What to Wear To Play Pickleball? (Tips By Pickleball Experts)

Pickleball is a sport that people of all ages can enjoy, and one of the most important aspects of playing it well is having the right clothing! 

We’ve compiled 11 tips for what to wear while playing pickleball, as well as some helpful information about selecting appropriate gear. Read on to find out more!

What To Look For In Pickleball Clothing?

If you’re relatively new to pickleball, it’s important that your clothing allows you to move with ease. This means wearing lightweight shoes and breathable fabric like cotton or linen.

Cotton is a natural fiber, which makes it perfect for those who sweat easily. It also has the ability to absorb moisture and dry quickly. This allows you to play longer without having to worry about your clothes becoming drenched in perspiration!

Lighter colors are ideal as well since they allow you to stay cooler during gameplay. Additionally, when looking at a pickleball shirt, pay particular attention to the sleeve length. Shirts with long sleeves tend to be more comfortable for those who live in cooler climates!

What To Wear During Different Seasons?

It’s important to use your best judgment when dressing for pickleball during different seasons. This is because the game can be quite physically demanding, and you want to make sure that nothing interferes with your performance!

Spring and fall are great seasons to play pickleball! You’ll be able to dress for comfort without overheating or shivering. Keep in mind that this is the time of year when Mother Nature can throw a curveball, so it’s important to always have an extra layer of clothing on hand just in case your first one gets wet!

Wintertime pickleball is the most challenging. The temperature outside will dictate what you wear, but it’s important to be as comfortable as possible. 

If you’re playing indoors, dress in layers and make sure that your shoes are appropriate for indoor use! When playing outdoors, you should wear long pants and a jacket to stay warm.

If you’re participating in pickleball during the summertime, it’s important that your shoes are lightweight and breathable! Avoid wearing anything made of leather or wool since they’ll hold onto heat which will make you sweat more.

What Not To Wear When Picking Up Pickleball?

It’s important to remember that while playing pickleball, you’re still dressing for the weather! As a result, it’s never advisable to wear heavy clothing or boots. Doing so will make your feet hot and uncomfortable which can have negative effects on your performance in-game. Additionally, items like rings should be removed before playing in order to avoid an injury.

What to Wear To Play Pickleball?

Pickleball is a fun sport for people of all ages, and one of the most important aspects of playing it well is having the right clothing!

Men’s Pickleball Clothing:

Now here are the essentials every man should have in his pickleball wardrobe. All you need is a shoe, shorts and shirt combo that will keep up with your game day schedule!

Men’s Tops:

We recommend a light, comfortable shirt made of natural fibers like cotton or linen. Cotton is great for pickleball because it’s breathable and absorbs moisture while drying quickly. Since the game can be quite physical, you want to make sure that nothing interferes with your performance! Look for long sleeves that are ideally lightweight. If you’re planning on playing in colder weather, choose a shirt with long sleeves to stay warm!

Tops to avoid:

Avoid wearing anything made of leather or wool since they’ll hold onto heat which will make you sweat more. Heavy T-shirts and button-ups can also be problematic if they’re not breathable. You want to dress comfortably, but that doesn’t have to mean wearing a bunch of layers!

Men’s Bottom:

Most men’s pickleball pants are made from lightweight materials like nylon, polyester or spandex. The key with these pants is to wear something that fits you well and provides traction in your movements. Most importantly, make sure you can move freely in them!

Trousers to avoid:

Cargo pants and joggers are comfortable but not great for pickleball because they’re made of heavy materials that don’t dry quickly. Jeans should never be worn during pickleball since they’ll absorb too much sweat which can make you feel hot and uncomfortable.

Men’s Shoes:

We recommend wearing a tennis-style shoe with a non-marking sole. This is because you’ll likely be playing on different flooring types throughout the day which will affect your level of traction! It’s important that you find shoes that are comfortable, give you enough support for lateral movements, and provide enough traction for quick changes in pace.

Shoes to avoid:

Avoid wearing anything that doesn’t have the right amount of support since you’ll be playing for extended periods of time. High-tops are great because they’re supportive but low-tops give you more range of motion which is what you need in pickleball.

Women’s Pickleball Clothing:

Since the sport is played in such a casual environment, women can really get away with wearing anything they feel comfortable in! However, there are some items that you might want to consider when dressing for pickleball games.

