PxC Pro Pickleball Shoe Development

The PxC Pro

Update #1 - We're Making A New Shoe

Title

By Garrett | Founder at Cypher Pickleball

Launching Late 2026

There are more shoes than ever claiming to be the best for pickleball, but none are like this. Introducing the PxC Pro. Meticulously created by footwear industry experts for those who play intense pickleball. We invite you to come check it out.

IMMEDIATE COMFORT

CMEVA midsole foam combined with strobel sock, upgraded insole, and sandwhich mesh upper material

INTENTIONAL STABILITY

External heel counter, paired with a heel shank, secures the rearfoot for added stability and control

LIGHTWEIGHT

Final weight TBD. Materials are carefully selected to optimize weight without sacrificing performance

BREATHABLE

YET STABLE

Zoned ventilation in the upper enhances breathability, paired with structural reinforcements for sustained stability

STRONG

OUTSOLE

Vibram-level outsole rubber will hold up to extreme play + increased sidewall protection for those who slide

STYLE

The PxC is made with a more performance look without feeling over-designed or gimmicky

WHY THE PxC PRO

We're building the PxC Pro because serious players deserve a shoe that actually keeps up with how they move and how much they play.

The problem today?

As pickleball has grown, too many brands are rushing into the footwear side of things, treating shoes like an add-on instead of a foundation. All claim to be the best, the most comfortable, the most durable, yet many shoe designs lack the intentional technology to back up their claims.

Our solution?

To create a shoe that’s meaningfully better, designed by footwear experts, tested by elite players, and built with superior materials through a meticulous, year-long process.

HOW IT'S MADE

Every shoe starts with a single tech pack, but great footwear is built from many components, and those evolve throughout the process.

We begin by exploring multiple 'upper' directions, refining details and materials before locking in the strongest version, then pairing it with our outsole to build an initial wearable sample.

From there, we put those wearable sample pairs on real players to dial in fit, feel, and performance. Depending on their feedback, we go back to the drawing board and refine certain aspects of the shoe!

It’s a process backed by our team and real investment...over $25,000 in design and $45,000 in tooling before a single pair is made. Only once everything meets our standard do we move to production. The PxC Pro will launch in 5-6 colors in standard widths.

WHEN IT WILL BE AVAILABLE

We’re targeting a September release.

Starting in May, you’ll be able to lock in an early discount, with presales opening in August ahead of launch.

We’re taking this phased approach so we can stay focused on getting every detail right...no rushing, no shortcuts. When the PxC Pro hits the court, it’ll be ready.

Launching Late 2026

There are more shoes than ever claiming to be the best for pickleball, but none are like this. Introducing the PxC Pro. Meticulously created by footwear industry experts for those who play intense pickleball. We invite you to come check it out.

IMMEDIATE COMFORT

CMEVA midsole foam combined with strobel sock, upgraded insole, and sandwhich mesh upper material

INTENTIONAL STABILITY

External heel counter locks in ankle in combination with heel shank

LIGHTWEIGHT

Final weight still undetermined, but materials are specifically chosen to reduce unecessary weight

BREATHABLE

Breathable upper patterns combine with stability features to give you more air while playing for hours at a time

STRONG OUTSOLE

Vibram-level outsole rubber will hold up to extreme play combined with increased sidwall durability features

STYLE

We think it looks pretty cool! More performance feel yet not gimmicky.

WHY THE PxC PRO

We're building the PxC Pro because serious players deserve a shoe that actually keeps up with how they move and how much they play.

The problem today?

As pickleball has grown, too many brands are rushing into the footwear side of things, treating shoes like an add-on instead of a foundation. All claim to be the best, the most comfortable, the most durable, yet many shoe designs lack the intentional technology to back up their claims.

Our solution?

To create a shoe that’s meaningfully better, designed by footwear experts, tested by elite players, and built with superior materials through a meticulous, year-long process.

How IT's MADE

Every shoe starts with a single tech pack, but great footwear is built from many components, and those evolve throughout the process.

