Maybe it was the contrarian in me, or maybe just the tennis player, but I must confess that I spent years dissing pickleball during its meteoric rise. When I finally decided to give up my grinching and try the sport I had derided as “mini tennis”, I discovered what I’d been missing.
Learning how to play was fun, simple and affordable. I began my journey with a beginner class at Court 16, a New York-based indoor tennis and pickleball club where I started working with coach Dylan DeBiase, assistant director of tennis.
“Pickleball is simply a great way to explore a thriving and growing community of all ages,” DeBiase told me. “It’s an awesome way to meet people and engage in healthy activity.”
While pickleball doesn’t require much gear, the right equipment can not only improve your game, it can prevent injuries and keep you coming back. I consulted DeBiase and a few other professionals for their suggestions on the basic gear that beginner players need to join the party. Here are their recommendations, along with some personal favorites.
Gottfried suggests looking for a wide-body, square-shaped paddle, a shape he says “gives you a larger sweet spot and more forgiveness, which is great for newer players”. This Joola paddle fits the bill and is priced right for the beginner. I not only felt comfortable wielding it, but noticed the added power from its fiberglass design.
You can get these fluorescent yellow, regulation-size balls in packs of three, six, 12, 36, 50, 100 or even 400. And if you’re feeling fancy, you can even nab them in pink, red or orange.
Scott Heller, a pro pickleball player and instructor, likes this affordable pickleball shoe from Wilson that doesn’t take long to break in. “It feels tight when first putting on, but after an initial three- to four-hour session, it’s comfortable enough to wear in the future,” Heller says. He also praises the exceptional toe box, which he says both protects the toes and gives them plenty of space to breathe.
Gallucci Jr recommends wearing protective eyewear meeting ASTM F803 impact standards, because regular glasses or even sunglasses will not offer the same protection. These low-cost Onix glasses meet the spec, while also being lightweight, offering UV sun protection for outdoor play, and coming in three different lens colors.
For the minimalist, this compact crossbody bag holds a paddle, a ball and a water bottle, plus a front zippered pocket with a secure pouch for wallet and keys.
My husband and two sons are all huge fans of these comfortable shorts from Adidas. Fast-drying Climacool material keeps sweat at bay, and a tad bit extra fabric in the crotch makes them extra flexible for those heavy-duty rallies in the kitchen. Plus, they’re stylish and made from 100% recycled polyester.
The very best pickleball gear at a glance
Joola Journey Pickleball Paddle
Read more
$29.99
Franklin Sports X-40 Pickleballs
Read more
$26.99
Wilson Pickle Pro
Read more
$73.50
Onix Owl Glasses
Read more
$34.99
Selkirk Core Line Pickleball Sling Bag
Read more
$39.99
Men’s Adidas Climacool 3-Stripes Shorts
Read more
$19
All the best pickleball gear for beginners
Pickleball paddle
Photograph: Stefania Pelfini la Waziya/Getty Images
It should be no surprise that the right paddle is the next priority on our experts’ list. “When choosing a paddle, prioritize a weight and grip size that feels comfortable and doesn’t require excessive force to control, especially if you’re a beginner or prone to arm injuries,” says Gallucci Jr. “I recommend trying several paddles with different weights and grip sizes, paying close attention to how your arm feels during and after play.”
Franklin Sports Aluminum Jet Pickleball Set
Franklin Sports
Aluminum Jet Pickleball Set
from $19.99
Photograph: Courtesy of Dick’s Sporting Goods
There’s no need to spend a fortune on a paddle – especially as a beginner – according to Kyle Hermetz, a pro player for the York Yetis in the Canadian National Pickleball League. He suggests browsing Franklin Sports for an affordable option like this starter bundle, which comes with two lightweight paddles and two outdoor pickleball balls for just under $50. I left this set at my friend’s apartment because her building has an indoor pickleball court, and it’s the perfect way to meet her for a sneaky midweek lunch match.
Franklin Sports
Aluminum Jet Pickleball Set
from $19.99
Joola Journey Pickleball Paddle
Joola
Journey Pickleball Paddle
from $29.99
Photograph: Courtesy of Joola
Gottfried suggests looking for a wide-body, square-shaped paddle, a shape he says “gives you a larger sweet spot and more forgiveness, which is great for newer players”. This Joola paddle fits the bill and is priced right for the beginner. I not only felt comfortable wielding it, but noticed the added power from its fiberglass design.
