Pickleball courts have slowly but surely taken over every inch of the outdoors from backyards to community spaces. According to Google Trends, queries related to and including the term "pickleball" have increased nearly 5,000% in the past year. It's a hobby that everyone young and old has come to enjoy and doesn't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon — especially now that the warm weather has arrived.
Do you have an avid pickleball player in your life? Or do you want to play, but are unsure of how to start? Stephanie Mehmen, general manager of Pickle Palace — a combination restaurant and entertainment center with pickleball courts located inside — gave tips and advice on the best gear for every pickleball player, no matter your skill level.
From basic paddles to custom duffels, these picks are sure to help them (or you!) perfect their game.
Gear to shop | Apparel to shop | How we chose | Meet the experts
Pickleball gear
Prince for Target Recreational Pickleball Paddle
This stylish paddle is perfect for beginners who are still learning the ropes of the sport. It weighs in at just 9 ounces and the handle is designed to offer an easy and comfortable grip while playing.
Pickleball Paddles and Equipment Set
This all-in-one set is popular with beginners, according to Mehmen, who calls it an "easy and affordable" way to get started in the sport.
With four graphite paddles, six balls, replacement grips and a duffel bag to make transporting and storing them easy, you'll have everything you need to get a game going.
Friday Pickle Pickleball Paddle
"Advanced players tend to gravitate towards carbon/poly paddles that are designed to enhance power, spin, shock absorption and optimum performance," says Mehmen.
This paddle is made out of carbon fiber and is thermoformed (the process of plastic being melted to obtain a specific shape) to increase durability. Reviewers enjoy how affordable this quality paddle is, noting that they have "much better control" compared to other paddles they've used.
Rifle Paper Co. x Tangerine Pickleball Paddle
This paddle comes adorned with Rifle Paper Co.'s signature designs, helping it stand out on the court. Grip tape around the handle is meant to help to provide a more comfortable, blister-free hold, while the fiberglass surface with a built-in honeycomb core work in tandem to provide a better play each game.
Volée Paddle Cover
Storing your pickleball paddle has never been more stylish! While this cover is a bit of a splurge, it can be worn as a crossbody for convenient carrying to and from the court. Plus, it even has a zippered pocket on the outside to store essentials while you're playing.
Mark and Graham x Recess Pickleball Paddle
Mark and Graham recently collaborated with Recess Pickleball to create a line of paddles with preppy designs that are sure to stand out on the court.
Recess’s paddles are made with a foam rubber grip handle, making them easy and comfortable to hold. Plus, it comes with a cover to protect the base itself when not in use.
Ogio Pickleball Duffel
This duffel bag can hold up to four paddles, has a back pocket to store shoes and multiple compartments that make essentials easy-to-reach. It's available in five different colorways and it can even be customized!
Tangerine Hunter Classic Pickleball Bag
This bag has enough pockets to house all the bells and whistles necessary for a day spent on the courts and it can even be carried multiple ways.
Note: When it's time for a wash, the brand recommends hand-washing it with a washcloth and soap instead of putting it in the washing machine.
Pickleball apparel
Old Navy PowerSoft Square-Neck Athletic Dress
Associate editor Kamari Stewart never wore athletic dresses until she tried a similar style from Old Navy's PowerSoft collection for the first time last year. "When I put it on, I couldn't figure out why I hadn't worn one before," she says. "It has the perfect amount of coverage and stretch so its flattering on every body type and I wear it everywhere from the pickleball court to the airport."
It comes in five different colors and regular, tall and petite sizes XS-4X.
Stack Athletics Flowstate* Zip Tee
Mehmen encourages players to wear what's most comfortable for them when playing pickleball. Stack Athletics is a pickleball apparel company that designs clothes with on-court activity in mind. This quarter-zip T-shirt promises breathable, moisture-wicking fabric and side vents to keep you cool during every play.
Sperry Sandy Leather Sneaker
Mehmen says comfortable court shoes or tennis shoes are ideal for safety reasons and these leather sneakers are perfect for wearing before and after your match. They’ll elevate any athleisure look and are made with a proprietary Wave-Siping technology that’s designed to help you remain solid in your step on both wet and dry ground.
Rhoback Dill Ball Performance Polo
A fun take on the name of the sport lies in the pattern of this polo that features a "stay-in-place" collar designed to stay out of the way during play.
Made with a polyester and spandex blend, this polo promises to be moisture-wicking and even includes UPF 50 protection, keeping you covered on even the hottest days.
Radmor Olivia Sleeveless Top
This sleeveless top is made with a stretchy cotton and elastane blend that allows you to move comfortably and with ease when playing. It comes in four different colorways and pairs perfectly with your favorite shorts or skort.
I recently tried this tank and can attest to its breathability. Plus, its structure and shape held up nicely after washing, so you can wear it confidently time and time again.
Adidas Court Pickleball Shoes
Designed for a more comfortable play, Adidas made these shoes with pickleball players in mind. They boast a midsole that helps cushion the bottom of your feet with each step and a partial rubber exterior that grips the ground to provide traction.
Nike Zoom Challenge Pickleball Shoes
"My mother-in-law is an avid pickleball player, so my husband and I bought her these pickleball shoes for her birthday in March," says senior partnerships editor Francesca Cocchi Zabloudil. "Considering how often she plays, she’s excited to have a pair of sneakers specifically designed for the sport."
These shoes feature padding at the heel and ankle to prevent blisters when playing, as well as extra rubber in certain spots (like around the toes) to assist with durability.
Spanx BootyBoost Zip Front Dress
This exercise dress will take you from the pickleball court to drinks with the girls, according to editor Amanda Fama. Made with built-in shorts, this dress is easy to style from day to night.
"I have it in a size medium, and it’s just snug enough without being too tight," she says. "It feels supportive (yet chic), and the inner shorts don’t ride up while you’re moving."
Babolat Men’s Propulse Fury 3 Shoes
Associate editor Lauren Witonsky’s dad called these sneakers “durable and supportive” after wearing them for over eight months. An avid and devoted pickleball player, he warns that there is a break-in period, saying it took about a week or so for them to start getting comfortable.
How we chose
Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. The products in this article are chosen based on editor recommendations and expert guidance to make shopping easier for our readers.
Meet the experts
- Stephanie Mehmen is the general manager of Pickle Palace, an indoor/outdoor restaurant with recreational pickleball courts in downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
- Sara Brady and Ashley Cornil are co-founders of Le Pickle Club, a pickleball-inspired athleisure brand that aims to create products that can be worn both on and off the court.
