Looking the part is one way you can manifest success in life. Showing up to the pickleball courts looking like you came from basketball practice won’t yield the best results. But knowing what to look for when buying pickleball clothing lets you get the appropriate attire to take on all comers.
For the Noggin
Usually, pickleball matches occur outside, with the weather taking a toll on your overall well-being. The best way to minimize the impact of the solar system’s shining light is to shield against it with headwear. Luckily, there are no rules on what type of hat you can wear, so it all comes down to preference.
The standard billed cap is the selection of many players. Not only does it protect the top of your head, but the bill can shield some of the glare that’s causing blind spots.
A bucket hat is the best option if you want to create a barrier between your head and neck from the sun. Its circular, wide brim can protect areas that a traditional billed capped cannot.
The Headsweats Race Day Cap is a great option for comfort and protection. Made from CoolMax materials with 40+ UPF protection. Ultra-light and 100% machine washable.
Keep an Eye Out
Sometimes, a hat can only do so much for improving your sight on the court. Opting for a pair of sunglasses allows you to see things more clearly while protecting your eyes from any hard-hit shots or strange bounces.
An ideal strategy for finding the finest eyewear is getting a pair of glasses that can help you see and protect your eyes effectively. While one might think any ordinary pair of sunglasses will do the trick, athletic sunglasses like Tourna Eyeguards or the Gearbox Vision do a better job. And if the style is more your priority, you can go with Revo sunglasses.
Gearbox Vision eyewear features anti-coating on the lenses and exceeds ASTM F803-11 ball impact standards for ultimate protection and safety.
No Sweat
A common trend when shopping for pickleball attire is that there’s no hard-and-fast rule about what you must wear. However, there are items you should wear that can improve your game and make you feel comfortable.
Athletic apparel keeps your body cool and dry throughout the day and works better than your ordinary cotton T-shirt. After an hour on the court, your sweaty T-shirt will feel like a wet blanket, making moisture-wicking apparel your best option because it won’t restrict your movement.
Other than that, it’s all a matter of preference in style or brand, so feel free to shop around for your favorite shirts.
Keep It Short
You can substitute the words “pants” or “shorts” for “shirts,” and the point remains the same. Your clothing restricting your movement is not a good recipe for success, considering how vital catlike reflexes are in this game. Choose something stylish that you can wear comfortably. Also, don’t be afraid to show off your personality and get something flashy, or you can stick to the good old faithful black option.
Protecting What's Important
It’s easy to fall into the trap of only focusing on your outer appearance, overlooking what’s happening underneath the surface. Your underwear selection can have more of an impact than one might assume. If you are prone to playing multiple matches for several hours, you’ll need premium underwear like 2UNDR’s sweat-wicking boxer briefs, which prevent chafing.
Women should wear athletic sports bras to give them the support they need while playing. Adidas has one of the best sports bras, giving you a snug feel with a sleek touch. There are Zensah’s sports bras for ultimate protection, which prevent bouts of chafing.
It's Got To Be The Shoes
Shoes are atop the list of items you shouldn’t skimp out on. Having a trusty pair of pickleball kicks goes a long way in improving your playing ability and making you feel comfortable on the court.
When looking for pickleball shoes, find something that is lightweight but offers a snug fit and anti-slip traction. The three most important factors when choosing the best pickleball footwear are lateral support, responsive cushioning, and durable tread on the outsole. These qualities allow you to attack the net, get into position for a crosscourt rally, and dive on the baseline to keep the ball in play. You'll also keep your feet healthy and stay protected from injury.
And most importantly, avoid wearing running shoes. Running shoes aren't good options because they are designed for heel-to-toe stride, rather than lateral movement, so you risk rolling an ankle if you play pickleball in traditional running sneakers.
The FILA Double Bounce 3 Pickleball court shoe features pivot areas in the forefoot of the shoe for added traction, plus a high-abrasion rubber outsole and mesh upper panels for breathability.
Sock It To Me
We’ve neared the end of our head, shoulders, knees, and toes guide for what a pickleball player should wear. Your feet are an integral part of playing to your fullest potential. If you’re wearing uncomfortable shoes, it can be difficult to focus on the match because all you’re thinking about is how much pain you feel.
One way to alleviate discomfort in your feet is to wear a cozy and supportive pair of socks. Performance socks are helpful for the demands of a pickleball match. Lasso compression socks offer built-in ankle and arch support to deliver relief and protection.
Miscellaneous Items
There are complementary items that can enhance your game, so let’s briefly touch on these items.
• Gloves: A racquet glove can prevent blisters and give you a better grip so your pickleball paddle doesn’t slip out of your hand.
• Sweatbands: It can be a nuisance for perspiration to drip into your eyes. Put on a sweatband to ensure your retinas aren’t damaged.
• Dresses or skirts: Women might prefer the traditional tennis appearance of a dress or skirt. It does help for moving around, and you can wear something chic too.
The Lotto Sport Top Ten
women's tennis dress brings traditional style to the pickleball court. Move freely thanks to its lightweight fabrics and racerback design. Built-in bra for added support and comfort.
Knowing what to look for when buying pickleball clothing can give you confidence in how you look and move around the court.
Fromuth Pickleball has all your bases covered, from shirts to shorts to shoes. You can browse our selection of pickleball outfits and have them in time for your next match. You can stock up with our free UPS ground shipping of orders over $75!