In search of quality pickleball equipment and apparel to enhance your playing experience? Here’s how and where to find them.
Pickleball has become a go-to form of recreation for many, mainly due to its accessibility. Anyone can play the game provided they have the space and equipment to do so. Whether you’re a player still searching for nice places to buy your gear, or a novice wondering what to look for when choosing your equipment and apparel, here’s a simple guide to help you get started.
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Choosing Your Paddle
When it comes to choosing your paddle, the most important factors to consider are weight, grip size, shape, thickness, and material.
Weight
The weight of your paddle will depend on what you prioritize as a player: heavier paddles (around 8.5 ounces and above) provide more power, while lighter paddles (roughly less than 7.2 ounces) give you more control. With that in mind, a medium-weight paddle (weighing around 7.3 to 8.4 ounces) would be the best option if you’re still a newcomer who wants the best of both worlds. You’re going to want to make sure it’s not too heavy, as it might cause injuries to the wrist or shoulder.
Grip
The length of your grip or handle can change your paddle’s “sweet spot” location (the area on the face where the ball will make contact). Shorter grips (roughly five inches or less) will bring the sweet spot closer to your hand, while long grips (around 5.5 inches or more) have higher sweet spots that work well for ground strokes and two-handed techniques. Those in the middle ground (5.1 to 5.4 inches) usually work well with players of all skill levels.
The grip of your paddle can affect the amount of control and comfort you experience, so it’s generally recommended that you try holding paddles in person to get a feel of what measurements work for you. Picking the wrong grip can not only cause blisters, but also affect your performance.
Shape
Paddles come in three different shapes, namely standard or classic, elongated, and wide-bodied. The standard or classic shape features the original dimensions of the pickleball paddle, and works well with different play styles and levels. The wider shape is more forgiving for beginners, as it offers a bigger surface area, and therefore more sweetspots. On the other hand, the longer shape is suited for those with experience in tennis, their taller form providing better reach and a “tighter” sweet spot that gives more power.
Thickness
The thickness of the paddle face works hand in hand with shape to enhance control, power, or both. Thicker paddles (which can measure anywhere between 14.1 to 16 millimeters) will provide more control, since they soften the impact of the ball; conversely, a thinner paddle will provide more power. If you’re just starting out, it’s best to choose either a thicker paddle or one that sits somewhere in the middle, as they offer a lot more control.
Material
When it comes to material, there are two parts of the paddle to take into consideration: the core and surface.
Core
The core is, as the name hints, the material that comprises the paddle’s inner structure. Cores can be made of wood, aluminum, and fiberglass, though the two most popular materials are Nomex and polymer.
Nomex is incredibly tough, which makes it very durable; in fact, it’s actually used as a flame-resistant material for aviation and military operations. It was Arlen Paranto, a Boeing engineer and pickleball enthusiast, who was the first to use the material in a paddle during the 1980s. Paddles with the Nomex core deliver both impressive power and speed.
Polymer (also referred to as polycore or polypropylene) is another frequently used core material, loved for its flexibility and durability. While not as robust as Nomex, it still provides a balanced blend of power and control, making it a versatile option for players of all kinds.
Surface
The surface material of your paddle can also change performance. There’s a wide assortment of materials out there in the market, but three common ones include fiberglass, graphite, and carbon fiber.
You’ll find that the most premium paddles often use graphite as a surface material due to how lightweight it is, providing optimal power and control for professional athletes. Meanwhile, carbon fiber is currently a popular choice due to its strength, durability, and ability to deliver maximum power with a large sweet spot.
Then there’s fiberglass or composite, another favored material with a textured surface, which gives players more flexibility and a better “spin” (which helps generate more powerful shots, prevents the ball from flying out, and allows for more creative play styles).
Choosing Your Pickleball
Choosing a pickleball ball is a little more straightforward, as there aren’t a lot of moving parts. Still, it’s crucial to select one that will not only get the job done, but also provide a better playing experience. There are a couple of standards to bear in mind according to the USA Pickleball Equipment Manual.
First, a ball must be made of a durable material, with a smooth surface and consistent color; there can be a slight rise at the seam, provided that it “does not significantly impact the ball’s flight characteristics. The standard ball size is 2.87 inches to 2.97 inches in diameter, with a weight between 0.78 and 0.935 ounces. Of course it’s not a pickleball ball without the distinctive holes: a standard ball should only have 26 to 40 holes in total.
You’ll also need to choose balls according to the type of court surface you’ll be playing on. A hardcourt or acrylic surface requires “outdoor” pickleball balls, made of hard plastic and typically featuring 40 small holes. Meanwhile, surfaces like vinyl, gymnasium, and concrete flooring usually require “indoor” pickleball balls, made with a softer plastic and featuring 26 bigger holes.
Generally, indoor balls are quieter and slower than outdoor ones, with a softer body that’s less prone to cracking. Outdoor balls crack quicker, and are heavy and loud when hit; however, their hardness also provides more bounce, and smaller holes mean they fare better in windy conditions.
What To Wear
There’s no specific outfit for pickleball; you could wear apparel made for other racket sports, or really any sportswear that feels comfortable. As a rule of thumb, you’ll want outfits that allow a wide range of movement through stretchy fabrics. They should also be breathable and moisture-wicking, plus points if they have weather or wind-resistant properties for outdoor play.
Women’s Dri-FIT Printed Tennis Dress
Where To Buy Your Equipment
A number of stores in the Philippines offer quality equipment that are recognized and praised within the pickleball world. Here are a few to check out:
Baseline Tennis Philippines
Baseline Tennis Philippines offers Paddletek Tempest Wave II paddles, which are built for ultimate control and accuracy thanks to a textured graphite surface, as well as a graphite Tempest PolyCore. This makes them a good choice for players who value strategy in short games, and want their paddle to feel like a true extension of their body. The shop also offers indoor and outdoor pickleballs from Franklin X-40, which are the official pickleball balls of the US Open Pickleball Championships.
Outdoor Depot
Outdoor Depot also has a solid roster of premium pickleball paddles and balls from Selkirk, a leading and respected brand within the sport. Selkirk makes paddles for both beginners and hardcore professionals (as well as those in between). The shop offers top-of-the-line models like the Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air Invikta and Selkirk VANGUARD 2.0 Epic (All Around), both of which provide excellent control, power, and consistency.
Pickl’d Philippines
Pickl’d Philippines is a highly-curated specialty store offering premium pickleball paddles from smaller but equally esteemed brands. These include Pickleball Apes, KiwiLabs, ACE, Ronbus, and Bread & Butter. These brands’ paddles aren’t just top-notch, but also pleasing to the eye. Playful color combinations and designs prove that tools don’t have to compromise looks for quality. KiwiLabs in particular is dedicated to creating professional-level paddles that are a bang for the buck, making them a good option for intermediate players.
While you don’t need to purchase the most expensive equipment or specially-made apparel to enjoy the sport, it pays to remember that quality gear can really help improve the overall experience.
Banner photo by Lindsey Flynn via Pexels.
