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Wondering about the best gifts for pickleball players? The sport that has everyone talking about it–not to mention dinking it up on the courts–is an easy one to shop for. And that’s particularly true when you know the best pickleball gifts to give the players in your life.
Read on for shopping ideas for everything your favorite pickleball player will love–and love putting to use, too, next time they take to the court to play the racket sport that’s totally taken the world by storm.
Our picks for the best pickleball gifts in 2024
Thorlos cushion edge court low cut socks
Buy it now on Amazon
These low-cut socks made with an acrylic, nylon, polyester and elastic blend have just the right amount of padding in the heel and over the toes to ensure feet stay comfortable during a fast-paced pickleball match.
The low-cut style of these cushioned pickleball socks have an anatomical design meant to complement your foot’s natural contours, all the better for achieving the best possible fit.
The socks’ arch and ankle areas are bolstered with a compression material that provides extra support where you need it most while playing and also ensures the socks stay comfortably in place.
Gamma pickleball grip
Buy it now on Amazon
Pickleball players are particular when it comes to the paddles they use. And hanging onto that paddle while playing is a non-negotiable when it comes to making controlled and accurate serves.
That can be a challenge, however, when the competition gets heated and sweaty–and that’s when having a good pickleball grip for your paddle can help.
Sized to fit all pickleball paddles, the high-traction honeycomb design is a favorite among players thanks to airflow features that keep your hands cool and less sweaty while ensuring a secure grip that lets you nail those precise hits.
Vuori Halo performance skort
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY REI
Buy it now at REI
Pickleball isn’t about fashion, but it doesn’t hurt to hone your on-court look with an aesthetic skort from a Climate Neutral Certified brand like this one that does double-duty by letting you move with agility (and look good while doing it).
Available in three different heathered hues (black, light blue and off white), the Vuori Halo Performance Skort is made from a sweat-wicking and super comfortable fabric with plenty of stretch for ease of motion.
The two side pockets are handy for stashing pickleballs, and the skort’s internal shorts are another feature that makes it ideal for active use. The fabric is made mostly from recycled polyester and elastane for a comfortable and functional stretch effect.
Selkirk Evo Powermax paddle
Buy it now on Amazon
Picking a pickleball paddle can be a pretty personal choice. The Selkirk Evo Power Max is a crowd-pleaser among players and is known for its spin and shot consistency thanks to its textured surface.
The carbon fiber paddle is low profile and lightweight at roughly 8 ounces, and the cushioned grip is both non-slip and comfortable to grasp. The paddle’s polymer core makes it thicker than some other paddles–all the better for finding that sweet spot and sending a more powerful hit.
Franklin pickleball protective glasses
Buy it now on Amazon
It’s a wise move to protect your eyes when playing pickleball since those hits from opponents can come in screaming. A good pair of protective glasses like this affordable pair from Franklin makes for a great pickleball gift.
The polycarbonate frames are lightweight, and the lenses offer UV protection for outdoor play while preventing glare. The glasses come with a head strap, too, to make sure they stay comfortably in place while you’re playing. They’re so comfortable, in fact, you might find yourself wearing them for off-the-court active pursuits, too.
Retro pickleball hat
Buy it now on Amazon
The decision to wear a hat while playing is another personal choice for pickleballers. But protecting your head from the blazing sun might see you reaching for this fun retro pickleball hat with 70s flair from Super Fly Goods–both on and off the court.
The unisex style and plastic adjustable strap on the back means it’s one size fits all. And it’s easy to fall in love with the fun “Pickle Baller” verbiage on the front, all the better for keeping things light–on and off the court.
Mangrove pickleball bag
Buy it now on Amazon
Another winner among unisex pickleball gift ideas, this carryall bag makes it easy to pack up everything you need for a day of play in one tidy package. This pickleball bag is made from 100 percent polyester so it’s easy to clean and dries in a hurry, too.
The Mangrove Pickleball Bag has a large main compartment for storing your paddles as well as secondary pockets that include a felt-lined valuables pocket ideal for stashing your phone away during play.
The bag’s reversible straps mean you can wear it just as comfortably on your left or right shoulder. Padding in the back area makes it extra comfortable to wear. Use the bag’s hook to attach it to a fence while you play. There’s a deep side pocket for storing a water bottle and reflective strips on the front for an extra safety feature if you’re walking to and from the court after dark.
