Pickleball equipment guide

Start simple

Many courts have loaner paddles and open-play groups share balls. Before spending hundreds on gear, play a few sessions to learn whether you prefer indoor or outdoor play and how often you’ll go.

Watch: why paddle approval matters

Tournament play requires paddles on the USA Pickleball approved list. Even for recreational buyers, understanding how equipment is tested helps you spot marketing hype. This official clip from USA Pickleball explains the lab standards behind approved paddles and balls.

Paddles

The paddle is your main investment. Key factors:

• Weight — Lighter paddles (7.0–7.6 oz) are easier on the arm for beginners; heavier paddles (8.0+ oz) add power but fatigue faster.
• Grip size — Measure from the middle crease of your palm to the tip of your ring finger; most adults use 4¼″ or 4½″. Too large a grip causes elbow strain.
• Core material — Polymer cores are common, durable, and good for all-around play. Beginners don’t need exotic materials.
• Face — Fiberglass faces feel softer with more pop; graphite/carbon faces tend to be controlled and popular as you improve.

Budget tip: A solid entry paddle in the $50–$90 range is enough for your first year. Upgrade when you know your style (control vs power).

Starter paddle examples (2024–2026)

These are widely available, beginner-friendly options—not paid endorsements. Prices change; check retailers for current deals.

• JOOLA Agassi Pro 14mm — Balanced feel, good control for new players learning dinks (~$80–$100).
• Selkirk SLK Halo Control Max — Lightweight, forgiving sweet spot; popular at rec centers (~$80–$90).
• HEAD Radical Elite — Budget-friendly composite paddle; fine for your first 6–12 months (~$50–$65).
• Onix Z5 Graphite — Classic wide-body shape; more power than control (~$70–$90).

When you outgrow a starter paddle, look at mid-tier control paddles (16 mm polymer core, carbon face) in the $120–$180 range—but only after you know your game.

Balls

• Outdoor balls — Harder plastic, smaller holes, built for wind and rough courts. They crack over time in cold weather.
• Indoor balls — Softer, larger holes, quieter on gym floors. Wear out from scuffing on abrasive surfaces.

Always bring the ball type that matches where you’re playing. Never mix indoor/outdoor in one session.

Common ball picks

• Franklin X-40 — Very common outdoor tournament ball; durable in warm weather.
• Onix Dura Fast 40 — Outdoor staple at many clubs; can get brittle in cold climates.
• JOOLA Primo — Popular outdoor option with consistent bounce.
• Franklin X-26 — Softer indoor ball; quieter on gym floors.
• Onix Pure 2 Indoor — Indoor rec play; replace when they get slick or out of round.

Buy a 3- or 12-pack—balls disappear, crack, or go out of round faster than you expect.

Shoes

Court shoes with lateral support beat running shoes. Pickleball involves side-to-side movement; running shoes are built for forward motion and increase ankle rollover risk. Look for:

• Non-marking soles (required in most gyms).
• Good lateral stability and a low-to-mid profile.
• Outdoor-specific tread if you mainly play on tennis-style courts.

Shoe examples

• ASICS Gel-Rocket / Upcourt — Affordable court shoes with decent lateral support for gym play.
• Mizuno Wave Exceed Tour — Lighter option for players who also play tennis-style outdoor courts.
• K-Swiss Pickleball Express / Hypercourt — Pickleball-branded court shoes with non-marking soles.

Volleyball or tennis court shoes often work too—avoid running shoes for side-to-side play.

What else to pack

• Water and towel—outdoor summer sessions dehydrate fast.
• Sweatband or hat for sun courts.
• Light layers; many players start in jackets and strip down after warming up.
• Sunscreen for outdoor play.

What you can skip (for now)

• Edge tape obsessiveness—add it when your paddle chips.
• Overgrips until your factory grip wears smooth.
• “Pro” paddles above $150 until you have consistent technique.