Getting into pickleball, like getting into any new sport or activity, can be as exciting as it is daunting.
If you’re getting ready for a pickleball game, you’ll probably have a few questions on your mind, not least ‘what do I wear?’
Because pickleball isn’t quite as widely known and watched as some other paddle or racket sports, many first-time players aren’t quite sure what to wear on the court.
If this sounds familiar, then don’t worry, because this article is for you!
Today, we’ll be reviewing some of the best pickleball clothing you can buy to make sure you’re fully prepared for your game.
We’ve included the best shirts, shorts, pickleball shoes, and gloves so you can step onto the court in confidence and style!
(Some of the below links are affiliate links which means we get paid a bit if you click through and buy something — don’t worry it doesn’t add anything to your cost! Just helps keep the site running.)
Best Pickleball Shirts
OUR TOP PICK
Under Armour’s Men’s Tech clothing range comes enthusiastically recommended by sportsmen and fitness fanatics alike, so it’s no surprise that the Men’s Tech 2.0 Short Sleeve T-Shirt is also one of the best options out there for pickleball.
Made from 100% polyester fabric, this shirt is everything you could want from your pickleball apparel.
It’s soft to the touch, moisture-wicking, and very fast-drying, so you’ll stay dry on the court every day without having to wait for long drying times between machine washes.
If you find that you normally sweat a lot during exercise, this shirt will be perfect for you because it’s been constructed with anti-odor technology that stops microbes from multiplying on the fabric and causing unpleasant odors.
The Men’s Tech 2.0 t-shirt is designed to be as streamlined as possible whilst still remaining comfortably loose and breathable.
This streamlined design will enable you to dart swiftly around the court to meet difficult shots.
This shirt is available in sizes X-Small to 5X-Large, which is an inclusive size range that ensures that pickleball players of almost all sizes can experience the moisture-wicking comfort of Under Armour’s Men’s Tech!
It also comes in an impressive color range of no less than 58 colors, so you’ll have absolutely no problem finding this shirt in your favorite hue.
Pros
- Extra-soft
- Breathable and moisture-wicking
- Anti-odor technology
- Fast-drying
- Streamlined design
- Sizes X-Small to 5X-Large
- Extensive color range
- Machine washable
Cons
- Sizing runs larger than expected
EDITORS CHOICE
Pickleball is all good fun, but it can definitely get intense and bring your heart rate up as high as any game of tennis.
That’s why, as we saw in the Men’s Tech t-shirt, it’s so important to wear breathable and moisture-wicking fabrics on the court to keep you comfortable and dry even during the most competitive games.
Luckily, this is exactly what Hanes Sport has provided with the Women’s Cool DRI Performance Polo.
This is another 100% polyester shirt, featuring a classic polo collar with button closure.
The shirt has been made using rapid-dry interlock jersey knit, which not only keeps you cool thanks to its breathable construction but also actively wicks moisture so you won’t finish up your game with that uncomfortable, clammy feeling.
Maybe best of all, the Hanes Sport Women’s Performance Polo incorporates UPF 50+ into its design for protection from UV rays.
This means you can play pickleball in the sun for as long as you like knowing you have an extra layer of protection.
We also really appreciated the sizing and color options for this shirt.
With 7 colors to choose from and sizes ranging from Small to 3X-Large, there’ll be a style and size to suit most pickleball players.
Pros
- Breathable
- Moisture-wicking
- UPF 50+
- Machine washable
- 7 color options
- Sizes Small to 3X-Large
Cons
- Some customers have found the fit to be unflattering
Best Pickleball Shorts
BEST VALUE
BALEAF’s Men’s 7-inch Athletic Running Shorts aren’t just good for running and jogging - they’re also a great choice of pickleball apparel!
The BALEAF 7-inch shorts are made of a polyester-spandex blend to create a fabric that is both quick-drying and moisture-wicking for ultimate convenience and comfort.
But that’s not all! The elasticated waistband and drawstring closure keep these shorts fitting snugly throughout vigorous exercise, so you can pull out all your best moves on the court without having to reposition your shorts.
Meanwhile, the 2 side pockets and deep zip pockets mean that you can keep essentials such as your phone or wallet on your person during your games.
The built-in mesh briefs allow airflow to crucial areas and offer extra support, while the mesh panels on the sides promote superior ventilation.
Available in 14 color options and in sizes Small to 3X-Large, these shorts will suit a significant portion of the male pickleball community.
