Pickleball gear
Paddles, balls, bags, shoes and the small accessories that actually change how you play. Every gear guide on the site, newest first.
Pickleball gear
How to choose a pickleball paddle: every spec that matters
Weight, grip, core thickness and face material — what each spec actually changes on court.
Pickleball gear
What to wear for pickleball: only one item can actually hurt you
Pickleball has no dress code, so the question is comfort and injury. Shoes are the only item that…
Pickleball gear
How to clean a pickleball paddle without ruining the face
A clogged face is usually why your spin disappeared. How to clean a raw carbon paddle in thirty…
Pickleball gear
Pickleball overgrip: how to wrap one and when to replace it
The cheapest change you can make to how a paddle feels. Tacky vs dry, how to wrap one…
Pickleball gear
USA Pickleball approved balls: what the stamp actually guarantees
Approved means a ball passed size, weight, bounce and hardness tests. It is not a durability rating or…
Pickleball gear
How long do pickleball balls last, and when to bin them
Pickleball balls fail two ways: they crack, or they quietly go soft. How long each type lasts, the…
Pickleball gear
What to pack in a pickleball bag: the rec player checklist
What actually belongs in a pickleball bag, split into what lives there permanently and what changes for indoor…
Pickleball gear
Pickleball bags: sling, backpack or duffel, and what to look for
Sling, backpack or duffel — which one fits how you play, the four features that matter, and what…
Pickleball gear
Pickleball sets: what is in one, and when to buy separately
A set bundles paddles, balls and sometimes a net. What you get at each price band, and the…
Pickleball gear
Pickleball accessories: what is worth buying and what is not
Overgrips and a spare ball tube change your week. Paddle erasers and vibration dampeners mostly do not. What…
Pickleball gear
Indoor vs outdoor pickleball balls: the difference that actually matters
Indoor balls are lighter, softer and have 26 big holes. Outdoor balls are harder with 40 small ones.…
Common questions
What pickleball paddle should I buy as a beginner?
A 16mm control paddle in a standard shape, weighing 7.8 to 8.2 ounces, with a grip that fits your hand. That combination is the most forgiving on off-centre hits and the easiest to reset with, and it costs well under $120 from any established brand.
What is the difference between a 14mm and a 16mm pickleball paddle?
Core thickness trades power for control. A 14mm core is stiffer and pops the ball harder, which suits drivers. A 16mm core flexes more, absorbs pace and makes soft resets easier — which is why most control paddles and most beginner recommendations are 16mm.
How much should a pickleball paddle weigh?
Most paddles land between 7.3 and 8.4 ounces. Under 7.6 is light and quick at the net but gets pushed around on drives; over 8.3 adds power and stability at the cost of hand speed. Between 7.8 and 8.2 ounces is the range most players settle in.