Welcome to the Pickleball Paddle Shop

Your source for the best pickleball equipment and gear.

Regardless of what kind of pickleball equipment that you need you can find it here at a great price. We have a wide selection of the best equipment including pickleball paddles, sets, nets, balls, and even shirts and other gear. Browse our lists of the best pickleball equipment below to find just what you need.

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Pickleball Equipment Guide

Everything you need to know about pickleball equipment

We created our 2020 pickleball equipment guide below to help players find the best pickleball equipment for their personal needs.

Regardless of whether you are just learning about pickleball, or are a pickleball veteran, we hope our equipment guide will help you compare and learn more about the different types of pickleball equipment quickly online.

Our guide covers the basic equipment needed to play, as well as some of the more expert level equipment. Learn about pickleball paddle construction and the different materials that they are made from and how it may affect each paddle play and ball control.

Find out more about the different types of pickleball balls, nets, shoes, clothing, and gloves, with our handy pickleball equipment guide below.

Read on to learn more about different types of pickleball equipment and gear available to buy today.

Types of Pickleball Equipment

Pickleball Paddles

Pickleball paddles, otherwise known as racquets or rackets, come in a wide variety of shapes, weights, and sizes. Paddles are made from a variety of materials including simple wooden paddles and all the way up to space-age materials like Nomex. The original pickleball paddle was made from wood but paddles have since transformed into composite materials to lessen weight and to improve paddle performance.

Wooden paddles are still commonly used in many schools and local clubs as inexpensive options to bring new players into the game but most people that get into the sport eventual graduate to a lighter and better performing composite pickleball paddle.

The front, or face, of the paddles, are also being upgraded to use new materials that allow the player to have a better sweet spot, more ball control, and spin capability. Below we have covered many of the different types of pickleball paddles available for sale on the market today to assist you in finding the best pickleball paddle for your style of play and budget.

Read more about the different types of paddles, and the positives and negatives of each, to find out which paddle is right for you.

Different Types of Pickleball Paddle Core Materials

As mentioned above, pickleball paddles come in a range of different wooden and composite core materials. The paddle core can impact how much power, control, or touch the paddle may bring and also affect weight and performance.

Below we have covered the most common types of paddle cores that you may find on your hunt for the perfect pickleball paddle for your game. You may have heard the term “composite pickleball paddle” which is a broad name for paddles that have been made from a wide range of different types of non-wood materials. Composite paddles are usually much lighter in weight and offer better touch and feel compared to traditional wooden paddles. The most advanced composite paddles are made from either aluminum, polymer, or Nomex, and are usually produced with honeycomb pattern layers for extra durability, but there are endless combinations of composite materials being used by pickleball companies today.

A wooden pickleball paddle is typically a great starter paddle for those seeking an inexpensive way to get into the game but the typical wooden paddle is 25% to 75% heavier than the average composite paddle and usually have fairly poor touch and control compared to composite paddles. Read on to learn more about the different types of pickleball paddle core materials that you may find while searching for the best pickleball paddle for you.

Nomex Core Pickleball Paddles

Nomex is a material design for the aerospace industry that has now been applied to creating ultra light and durable pickleball paddle cores. Nomex has been used to make things like the floors of commercial jetliners so you know it is a solid material that will last.

The upside to Nomex paddles is that they are very lightweight but still provide a powerful hit. Nomex core pickleball paddles can be a bit stiff to play with, but if you want a paddle with the right amount of both touch and power then a Nomex core pickleball paddle might be just the right paddle selection for you.

Polymer Core Pickleball Paddles

Polymer paddles can be made from a wide range of “poly”, or plastic type, materials such as polystyrene, polyethylene, or other types of lightweight and robust polymers. Most polymer core pickleball paddles are very lightweight and will deflect, or compress, some when the ball makes an impact which can help provide the player with a softer and more accurate touch.

Polymer paddles can offer solid ball control, but they are not usually as powerful as other paddle core materials. When power isn’t everything, and you are seeking a paddle with a softer touch, then a polymer core paddle is a option that you should consider.

Aluminum Core Pickleball Paddles

Similar to Nomex and polymer paddles, aluminum core pickleball paddles are light and durable but are typically a bit heavier than their counterparts. The upside to an aluminum core paddle is that, when properly designed, they can help to supply a high amount of energy when striking the ball.

