The best pickleball equipment for beginners: paddles, balls and more to hit the court | Life and style

Franklin Sports

Aluminum Jet Pickleball Set

from $19.99

There’s no need to spend a fortune on a paddle – especially as a beginner – according to Kyle Hermetz, a pro player for the York Yetis in the Canadian National Pickleball League. He suggests browsing Franklin Sports for an affordable option like this starter bundle, which comes with two lightweight paddles and two outdoor pickleball balls for just under $50. I left this set at my friend’s apartment because her building has an indoor pickleball court, and it’s the perfect way to meet her for a sneaky midweek lunch match.

Joola

Journey Pickleball Paddle

from $29.99

Gottfried suggests looking for a wide-body, square-shaped paddle, a shape he says “gives you a larger sweet spot and more forgiveness, which is great for newer players”. This Joola paddle fits the bill and is priced right for the beginner. I not only felt comfortable wielding it, but noticed the added power from its fiberglass design.

Don’t look for this one in the pro shop. “This paddle has a cult following and can only be purchased direct and online,” Heller says, “but the price point is well below the higher-end more recognized brands.” Personally, the giant sweet spot helped me volley more easily as I learned the short game.

Selkirk

Amped Control-S2

from $99.99

For a few extra bucks, you can upgrade to this Control paddle, and from my time on the court with it, I can assure you that the name says it all. Selkirk claims to have pioneered this technology in 2017 with the original Amped paddle, but this newer version was created to impart more spin. “It has a large sweet spot, excellent control and is arm-friendly,” Gallucci Jr says.

Wilson

Pickle Pro

from $73.50

Scott Heller, a pro pickleball player and instructor, likes this affordable pickleball shoe from Wilson that doesn’t take long to break in. “It feels tight when first putting on, but after an initial three- to four-hour session, it’s comfortable enough to wear in the future,” Heller says. He also praises the exceptional toe box, which he says both protects the toes and gives them plenty of space to breathe.

Babolat

Jet Mach 4

from $54.95

Both DeBiase and Heller are fans of these shoes from Babolat, the iconic French tennis brand that has made a splash in pickleball. “They’ve become an industry leader in that space with former world No 1 Ben Johns using their footwear,” says DeBiase. I like them because they use a patented, supportive material to help keep my ankles from turning during play, while still feeling light on my feet.

ON

The Roger Clubhouse Pro

from $120

I wear a lot of ON footwear, so I was thrilled to add these good-looking pickleball shoes to my list. I especially like that they were crafted to adapt to any racket sport, with an outsole that works just as well for tennis or even padel. And, though anyone who has worn ON sneakers can speak to how comfy the brand’s Cloudtech cushioning can be, it felt even better on the pickleball court.

Onix

Owl Glasses

from $28.88

Gallucci Jr recommends wearing protective eyewear meeting ASTM F803 impact standards, because regular glasses or even sunglasses will not offer the same protection. These low-cost Onix glasses meet the spec, while also being lightweight, offering UV sun protection for outdoor play, and coming in three different lens colors.

If you struggle with fog, sweat and glare from traditional safety glasses, Gottfried suggests this clever lens-free design that derives protection from a beefy frame that has been impacted tested to 60mph. “Players can focus on the game without visual obstruction,” he says.

Selkirk

Core Line Pickleball Sling Bag

from $39.99

For the minimalist, this compact crossbody bag holds a paddle, a ball and a water bottle, plus a front zippered pocket with a secure pouch for wallet and keys.

Pickleball gear is small enough not to require a specialized bag, so I wanted something versatile that could double as a gym bag and a carryon in a pinch. This nylon tote from viral travel darling Beis does the trick. It easily holds pickleball paddles, shoes, balls and eyewear, but I can also throw in my laptop, a water bottle and even a light change of clothes. It comes in three colors, including my fave – the bright yellow Limone.

Le Pickle Club

J’adore Crewneck

$72

I love that this stylish, so-soft crewneck sweatshirt from Le Pickle Club goes from court to coffee (or even cocktails). I was drawn to the red, though it comes in a more subtle grey as well.

Erne + Ace

2-in-1 Snap & Play Dress

$187.50

Compared with the rigidity of booking tennis courts, one of the best parts about playing pickleball is that you can show up at one of the many outdoor courts and play whenever you’d like. When the weather gets warmer, I dig this ingenious two-fer outfit I can easily throw on for a quick game at the courts near my apartment. Yes, it’s a shorts romper I can wear to the gym or to run chores, but I can snap on the wrap skirt when I’m ready to grab my paddle.

Adidas

Men’s Adidas Climacool 3-Stripes Shorts

from $19

My husband and two sons are all huge fans of these comfortable shorts from Adidas. Fast-drying Climacool material keeps sweat at bay, and a tad bit extra fabric in the crotch makes them extra flexible for those heavy-duty rallies in the kitchen. Plus, they’re stylish and made from 100% recycled polyester.

Selkirk

Spring Owen Men’s Matty Pickleball Henley Shirt

$18

Selkirk knows pickleball, and this extremely soft, long-sleeved Henley looks good on and off the court. A spandex-polyester blend dries quickly after a sweaty match or one in the rain and provides UPF50 protection for sunny days.