You’re ready to become the newest pickleball player – scratch that, the next local pickleball celebrity! But not too fast. Before you start proving yourself in this proactive and thrilling sport, you should be aware of some essential accessories that every pickleball player needs.
Picking the right footwear and eyewear is just as important as selecting the right paddle and pickleballs. Your gear selection, regardless of your skill level, will greatly influence your gameplay. If you want it to enhance your performance and minimize the risk of injuries, here is the list of the top ten pickleball accessories that every player should have.
Pickleball Paddle
In pickleball, legs are your steed, strategy your armor, and a paddle your ultimate weapon. Investing in a high-quality paddle can go a long way in helping you hone your skills and fall in love with the sport.
Paddle Material First of all, consider the paddle material. The most common materials used in paddles are wood, graphite, fiberglass, and carbon fiber. Wood paddles are heavy and rigid, offering more power and less control. They are very affordable but may cause strains on your wrist over time. While fiberglass paddles offer more in the power department, graphite alternatives excel in control properties. If you’re after precision and consistency and are willing to put in the extra work to deliver a powerful shot, then carbon fiber would be the right choice.
Since all of this can be overwhelming, you can go for a composite, hybrid paddle consisting of different materials that deliver a balanced performance.
Weight Paddle weight plays a huge role in the long term and should depend on your personal preferences and physique. While heavier paddles offer more power, lighter alternatives come with better control and maneuverability.
Grip Size The paddle should feel comfortable in your hand. To avoid straining your hands, test different sizes ranging from 4” to 5” in circumference.
Pickleballs
Good thing you’re reading this or you might have gone to the court with a jar of homemade pickles! Unlike sour pickles that don’t bounce very well, pickleballs are designed for pickleball courts and come in indoor and outdoor variations. While outdoor balls are more durable with smaller holes, their indoor alternatives are softer and have larger holes.
Choose the right pickleballs depending on where you’ll be playing. Don’t be afraid to spend some extra bucks on a reputable brand to get the most durable and least noisy balls out there.
Proper Shoes
Pickleball shoes are designed for use on pickleball courts. If you’re looking for the perfect mix of support, traction, comfort, and stability, look for this sport-specific footwear.
Good shoes will have great arch support and ample cushioning. They will also be made of breathable materials to keep your feet well-ventilated and cool during gameplay. Keep in mind that you should always – absolutely always – try on your shoes before making the purchase no matter how promising they may look.
Pickleball Eyewear
To avoid eye injuries, you might want to wear protective goggles. Though not mandatory, they can help protect your eyes in case a stray ball or a flying paddle goes straight for your face. Anti-fog lenses are a must for maximum visibility.
Alternatively, if you’re playing outside under the sun, you might want to trade your goggles for sunglasses to have a better view of the court and everything that’s going on around you. Most pickleball players opt for wider frames to have a better view of the court.
Paddle Cover
Your eyes aren’t the only thing that you should protect. If you’ve invested in a high-quality paddle brand, you want to make sure you’ll be using the equipment for years to come.
A worthy cover will protect your paddle from scratches from the moment you’re done with your game to the moment you’re ready to take on a new opponent. Paddle covers are also highly customizable, so feel free to express yourself and your type of gameplay through the design.
Paddle Grip Tape
From time to time, you’ll have to replace the tape on your paddle to ensure a strong and comfortable grip. Feel free to experiment with different tape types and personalize your paddle according to your liking.
A loose grip tape can greatly hinder your performance or even cause the paddle to slip from your hand. Don’t underestimate the importance of replacing the tape often.
Pickleball Bag
You’ll need something spacious to keep your belongings in when you’re off-court. A pickleball bag or backpack is the perfect choice. Designed particularly for this sport, these bags let you accommodate your paddles, balls, water bottles, gloves, shoes, and other accessories like protective goggles.
As a rule of thumb, you should pick a bag with many compartments and make sure it’s big enough for all your belongings. If you’re not carrying a lot, a simple sling bag might do the trick.
Pickleball Gloves
Wearing pickleball gloves can help protect your hands from blisters and absorb sweat that would otherwise make your paddle handle slippery. In addition, the right gloves can also protect your skin if you’re playing in cold weather.
Keep in mind that though not mandatory, gloves can change your game by enhancing your grip and the control of the paddle.
Sweatbands
If you’re putting in your best effort, you’re going to sweat A LOT while playing pickleball. And when you sweat, your face gets uncomfortably wet. The best solution to this problem is wearing a set of sweatbands that will allow you to wipe off your sweat in a second and focus on powerful serves and rallies ending in your favor.
Have you ever seen a professional tennis player without a sweatband? Probably not, and that’s for a good reason. You may also consider wearing a headband if your hair likes to get wet and messy during the game.
Comfortable Clothing
Last but not least, you should wear comfortable sports clothes when playing pickleball. Breathable clothing is a must to avoid excess sweating. You should feel comfortable in whatever you wear and the clothing shouldn’t restrict your movements – including those big stretches.
Lightweight shirts, sports shorts, athletic skirts, and skorts are all viable options. If you’re unsure what to wear, go for tennis clothing since the two sports involve similar movements.