When combined with a fiberglass face many pickleball players find aluminum core paddles to be some of their strongest hitting paddles. If you are a power player, then an aluminum core pickleball paddle may be precisely the type of paddle that you will love to play with on the court.

Wood Core Pickleball Paddles

The most affordable option by far is the basic wooden pickleball paddle. The founders of the game played with wooden paddles and up until recently, and with the increase in composite paddles, they were the most common paddle on the pickleball court. The upside to wood pickleball paddles is for sure the cheaper price compared to a more expensive composite pickleball paddle but with that comes some negatives.

Most wooden paddles have pretty bad touch and feel compared to their new age cousins and they are usually significantly heavier. If you are just getting started playing pickleball, or if you are searching for a cheap option, then a wooden pickleball paddle may be a great starter paddle for you. If you plan to play often and have the budget, we highly recommend a composite paddle over a wooden paddle for improved performance and overall better play.

Different Types of Pickleball Paddle Face Materials

The pickleball paddle “face” is the type of material that covers the front of the paddle “face” and is what effectively makes contact with the pickleball. While it is true that the paddle core is usually what makes the largest impact into how a pickleball paddle performs, the face of the paddle also gives the paddle different levels of play. Depending on the type of face a paddle has it may alter the amount of power, control, and spin that the player can achieve.

The paddle face also can determine how much energy is absorbed when the pickleball makes contact with the paddle face. Some face materials will absorb more energy than other face materials allowing for harder or softer touch depending on the material used. There are three common materials that many pickleball companies use these days, graphite, fiberglass, and polymers (plastics), which we have discussed in more detail below.

Graphite Pickleball Paddle Face

Usually, one of the top choices for many pickleball players, the carbon fiber, graphite pickleball paddle faces are ultra light and offer some of the best touch and control of all paddle face materials. The stiffness of the graphite allows for a very consistent ball strike and high performing play.

Fiberglass Pickleball Paddle Face

If you want a face that offers more of a “pop”, then a fiberglass face is a pop player favorite. The fiberglass faces are more flexible than carbon fiber graphite, and they also can allow for more concentrated energy on the ball creating a strong pop during play. Fiberglass faces are becoming more and more popular by many pickleball players that want to POP!

Poly Pickleball Paddle Face

Lastly, are plastic polymer paddles faces which can offer long-lasting durability and a lightweight. Polymer faces can be made with multiple different types of polymers, and so every kind of face will play a bit differently than another polymer blend however most polymer pickleball paddles make for lightweight and robust paddles that will last.

In summary, each type of pickleball paddle core and face material offers its own set of pros and cons, and the best pickleball paddle can vary greatly depending on the kind of player you are and what type of ball control you prefer.

Pickleball Balls

Pickleballs come in a wide array of colors and styles. There are two main types of pickleballs, outdoor and indoor balls, but even within those two types, you can find balls in a spectrum of colors and with a different number of holes and hole spacing. Depending on where you play pickleball will probably determine which type of pickleballs that you will prefer. You will want to pick a color that stands out in your pickleball court area so that the pickleball is easily visible during game play.

Indoor Pickleballs

Indoor pickleballs are designed to have the best action when they are used on hard surfaces such as wood or concrete. Indoor pickleballs are also usually made with larger holes, compared to outdoor pickleballs, due to the fact that there is not any wind to disrupt the ball in the air when you are playing indoors. Most indoor balls provide the best play and action when used on hard surfaces such as wood or concrete.

Outdoor Pickleballs

Outdoor pickle balls also come in a wide range of colors so that you can maximize visibility based on your court location. Outdoor balls do usually have smaller holes compared to indoor balls, and the reason for the smaller holes is to help combat weather effects, such as wind, from altering the direction or speed or the pickleball during play. You can find a range of different outdoor pickleball hole spacing and hole positions allowing for different ball play.

Pickleball Nets

There are many excellent pickleball net options out there these days, and depending on your location and budget you may desire a permanent net setup or portable net setup. Most players find portable nets to be the most convenient but if you have space a fixed net set is great! Portable pickleball net sets are perfect for the pickleball players that want to be able to quickly set up a game on the go or be able to take their net up and down as needed. Portable nets can be set up in minutes in a wide range of court locations. Permanent pickleball nets are great for areas with space for a permanent court with fixed posts.

