Pickleball has come a long way since it was invented in 1965. Before becoming a mainstream sport, pickleball was played with a hodgepodge of athletic equipment: Wiffle balls, badminton nets, and makeshift plywood paddles.

Today, however, pickleball has evolved to a whole new level. With dedicated courts and organized leagues, pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. But it can be difficult to stay competitive without the proper equipment.

Even though pickleball requires minimal equipment, choosing the right paddle, balls, and gear can be confusing—especially if you’re new to the sport. But don’t worry. We put together this comprehensive guide to pickleball equipment so you can know exactly what you need to make the most of your experience.

Choosing Your Pickleball Paddle

Pickleball paddles were originally improvised out of plywood, but modern paddles are much lighter, sturdier, and easier to play with. A pickleball paddle is a cross between a tennis racquet and a ping pong paddle. They are made primarily of lightweight composite materials such as aluminum and graphite. Your paddle is the most important piece of pickleball equipment, and there are three main factors to consider when choosing yours.

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Factor #1 – Paddle Weight

Many pickleball instructors agree that weight should be a player’s priority when deciding what kind of paddle to use. Pickleball paddles range from six to 14 ounces. This may not seem like a big discrepancy, but after a few games you can tell the difference. Pickleball involves a lot of arm movement, and swinging a paddle that’s too heavy or too light can lead to injuries such as tennis elbow or shoulder strains.

“The rotator cuff tendons can get irritated as they rub against the undersurface of the acromion with overhead motions while playing [pickleball],” says Dr. David Geier, an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, SC. “The bursa between the acromion and the tendons can get inflamed, causing shoulder pain.”

If you’re a beginner, you should start with a mid-weight paddle (7.3 to 8.4 ounces). This will allow you to determine your personal preference and style of play.

Lightweight paddles (less than 7.3 ounces) offer increased control and put less stress on shoulders and elbows, but can reduce the power of your shot.

Heavyweight paddles (8.5 ounces or more) give players more power when serving or volleying. Heavier paddles require less effort to hit the ball, but the extra weight can take a toll on your shoulders and elbows.

Factor #2 – Paddle Grip Size

Playing pickleball with the wrong grip size is like running in shoes that don’t fit. If you’re not sure what size grip you need, the easiest way to decide is to base it off your height.

If you’re 5’2” or shorter: use a 4” grip

If you’re 5’3” to 5’8”: use a 4 ⅛” to 4 ¼” grip

If you’re 5’9 or taller: use a 4 ½” grip

A more exact way to determine your grip size is to measure your hand with a ruler. With your hand open, measure the distance between the middle crease in your palm and the tip of your ring finger. That distance is your grip size.

Factor #3 – Paddle Price

While price often becomes the most important factor for new pickleball players, it should actually be one of the least important factors. After all, it’s no good to save money if you end up with a paddle that doesn’t fit your hand, or worse, breaks because it’s cheap.

Pickleball paddles can range anywhere from $15 to $150 or more. If you’re a beginner, we recommend looking looking for a composite or graphite (not wood) paddle in the $35 to $50 range.

The Two Types of Pickleballs

In the early days of pickleball, the sport was played with a Wiffle ball. But as the game evolved, players realized they could improve their experience with dedicated pickleballs. Generally speaking, pickleballs are hollow plastic balls with holes. However, there are subtle differences between indoor and outdoor pickleballs.

Let’s take a look at both varieties.

Outdoor Pickleballs

If you’re playing on an outdoor court, you’ll want to make sure you have outdoor pickleballs on hand. Outdoor pickleballs are made of harder plastic than indoor pickleballs. They also have smaller holes which minimize the effect of wind.

For the most part, outdoor pickleballs have a similar consistency, although some are molded with a softer plastic compound which are generally preferred by casual players who want a slower game.

You can buy a three-pack of outdoor pickleballs for around $10.

Indoor Pickleballs

Weather won’t allow you to play pickleball outside? No problem. Indoor pickleballs are designed specifically to be used on wood or other indoor surfaces. The main difference is weight, as indoor pickleballs are slightly lighter than outdoor ones. Indoor pickleballs have larger holes, since there’s no need to combat wind.

A three-pack will run you about $10.

A Note On Pickleball Colors

Pro tip: Before you buy any pickleballs, consider what color court you’ll be playing on. Make sure you buy pickleballs that are the opposite shade of the court. Otherwise, it can be easy to lose sight of the all.

For example, if you’re on a dark court, you’ll want light-colored pickleballs and vice versa. If you want to be safe, buy a variety pack of colors.

