What do You Need to Play Pickleball?
Have you been able to learn how to play pickleball yet? If so I bet you love this fastest growing sport in America too! This paddle sport is accessible and easy to learn that requires minimal equipment to get started. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, having the right gear can enhance your experience on the court. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the basic and optional pickleball gear you need to play. (affiliate links present)
Pickleball Paddle
The paddle is your most essential piece of equipment. It’s used to strike the ball and comes in a variety of materials, shapes, and sizes. There is a big difference between them. As you improve your game it you will likely want to upgrade. What is a Good Pickleball Paddle? We talk about the differences here for beginners vs. experts so read up!
- Materials:
- Wood is very affordable and durable, but heavier. It is good for beginners or casual players but overall not recommended unless you just play recreationally and very seldom.
- Fiberglass / Composite is most common for middle of the road play and spend. It is made of a blend of materials (fiberglass, carbon fiber) for better control and power. I would buy this when you start playing, comes with 2 with a bag and balls.
- Graphite / Carbon Fiber is used by pros, more expensive but very lightweight. Made for high-performance games and players. It ideal for advanced players who want the ultimate control over where the ball goes.
Pickleball Balls
The game uses a perforated plastic ball, similar to a wiffle ball but designed specifically for this sport. There are a variety of qualities and you get what you pay for. I would highly suggest Selkirk pickle balls because they are USAPA approved, have a warranty and more sturdy than others.
- Indoor Balls are lighter and softer. Have fewer holes (26 holes) and are designed for smoother surfaces and less aggressive play.
- Outdoor Balls are heavier and harder with more holes (40 holes).
- Always carry extra balls. They can crack or wear out over time and use the correct one depending on the location.
- We have more information about What is the Difference Between Indoor and Outdoor Pickleball Balls here so you can see a photo of indoor and why it is important to use the right one.
Pickleball Nets
The net divides the court and is similar to a tennis net but shorter in height. You normally wouldn’t have a flat enough area to buy one yourself at your home, but some may. Dimensions are 34 inches high at the center and 36 inches at the sides. Portable Nets are ideal for setting up a temporary court in your driveway, park, or gym. Permanent Nets can be found on dedicated courts.
Pickleball Courts
A pickleball court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long, with a net dividing the middle. If you don’t have access to a dedicated court, you can adapt other surfaces. If you have an unused tennis court or badminton you could use tape to mark off the appropriate dimensions. Then play with portable nets.
Proper Footwear
Wearing the right shoes is crucial for comfort and safety. It took me a long time trying on many different pairs in a variety of brands. With each I always added insoles to find one that worked well for me. There are two options to consider, in both you want something with a flat bottom. You want them to fit snugly to your foot and a specific pickleball shoe insert is a MUST for most everyone.
- Court Shoes are designed for lateral movements with non-marking soles.
- Pros to these are they have added support on the sides as you move side to side frequently.
- Cons are that they are quite heavy and not flexible.
- Tennis shoes work well for some as long as the bottom has a flat sole (not overly curved for running) and nice grip to avoid sliding.
- Avoid Running Shoes as these are designed for forward motion and lack the support needed for quick side-to-side movements. Many times the toe is curved upward as well as the sole not being flat. Often times the heel is higher than the toe box area making it more difficult to balance. You will need this in movements necessary for this court sport.
Pickleball Bags
There are a ton to choose from in this regard. The size is the biggest aspect and I upgraded to a larger one as time went on and the more I played. I would recommend something like this size that holds your shoes so you only play with those on the court so they last longer. I can fit 2 paddles easily, has a pocket for balls, snacks area and my phone and keys are in a zipper area.
Comfortable Clothing
Wear clothing that allows you to move freely and stay cool. Moisture wicking tops, sports bras and socks are the most important things to wear so you stay dry and feet avoid getting blisters as there is quite a bit of sweat that is involved in an hour of play. For Warm Weather you may choose lightweight, breathable fabrics like moisture-wicking shirts and shorts. For Cooler Weather you’ll want layers that can be removed.
Do you really need glasses to play pickleball?
These optional items can enhance your game, some are suggested more than others like glasses. It may be obvious that sport sunglasses would be helpful when playing in the sun but inside it is a matter of protecting your eyes. The ball can move quite quickly and in the event that it hits your eyeball it won’t be pretty, you may even lose your sight. Because of this, many wear clear lenses in sport frames.
What are the best indoor pickleball glasses?
Things to consider when choosing a pair is that is NEEDS to have a fog resistant coating. You will be sweating and if there isn’t a coating AND some sort of venting you won’t be able to see. Secondly they need to fit snug and not slide at all when at play, that is obvious. Because of this it is hard to specify the best brand for all but these are specific to the sport and come with various lenses for indoor and outdoor play.
- Grip Tape: is a must because it provides better paddle grip and prevents slipping. Yes it will come with one on there when you buy any model but it is very thin and basic without a lot of grip to it.
- Sweatbands or Headbands help to keep sweat out of your eyes if that is an issue for you for your pickleball game when you exercise.
- Pickleball Bag is a convenient way to carry your paddle, balls, water bottle and other gear. I like one that holds 2 paddles so I have an extra, my shoes, knee brace, bottle and a space for snacks and my car keys/phone.
Start with the basics; a paddle, court or flat tennis shoes, proper wiffle ball, a court with a net is what you need for basics. Once you get going you can determine if you need any of the “extras” like court classes, moisture wicking socks (highly recommended), supportive braces or an upgraded paddle or bag.
Absolutely there is. If you are just beginning and learning the sport you should buy a lesser expensive model but I would not recommend wood which is heavy and doesn’t play with well. Instead there are inexpensive models from Selkirk or Franklin Sports made of composite that play with well. The highest end most expensive models are made of Graphite which is the best because it is the lightest, has the best control on the ball and hits much harder and further with less effort.
