11 Best Pickleball Shirts to Buy for Spring Right Now

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IF YOU too are getting swept up in pickleball fever, you’re not alone. The sport dates back to 1965, so it’s nothing new. But, the sudden craze over it certainly is. Over the last two years, it’s taken North America by storm and it shows no signs of slowing down. When CBS is running primetime celebrity pickleball matches (complete with Kenny Loggins and Stephen Colbert), it’s safe to say the sport is here to stay.

Read more: Best Pickleball Paddles

Sure, to some it might still seem like a novelty sport, but it’s a sport nonetheless. And serious sports require serious equipment. That means good pickleball paddles, a good pickleball ball, the right pickleball shoes, and the right apparel. The best pickleball shirts, in particular, have a lot in common with the best high-performance workout shirts. Save the heavy, slow-drying cotton for your post-match relaxation session. For on-court play, you’ll want to shop instead for t-shirts or polos that are soft, lightweight, moisture-wicking, and affordable. Other great features include built-in sun protection and odor-fighting technology. And good looks don’t hurt because it doesn’t have to be all business on the court.

We’ll assume you already have decent paddles and the best pickleball ball. Ready to upgrade your pickleball apparel? We’re here to help. We shopped dozens of workout clothes from the top-selling performance-wear and athleisure brands on the market today. Read on for our carefully selected list of the best of the best pickleball shirts worth your money in 2023.

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Men's Dri-Fit Pickleball T-Shirt

Yes it's true. Nike is making pickleball apparel now. This stylish tee is made with the brand's iconic Dri-Fit technology and features a clean pickle-inspired graphic on the front. What's great is this tee is available in three colors (grey, white, and black) and it comes in a long-sleeve version too.

5 Pack Men’s Active Quick Dry Crew Neck T Shirts

Frequent players will churn through a lot of shirts, especially when the weather is warm enough to go out and play everyday. This five-pack of active poly/spandex blend tees has over 22,000 five-star reviews and comes in several different color and pattern combinations.

Read more: Best Workout Clothes on Amazon

Knit Twill Polo

Crafted from recycled materials and featuring 4-way stretch and moisture-wicking, the Knit Twill Polo Vuori is the perfect go-to for those who might be playing pickleball at their local country club or at a destination resort. Its a casual, elevated choice built to withstand sweat and warm weather.

Metal Vent Tech Sleeveless Shirt

If you're looking to show the biceps off on sunny days, then lululemon's Vent Tech tank is our favorite choice. It's breathable, moisture-wicking, stretchy, and high in comfort—all the characteristics of what we look for in a high performance pickleball shirt.

Read more: Best Tank Tops for Men

Performance Polo (Paint Drips)

Chubbie's Performance Polo is more widely known as a high-performance golf polo, but when we took a closer look at its build we found it plays just as well for pickleball. Its got a lose fit that allows for full range of motion, plus a level of stretch that's out of this world and anti-bacterial and moisture-wicking properties. And best of all is the fact the polo comes in a ton of full designs and patterns.

Read more: Best Golf Clubs for Beginners

Player's Seamless Crew

The Seamless Crew is one of Wilson's top performance tees for tennis, and we love how well it performs playing pickleball too. The shirt is cut with ventilation with high-sweat areas and is made with anti-odor properties, making for a breathable shirt you can play in for long periods of time. The shirt fits form to the body, yet allows for full range of motion while playing, making it a timeless cut that will have you looking your best on the court too.

Read more: Best Tennis Rackets

Men's Tech 2.0 Short-Sleeve T-Shirt

Like almost everything in Under Armour’s arsenal of performance wear, the Men’s Tech 2.0 Short-Sleeve T-Shirt is simple, straightforward, and built to move with you. The 100% polyester is buttery soft with a feel that’s more natural than most lesser synthetics. It’s incredibly quick-wicking too, so it actively lifts away sweat to keep you dry and comfortable, even during the hardest matches. A new fit (hence the “2.0”) makes for a fuller cut that’s a little looser and a lot more comfy.

With more than 80,000 mostly glowing reviews on Amazon, it’s clear there’s a lot to like about this pickleball-friendly shirt. At less than $25, it’s surprisingly well priced too (especially for Under Armour wear), which makes this an incredible buy.