Luckily, BALEAF manufactures its 7-inch athletic running shorts in women’s style and sizes so everyone can enjoy the incredible quality and performance improvement that these shorts provide!
Pros
- Moisture-wicking
- Quick-drying
- Elasticated waistband
- Built-in mesh briefs and side panels for ventilation
- Features side and zip pockets
- 14 colors available
- Sizes Small to 3X-Large
- Available in men’s and women’s styles
Cons
- The mesh briefs have a tendency to ride up
Best Pickleball Shoes
RUNNER UP
Possibly the most important piece of clothing you’ll buy for pickleball will be a good pair of shoes, and that’s exactly what you’ll get with these K-Swiss Express Light Pickleball Shoes!
This shoe has been specifically designed to optimize comfort and performance on the pickleball court, which is an exciting development that demonstrates the increasing popularity of pickleball in the sporting world!
The K-Swiss Express Light Pickleball Shoe is constructed to maximize comfort, stability, and durability.
When you’re running around the pickleball court, you want to feel secure and stable with every step.
This is why these shoes are built with interlocking heel grip lining and a 180° thermal plastic plantar support chassis. These features together provide solid stability in both the heel and the midfoot.
Inside the shoe is an Ortholite anti-microbial sock liner that reduces excess moisture and prevents the buildup of unhealthy bacteria from sweat.
Underneath the sock liner, the sole of the shoe is padded with EVA foam, which not only provides support and cushioning for your feet but also improves the durability of the midsole by thickening the construction.
Something else we love about this pickleball shoe is simply the fact that it’s also available in women’s sizes, stocked in sizes 5.5 to 11 with varying color options, so any pickleball player can find this incredible design their ideal fit!
However, in order to ensure the longevity of your new pickleball shoes, they should mostly be worn on indoor pickleball courts without abrasive flooring.
Pros
- Specifically designed for pickleball
- Stable heel and midfoot construction
- Anti-microbial sock liner
- Durable and comfortable EVA foam padding
- Available in men’s’ sizes 7 to 14
- Also available in women’s sizes
Cons
- Better suited to indoor than outdoor courts
Best Pickleball Gloves
RUNNER UP
If you’re looking to improve your technique with your pickleball paddle, these Python Vintage Synthetic Raquetball Gloves are exactly what you need!
The Python Vintage Synthetic gloves have synthetic leather palms that improve both durability and grip.
With these durable gloves, you’ll be able to maintain a better grip on your pickleball paddle and enhance your skillset and technique in doing so.
The back of the gloves are elasticized with small perforations that allow for airflow.
This is very important because it prevents sweat from building up inside the glove and affecting your play. The elasticity also allows for free and unrestricted movement in your playing hand.
All panels of the glove are put together with lock-stitching to prevent tearing and other forms of wear.
These gloves will fit most hand sizes for both men and women due to the inclusive size range of X-Small to XX-Large and are available in both left and right-hand options.
Pros
- Durable synthetic leather palms for grip
- Elasticated and breathable backhand material
- Lock-stitching for durability
- Left and right-hand options available
- Sizes X-Small to XX-Large
Cons
- Some reported quality control inconsistencies
Best Pickleball Clothing Buying Guide
Now that you have an idea of which shirts, shorts, shoes, and gloves are the best for pickleball, we hope you feel ready to play your best ever pickleball game in the comfort and support of your new clothing.
However, if you need a quick reminder of what to look out for in each category, read on!
Our buyer’s guide is here to walk you through all the important factors to think about before purchasing each type of pickleball clothing so you can have complete confidence in your choice!
Shirts
If you want to feel comfortable and cool while playing pickleball, you’ll need a good-quality athletic shirt.
Polyester material is a great choice for a pickleball shirt because of its tear-resistance and moisture-wicking properties.
A polyester pickleball shirt will keep you feeling dry and fresh throughout and after your game and will stay looking good as new for a long time.
A pickleball shirt should feel loose enough to be comfortable and allow for airflow, but it should also be streamlined so that you can move quickly around the court and maximize the efficiency of your movements.
We recommend a short-sleeved, t-shirt style because they are suitable for the warmer weather but can also easily be layered up with a sweater or jacket in the colder months.
If you’re going to be playing in the sun a lot, a shirt with built-in UPF is advisable since it can be difficult to remember to apply sunscreen when you’re focusing on your game.