We begin by exploring multiple 'upper' directions, refining details and materials before locking in the strongest version, then pairing it with our outsole to build an initial wearable sample.

From there, we put those wearable sample pairs on real players to dial in fit, feel, and performance. Depending on their feedback, we go back to the drawing board and refine certain aspects of the shoe!

It’s a process backed by our team and real investment...over $25,000 in design and $45,000 in tooling before a single pair is made. Only once everything meets our standard do we move to production. The PxC Pro will launch in 5-6 colors in standard widths.

Our first on-court testing day with 10+ pickleball players - Aviara Racquet Club

WHEN IT WILL RELEASE

We’re targeting a September release.

Starting in May, you’ll be able to lock in an early discount, with presales opening in August ahead of launch.

We’re taking this phased approach so we can stay focused on getting every detail right...no rushing, no shortcuts. When the PxC Pro hits the court, it’ll be ready.

Sign up for SMS alerts to stay up to date and get exclusive discounts!

First wearable sample arrives February 2026!

Footwear Experts Behind The PxC Pro

We’ve chosen to do one thing: make great shoes. Not paddles. Not balls. Just better footwear for the court. These are the people who do it at CYPHER.

Meet Seth - Chief Manufacturing Officer

Seth has over 30+ years of experience bringing shoes to life with the likes of Nike, Adidas, The North Face, Timberland, Tecovas, Ariat, and more.

Meet Brandon - Lead Designer

Brandon is a visionary footwear design leader with 20+ years of experience bringing shoes to life at the likes of Vessi, The North Face, New Balance, and Timberland.

Meet Garrett - Founder at Cypher

My one job is to work with real players to understand where other shoes are lacking and how the PxC Pro can better exceed expectations.

Frequently asked questions

Have questions? We’re here to help

What sizes will be available?

The PxC Pro will be available in both Men's and Women's sizes ranging from Women's 6 to Men's 14 with half sizes inbetween.

What widths will be available?

The PxC Pro will be released in standard widths only, with 2E widths available in 2027.

Who is the PxC Pro for?

We may be a bit biased, but the PxC Pro is being built to be the best shoe available for pickleball players. Regardless of your skill level, you can rock the PxC Pro, but the shoe is designed intentionally for those who demand more out of their footwear while playing.

When can I lock in my discount?

Sometime in May 2026 we'll be allowing those interested in pre-ordering the PxC Pro to put down a $2 deposit to reserve an exclusive discount. This deposit will allow them to purchase the PxC Pro at an exclusive price not available to anyone else! That way, you secure an early-access spot and a great price when the shoe becomes available for sale.

What will be the price?

We haven't locked in a price quite yet, but it will be in the more expensive range given the quality of the shoe and the design behind it. Make sure to sign up for SMS updates as we will be allowing people interested in purchasing the PxC Pro to secure an exclusive discount prior to the shoe launching!

What will be the return policy?

This will be the same as our current policy -> free exchanges and easy returns!

How many colors?

We are planning on launching with 5 colors available in September 2026 and one additional color becoming available around Thanksgiving.

How is it different than the KEY211?

The KEY211 is built for players who log a lot of hours on court and prioritize all-day comfort and consistency. It’s forgiving, supportive, and designed to keep you feeling good through long sessions.

The PxC Pro is designed for a different style of play...faster, more aggressive movement with greater demands on stability and responsiveness. It’s built for players who move more like tennis athletes and need that extra level of stability, durability, and precision all while being as comfortable as the KEY211.

Both are performance shoes, just optimized for different types of movement.

Will there be an outsole warranty?

Please welcome CRTSHIELD, Cypher's own outsole rubber compound for the PxC Pro which is specially formulated to last as long as possible without feeling clunky or stiff. Although we are highly confident in the shoe's ability to last, at this time we do not plan on offering an outsole warranty.

Additional Questions?

Shoot us an email at help@cypherpickleball.com

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