Okay, so I got hooked on pickleball a while back. Fun game, right? But the first thing I struggled with wasn’t the dinking, it was figuring out what to wear. Seemed simple, but I quickly learned there’s more to it.
At first, I just grabbed whatever was clean from my workout drawer. Usually some old cotton t-shirt and maybe basketball shorts. Big mistake. After like, ten minutes of running around, that cotton shirt felt like a wet towel clinging to me. Super uncomfortable. And the shorts? They were okay, but sometimes a bit baggy, felt like they got in the way.
Time for a Rethink
I started paying attention to what the regulars were wearing down at the courts. Lots of lighter fabrics, stuff that looked like it breathed better. Nobody was really rocking cotton. Mostly saw athletic tops, similar to what tennis players wear. And shorts or skirts designed for movement.
Finding What Works
So, I decided I needed an upgrade. Didn’t want to spend a fortune, just wanted to be comfortable.
- Tops: I went looking specifically for moisture-wicking shirts. You know, the polyester kind? Found a few simple ones, some sleeveless, some short-sleeved. Made a huge difference. Stayed way drier, didn’t feel weighed down by sweat. Game changer, honestly.
- Bottoms: This took a bit more trial and error. I tried some standard athletic shorts. Looked for ones with decent pockets – gotta hold that extra ball, right? Found some lightweight stretchy ones that worked well. Also tried a couple of athletic skirts, or skorts I guess they call them, with the built-in shorts. Pretty comfy too, and good freedom of movement. The key was finding something that didn’t restrict my lunges or quick side steps.
- Shoes: This was crucial. I initially wore my running shoes. Bad idea. My feet felt unstable moving side-to-side. Saw folks wearing court shoes, like for tennis or volleyball. Went and got a pair specifically for court sports. Much better support for all the lateral movement in pickleball. Really helped my footing and saved my ankles.
- Extras: Started wearing a hat or visor pretty quick. Keeps the sun out of my eyes, especially when serving. Sometimes sweatbands too, if it’s really hot out.
My Go-To Gear Now
So, after all that fiddling, my usual pickleball outfit is pretty straightforward now. I usually pick:
- A breathable, sweat-wicking top (tank or short sleeve depending on the weather).
- Lightweight athletic shorts with good pockets, or sometimes a comfy skort.
- My court shoes. Non-negotiable.
- A trusty baseball cap.
It’s Not About Fashion Shows
End of the day, you don’t need fancy brand-name stuff. Just focus on comfort and function. You need clothes that breathe, let you move freely, and shoes that support quick changes in direction. Figuring this out made playing way more enjoyable for me. Just get out there in something comfy and have fun!
