June 12, 2023/News and Info

Q&A with Keith Shelton, Skechers’ Senior Director of Product Development

Keith Shelton, Senior Director of Product Development at Skechers

USA Pickleball recently sat down with Keith Shelton, Senior Director of Product Development at Skechers, to talk all things footwear! Take a look at the Q&A below to learn more about the Skechers Viper Court Pro sneaker and what sets it apart from other products on the market:

Q: Can you talk about the different types of Skechers Viper Court Pro footwear, what sets it apart, and why it is best for playing on pickleball courts?

A: I wouldn't say there's necessarily one shoe that is best for every player on the court. The Viper Court Pro is for a more aggressive mover on the court. It's a much lighter shoe for that player looking at footwear as an extension of their equipment. We created it for higher level players who want to feel and be faster on the court.

However, we also offer footwear and products intended for more beginner level and senior age players that may need more sure footing on the court and more support. We’ve also been designing shoes for players who need more stability and a higher level of durability.

Q: What are some of the main differences between Skechers performance footwear vs. lifestyle sneakers?

A: I think the biggest difference is the emphasis on safety for players. People who are new to the sport of pickleball might not understand why a court shoe is so important compared to a running shoe or lifestyle shoe. Some of the other differences are increased traction and durability. Additionally, you're going to need a higher level of lateral stability, which is really important for pickleball. You’re on your toes often during pickleball and moving left and right, also forward and back. We’ve really focused on making sure that the foot's not sliding or moving around inside of the shoe. A lot of these performance features you just don't find in the traditional lifestyle sneaker.

Skechers athlete and professional pickleball player, Tyson McGuffin

Q: Are there specific materials utilized in Skechers pickleball shoes that offer durability and proper foot support while playing?

A: Since Skechers doesn't have a tennis heritage like most brands in this space, it allows us to take a fresh approach to pickleball footwear. Being that Skechers is The Comfort Technology Company, we felt there was an opportunity to look at the sport of pickleball through a performance comfort lens, mixing our world-famous comfort features with our industry-leading performance innovations. It's proved to be a winning formula. We pride ourselves on really providing a great amount of value at every price point throughout the footwear line.

Q: Can you describe the extent of Skechers athletes, Catherine Parenteau and Tyson McGuffin’s involvement in the design process of Skechers pickleball shoes?

A: When we work with Catherine and Tyson, it's a very high level of engagement. We prioritize listening to the athlete, thus gaining valuable feedback from them about our product by regularly having them test out the shoes. Catherine and Tyson provide critical feedback, that allows us to produce the best footwear out in the marketplace for our customers.

When we're working with amateur level players, we understand they are spending their hard-earned money on pickleball shoes and really want to make sure that the product they're investing in lives up to their needs. Having a nice mix of feedback from athletes of all types of skill sets, rankings and ratings has been critical in helping us make the best product we can.

Skechers athlete and professional pickleball player, Catherine Parenteau

Q: When it comes to Skechers pickleball footwear, what do you hope to achieve as a result of partnering with USA Pickleball?

A: Through our multi-year partnership with USA Pickleball, we really want to focus on the advancement of the sport. Our work with the national governing body of pickleball allows us to get involved in promoting the game and making pickleball more accessible. The interests that USA Pickleball have are the same interests that we have with Skechers, so the relationship works out really nicely. In addition to the tours and some of the bigger tournaments we sponsor, all of that is part of our goal to help show our commitment to the continued growth of the sport.

Q: What are some of the key pieces of information that you’d like pickleball fans and lovers to know about pickleball footwear?

A: When talking about top priorities in picking a shoe for a pickleball player, what's most important is safety. We want to make sure we get the message out, that pickleball shoes actually exist. Additionally, we want to really make sure customers understand why it's important to have that lateral support, stability, and traction. Proper footwear is essential to really enjoy the game.