Pickleball Accessories: Must-Have Gear for Every Player

You have your paddle. Now what? The right pickleball accessories can make the difference between a comfortable, confident session on the court and one spent adjusting your grip, nursing sore feet, or chasing cracked balls across the parking lot. This guide covers every piece of gear worth considering beyond the paddle itself, so you can show up prepared and play your best.

If you are still choosing a paddle, our guide to the best pickleball paddles covers that decision in detail. This article focuses on everything else.

Court Shoes: The Most Important Accessory You Can Buy

If you only invest in one accessory, make it a proper pair of court shoes. Running shoes, walking shoes, and cross-trainers are not designed for the lateral movements pickleball demands. They lack the flat, wide soles and reinforced sidewalls that prevent ankle rolls during quick shuffles and direction changes.

What to look for in pickleball shoes:

• Lateral support — A wide, stable base with reinforced sides keeps your feet planted during side-to-side movement. This is the single most important feature.
• Non-marking outsoles — Required for indoor courts. Many outdoor court shoes are also non-marking, which keeps your options open.
• Herringbone or modified herringbone tread — This pattern provides traction on hard court surfaces without gripping so aggressively that it stresses your knees.
• Cushioning — Adequate midsole padding absorbs impact from the repetitive stopping and starting that defines pickleball footwork.
• Toe reinforcement — Dragging your toe during serves and lunges wears through flimsy toe boxes fast. Look for reinforced or rubber toe caps.

Popular brands making dedicated pickleball shoes include ASICS, K-Swiss, New Balance, and Skechers. Tennis shoes also work well since the movement patterns are similar. Avoid running shoes entirely — their narrow, curved soles are built for forward motion and offer almost no lateral stability.

Wearing the right shoes also plays a major role in injury prevention. Our guide to preventing common pickleball injuries covers this in more detail.

What Should I Wear to Play Pickleball?

Pickleball does not have a strict dress code outside of sanctioned tournaments, but the right clothing makes a noticeable difference in comfort and performance.

Tops: Moisture-wicking athletic shirts keep you dry and comfortable. Cotton absorbs sweat and gets heavy. In warm weather, lightweight, breathable fabrics are essential. In cooler conditions, a quarter-zip pullover or a light athletic jacket layered over a wicking base layer works well.

Bottoms: Athletic shorts, skorts, or lightweight pants with stretch fabric allow full range of motion. Avoid anything with limited mobility or rough seams that cause chafing during extended play. Pockets are helpful for holding a spare ball.

Socks: Do not overlook socks. Cushioned athletic socks with moisture-wicking properties reduce blisters and absorb shock. Some players prefer slightly thicker socks for additional cushioning, while others go thinner for a closer feel in their shoes. Avoid cotton socks — they trap moisture and increase blister risk.

Hats and visors: Essential for outdoor play. A hat or visor blocks sun glare that can interfere with tracking the ball, especially on overheads. Look for lightweight, breathable options with sweat-wicking headbands.

Sunglasses: Sport-specific sunglasses with wrap-around frames stay in place during movement and protect your eyes from both UV rays and errant balls. Polarized lenses reduce glare from court surfaces. Make sure they fit snugly enough that they do not bounce or slide during play.

For a breakdown of how clothing and gear choices differ between playing environments, see our indoor vs outdoor pickleball guide.

Pickleball Balls: Indoor vs Outdoor

Balls wear out faster than most new players expect, so keeping extras in your bag is essential. More importantly, you need the right ball for your playing environment.

Outdoor balls are made from harder plastic with 40 smaller holes. They handle wind better, fly faster, and hold up on rough asphalt and concrete surfaces. Popular options include the Dura Fast 40, Franklin X-40, and Onix Pure 2.

Indoor balls use softer plastic with 26 larger holes. They fly slower, are quieter, and offer more control on smooth gymnasium floors. The Onix Fuse and Franklin X-26 are well-regarded choices.

Keep at least three to four balls in your bag at all times. Outdoor balls crack in cold weather and after repeated hard hits. Indoor balls deform over time and lose their round shape. Having fresh replacements means you never lose court time due to a dead ball.

Pickleball Paddle Accessories

Your paddle can be customized with several accessories that affect grip comfort, weight, and durability.

Overgrips

Overgrips are thin wraps applied over your paddle's existing grip. They serve two purposes: absorbing sweat for a more secure hold, and slightly increasing grip circumference for players who find their stock grip too thin. Overgrips are inexpensive (usually under five dollars for a three-pack) and should be replaced regularly — a worn overgrip becomes slick and reduces control.

Tourna Grip is the most popular option for sweat absorption. Players in dry climates may prefer tackier options like Gamma Supreme or Wilson Pro. Experiment with a few brands to find what works for your hand and conditions.

Replacement Grips

If the underlying grip on your paddle has deteriorated or you want a significantly different feel, a full replacement grip is the way to go. These are thicker than overgrips and completely replace the original wrap. Cushioned replacement grips can reduce vibration and hand fatigue during long sessions.

Lead Tape

Lead tape is a thin adhesive strip applied to the paddle face or edge to adjust weight and balance. Adding tape to the top of the paddle head increases power and stability on off-center hits. Adding it to the sides shifts weight toward the edges, expanding the effective sweet spot. Adding it to the handle or throat area moves the balance point closer to the hand for quicker reaction time.

