While the Skechers Viper Court Pro remains a top pick among pickleball shoes here at WearTesters, it has been a while since we’ve tested another pair from the brand. So the search was on for a Skechers pair with differing technology than that original Viper Court Pro, and what we found was a tennis shoe (though also listed under pickleball with certain filters): the Skechers Baseline Bully.
So, here we are. After numerous weeks of testing on both indoor and outdoor dedicated pickleball courts, we present to you the Skechers Baseline Bully pickleball performance review.
What is the Skechers Baseline Bully?
As we know, the Baseline Bully from Skechers was created for tennis performance, but due to the relatively similar demands of tennis and pickleball, dedicated tennis shoes typically translate easily on the pickleball court.
Generally, tennis shoes are more heavily reinforced for support and durability than shoes designed strictly for pickleball. Not only does tennis utilize a larger court, but also — at least on a professional level — singles competition is more popular. So tennis shoes are naturally made with a lot more court coverage and wear and tear in consideration.
The Baseline Bully features a number of implementations with that in mind, such as a Goodyear Gold rubber outsole compound. It also utilizes Skechers Hands Free Slip-In technology, ULTRA GO midsole cushioning, and more.
But let’s find out how all of that actually worked on the pickleball court…
How did the Skechers Baseline Bully perform?
The short answer is that the Skechers Baseline Bully checks many boxes, aside from minor concerns on overall durability and a little bit too much bulk for a seamless transition to pickleball.
But let’s get into the details. The shoe meets Skechers’ lasting goal to create shoes with comfort at the forefront. The upper is lined in a smooth and welcoming textile, and two layers of cushion underfoot provide step-in comfort and stability. The shoe fits comfortably and securely in my true size, though a few wears’ worth of lacing adjustment and break-in were required to get a solid feel for the heel construction of the Slip-ins system.
The upper construction asserts itself by utilizing multiple layers of textiles and synthetics, especially in high-stress, high-wear areas throughout. Unfortunately, the layering combined with support features made the shoe feel overbuilt, as if there was more shoe on-foot than necessary.
On the plus side, I didn’t see much wear in those reinforced areas of the layered upper. However, I wonder how containment would be affected once the outermost mesh layer does become damaged.
Durability is a more apparent concern in other areas. For example, I question the longevity of the Goodyear Gold rubber on the outsole. After six weeks of testing, I was surprised by the significant amount of wear on the outer forefoot and heel edges. Dedicated pickleball court surfaces are certainly gritty enough to cause some wear, but I can’t confidently say the outsole will last for someone who consistently plays in this shoe for six months. And that was an unexpected result for a shoe that is technically built for the rigors of tennis.
Despite these concerns, the Skechers Baseline Bully still easily gets the job done as a functional shoe for pickleball. The midsole provides a balance of cushion and responsiveness with a slightly springy foam compound, the Slip-ins system is effective with minimal issues after break-in, and the beefy torsional support and containment make this an overall good performance shoe for pickleball that comes with mild caveats depending on player preference (which we’ll get into below).
Who is the Skechers Baseline Bully best suited for?
The most obvious response is that tennis players who are giving pickleball a try could benefit from the Baseline Bully, as it is a shoe that carries a lot of support features to handle the rigors of tennis, but not get in the way of the pickleball experience too much. It serves as a shoe that will easily translate back and forth between the sports for those who play both.
For those who play pickleball as their only racket sport, the Baseline Bully can still work great as a court shoe. But if minimal, lightweight performance sneakers typically suit you better, then there are plenty of other options out there that will serve your specific needs and may actually save you money. Even within the Skechers brand, shoes like the aforementioned Skechers Viper Court Pro (and Viper Court Pro 2.0) can meet these preferences at a more affordable price point and without too much downside in performance.
Moral of the story: Tennis shoes and pickleball shoes are not necessarily created equally, and even minute details matter. This is not to say one design approach is better than the other, and there is certainly room for crossover depending on the player. If you want the extra support and security the Skechers Baseline Bully brings, for example, it’s a viable option that handily covers enough area to meet both sports’ requirements.
Disclosure
The Skechers Baseline Bully was purchased to facilitate this review, the company had no involvement in this review, didn’t receive an advance look at it, and has not attempted to influence it.
