾🎾🎾🎾¾ |
After testing the original XRZ last year, I expected a very good shoe from the XRZ2, and SQAIRZ delivered.
The fit and comfort differences between the two are relatively small, but the design and material upgrades make the extra $20 worthwhile in my opinion.
The best traits remain the out-of-the-box comfort, wide toe box, excellent support and stability, anti-torsion heel-to-arch design, and upgraded insole.
The heavier weight will be a deterrent for some players, and this is still a premium-priced shoe. But neither became a deal breaker for me.
As I have said many times, court shoes are the most important piece of pickleball equipment we buy. Like your paddle choice they affect performance, but unlike paddles, they also matter for overall foot care, stability and safety every time we stop, cut, lunge, and change direction.
Pickle on, my friends… pickle on.
