The Best Pickleball Gear to Get Into the Game
By now you’re well aware of the fact that pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the country. The sport is growing so fast, there are four new pickleball facilities opening every day.
That's a good thing since legitimate turf wars have broken out at parks throughout the country as pickleballers and tennis players wrestle for court space. Police were actually called to settle a dispute at a public court in San Diego. In my own town, the city has had to establish set time zones for the disparate groups at public courts.
What gets lost in all of this discussion of growth and contention is how damn fun the sport of pickleball actually is to play. Imagine if tennis and ping pong had a baby, then that baby was raised by badminton. That’s pickleball.
Related: 21 Astonishing Tennis Shots That Should Have Been Impossible to Pull Off
You can take it seriously (there’s a professional pickleball association with a 25-stop tour) or you can keep it casual. One of my favorite bars in the world is a sports bar in Asheville, N.C., with two pickleball courts you can reserve for hour-long blocks of time. My wife and I go there for drinks and mixed doubles. It’s wonderful.
Much like the game itself, and the venues it’s played in, pickleball gear has evolved rapidly in recent years. Players used to be relegated to repurposing tennis gear, but now brands are designing equipment, apparel and accessories specifically for pickleball.
And there’s quality gear for everyone, whether you want to play once a month over beers or are angling for a spot on the pro tour. Here are our favorite pickleball picks, from the shoes on your feet to the ball you strike.
The Best Pickleball Gear of 2023
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Ready to take your game to the next level with a performance-enhancing paddle? Bread n Butter loaded Filth with a carbon-fiber face and injected foam around the edges and handle. The result is a paddle with unparalleled power and spin control, and a handle that reduces vibration.
[$165; bnbpickleball.com]
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Arguably the most important piece of equipment in the game is the paddle. Nettie's Ashbury paddle is built on a lightweight polymer honeycomb core with a 13mm thickness that'll make your shots pop (though it’s designed for players of all ages). An octagonal grip and 5-inch handle should elevate your backhand game and help drop dinks all day long.
[$80; playnettie.com]
Heading out to join some hardcore pickleballers for a match but don't have any pickleball gear? Simplify your purchase by picking up this set from Disco Country Club. You get two carbon-fiber paddles that boast a polymer honeycomb core and leather-wrapped handles in contrasting colors, a simple nylon carrying case that will fit most of the essentials, and three balls in a designated pouch. Game on!
[$115; discocountryclub.com]
Not all balls are created equal. Onix Pure 2 is built specifically for outdoor play, with a heavier build and smaller holes so the ball flies straight in the wind, but still offers that quintessential pickleball bounce. They’re durable too, proven to resist splitting, even at the hands of heavy hitters.
[$17; onixpickleball.com]
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Attach this accessory to the butt of your paddle and you can pick up balls off the court without bending over. Work smarter, not harder.
[$11; pckl.com]
This classic two-button polo looks good enough to wear around town, but is built with performance in mind, with a poly/spandex blend that’s stretchy, super-breathable, and moisture-wicking. The relaxed fit gives you more mobility when you’re working on the court, and an anti-microbial treatment helps battle stink.
[$64; drvxthreads.com]
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You might be inclined to start taking pickleball too seriously, but Chubbies won’t let you. The brand's Electric Slide Polo is bright, fun-loving and sure to turn heads on the court. Beneath all that flash is a performance-minded piece that’s loaded with stretch, thanks to the 12 percent spandex build. It's also moisture-wicking and boasts UPF 50+ protection.
[$59.50; chubbiesshorts.com]
Nothing fancy here—just a solid pair of shorts that's built from a breezy, interlocking poly fiber. The shorts have two front pockets for stashing extra balls and an 8-inch inseam that hits above your knee. There’s even a white colorway fit for Wimbledon.
[$30; fila.com]
Show your allegiance to your favorite pastime with an Oversized Vintage Varsity Pickleball Sweatshirt. The soft, oversize top has a cool ’70s retro logo and sporty red, black, and white accents that’ll make a statement on and off the court.
[$65; varsitypickle.com]
Golf apparel company d.Hudson has gotten into the pickleball game with its Mister P lids. The six-panel microfiber hats are light, breathable, and feature fun graphics under the curved brim.
[$32; dhudsongolfwear.com]
If John McEnroe played pickleball, he might wear these socks. The retro striped design belies a true performance sock that’s built to wick moisture in the worst heat.
[$14; recesspickleball.com]
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K-Swiss loaded its Supreme shoes with its best tech. Surge 7.0 is a lightweight cushioning system that offers max energy return for a super-bouncy feel, while Dragguard gives an extra layer of protection on the outsole toe and heel to protect your shoes against dragging. The result is a shoe built specifically for court performance.
[$120; kswiss.com]
Nike’s lightest hard court tennis shoe has a mesh upper to boost breathability, but that mesh is reinforced in key locations to give your foot stability. A couple of tennis-specific features to note include asymmetrical lacing that helps provide support during lateral movements and a herringbone outsole that’s tuned specifically for hard courts, giving you traction when you need it but still the ability to slide as well. Of course, the Zoom Air midsole is soft and bouncy.
[$120; nike.com]
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Maybe you don’t need a full duffel every time you play. JOOLA’s Essentials is a svelte sling bag with an expandable front pocket that has just enough room to carry a couple of paddles, balls, an extra layer, and water bottle. The hideaway hook makes it easy to hang on the fence at the court, too.
$25; joolausa.com]
Yeah, you could load up your old tennis bag, but this stylish canvas duck tote is made specifically for pickleball, with a dedicated outer section for your paddles along with pouches to store balls, a water bottle, and extra layers. The main compartment is big enough to store shoes while a zippered pocket can organize the necessities, like your wallet, sunglasses, and phone. You'll turn heads on the court with the section of retro colors offset by cotton twill piping and brass hardware.
[$195; tangerinepickleball.com]
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When you want to pack a bit more gear to a marathon mixed doubles match, tote along this OGIO backpack. The 22-liter pack is designed by pickleball players and made from 100 percent recycled polyester. It's got plenty of room for two paddles in dedicated pockets, a large main compartment for all of your other gear, a fleece-lined pocket to keep your sunnies scratch-free, and two stretchy mesh pockets on the outside for beverages. Other neat features include a big, slanted opening for easy access to your stuff and a hidden hook for hanging on a fence.
[$90; ogio.com]
You can find plenty of cheap, portable pickleball nets, but SwiftNet V2.1 is one of the lightest on the market, weighing just 14 pounds—half the heft of most other portable net systems. The key to those weight savings is the SwiftNet’s airplane-grade, carbon-fiber poles and unique half-circle support structure. Bonus: SwiftNet is made in America by a non-profit with a goal of keeping carbon fiber out of landfills.
[$370; swiftnet.pro]
