As a game that can be played both indoors and outdoors, anytime of the year is perfect for pickleball. In the winter you can play indoors and when the sun comes out, so do the players. Still, no matter the season that you decide is right for getting your volley on, you’ll need to give some careful thought to your pickleball gear. If you are still playing in board shorts and a scratchy T-shirt, and need to be served with some great advice on what to buy, and why, M&F has you covered with this expert led guide. New, or seeking to brush up your knowledge of pickleball? You could begin by taking a look at our handy game guide.
Okay, ready to meet us on the court? Here’s what you should bring:
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Nathan Essential
Nathan’s Men’s Essential 7” Shorts 2.0
Nathan’s athletic shorts are perfect for days on the pickleball court. These Men’s Essential’s are a generous 7″ short to help prevent inner thigh rub, and also feature an ultra-comfy liner that boasts internal pockets on both sides. There’s even a back zipper pocket for secure storage. Whether you are sweating it out in the sun, or heating things up indoors, these quick drying shorts will extend your gameplay for sure.
Nike are showing their love for one of the fastest growing sports in the United States, and now you can too with this lightweight, sweat-wicking shirt that features the ever-loved swoosh logo, with your favorite new pastime boldly emblazoned on the front. Nike offers a short and long sleeve variation, meaning that whatever the weather: when it comes to pickleball, you can always “Just Do It.”
Now that you are suited and booted it’s time to play, and you’ll need the perfect paddle, so who better to advise you than the world’s No. 1, Ben Johns? His JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 paddle is potentially a gamechanger. The construction includes one solid piece of polypropylene with a carbon fiber face, to maximize spin. There’s added foam around the edge to prevent mishits, and the athlete tells us that it rarely shows any significant wear or failure. “I was in close contact with JOOLA throughout the design of this paddle,” says Johns. “Together, we evaluated and tested many prototypes in order to determine what our finished product should be. We prioritized what would be the ideal paddle for myself, while keeping in mind what would be appropriate and desirable for the general consumer as well.”
Johns feels that the perfect pickleball paddle must prioritize power, spin, solidity, and feel. “Power is pretty self-explanatory, and spin allows players to better control the ball,” says the pro. “I think the Hyperion is remarkable for maximizing spin and the shape definitely helps increase the solidity. The power is not too extreme, so the paddle is still nicely controlled. I personally like the overall feel of the paddle and I think others will relate to it as well.” Well, if it’s good enough for the best, who could argue with that?
Tyson McGuffin is a top-ranked men’s doubles pickleball player and is No. 2 in men’s singles, so he understands that there’s more to pickleball specific gear than many of us may realize. “Pickleball is a fast-paced sport that requires players to engage in more lateral movements in comparison to other racquet sports,” he told M&F, explaining that when it comes to footwear, he chooses the Skechers Viper Court Pro. “They are lightweight, roomy, have great traction, stabilize the foot, and look great!” General sports or running shoes aren’t designed to accommodate the frequent starts and stops required on the pickleball court. The Viper Court Pro, however, is designed with Skechers Arch Fit removable insole system offering podiatrist-certified arch support, Goodyear® Rubber outsoles provide great stability and traction, and a relaxed fit gives plenty of room in the toe box to avoid sudden jamming of the toes when you’re moving quickly at the net line. “The team at Skechers does extensive research on the needs of pickleball athletes so that we can focus on our game,” says McGuffin.
Well, we said we had you covered from the ground up, and for any serious athlete, that includes appropriate socks too. We tested the Swiftwick Zero Tab Sock and discovered that they are firm and comfortable, meaning that they don’t slip around while you are running on the court, but they are aren’t too tight either, so they don’t restrict your play. Plus, a Y-shaped heel construction prevents bunching. “In pickleball you’re making quick, abrupt movements,” explains Chuck Smith, who is the COO at Swiftwick. “For this sport, you’ll want a sock that provides traction inside your shoe to prevent slippage in addition to moisture wicking and breathability features; to keep your feet ventilated, dry and cool.” The Swiftwick Zero Tabs also feature a seamless toe box for a great fit inside your shoe, and uses a high-performance fiber made from recycled plastic bottles for a soft, plush, footbed; reducing the likelihood of blisters.