Millie Rose pickleball towels
Buy it now on Amazon
If you’re not breaking a sweat are you even playing pickleball? You can wick away perspiration and dirt in style with these pretty microfiber towels. They even have carabiner clips so you can attach them to a fence or right onto your bag.
The towels have 100 percent cotton on one side and an extra absorbent microfiber on the patterned side. Machine washable and dryable, the Millie Rose Pickleball Towels can be washed together with your regular laundry when you’ve finished play for the day, too.
Onix pickleball backpack
Buy it now on Amazon
Backpack-style pickleball bags make for popular pickleball gift ideas, too. This large capacity bag from ONIX can fit as many as three paddles inside and comes in a bright orange color that’s easy to pick out in a crowd.
Padded shoulder straps make the bag easy to carry, just as you would any other backpack. The four zippered pockets include shoe and wet-storage areas, making it easy to separate your gear for transport.
Prana moisture wicking skort
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY REI
Buy it now at Prana or REI
Here’s another good-looking pickleball skort for playing in style and comfort. Prana’s Railay Snap-up Skort comes in black, light green and pale beige colors, and has snaps running up the right side that let you unbutton to your liking for even more moveability.
Made from stretchy, wrinkle-resistant fabric of mostly recycled polyester, the skort is rated UPF 50+ for sun protection and has a side seam pocket for storing your phone, cash, and cards.
Vuori Strato Tech t-shirt
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY REI
Buy it now at REI
It’s all about keeping your cool under pressure during a heated pickleball match. Having the right moisture-wicking clothing–like this men’s t-shirt from Climate Neutral Certified brand Vuori– can help.
Made from mostly polyester and a touch of Spandex to add stretch, the Strato Tech T-Shirt has UPF sun-protective fabric that protects you from punishing rays while wicking away perspiration and drying in a jiffy, too. The material helps prevent chafing, too, so go ahead–lunge and make those power plays. This t-shirt will play along with you.
Adidas unisex sports headband
Buy it now on Amazon
A good headband might be the single most overlooked piece of pickleball gear that’s really worth bringing to every game. Adidas makes this comfortable, unisex version that’s nice and wide. Plus, it’s made from two layers of mesh that promote airflow while working to wick away moisture at the same time. One size fits all, so just slip it on before playing and stop worrying about sweat and sunscreen dripping into your eyes and fogging the view.
CRBN pickleball paddle eraser
Buy it now on Amazon
Keeping your pickleball paddle free of scratches and imperfections can improve your performance–after all, pickleballs spin better when hitting a clean paddle. It’s easy to keep your paddle up to par when you keep this pickleball paddle eraser handy in your bag.
Rub the soft rubber eraser over your paddle’s carbon fiber surface, and any imperfections come right off. Do be aware that there’s latex in this eraser, so anyone with a latex allergy should avoid using it.
Women’s The Roger Pro by On
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY ON RUNNING
Buy it now at On
Swiss performance running shoe company, On, tapped none other than tennis star Roger Federer to make this court shoe from 100 percent carbon fiber “Speedboard” material. So, it isn’t any surprise that The Roger Pro is lauded with delivering maximum energy return to wearers.
The shoes were designed with lateral and medial support in mind to support the ease of lateral movement that court sports require. The mesh material promotes breathability, too. So, even while these shoes are strong, they’re also delightfully airy.
Franklin Sports X-40 pickleballs
Buy it now on Amazon
Ask any pickleball player, and they’ll tell you–you can never have too many extra pickleballs at the ready. While there are many brands out there, the game’s go-to for outdoor play is Franklin Sports X-40 pickleballs. They have 40 machine-drilled holes in each ball that serve to achieve a reliable and consistent flight pattern and spin.The balls have no seams and resist denting and cracking remarkably well during outdoor play. Chosen for official use by both the US Open Pickleball Championship and USA Pickleball, they’ve been vetted for serious play, too.
Terry Ward is a freelance travel writer based in Tampa, Florida. She has written for many publications, including National Geographic, CNN, Conde Nast Traveler, Afar, Travel+Leisure, and Scuba Diving magazine, where she writes a monthly column.
*Although we are sharing our personal opinions of these experiences or products with you, National Geographic is not endorsing these experiences or products on behalf of anyone. It has not performed product safety testing on any of these products, did not manufacture them, and is not selling, or distributing them and is not making any representations about the safety or caliber of these products or experiences for individual consumers. Prices and availability are subject to change from the date of publication.
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