Joola
Journey Pickleball Paddle
from $29.99
Friday Labs Original
Friday
Original
$69
Photograph: Courtesy of Dick’s Sporting Goods
Don’t look for this one in the pro shop. “This paddle has a cult following and can only be purchased direct and online,” Heller says, “but the price point is well below the higher-end more recognized brands.” Personally, the giant sweet spot helped me volley more easily as I learned the short game.
Friday
Original
$69
Selkirk Amped Control-S2
Selkirk
Amped Control-S2
from $99.99
Photograph: Courtesy of Selkirk
For a few extra bucks, you can upgrade to this Control paddle, and from my time on the court with it, I can assure you that the name says it all. Selkirk claims to have pioneered this technology in 2017 with the original Amped paddle, but this newer version was created to impart more spin. “It has a large sweet spot, excellent control and is arm-friendly,” Gallucci Jr says.
Selkirk
Amped Control-S2
from $99.99
Pickleball balls
Photograph: Glen Edwards/Getty Images
Luckily, there’s not much discussion on which balls to use. “The ball of choice is the Franklin Sports X-40,” Heller says. “It is the official outdoor play ball and is used in the US Open of Pickleball.”
Franklin Sports X-40 Pickleballs
Franklin Sports
X-40 Pickleballs
from $26.99
Pickleball shoes
Photograph: Anastasiia Krivenok/Getty Images
Though it may not be the first thing you think about, nearly every expert I spoke with put the right footwear at the top of their list for beginners. “Movement is everything in pickleball. Running shoes are built for straight-line movement. Pickleball is lateral, quick and reactive,” says Daniel Gottfried, a Canadian National Pickleball League Champion, coach, and co-founder of Ontario Pickleball Academy (OPA). “Court shoes are designed for side-to-side support and stability.”
Wilson Pickle Pro
Wilson
Pickle Pro
from $73.50
Photograph: Courtesy of Wilson
Scott Heller, a pro pickleball player and instructor, likes this affordable pickleball shoe from Wilson that doesn’t take long to break in. “It feels tight when first putting on, but after an initial three- to four-hour session, it’s comfortable enough to wear in the future,” Heller says. He also praises the exceptional toe box, which he says both protects the toes and gives them plenty of space to breathe.
Wilson
Pickle Pro
from $73.50
Babolat Jet Mach 4
Babolat
Jet Mach 4
from $54.95
Photograph: Courtesy of Midwest Raquet Sports
Both DeBiase and Heller are fans of these shoes from Babolat, the iconic French tennis brand that has made a splash in pickleball. “They’ve become an industry leader in that space with former world No 1 Ben Johns using their footwear,” says DeBiase. I like them because they use a patented, supportive material to help keep my ankles from turning during play, while still feeling light on my feet.
Babolat
Jet Mach 4
from $54.95
Asics Solution Speed FF
Asics
Solution Speed FF
from $139.50
ON The Roger Clubhouse Pro
ON
The Roger Clubhouse Pro
from $120
Photograph: Courtesy of Zappos
I wear a lot of ON footwear, so I was thrilled to add these good-looking pickleball shoes to my list. I especially like that they were crafted to adapt to any racket sport, with an outsole that works just as well for tennis or even padel. And, though anyone who has worn ON sneakers can speak to how comfy the brand’s Cloudtech cushioning can be, it felt even better on the pickleball court.
ON
The Roger Clubhouse Pro
from $120
Glasses for eye protection
Photograph: Courtesy of Onix Pickleball
Don’t sleep on protecting your eyes during play. “You are only 14 ft away from players hitting a hard ball,” says Gottfried. “Deflections happen. Sometimes it even comes off your partner’s paddle. Solid eye protection is smart at every level.”
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Onix Owl Glasses
Onix
Owl Glasses
from $34.99
Photograph: Courtesy of Onix Pickleball
Gallucci Jr recommends wearing protective eyewear meeting ASTM F803 impact standards, because regular glasses or even sunglasses will not offer the same protection. These low-cost Onix glasses meet the spec, while also being lightweight, offering UV sun protection for outdoor play, and coming in three different lens colors.
Onix
Owl Glasses
from $34.99
Kitchen Blockers
Kitchen Blockers
$79.95
Photograph: Courtesy of Kitchen Blockers
If you struggle with fog, sweat and glare from traditional safety glasses, Gottfried suggests this clever lens-free design that derives protection from a beefy frame that has been impacted tested to 60mph. “Players can focus on the game without visual obstruction,” he says.
