What to Wear for Pickleball
Whether you’re new to pickleball or want to get more involved in organized play, knowing what pickleball outfit to wear can make the experience more enjoyable. When on a pickleball court, there’s really no official outfit that you have to wear. However, there are some different options you can consider to make your time in a pickleball game more comfortable and perform at your best.
The Best Pickleball Outfits and Pickleball Clothing
The best pickleball outfits are typically moisture-wicking, stretchy fabrics, built-in shorts or tennis skirts with ball pockets, and breathable fabrics that provide comfort for high-mobility play. More often than not, this pickleball clothing tends to be athletic wear that combines many of these features. From easier lateral movement to keeping your body temperature cool, these options are almost always the best choice for what to wear to play pickleball.
Is There A Dress Code for Organized Play?
Although most locations where you can play don’t have a strict dress code for organized play, specific clubs and sanctioned tournaments often enforce basic safety and courtesy guidelines for pickleball attire so everyone can comfortably play. In a USA Pickleball sanctioned event, there are some more specific guidelines for an “official dress code.” Some of these include shoes that do not mark or damage the playing surface, graphics or pictures that are in good taste, and clothing that is not deemed inappropriate by the Tournament Director (like clothing that matches the color of the ball).
Moisture Wicking T-shirts Help You Stay Cool
If comfort and performance are your goals, lightweight, moisture-wicking materials with athletic tops are great options for keeping you dry and cool. Although cotton may be comfortable at first, it can retain moisture and cause chafing, leading to an uncomfortable experience. If you can find moisture wicking shirts that are made with 4-way stretch materials, you also have a great range of motion for lunging and movement during play. These two features often come hand in hand, so consider them when looking for your favorite pickleball outfit!
Do You Need Special Pickleball Shoes?
Pickleball court shoes are typically simple tennis shoes. With pickleball, this is true for both indoor and outdoor play. As long as your shoes provide lateral support and traction for quick directional changes, you’ll have a better time playing. If you want more comfort with performance, cushioned shoes can help absorb shocks of sudden movement during play. High-top shoes can even provide some extra ankle support for players. If you want to avoid blisters, breathable uppers in shoes can help (or cushioned socks as well). Just remember to avoid any indoor shoes that might have marking soles so you can better protect court surfaces. And, for your own safety, no open toe shoes including flip flops, sandals etc.
Indoor Play vs. Playing on Outdoor Courts
If you’re playing on indoor courts, you can essentially wear whatever you are most comfortable in. At the Friendly Pickle, we have climate controlled indoor courts that are played year round, meaning you can always wear what works best for your comfort and personal style.
For outdoor pickleball during warmer months, you can wear hats or visors to better see while also giving yourself some sun protection (UV protection sunscreen is recommended too) on hot weather days. You can also wear clothing made of performance materials like wicking fabrics during warm weather to help you stay cooler throughout the day. On cooler days, you can wear a light jacket or long-sleeve shirt and remove any extra layers as you warm up during play! Because the weather can be a bit unpredictable, if you’re planning to play outdoors, just make sure you check the forecast before you head out to see what the right clothing will be for you to feel comfortable.
Our Recommended Clothing for Playing Pickleball
Knowing all of this, you can safely guess some of our recommendations at Friendly Pickle! We typically recommend whatever you would normally wear if you were taking a workout class or going for a run. For shoes, tennis shoes are a great option. If you’re becoming more invested in playing, court shoes are an even better choice that we would recommend, as they’ll give you more stability and will take longer to wear down. Generally, though, whatever you’re comfortable in what you play in, you’ll have fun at Friendly Pickle. We’ve even seen people play in jeans before!
Whatever you decide to wear on the court, we look forward to seeing you come in and play. Don’t sweat the outfit! Instead, come in and join one of the fastest growing sports by signing up for a free intro lesson or open play today!