Pickleball Shoes

One of the most common questions for new pickleball players is: What kind of shoes should I wear? This decision is just as important as choosing a paddle, since your shoes will impact your ability to move around the court as well as the health of your joints.

As of 2019, there aren’t any shoes designed specifically for pickleball. However, there are plenty of shoes available that are conducive to pickleball courts and the moves you’ll be making on them. But before exploring what those are, you need to know what shoes not to wear.

DO NOT wear running shoes, walking shoes, cross training shoes, or any other shoes that aren’t designated “court shoes.” These types of shoes are built for forward motion only, meaning the tread isn’t designed to handle the lateral movement that pickleball requires. This can lead to serious injuries to your feet, ankles, achilles tendon, or knees.

Outdoor Pickleball Shoes

If you play most of your pickleball on outdoor courts, it’s best to wear tennis shoes.

Note that a tennis shoe IS THE SAME as an outdoor pickleball shoe. This is because pickleball and tennis have the same exact movements, on the same surface. For the most part, a “pickleball” branded shoe is a way to scam money for the uninformed.

Tennis shoes have several features that are advantageous for pickleball players:

• Outsoles designed to support lateral cutting
• Ankle support to prevent rolling
• Stiff toe box to allow toe drag during volleys
• Balance of support and flexibility

You can find tennis shoes at most sporting goods stores and countless websites. Depending on the brand and style, prices for tennis shoes can range anywhere from $50 to $150 or more.

Since outdoor pickleball courts are made of asphalt or concrete, your soles can wear down quickly. Accordingly, you should look to replace your shoes every 60 hours of play to maintain their stability.

Indoor Pickleball Shoes

Nearly all indoor pickleball courts are made of hardwood (or material that resembles hardwood). These courts tend to be more slippery than outdoor courts, which means you’ll need a different type of shoe to give you optimum mobility.

Many indoor pickleball players prefer to wear volleyball shoes on indoor courts, for a few reasons:

• Fantastic grip on hardwood courts
• Supports both lateral and horizontal movement
• Stability to preserve muscles and joints
• Lightweight design

Just like tennis shoes, volleyball shoes can be found at sporting goods stores or online, with a similar price range ($50-$150).

Pickleball Gloves

If the weather gets too cold, gripping your pickleball paddle can be a pain. If the weather gets too hot, your paddle can easily slip out of your sweaty hand. The solution? Pickleball gloves.

As pickleball has risen in popularity, so has the demand for better grip. Accordingly, many racquet and paddle sport brands have developed gloves designed specifically for pickleball. These pickleball gloves have a few distinct features:

• Reduction of friction, which leads to blisters
• Padding to prevent hand fatigue
• Grips to keep the paddle steady when playing
• Adjustable wrist strap for comfort

Some pickleball gloves have half-finger coverage, while others cover your fingers entirely. This is just a matter of personal preference.

Pickleball gloves are typically very affordable (around $10). Gloves aren’t essential for playing pickleball, but they can come in handy if you struggle with blisters or just want some extra support.

Pickleball Bags

If you’re travelling to a game or simply don’t want to lug around your pickleball paddles, balls, and other gear, you’re in luck: There are bags designed specifically for pickleball players. Whether you need a small sling to carry your paddle or a roomy bag to carry more, here are a few options.

Sling Bag

Sling bags are the most popular type of bag for pickleball players. They’re not too cumbersome and have just enough space for a couple of paddles, balls, water bottle, and personal items.

Duffel Bag

If you need to bring more than just the basics to your next pickleball match, a duffel bag is your best option. The larger interior will give you enough space for 4-6 paddles, shoes, clothes, and towels along with compartments for your phone and keys.

Backpack

If comfort and convenience are most important to you, a backpack will be the ideal way to carry your pickleball equipment. While backpacks don’t usually have as much room as a duffel bag, they are much easier to keep your equipment and clothes organized with compartments and zippers.

When In Doubt, Ask for Advice

Lightweight paddle or heavyweight paddle?

Tennis shoes or volleyball shoes?

Gloves or no gloves?

Even though pickleball is a straightforward sport, there are still nuances to consider, especially when it comes to equipment. Like any sport, deciding what to buy (or not to buy) when you’re new to the game can be puzzling. There are countless brands and websites that offer advice, but your best bet is to start with a mid-weight paddle, the proper shoes, and a few pickleballs for whichever type of court you’re playing on.

If you’re unsure, you can also talk with a local instructor or an experienced player to determine what equipment is best for you.

Whatever pickleball equipment you end up with, just be glad you don’t have to play with makeshift plywood paddles and an old Wiffle ball like they did in the old days!

Tell us: Besides your paddle, what is your favorite piece of pickleball equipment? Let us know in the comments.