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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
SQAIRZ XRZ2 at a Glance
✅ 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
❌ 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
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
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.
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