In a pickle when it comes to what trendy new activity to pick up in 2023?
No sweat, as we’ve found that pickleball is the newest and hottest sport to try, causing quite the racket all over social media and beyond.
The sport, similar to tennis, badminton or an enlarged version on ping pong, is reaching extreme popularity this summer and into fall. It’s played on a court similar to tennis, with a lower net and a smaller court. Instead of rackets and tennis balls, trade those in for a flat paddle and a plastic, wiffle ball and you have a game, pending a partner.
According to the official USA Pickleball site, the sport started in Seattle, Washington in 1965, adorably by a group of dads trying to entertain their kids in the summertime.
Well, mission accomplished guys, as now the sport is super popular amongst dads and the Gen Z’ers too, proven by trendy paddles, cute outfits and many TikToks explaining the game to the youngest generation of players.
The sport is so big, that they even have a professional league. We chatted with Hannah Johns, director of PR and content and sideline reporter for the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA Tour) about why the sport is still popular today, how to get into the game and her picks for the best pickleball equipment, shoes, gear and more.
Whether you’ve played it once and fell in love, like in the viral video below, or if you need a great idea for a double date, pickleball is for you, according to TikTok.
You don’t need too much to get started, so we compiled a checklist of the best paddles, carrying cases and outfits to pair with your new pickleball obsession in 2023.
- The best pickleball paddles
- The best pickleball accessories
- The best pickleball outfits
- The best pickleball shoes
Then read our FAQ from our pickleball expert, Hannah Johns before you hit the court
The best pickleball paddles
1. Our expert pick: Prince Spectrum Graphite Pickleball Paddle, $80
Johns chose this paddle as one of her favorite high-quality, highly playable paddles, great for beginners. The Price brand is also beloved in tennis, which makes perfect sense to us.
“The better the paddle, the better you play, so paddles for beginners aren’t that different than those for experts. Some of the things to look for, however, would be a lower price point for those who are just starting out, a thicker paddle width for more control, and a circular shape or larger sweet spot on the paddle’s center for more consistency,” said Johns.
2. Nettie Paddles, $80
Grab your paddle and find a net! Nettie sells trendy and sleek paddles and other pickleball accessories that will stand out on the court. They are a fun, women-owned company with the love of the sport at the heart of their collections.
3. Recess Pickleball Paddle, $102, original price: $114
The best part of any day is recess. Get outside and play some pickleball with these paddles by Recess Pickleball. They feature fun and exciting patterns, with options for adults and kids to get the whole family in on the fun.
4. Orca Paddle Co. Pickleball Paddles, $24
Grab a partner and then check out this pair of paddles. These are from Amazon, and the set is super affordable with two paddles and four balls for less than $25.
5. Monarch Pickleball Pack, $35
Get this pickleball pack and then all you’ll need is a partner and a court to get going. The set is sold at Dick’s Sporting Goods and comes with two paddles, two balls and two straps.
6. NewFit Sports Blur Pickleball Paddles, $80
Are you team pink or team blue? This is a great couples set, coming with two premium paddles and two matching covers to protect them when in your pickleball bag.
The best pickleball accessories:
1. Ame & Lulu Women’s Pickleball Tote Bag, $108
Now that you have your paddle from above, get a bag to match. This one is worth every penny, with its tie-dye print making you feel chic and ready for your next game.
2. Sporty Pickleball Bag, $189
Make sure no one takes your bag with this monogrammed case from Mark and Graham. The sporty bag comes in navy and in white and has the option to monogram the bag for an extra $12.
3. Tangerine Pickleball Paddle Bags, $170
This one is sweet. This pickleball bag is picked fresh for you from Tangerine Paddle, with options in an array of fun colors for the court.
4. Franklin Sports Outdoor Pickleballs, $24, original price: $30
This may seem obvious, but you’ll need a few of these before you play ball. This is a great pack, as it comes with 40 plastic balls for $26, sold on Amazon now.
5. Wilson Portable Pickleball Net System, $189
Bring the game with you, no net needed. This set from Wilson is a great option for those that want to have a pick-up game of pickleball on the fly. The kit comes with all the pieces you need to set up a net, be it on your driveway or on a real court.