AG Pickleball Club Classic Cotton Crew Tee Long Sleeve

American Giant's Pickleball Club collection is full of cozy garments that can be played in until the cows come home. This garment dyed shirt is made in America from high quality 100% cotton that's comfortable and durable. We like this shirt for breezy mornings and afternoons during spring and summer.

Read more: Best Long Sleeve T-Shirts

Men's Long Sleeve Cool Dri T-Shirt (2-pack)

For true p-ballers, every season is pickleball season. Just because winter is coming doesn’t mean you can’t suck it up and get out there. Hanes Sport’s simply named Long-Sleeve T-Shirt is purpose-built for long, cold-weather matches. Double-needle stitching in the neck, sleeves, and hem help this shirt keep its shape for years to come. The 100% polyester construction features proprietary Cool-DRI technology that wicks away moisture like a champ, so you’re not left out in the cold, soaked in sweat. With FreshIQ advanced odor-protection tech, this pickleball-friendly shirt fights odor-causing bacteria too, so you can stay fresh, match after match. Plus, the built-in UPF 50+ sun protection helps keep the harmful rays off you. We also dig that it’s available in a good variety of bold, court-friendly colors.

Regal Series Shirt - Men's

If you're signing up for tournaments and playing competitively, then you can go with a jersey-inspired pick from one of the major pickleball paddle makers. We like this new Selkirk release: it's made from a stretchy polyester and spandex blend and comes in a unique pattern. Best of all is the shirt is only $30.

Omni-Wick Drive Polo Shirt

Who says activewear can’t look good? Columbia Golf’s Omni-Wick Drive Polo was designed with hitting the links in mind. But, all the same great performance features make this one of the best pickleball shirts too. The 100% polyester construction makes this a staple top that’s lightweight, breezy, and quick-wicking when the going gets tough. With Omni-SHADE tech, it also boasts UPF 30 sun protection for long days on the course—er, court. The button-top closure adds a bit of formality to this one, while a self-fabric collar with sewn-in collar stays helps it keep its shape for years to come.

Some reviewers note that it runs small compared to other Columbia shirts, so we’d recommend sizing up. We like that the classic polo style and good variety of colors make this a more versatile choice than, say, a traditional T-shirt. This is one that wears seamlessly from the court to the cocktail lounge when you don’t want to waste time changing.

How to Find the Best Pickleball Shirt (for You)

Finding the best pickleball shirt is no different than finding the best workout or performance top. Ideally, you want something lightweight, quick-wicking, affordable, good-looking, and synthetic (because cotton is no bueno when sweat is involved). Here’s what to look for:

Material

Synthetics, usually polyester, are a near-perfect material for activewear. They tick all the boxes for a good performance fabric: lightweight, dries quickly, fends off odor, and is typically very affordable. The best polyester pickleball shirts are also buttery soft too.

Moisture-wicking

Moisture-wicking fabric is key, especially if you like your pickleball games intense, working up a serious sweat. Again, synthetic fabrics like polyester are best, but Merino wool works well too. Just stay away from cotton. Once it gets wet, it stays wet, sometimes for days. And no one likes playing a round of pickle in a sweat-soaked shirt.

Odor-resistance

Good moisture-wicking fabric is usually, though not always, odor-resistant too. If you pickleball hard, consider investing in a shirt that’s either naturally odor-fighting or one with a treatment that helps fend off stink. The last thing you want to force you to cut your marathon pickleball session short is because you can’t stand your own funk anymore.

Affordable

There are thousands of performance (and pickleball-friendly) shirts on the market these days. That makes for lots of competition and great prices too. So, you don’t have to spend a fortune to find a good pickleball shirt. You’ll find decent budget options (like those on our list above) for under $20, while more premium shirts, including long-sleeve shirts and polos might run closer to $70.

How We Selected the Best Pickleball Shirts

We researched and personally tested some of the top-selling pickleball shirts on the market, from budget brands like Hanes to premium apparel markers like Nike and Under Armour. These include a wide range of activewear tops all built for performance. The best shirts were soft, comfortable, lightweight, fast-drying, odor-fighting, and affordable to boot. We carefully selected only the best of the best pickleball shirts for 2023.

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