Regardless of which type of net you choose, here are some basic guidelines to look for to ensure that you are getting the proper regulation size net when you buy your pickleball net.

Per the USAPA guidelines, a pickleball net should be made of any net material as long as the mesh size is small enough to stop the pickleball from passing through the net. The net length should extend from sideline to sideline at least 20′ feet and the width of the net should be at least 2′ feet with an optional center strap to adjust the net to a 34″ inch required center point. The net should have a 2″ inch white cable or cord along the edge and should be placed across the center of the pickleball court and should be 34″ inches high at the center of the court, and 36″ inches high at the sideline. The net posts should be placed on average around 12″ outside of the sidelines.

Pickleball Sets

For the new player that needs the whole package, a pickleball set may be a cost-saving way to go rather than buying each piece of pickleball equipment individually.

There are many types of pickleball sets available, from a wide range of companies, including complete pickleball sets that include a net, balls, and typically 4 or more paddles. Most pickleball sets will include everything you need to set up a full pickleball court with a net and will also include pickle balls and paddles so you can start playing in minutes.

There are both portable sets and fixed pole sets available allowing anyone to get a pickleball game going in no time. If you have access to a pickleball court and net already and only need pickleball paddles for your entire family or a group of friends, then a pickleball paddle set is usually the most economical option. From starter sets and complete tournament pickleball sets to pickleball paddle and ball sets, you can find a wide variety of some of the best pickleball equipment sets right here at the Pickleball Paddle Shop.

Pickleball Shoes

The most important part of your attire when playing pickleball should be your shoes. It is important to wear the right type of shoes so that you can avoid injury. While there are not many shoes being made specifically for pickleball there are a wide range of tennis and court shoes that were made for the same purpose as pickleball.

You will want to avoid running shoes and cross trainers as they are not built for side to side motion as with most paddle shoes. Most running shoes and cross trainers are made for forward motion only and with all the side to side action in pickleball you will want to look for a shoe made specifically for court sports such as tennis. When picking a pickleball shoe you should look for shoes with good ankle support and a stiff toe box which will help further support your feet and ankles.

If you play in the right shoes not only can you help avoid injuring yourself when you play but you may even find certain shoes will give you an advantage over your competitors if they provide your will quick, agile, and stable support when you play.

Most importantly though make sure that whatever shoes you choose are comfortable and do not slip or cause blistering. It is also recommended to retire your old shoes and replace them with new shoes after around 60 hours of pickleball play to ensure you maintain full support and comfort.

Pickleball Gloves

Whether or not to wear pickleball gloves is really up to the individual player. In some cold weather areas, many players will wear gloves during play to help protect their hands from freezing while other players wear gloves in hot locations due to sweaty palms that can cause slippage on the paddle handle during matches.

If you live in a cold part of the country and play outside, or if your hands get extra sweaty when you play pickleball, then wearing traditional paddle gloves, or even fingerless gloves may be helpful for you. Not only can pickleball gloves help protect your hands, and reduce sweat on the paddle, but they can also add additional grip and cushion which can help reduce hand fatigue during long matches.

Overall it is up to you to decide if gloves are right for you, but if you have sweaty hands or play where it gets cold, you certainly may want to give pickleball gloves a try.

Pickleball Clothing

There is no specialized pickleball clothing that is required to play, but being comfortable is still very important. Most players prefer similar clothing that one might wear when playing tennis or racquetball but as long as you are comfortable when you play that is all that matters. Players wear just about anything that is suited for the weather in the area that they play in.

Typical pickleball clothing includes athletic shorts, sweatpants, tennis style dresses and skirts, and performance t-shirts, polo shirts and other pickleball shirts, but again any clothing that you are comfortable playing in will be just fine on the pickleball court.

Many players will also wear safety glasses or sunglasses as eye protection, and many will also wear hats and visors for additional sun protection. Overall just wear what makes you happy and comfortable, as you can enjoy the fun game of pickleball in pretty much any sports attire.

Conclusion

You do not need to own very much equipment in order to play pickleball.

All in all, you only need a paddle, ball, net, and a friend to play with and you are all set!

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