The best pickleball outfits:
1. Terez Tennis Skirt in Lemon and Spring Green, $102
Get this skort for the court. The green and yellow tennis skirt matches pickleball perfectly, with a neon yellow skirt over top a pair of green bike shorts with pockets.
2. Chubbies The Secret Agents 5.5“, $80
Get out your pickleball shorts, it’s time to train. Chubbies now has it’s very own pickleball collection, full of fun shirts and performance shorts to keep you feeling confident and ready to play.
3. lululemon Removable Sweatband All-Sport Visor, $38
Keep the sweat from your eyes so you can focus on the game with this all-sport visor. The lululemon visor is a great unisex option, made for both men and women who love the game. It comes in three colors and two sizes, with an adjustable back for an even more customized fit.
4. 1st Dibs Pickleball Jewelry, prices vary
Okay, so you don’t really need this for the game, but we think this could be your good luck charm for each match. Shop the new pickleball collection at 1st Dibs for a beautiful paddle and pearl ball necklace, a matching bracelet with a diamond or a sterling silver paddle and ball necklace.
The best pickleball shoes
1. Our expert’s pick: The Skechers Viper Court Pickleball Shoe, $90
Move fast like a viper in these sneakers, designed just for pickleball and picked by our expert.
“The Skechers Viper Court Pickleball Shoe is a supportable and breathable option that was made for the movements of pickleball,” said Johns.
2. On Roger Centre Court Shoe, $190
Get your game on, and make sure you have the right shoes to do so. You can wear good quality tennis shoes or court shoes for this game, so we love the On brand for just that reason. The Roger comes in both men’s and women’s sizing, making it a one-stop-shop for all your teammates.
3. adidas Courtjam Control Tennis Shoes, $90
Get back on the court with these sneakers designed for both tennis and pickleball. The Adidas sneakers are also a bestseller, so we advise you to shop now while they are on sale.
4. FILA Women’s Volley Zone Pickleball Shoes, $110
Well, it doesn’t get more pickleball than this. The FILA sneakers are not only made for pickleball and court sports, but they have actual pickleballs painted on the side of the sneaker!
5. HEAD Sprint Pro 3.5 Shoe, $89
These men’s sneakers are designed for pickleball players of all skill levels, The HEAD Pickleball brand shoes come in the above blue, as well as in white, black, yellow and green.
What are the rules of pickleball?
Pickleball is similar to a lot of other racket sports, like tennis, ping-pong or badminton. However, as our expert explains, there are some nuances, too. Read below for the basic rules, as outlined by Johns.
- Games can be played as singles or doubles, with the doubles format being more popular.
- Games are played to 11 points where the winner must win by two points and players can only score on their serve.
- The serve is hit underhand, diagonally cross-court, and both the serve and the return of serve must bounce once before being hit.
- After this, the ball can be hit either in the air or off the bounce, as desired. Teams take turns serving, depending on who wins the previous point.
- The non-volley zone or “kitchen” is a 7-foot area on each side of the net where players cannot hit a volley while standing inside.
- Teams play rallies together and rack up enough points to win, with a full match usually consisting of best 2/3 games.
Why is pickleball so popular today?
Getting outside with friends for some healthy competition is always popular, but why the sudden resurgence during the pandemic?
“The pickleball boom really began during COVID when people were bored at home and willing to give a quirky, addictive sport a try,” explained Johns. “People got hooked on pickleball and kept playing even after we all returned to our jobs because of its uniquely playable, social, and inclusive nature.”
Aside from recreation players, the competitive scene got turned up a notch during the pandemic years, too. The sport got picked up by major broadcast networks, and so the viewership and the steaks got even bigger for the sport and the professional players, as Johns explained.
“The sport has professional payouts that have nearly doubled year over year, major broadcast deals with networks like CBS and ABC, a competitive and entertaining pool of pro talent on the PPA Tour, celebrity advocates galore, amateur tournaments all over the country. and courts popping up across the nation,” said Johns. “Pickleball has shaped into a real powerhouse in sports, entertainment, fashion, and lifestyle over the last few years and appears to be here to stay — As picklers like to say, “pickleball to the moon!”
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