Testing the R4LLy Pickleball Shoe with a JOOLA Legend
Eric White, or E-White to those who know him, is as important to the JOOLA story as anyone. He's the guy who connected Richard Lee with Ben Johns, and we all know how that story goes. More importantly, Eric White is an ambassador for the JOOLA brand, on the front lines teaching aspiring pros and athletes transitioning from other sports.
His legend is epic, "And on top of that, he was wearing Crocs. Crocs with socks on, not even tennis shoes. And he was all over the court like a maniac," said MLB legend Tino Martinez.
There’s no JOOLA without E-White, and there’s no R4LLy pickleball shoe without the hours of testing and feedback from pros like Eric White. True to form, Eric put these shoes through the ringer. Check out the images below as they tell the story of the R4LLy shoe design.
*Scroll through the images below and see all the damage E-White can do when testing a shoe.
E-White: “My playing style is very low, I’m constantly dragging the insides of the soles. If the shoe isn’t built well, it breaks down quickly. This is a demanding style, and these shoes hold up. We wanted to build a shoe for everyone, whether you play low like me or not. It needs to be durable and comfortable across all play styles.”
E-White: “We’ve been through probably between 10 and 15 different prototypes, and this is how they ended up. They are wonderful. It took a while, though. We got the comfort part right first, then we had to figure out how to make them hold up. Once we figured out the outsole and how to reinforce the toe area, they became a gem. I’m passionate about the shoes now. They’re unbelievably comfortable and super light.”
JB: What was this journey like for you?
E-White: “The journey with these shoes has been two years of blowing holes through them. The old ones, the inner toes, the outer soles, everything, we were blowing them out. Some only lasted four hours, some lasted eight hours, maybe a couple of good sessions, and then holes would develop. With the help of two former Nike employees (Gjermund Haugbro, Senior Director of Engineering; Eric Lonsway, JOOLA’s head of footwear product), we finally came up with something special. Every change led to something else, different materials in the toe, soles being too thin, it was a process. They even tried an extremely light material at one point, but that one got scrapped quickly. I was ripping through those in six to eight hours."
JB: How did you communicate back to the design team?
E-White: "There was constant feedback, testing, Zoom calls, and adjustments. It took hundreds of hours to get it right. But with that experience, we built something really special. All that testing led to what we have now, a true pickleball shoe for serious and recreational players alike.”
“I’ve put a lot of time into pickleball and into these shoes. I wasn’t afraid to give honest feedback. Getting to this final product is something special.”
JB: Some people may say, "Tennis shoe vs. Pickleball shoe," what difference does it make?
E-White: “Before a true pickleball shoe like the R4LLy came along, tennis shoes were the only option. They held up for a while but lacked the right reinforcements or were too heavy. Reinforcements were often too low, so you’d rip the inside of the shoe easily, especially in the upper materials. We figured out the proper weight and durability balance. Tennis shoes are heavier and bulkier because of the way the sport is played, especially with toe drag during serves and movement. That requires heavier reinforcement, which adds weight.”
JB: What about other companies who claim to have made a pickleball shoe?
E-White: Most other shoes felt clunky and flat. This one is built for comfort and movement. Under your foot, especially in the arch, it feels great. There’s nothing but comfort and elite movement, especially around the kitchen. JOOLA really put in the time, I’ve been testing these for two years. If your shoes are comfortable, you’re not thinking about them. They’re light, durable, and one less thing to worry about on the court.”
JB: You play an integral part in the JOOLA pickleball story, for those who may not know, you were the connection point between Richard and Ben. How has Ben Johns put his stamp on the R4LLy design?
E-White: “Ben Johns has been an integral part of the process, too. His movement is different, smoother, and more efficient than my play style, and he values the feel in a shoe. If the number one player in the world trusts these shoes, you should trust them too.”
JB: If someone is on the fence about whether or not to buy the shoes? What would he tell them?
E-White: "I would tell them to not just trust my words, trust that the top pros in the world are wearing and loving them!"
JB: One more thing, beyond just testing the shoes on court, did you try them anywhere else?
E-White: "Funny enough, I ran a half-marathon with my daughter in one of the prototypes!"
If that's not dedication, then I don't know what is.
SHOP THE R4LLy
For more on the R4LLy, check out the helpful links below:
JOOLA Unveils R4LLy Core Collection, Its Most Inclusive Pickleball Shoe Release
JOOLA Expands R4LLy Shoe Collection Featuring Women’s Debut
JOOLA Launches the Sports First Ever Top-Down Pickleball Shoe
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