Women’s Tops:

We recommend wearing a lightweight cotton or linen shirt with a collar. The collar will give you some extra style points while helping to hold in your body heat. Long sleeves are ideal for keeping cool especially when paired with sunscreen!

Tops to avoid:

Try to stay away from heavier fabrics like wool since they’ll make you hot and sweaty which can be uncomfortable throughout the day. Additionally, you’ll want to avoid anything with a hood since it can obstruct your vision.

Women’s Bottoms:

Again, pickleball pants are typically made of lightweight materials so they’re ideal for the sport. Since the game is very physical, choose bottoms that fit well and have enough stretch to keep up with your movements. We recommend wearing pants with pockets to hold your belongings!

Trousers to avoid:

Avoid wearing anything that’s too tight or shorts since they won’t give you enough support. High-quality cotton is the best material for pickleball bottoms since it has a bit of stretch and dries quickly. Since you’ll be moving around a lot, high-quality cotton is the best option for bottoms.

Women’s Shoes:

Just like men, you’ll want tennis shoes with an appropriate sole to grip onto different surfaces. We recommend wearing a non-marking and lightweight material for your soles (and uppers). Since pickleball is such an active sport, make sure you choose shoes that are comfortable, supportive, and have enough traction for quick starts and stops.

Shoes to avoid:

Avoid wearing anything with a slick sole since it won’t provide the right amount of grip. Additionally, steer clear of high-tops since they can limit your range of motion!

Other Pickleball Accessories:

A typical pickleball accessory list is relatively short since the sport doesn’t require many assets to play. That being said, some extras can make your time on the court more comfortable and enjoyable!

Essential Pickleball Accessories:

Sunscreen 

Even if it’s cloudy or you’re playing at night, it’s important to wear sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

Water Bottle

Stay hydrated before, during, and after a pickleball game by bringing a water bottle with you. There are even some models that come with a built-in ice compartment to keep your drink chilled! Ball Cart – If you play at a field or club that provides a ball cart, take advantage of it! If not, you can purchase one to keep near or on the court since it’s ideal for transporting up to 135 balls which is a lot.

Pickleball Towel

Bring a towel with you on the court so you can wipe your face and neck during breaks between games. This helps cool you down and keep you looking fresh!

Pickleball Clothing Accessories:

Sun Visor or cap

Covering your face can prevent sunburns which is important since it’s difficult to play pickleball with a red, painful head. Wearing a visor or cap will also shield your eyes from harmful UV rays while keeping the sweat out of your face!

Pickleball Socks

You should always wear socks when playing pickleball. Not only does it help keep the net clean, but thick cotton will absorb sweat and keep you dry throughout your game.

Paddle Grips

Your palms might start to sweat or feel uncomfortable after several hours of play so slip on a pair of grips to increase your comfort. Not only will they help improve your grip on the handle, but they’ll also help prevent blisters/calluses!

Pickleball Bags

Transporting your gear is often a bulky and cumbersome task which is why pickleball bags are great for making things easier. You can even find special backpacks that are designed for carrying up to 6 paddles which is ideal if you’re traveling with a team.

Pickleball Accessories for Comfort:

Pickleballs

There are 2 types of pickleball, one’s for indoor play while the other is slightly heavier and meant for outdoor play. Some balls have different colors on each side so you can keep track of the game by simply looking at where it lands on the ground.

Paddles

You’ll always want to use a pickleball paddle whenever you play pickleball. Be sure to grab one with a nice grip so your palms don’t get sweaty! A lightweight racket will help improve your speed, speed, and response time.

Pickleball Nets

The net is the most important part of any pickleball court so it’s important to find one that matches your experience level, size of the court, and personal preference.

Paddle Covers

Make sure you protect your paddles by draping paddle covers over the handles every time they’re not in use. This will prevent them from becoming warped and can even extend their lifetime.

In conclusion:

Pickleball is a fun sport that’s easy to learn and perfect for all ages! Whether you’re looking to take up a new hobby or casually play pickleball with friends, the above accessories are essential for making your experience more enjoyable.

Just remember to wear sunscreen, bring water with you, wipe the sweat off your face between games, and always wear socks! Don’t forget that you’ll also need a paddle, balls, net, and some kind of bag to carry everything in.

Finally, the sport doesn’t require many assets to play. That being said, some extras can make your time on the court more comfortable and enjoyable!