Babolat Jet Premura 2 Men's

Babolat has been quietly making one of the best tennis shoes on the market for years — the Jet Mach 3 is a staple in pro tennis bags. The Premura 2 is the company’s second-generation attempt to translate that low-slung, speed-first design language into a dedicated pickleball shoe. They mostly nailed it, with a couple of caveats worth knowing before you click buy.

Build & Quality

The Matryx upper is the standout construction detail. It’s a woven mesh laced with high-tenacity fibers in the lateral support zones, giving you a one-piece feel that locks your midfoot in without needing aggressive overlays. The result is a shoe that breathes well in summer outdoor play and doesn’t develop the creased hot spots you sometimes get with synthetic leather uppers.

The Michelin outsole uses a herringbone pattern oriented for the multidirectional cuts pickleball demands. Babolat rates the outsole for 6-month durability against abrasion, and after testing on rough outdoor courts, that estimate feels honest — these aren’t going to shred like a thin running shoe would.

Build quality across the toe cap, eyelets, and heel counter is what you’d expect from Babolat: clean stitching, no glue squeeze-out, and a reinforced toe drag area that should hold up to scrapes from low volleys and lunges into the kitchen.

Performance

This is where the Premura 2 earns its money and also shows its limitations. The 8mm drop and low stack height put you right on top of the court. Split-steps feel responsive, lateral cuts are stable, and there’s none of the “tippy” sensation you can get from taller pickleball-specific shoes. If you’re a singles player or an aggressive doubles player who lives at the kitchen and counter-attacks, this geometry is going to feel right.

Cushioning is where you make the trade-off. The EVA midsole with Active Flexion technology is responsive and quick, but it’s not plush. Two hours into a tournament day on hot concrete, you’ll feel it. Players coming from chunky cushioned shoes like the SQAIRZ XRZ or the Skechers Viper Court Pro should know what they’re getting into — the Premura 2 is firm by design.

Fit is narrow. Babolat’s tennis last has always favored slim feet, and the Premura 2 carries that DNA. We’d recommend a half-size up for normal-width feet, and wide-footers should probably look at other options entirely.

Traction on outdoor pickleball surfaces is excellent. Indoor wood courts are less of a sweet spot — the Michelin compound is harder than a typical indoor gum rubber, so you can hear some squeak but the bite is there.

Bottom Line

The Premura 2 is a real pickleball shoe, not a relabeled tennis model, and Babolat clearly studied what the sport demands. It’s a great pick for the right player. Just be honest about whether you’re that player before you buy.