Kitchen Blockers
$79.95
Pickleball bags
Photograph: Oleh_Slobodeniuk/Getty Images
After you have all the essentials, you’ll probably want a stylish way to carry them.
Selkirk Core Line Pickleball Sling Bag
Selkirk
Core Line Pickleball Sling Bag
from $39.99
Photograph: Courtesy of Selkirk
For the minimalist, this compact crossbody bag holds a paddle, a ball and a water bottle, plus a front zippered pocket with a secure pouch for wallet and keys.
Selkirk
Core Line Pickleball Sling Bag
from $39.99
Beis Sport Tote
Beis
Sport Tote
from $88
Photograph: Courtesy of Beis
Pickleball gear is small enough not to require a specialized bag, so I wanted something versatile that could double as a gym bag and a carryon in a pinch. This nylon tote from viral travel darling Beis does the trick. It easily holds pickleball paddles, shoes, balls and eyewear, but I can also throw in my laptop, a water bottle and even a light change of clothes. It comes in three colors, including my fave – the bright yellow Limone.
Beis
Sport Tote
from $88
What to wear to play pickleball
Photograph: Courtesy of Erne + Ace
If you’re going to play pickleball, you may as well look good doing it.
Le Pickle Club J’adore Mockneck
Le Pickle Club
J’adore Mockneck
$68
Photograph: Courtesy of Le Pickle Club
I love that this stylish, so-soft crewneck sweatshirt from Le Pickle Club goes from court to coffee (or even cocktails). I was drawn to the red, though it comes in a more subtle grey as well.
Le Pickle Club
J’adore Mockneck
$68
Erne + Ace 2-in-1 Snap & Play Dress
Erne + Ace
2-in-1 Snap & Play Dress
$187.50
Photograph: Courtesy of Erne + Ace
Compared with the rigidity of booking tennis courts, one of the best parts about playing pickleball is that you can show up at one of the many outdoor courts and play whenever you’d like. When the weather gets warmer, I dig this ingenious two-fer outfit I can easily throw on for a quick game at the courts near my apartment. Yes, it’s a shorts romper I can wear to the gym or to run chores, but I can snap on the wrap skirt when I’m ready to grab my paddle.
Erne + Ace
2-in-1 Snap & Play Dress
$187.50
Men’s Adidas Climacool 3-Stripes Shorts
Adidas
Men’s Adidas Climacool 3-Stripes Shorts
from $19
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
My husband and two sons are all huge fans of these comfortable shorts from Adidas. Fast-drying Climacool material keeps sweat at bay, and a tad bit extra fabric in the crotch makes them extra flexible for those heavy-duty rallies in the kitchen. Plus, they’re stylish and made from 100% recycled polyester.
Adidas
Men’s Adidas Climacool 3-Stripes Shorts
from $19
Selkirk Spring Owen Men’s Rafa Long-Sleeve Pickleball Shirt
Selkirk
Spring Owen Men’s Rafa Long-Sleeve Pickleball Shirt
$18
Photograph: Courtesy of Selkirk
Selkirk knows pickleball, and this extremely soft, long-sleeved Henley looks good on and off the court. A spandex-polyester blend dries quickly after a sweaty match or one in the rain and provides UPF50 protection for sunny days.
Selkirk
Spring Owen Men’s Rafa Long-Sleeve Pickleball Shirt
$18
Everything else you should know about pickleball
Photograph: LPETTET/Getty Images
What is pickleball?
Pickleball is a popular racket sport that mixes tennis, badminton and table tennis. As you’ve seen above, it requires simple equipment: a hard paddle and plastic ball. It is played on a 44ft long court (roughly half the size of a standard tennis court).
How do you play pickleball?
Originating in the 1960s, the game has unique rules compared to other racket sports. Unlike tennis, pickleball players can only serve underhand. The court is also about half the size of a standard tennis court, decreasing the distance you have to travel to return a shot. To increase rally time, players must adhere to the double bounce rule when returning a serve. The scoring system is also different, as pickleball games are played to 11 points, whereas tennis games are played to four points, although you must win by two points in both games.
Does pickleball count as a workout?
Yes! Pickleball is an aerobic exercise that can improve your balance, flexibility and strength.
Lauren Gould contributed additional research
Source note
First published by The Guardian Sport
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Read the original at The Guardian Sport