Shorts
You could wear many different types of bottoms to play pickleball depending on factors like the weather and your own comfort and style preferences.
For example, you could wear track pants on colder days or a skirt in warmer weather.
However, generally speaking, the item of clothing that will provide the most breathability, freedom of movement, and comfort on the pickleball court overall is a pair of shorts.
If you want your shorts to be suitable for both indoor and outdoor wear, as well as a variety of weather conditions, your best bet is a length of around 7 inches.
Shorts of this length aren’t so short that they’ll leave your legs completely exposed to the cold, but also not so long as to feel restrictive or make you overheat.
For both men and women, features such as mesh briefs are great for providing that little bit of extra support and ventilation. Mesh panels on the sides of the shorts are also ideal for promoting airflow.
An elasticated waistband is a must when it comes to ensuring a perfect, secure fit, as is a drawstring closure.
If you want to keep your essentials with you on the court, we also recommend prioritizing deep pockets.
Zip pockets are even better for carrying fragile items like your phone because zip closures ensure that nothing will fall out and get damaged.
Shoes
A good part of the speed and stability of your movements on the pickleball court will be determined by the construction and quality of your shoes.
Therefore, choosing a pair of pickleball shoes is a very important decision.
The shoes we’ve featured in our product review section have been designed especially for pickleball, which we felt was important because the construction has been carefully considered with the specifics of the sport in mind.
We think that the most important thing in a pickleball shoe is stability because a stable construction will help you to move more quickly and effectively around the court with a lesser risk of injury.
You’ll also want your pickleball shoes to be both comfortable and supportive. Part of the comfort of a pickleball shoe will be tied to its moisture-wicking properties.
The best way to achieve moisture regulation is a sock liner with anti-microbial features to prevent the buildup of both moisture and bacteria from perspiration.
In terms of both comfort and support, you’ll also need a decent amount of padding in the midsole.
A strong plantar support chassis and heel grip lining are also essential features for providing stability and support to the rest of the foot.
This will help keep the arch of your foot supported and cushioned whilst also optimizing the durability of the shoe since the midsole is often where a lot of splitting can happen due to wear and tear.
We recommend EVA foam padding for its thickness, strength, and water-resistance.
Gloves
One of the key facets of becoming a great pickleball player is learning how to handle your paddle skillfully and develop your technique.
The first step towards this is establishing a good grip on your paddle: firm, but still light fluid enough to allow maximum dexterity.
Perhaps the easiest way to enhance your paddle grip is to invest in a durable pair of pickleball gloves.
Features like leather (or synthetic leather) palms help to optimize your grip on your paddle’s handle while also keeping your hand protected from friction injuries such as blisters if you’re playing for long periods of time.
Ideally, a good pair of pickleball gloves should also feature some form of ventilation - otherwise, wearing gloves is likely to make your hands feel overly sweaty.
Mesh or another perforated material will help to allow air to circulate between the gloves and your hands for a more comfortable, drier feel.
The glove’s construction should also be elasticated so that your hands don’t feel constricted and you retain your full, natural range of motion in your hands and fingers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What other clothing might I need to play pickleball?
We’ve covered all of the most basic apparel you’ll need for playing pickleball in most seasons.
Generally speaking, a good pair of training shoes, some breathable shorts and a shirt, and a pair of gloves if you prefer, will see you through.
However, there are a couple of extra clothing accessories that might also benefit your play, especially in the warmer or sunnier weather.
Some pickleball players like to wear caps or visors on outdoor courts, particularly when the sun is out. This is because glare from the sun can be distracting and even blinding at times, which often interferes with a player’s accuracy and spatial awareness.
If you anticipate playing a lot of pickleball outside as the weather warms up, it’s definitely worth considering purchasing a pickleball cap or visor to keep your vision clear.
The added benefit of wearing a visor for pickleball is that it may help to prevent sweat from dripping into your face, which can be another major distraction.
The next most popular pickleball clothing accessory is a durable, lightweight pair of sunglasses.
Some pickleball players find caps and visors uncomfortable to wear, especially in hot weather. Although part of a visor’s function is to keep sweat out of your face and eyes, these caps can also, unfortunately, have a warming effect on the head.
A great alternative to a visor in this case is a pair of sunglasses to keep the sun out of your eyes and potentially even protect your eyes from perspiration or debris in the air.
Last update on 2024-12-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API