Lead tape is popular among intermediate and advanced players who want to fine-tune their paddle without buying a new one. Start with small amounts — even a few grams can noticeably change how the paddle plays.

Edge Guards

Edge guards are protective strips that run along the rim of your paddle. Many paddles come with factory edge guards, but these wear down from ground contact, especially on serves and low shots. Replacement edge guards are inexpensive and extend the life of your paddle by preventing chips and cracks along the edge.

Some advanced players remove edge guards entirely to maximize the hitting surface, but for most players the protection is worth keeping.

Bags and Backpacks

A dedicated pickleball bag keeps your gear organized, protects your paddles, and makes it easy to carry everything to the court. Options range from simple sling bags that hold one paddle and a few balls to full backpacks with compartments for multiple paddles, shoes, water bottles, and personal items.

Features to look for:

• Padded paddle compartment — Protects your paddle face from scratches and impacts during transport.
• Ventilated shoe pocket — Separates sweaty shoes from clean gear and allows airflow.
• Water bottle holder — External pockets sized for bottles keep hydration accessible.
• Fence hook — A clip or carabiner loop that lets you hang your bag on the court fence rather than setting it on the ground.

If you carry just one paddle and a few essentials, a compact sling bag is sufficient. Players who bring multiple paddles, extra shoes, or like having everything at hand will appreciate a larger backpack design.

Hydration and Sun Protection

This category is easy to overlook but directly affects your performance and safety, especially during outdoor play.

Insulated water bottles: A double-walled insulated bottle keeps water cold for hours, even in summer heat. Look for bottles that hold at least 24 ounces. Playing even a casual session without adequate water leads to faster fatigue, reduced focus, and increased injury risk.

Electrolyte supplements: For sessions lasting longer than an hour, or in hot and humid conditions, plain water is often not enough. Electrolyte drink mixes or tablets replace the sodium, potassium, and magnesium lost through sweat. Brands like Liquid IV, LMNT, and Nuun are popular among pickleball players.

Sunscreen: For outdoor play, apply a sport-formulated, sweat-resistant sunscreen of at least SPF 30 before every session. Reapply during breaks for sessions lasting over an hour.

Court Accessories and Training Aids

Several accessories help you set up courts, train more effectively, or practice on your own.

Portable nets: If your local courts are crowded or you want to play in a driveway, parking lot, or gym without permanent nets, a portable net system gets you on the court anywhere. Quality portable nets from brands like JOOLA and Onix set up in minutes and meet regulation height. Prices range from around 100 to 250 dollars depending on build quality.

Court markers and temporary lines: Adhesive court lines or chalk markers let you set up a regulation court on any flat surface. These are useful for converting tennis courts, gym floors, or driveways into temporary pickleball courts.

Ball machines: For players serious about solo practice, pickleball ball machines feed balls at adjustable speeds, spins, and trajectories. They are a significant investment (500 to 2000 dollars) but provide consistent, repeatable practice that is hard to replicate with a partner.

Practice balls: Foam and low-bounce practice balls let you work on mechanics indoors or in confined spaces without worrying about breaking anything. They are useful for warming up swing patterns at home before heading to the court.

Protective and Recovery Gear

As you play more frequently, recovery and protective accessories become increasingly important.

Protective eyewear: Pickleball balls travel fast at the net, and an errant shot to the eye can cause serious injury. Sports glasses with polycarbonate lenses provide impact protection without sacrificing visibility. Some models fit over prescription glasses.

Compression sleeves: Arm and knee compression sleeves support muscles and joints during play, and many players wear them for recovery afterward. They can help manage mild elbow tendinitis and knee soreness.

Gloves: Pickleball gloves improve grip in sweaty or humid conditions. They also reduce friction and blister formation for players with sensitive hands. Most gloves cover only the paddle hand and are made from thin, breathable materials that maintain paddle feel.

Foam rollers and massage balls: Post-session foam rolling and targeted massage release tightness in calves, quads, and forearms. A compact foam roller or a lacrosse ball fits easily in a pickleball bag and makes a noticeable difference in recovery when used consistently.

Building Your Gear Kit: Priorities by Player Level

Not every player needs everything on this list. Here is a practical priority guide.

Brand new players: Court shoes, a few balls appropriate to your playing environment, and a water bottle. These three items cover the essentials and keep your initial investment low.

Regular recreational players: Add an overgrip, a bag to organize your gear, moisture-wicking clothing, a hat or visor for outdoor play, and sunscreen. These accessories remove small annoyances that add up over multiple sessions per week.

Competitive and frequent players: Layer in lead tape for paddle customization, replacement grips, edge guards, protective eyewear, compression sleeves, and electrolyte supplements. At this level, marginal gains in comfort and performance matter, and injury prevention becomes a higher priority.

Final Thoughts

The right pickleball accessories do not make you a better player by themselves, but they remove friction, protect your body, and let you focus entirely on your game. Start with proper court shoes and the right balls for your environment, then expand your kit as you play more often and discover what your game needs.

Every accessory on this list solves a real problem that players encounter on the court. Build your gear kit gradually, prioritize comfort and safety, and you will be set up to enjoy pickleball for years to come.