SQAIRZ Pickleball Becomes the First Shoe Approved by Medicare
Windham, NH — SQAIRZ, the performance footwear company revolutionizing how athletes connect with the ground to optimize their performance, announced today that its XRZ™ Pickleball Shoe has officially been approved by Medicare for reimbursement, marking the first time in history a pickleball shoe has earned that distinction.
The Medicare milestone builds on a breakout year for SQAIRZ across professional sport and independent validation. In pickleball, the XRZ™ was named Best Pickleball Shoe by Pickleheads, the world’s largest and most trusted pickleball digital platform. At the professional level, SQAIRZ is worn by elite athletes including 4× Major League Pickleball Champion Zane Navratil and was on display earlier this year at the 2025 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships, where SQAIRZ-wearing athlete Trang Huynh-McClain defeated world No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters. Beyond pickleball, SQAIRZ continues to earn top honors across sports, including Most Stable Golf Shoe by MyGolfSpy and Best Performing Golf Shoe by Sports Illustrated, reinforcing the brand’s biomechanics-driven reputation.
The Medicare approval reinforces SQAIRZ’s mission to keep players moving at their best. By taking a proactive approach to balance and performance, SQAIRZ is helping athletes build stability before issues start, boosting agility, confidence, and longevity both on and off the court.
Performance Meets Prevention
Pickleball is America’s fastest-growing sport, but it’s also one of the most injury-prone. Last year alone, pickleball-related injuries accounted for over $500 million in medical claims, with many stemming from players wearing the wrong footwear. Most athletic shoes are designed for forward motion, not lateral stability, which leaves players vulnerable to rolled ankles, knee strain, and—most concerning—falls, the leading cause of serious injury in the sport. A single loss of balance can end a match, a season, or an athlete’s ability to stay active altogether.
The SQAIRZ XRZ™ was built to change that. Backed by independent clinical studies and validated by the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS), SQAIRZ shoes have been shown to improve balance by as much as 26.5%, outperforming leading brands in controlled testing.
This data-driven approach helped SQAIRZ earn two unique Medicare reimbursement codes, recognizing its design as both performance-enhancing and fall-risk-reducing. It’s a medical validation of what athletes have long felt — the right footwear changes everything.
What It Means for Athletes
For pickleball players, the Medicare approval underscores what pros like Zane Navratil, one of the world’s top-ranked players, already know: better balance means better performance. By stabilizing the foot, anchoring the heel, and allowing the toes to splay naturally, the XRZ™ enables athletes to plant, pivot, and drive through every shot with more power and less fatigue.
“When your toes are all squished in a shoe, you’re not getting as much surface area touching the ground,” said Navratil “Having the ability to have your toes move freely really helps your lateral movement and stability.”
What It Means for Everyone Else
Beyond the court, this approval signals something even bigger. The same technology that helps athletes move faster can help millions of people move safer. Individuals managing balance-related conditions, including diabetes, Parkinson’s, neuropathy, or general instability, can now request SQAIRZ shoes through their physician as part of a Medicare-approved reimbursement process.
Patients can visit their podiatrist or primary care provider and request coverage under the new SQAIRZ Medicare codes, which apply to the full cost of the shoe.
For the first time, footwear proven to improve balance and reduce fall risk is eligible as a preventative medical device, not just a piece of sports equipment.
The Science Behind the Stability
SQAIRZ footwear is built around a patented geometry that optimizes connection between the foot and the ground. Each component contributes to both performance and protection:
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Roomy Toe Box Geometry: Promotes natural toe splay, strengthening intrinsic foot muscles and enhancing sensory feedback.
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Heel and Arch Stabilizer: Prevents torsional twisting, improving postural control and joint alignment.
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Sta-Put™ Laces: Silicone-gripped laces keep tension locked for all-day comfort and reduced slippage.
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NRG-Foam™ Insole Technology: Delivers 14% higher energy return and 17% more cushioning than the leading aftermarket insole.
These elements work in tandem to create the world’s most balanced platform, helping players hit harder and individuals with balance challenges stand stronger.
Beyond Sport: A Healthcare Milestone
“With this new stamp of approval from Medicare, we have redefined what performance footwear can do,” said Bob Winskowicz, Founder & CEO of SQAIRZ. “We’ve spent years proving that better balance leads to better athletic performance. Now that same technology is being recognized for something even more powerful, helping people stay active, confident, and on their feet. It’s proof that innovation in sport can have a real-world impact far beyond the court.”
“SQAIRZ has already set a new standard in footwear design by prioritizing biomechanics and performance,” said Dr. Martin O’Malley, MD. “I’ve seen firsthand the advantages their shoes provide in stability, comfort, and injury prevention.”
The Medicare approval positions SQAIRZ at the intersection of athletic performance and healthcare innovation, bridging the gap between elite sport and everyday wellness. With billions spent annually on fall-related injuries in the U.S., the potential impact extends far beyond pickleball.
Clinically Backed. Athlete Approved.
While pickleball remains at the forefront of SQAIRZ’s success in 2025, the company’s growing list of accolades includes:
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Best Pickleball Shoe — Pickleheads
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Official Footwear Partner of Perfect Game
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Official Shoe of Diamond Allegiance
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Officially Licensed Footwear Partner of MLB Players, Inc.
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Official Baseball Shoe of Minor League Players Association
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Most Stable Golf Shoe — MyGolfSpy
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Best Performing Golf Shoe — Sports Illustrated
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Best Golf Shoe of 2025 — Golf News Net
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Reader’s Choice: Best Looking Spiked Golf Shoe — Golf Fanatics
From PGA Tour pros to professional pickleballers, SQAIRZ is trusted by athletes who rely on balance to perform, and by everyday players who rely on it to stay safe.
To learn more about Medicare reimbursement eligibility or to experience the same clinically proven stability trusted by top professionals, visit www.sqairz.com or shop the XRZ™ Pickleball Shoe today.
About SQAIRZ
SQAIRZ is a performance footwear brand built on ground force science and biomechanical innovation. With patented technology and independent clinical validation, SQAIRZ delivers measurable improvements in balance, stability, and power for athletes across baseball, golf, and pickleball. Learn more at www.sqairz.com.
Media Contact:
Savannah Smith
Senior Marketing Director
savannah@sqairzgolf.com
www.sqairz.com