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How Long Do Pickleball Paddles Last? How To Take Care Of Them

Posted onJanuary 25, 2023January 25, 2023

Pickleball is a sport that has been growing in popularity over the last decade. It’s not too tricky to find pickleball games worldwide, and it doesn’t matter if you’re playing on a professional level or just for fun – as long as you have your pickleball paddle!

How long do pickleball paddles last? How can I take care of my paddle? How can I make sure that it lasts a really long time so that I don’t need to buy another one anytime soon? These are all questions we will answer in this article!

In This Post

  • First, let’s take a look at how long do pickleball paddles last?
  • How To Take Care Of Your Paddles?
    • Protecting Your Paddle From The Elements
    • Maintaining Your Paddle With A Cleaning Agent
  • What Causes The Lifespan Of A Pickleball Paddle To Decrease?
  • What Are The Best Practices to Prolong Pickleball Paddle’s Lifespan?
  • Conclusion

First, let’s take a look at how long do pickleball paddles last?

As with most things in life that are used often, the lifespan of your paddle depends on how well you care for it! If you maintain it by using the right protective gear when not playing (such as keeping it away from sun/rain), then your paddle may be able to last up to ten years or more.

But if you don’t use the appropriate protection while storing them away between matches or leaves them out in direct sunlight for prolonged periods without any cover – they can deteriorate much faster. You should take note that the quality of your paddle will also affect how long it lasts. I would say about two to five years for a good-quality pickleball paddle!

How To Take Care Of Your Paddles?

Pickleballs are great fun and can bring many hours of enjoyment over time – but you need to take care of them in order to make sure they last as long as possible. Fortunately, there’s no rocket science involved with caring for your favorite paddles: follow these simple rules, and you’ll be on track for success!

Take Care Of Your Pickleball Paddles

Protecting Your Paddle From The Elements

Ideally, when not playing, you want to keep your paddle in a case or bag. This will protect it from the environment and keep it free of dirt, which can damage the surface of the paddle and make you more prone to slipping off shots because there’s an uneven distribution of sweat on the grip.

Maintaining Your Paddle With A Cleaning Agent

Every so often, clean your pickleball paddles with an appropriate cleaning agent such as rubbing alcohol. Of course, you’ll want to remove any residue and give them that nice “new” feeling!

Remember: if not cleaned thoroughly, they WILL start to deteriorate – especially those made out of wood or composite materials (carbon fiber).

What Causes The Lifespan Of A Pickleball Paddle To Decrease?

Pickleball paddles can last a lifetime, but they do have some fatal flaws. Pickleballs are made from high-impact plastic designed for intense use and repetitive hits to create an exciting game experience.

This material breaks down over time with repeated abuse, causing it to lose its tensile strength and durability until your favorite paddle finally snaps into two pieces during some heated league play or practice session!

Pickleball’s distinctive design also has something else going against it: wear fatigue. The impact on this particular surface wears out at about 10% more quickly than other materials due to how fast the ball travels across it when hit by players’ racquets in the game.

Also Read: How heavy should my pickleball paddle be

What Are The Best Practices to Prolong Pickleball Paddle’s Lifespan?

Best Practices To Prolong Pickleball Paddle Lifespan

Pickleball is an exciting, fast-paced sport[1]. It’s so fun to play outdoors in the beautiful weather of spring and summer, but it can be damaging for your paddle! Follow my tips on how you can prolong its lifespan with some simple maintenance:

  1. Wash off any dirt or sand immediately after playing pickleball by using a soft cloth soaked in water. 
  2. Use mineral oil instead of vegetable oils which will break down faster over time 
  3. Store your paddle carefully when not being used – don’t let them get wet, or they might warp 
  4. Keep away from extreme temperature changes like hot sunlight 
  5. Lastly, invest in additional paddles that are harder than most others.
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Conclusion

Paddles are durable, but they do wear out. The more you play, the sooner your paddle will need to be replaced. If it’s a question of cost over time- how long does a pickleball paddle last? A good pickleball paddle should hold up for at least two years, depending on how much you use it and what type of paddles you buy. 

We hope this article has been helpful in answering any questions about Pickleball Paddle Durability. We will love to hear from you if there is anything else that interests or concerns you!

  • What are Legacy Singles and Doubles in Pickleball? (Beginners Guide)
  • Pickleball vs Paddle Tennis: What’s the Difference?
  • Is Pickleball Easier Than Tennis? A Comparison
  • Does Playing Ping Pong Prepare You for Pickleball?
  • Why Are Pickleball Paddles So Expensive? [Get The Best Deal]
  • How Can I Know Pickleball Paddle Is USAPA Approved?
  • Is Pickleball Dangerous For You? (In Detailed)
  • How Are Pickleball Ratings Determined? [Beginners Guide]
  • How to Find the Best Pickleball Courts Near Me?
  • What Is the Difference Between Indoor and Outdoor Pickleball Balls?
Avatar Of Kevin K. Shaw
Kevin K. Shaw

Kevin is a pickleball coach and former professional player. He’s been playing pickleball for over 10 years and has won multiple championships. He’s also the founder of PickleballSpots.com

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