Pickleball Equipment

A paddle, a set of balls and court shoes. Most beginners are well served by a mid weight paddle from the middle of the price range rather than the cheapest one on the shelf. Indoor and outdoor balls are different, so buy for where you actually play. Court shoes matter more than people expect, because pickleball is built on constant side to side movement.

Indoor balls have fewer, larger holes and a softer plastic, so they are lighter, quieter and easier to control on a gym floor. Outdoor balls have more, smaller holes and harder plastic to cut through wind, which makes them faster and louder. Taking indoor balls outside is the most common beginner mistake.

No. Pickleball paddles are solid and flat with no strings, and the official rules set limits on their size. Tennis racquets are strung and much larger. Padel rackets are thicker and perforated. All three sports need their own gear.

Court shoes, yes. Running shoes are built for forward motion and give very little lateral support, which is the wrong shape for this sport. Tennis shoes work well on a pickleball court, and dedicated pickleball shoes are built on the same principle.