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.
At a glance
Pickleball shoes:
Wilson Pickle Pro
Pickleball paddle
Joola Journey Pickleball Paddle
Pickleball ball:
Franklin Sports X-40 Pickleballs
For eye protection:
Onix Owl Glasses
For packing your gear:
Selkirk Coreline Pickleball Sling Bag
For showing off your style
Men’s Adidas Climacool 3-Stripes Shorts
Pickleball shoes
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
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.
Babolat Jet Mach 4
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.
Asics Solution Speed FF
Asics court-specific shoes make a good choice for beginners, suggests John Gallucci Jr, a physical therapist and author of Pickleball Pickleball Pickleball: Don’t Get Hurt!. He likes the FFs for their lighter, faster feel and strong mid-foot support, while I found their extra cushioning to be extremely comfortable.
ON The Roger Clubhouse Pro
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.
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Pickleball paddle
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
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.
Joola Journey Pickleball Paddle
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.
Friday Labs Original
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.
Selkirk Amped Control-S2
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.
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Pickleball balls
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
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.
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Eye protection
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.”
Onix Owl Glasses
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.
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.
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Pickleball bags
After you have all the essentials, you’ll probably want a stylish way to carry them.
Selkirk Coreline Pickleball Sling Bag
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.
Beis Sport Tote
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.
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Pickleball style
If you’re going to play pickleball, you may as well look good doing it.
Le Pickle Club J’adore Crewneck
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.
Erne + Ace 2-in-1 Snap & Play Dress
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.
Men’s Adidas Climacool 3-Stripes Shorts
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.
Selkirk Spring Owen Men’s Matty Pickleball Henley Shirt
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.
