Pickleball Apparel Guide: What to Wear on the Court

Pickleball is a low-contact sport that requires you to move around quickly. Whether you’re an advanced player or a beginner, appropriate pickleball equipment and clothing are essential and can make or break your game. There is no dress code in pickleball, however, it’s best to wear comfortable clothing that won’t constrict your movements. If you’re a beginner looking for ideas on what to wear when playing, you can use this as a guide. 

Pickleball requires moving around a lot so sweating is inevitable. You need clothing that won’t limit your movement. When choosing pickleball attire, look for these things.

Choose a light, breathable, and moisture-wicking material. Polyester, nylon, mesh, and spandex are the most commonly used materials for sports attire because they are light, absorb sweat, and release heat simultaneously. Cotton is sometimes added to these materials 

Players usually prefer having pockets to hold extra balls. Having extra balls in your pockets is easier and more convenient, you don’t have to stop the game to get an extra ball if the one you’re using bounces away.

The weather is very unpredictable. One moment it’s very sunny, the next it’s windy or rainy. You will want something that can protect you from too much sun, rain, or snow.

Men

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If you like dressing casually when playing, you can go for a shirt. Sports shirts are different from normal shirts for they are specially made to endure lots of sweating and release heat during the game.

If you like dressing up on the court, a polo shirt is for you. Wearing a polo shirt gives you a more fancy look than a shirt, but still serves its purpose. 

You can opt for long sleeves if you prefer sun protection (besides sunblock and sunscreen). They’re good at covering your arms without constricting your movements.

You never know if it’s going to be cold, rainy, or snowy. An extra cover doesn’t hurt. You can always remove extra layers, but you can’t put on what you don’t have. Be sure to always bring layers of clothing, especially if you live where the weather is very unpredictable.

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You want shorts that have great waistbands that will not disappoint you once you run around the court. At the same time, you also want them to be comfortable and not restrict your movements. You might also want to opt for one that has pockets to hold extra pickleballs.

Joggers or jogging pants are like the long sleeves of the legs. They also offer extra protection and cover.

For men, you must have the proper protection for your privates to avoid any unwanted injuries. Go for underwear that is specifically made for sports. Always choose comfort and protection.

Women

Top

If you want to look casual in a sleeveless top, a tank top is for you. There are also tank tops that have built-in bras for convenience and support.

Shirts offer a casual look with sleeves.

Moving around a lot can put pressure on the breast, especially if on the heavier side. You need a lot of support and at the same time comfort when playing.

Bottom

A skort is a combination of a skirt and shorts, where the outer layer is a skirt with shorts inside. 

Leggings are bottoms that are longer than shorts and tighter than joggers/jogging pants.

Shoes

Your feet are the ones that would move a lot and carry you during the game. You need shoes that are supportive, comfortable, and breathable to avoid injury. You also want them to be durable to be able to withstand many games.

Accessories

When wearing shoes, you also wear socks inside most of the time. They add comfort and protection to your feet, plus they’re sweat-absorbent.

You can wear sweatbands to avoid sweat going to your face and keep your hair away. You can also use wrist sweatbands to help absorb sweat and prevent it from dripping onto your hand.

Sunglasses and visors are added protection for your face and eyes from any danger.

If you’re wondering where can you find these types of attire for your next game, you can easily find them. Just look for pickleball stores near me to discover local shops. Most pickleball stores that sell pickleball gear also have attire. But if you prefer branded items or convenience, you can also try online stores.

Local Store

Popular brands like Selkirk, Joola, and Paddletek have already built a good reputation in the pickleball world and they have proven to give quality products from equipment to gear. It makes sense why people would choose them and professional pickleball players like Ben Johns (Joola) and Anna Leigh Waters (Paddletek) endorse them.

Local shops also have great finds, they just need a chance. When you shop from your local store, you can check their selections physically and choose the right clothing for you. With local shops, you can try on their clothes and find the right fit for you before buying. You can also get opinions and advice (if you want to) from their staff. So search for “pickleball stores near me” now and give a chance to your local stores and contribute to the growth of the pickleball community in your area.

Online

If you’re more into convenience, you can try online shops. If you’re not into going to physical stores and just want your clothes delivered to your home, it’s no problem. Many online shops ship across the USA. There are a few downsides to online shopping like inaccurate sizing and design and long shipping times (depending on where you live). These don’t always happen, though. Online shopping is very convenient and has a lot of selections too.

Target

Target is popular for groceries and essentials. There are over 1000 Target stores all over the USA and they also have online stores. They sell sports equipment and attire in Target too. Check out the Target Pickleball clothing section for men and women.

Pickleball Central

Pickleball Central is a store dedicated to pickleball items. They offer different items from paddles and balls to clothing. They also have different brands including popular ones. You can browse their selections by category (clothing, shoes, etc.) or by brand (Joola, Sketchers, Selkirk, etc.)

Amazon

Amazon is the most popular online shop for anything. They have items from A to Z and can ship not only in the USA but also to other countries. You can check out Amazon pickleball clothing and equipment, and browse by department, size, color, prints, etc. Amazon has a wide selection of pickleball clothing.

Wearing the right clothing is essential in playing pickleball. It not only provides comfort and proper support when you’re playing, it also helps to avoid injuries. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to look great when playing. Just remember to always warm up before playing pickleball to avoid pickleball injuries, and don't forget to have fun with your pickleball buddies!

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