Why we built the XRZ™ for players like him—and you.
George Egawa didn’t grow up playing pickleball. He didn’t find it in a training facility or through a private lesson. He found it the same way a lot of people do—by accident.
Back in 2017, George was riding his bike past a set of tennis courts in Fresno, California, when he noticed a banner advertising something new: pickleball. He stopped. Watched. And pretty soon, he picked up a paddle and jumped in.
He was 69 years old at the time.
Today, George is 76 and still one of the most consistent players on the court. He plays several times a week and organizes games with his own community group in Newport Beach called OC Pickleheads—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit club with nearly 400 members.
Their motto? “No jerks allowed.”
(We couldn’t love that more.)
George didn’t come into the sport with pro experience. He just has a love of movement and some muscle memory from high school tennis over 50 years ago. Like so many others, he found a second wind through pickleball, and even more importantly, a community.
“It’s a game you can learn fast,” George says, “and the people make it fun. That’s why I’ve stuck with it.”
Built for Real Players
George wore Adidas tennis shoes for a long time—because, like most players, that’s what was available. But recently he switched to the SQAIRZ XRZ™, a pickleball shoe actually built for how the sport is played.
He immediately noticed the difference.
“The roomier toe and the edges on the side stood out,” he said. “They felt really stable during games.”
He’s talking about our patented toe box that lets your toes spread naturally for better control and ground connection—and the four lateral outriggers that work like bike kickstands, giving you clean, stable stops right when you need them most
For George, that stability matters for performance, but more importantly for injury prevention. Pickleball is fun, but it’s still a fast-paced sport with real risk of ankle rolls, plantar fasciitis, and knee strain—especially for players who aren’t 25 anymore.
“I’ve shown them to a bunch of people,” George says. “Everyone’s impressed.”
The truth is, very few brands have built a shoe specifically for pickleball—and it shows. Most players end up using repurposed tennis or running shoes, even though the movement demands are completely different. Tennis is more about chasing and running. Pickleball is about short bursts, quick cuts, and staying low for those kitchen battles. It’s lateral, reactive, and unforgiving if you don’t have the right base under you.
The XRZ™ is built to combat those risks with a SmartTraction™ outsole, extra lateral support, and of course a roomier toe box that helps with balance, movement, and long-term joint health. How are you supposed to reach that kitchen shot if you’re slipping or disconnected from the ground?
This Isn’t a Pro Shoe. It’s a Player’s Shoe.
We didn’t build the XRZ for pros, influencers, or people chasing endorsement deals. We built it for real people—like George.
Players who love the game, love the community, and want a shoe that actually helps them keep going.
Whether you're 26 or 76, brand new or a seasoned tournament grinder, this shoe was made to protect your feet, support your movement, and let you focus on what matters: having fun and staying in it.
Want to see what George is talking about?
Try the XRZ™ today. If it’s your first pair, join our newsletter and get $10 off.