✏️ Update: October 30, 2024

Finding a thoughtful gift for a pickleball player can be a fun challenge. Whether you’re shopping for a seasoned pro or someone just discovering the joy of the game, this curated list offers pickleball gift ideas for every player. From stocking stuffers to courtside essentials, we’ve got pickleball gift ideas for everyone on your list.

Pickleball gifts fall into two categories: essentials and nice-to-haves. Paddles and balls are essential, while protective eyewear or a sun shirt are more optional. Many useful pickleball gifts, like grips or towels, make great stocking stuffers and cost less than fifty dollars. If you’re buying a gift for a beginner or casual player, a good-quality paddle in the $50-$150 range is usually a safe bet. More advanced players, however, often have specific preferences for paddle brands and models based on their weight, balance, and other criteria. The included shopping links will give you an idea of the cost of each item covered here.

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So, here are a few pickleball gift ideas for players of any skill level.

Pickleball Stocking Stuffers (under $35)

Balls

Whether indoors or outdoors, pickleball balls are a recurring cost for players. For simple-looking plastic balls with holes in them, good-quality pickleball balls can be surprisingly pricey. A set of reliable, tournament-grade balls makes a good stocking-stuffer gift for pickleball enthusiasts. With the sheer number of pickleball brands and models, picking the right ones can be tricky. Here’s a set of outdoor balls popular among regular players.

Hat

Hats are essential for outdoor pickleball play and offer sun protection and style. Most major pickleball and tennis brands sell hats that work well while playing in the sun. Alternatively, you can pick from a range of cool moisture-wicking hats that you find online that are lightweight and machine washable.

Socks

Comfort starts from the feet up. Moisture-wicking, cushioned socks for athletic activity offer support and comfort during extended matches. While you can use any good quality sports socks for pickleball, one brand, OS1st (OrthoSleeve First), stands out as the favourite of the pickleball-playing community. You can pick them up at the company’s site or use the included Amazon link.

Protective Eyewear

Protective eyewear comes in two flavors. One protects your eyes from injuries while the other protects you from the sun. With more and more beginners stepping on the pickleball court, the chances of getting it with a ball are increasingly high. For newbies and older players, safety should be paramount. Protective eyewear safeguards against unexpected accidents on the court, ensuring players enjoy the game without worrying about their vision.

Sun Shirt

Sun shirts offer both UV protection and style, making them a valuable addition to any player’s wardrobe for outdoor matches. This gift is especially beneficial for those who play primarily on outdoor courts, providing an extra layer of protection beyond sunscreen.

Water Bottle

Staying hydrated is vital to peak performance in any sport. Pickleball is no different. A durable water bottle can come in handy while playing a game of pickleball or exploring the trail on a summer day.

Grips/Over-grips

Paddle grips wear out over time. Replacement grips and over-grips ensure the paddle handle does not slip while a shot is executed. Grips come in various colors and textures and make a good stocking stuffer gift for pickleball players.

Ball Holder

If you carry around more than two balls in your bag, this pickleball ball holder may come in handy. This one is a nice-to-have for players who find themselves often rummaging in their bags to find a ball.

Pickleball Courtside Essentials (under $100)

Paddle

Pickleball paddles make great gifts since every pickleball player can use one. However, high-end pickleball paddles don’t come cheap and are often priced higher than tennis and squash racquets. With the manufacturers offering choices of materials, weight, thickness, shape, and appearance, advanced players look for paddles that best fit their playing style and ability. While it may make sense to spend serious dollars to pick up a top-of-the-line paddle for an advanced player, recreational players may be happy to get a paddle that looks great and does the job.

Selkirk Paddle

Selkirk paddles cater to intermediate and advanced players and are priced accordingly. The image of Selkirk’s Evo paddle is shown here. Selkirk offers a wide selection of designs, models, and colors, including paddles with the popular open-throat design.

Pickleball Shoes

With the increasing popularity of pickleball, injuries are on the rise. The appropriate gear is crucial to perform well on the court while staying injury-free. While many players focus on their paddle and attire, the right pair of pickleball shoes is often overlooked. Though most pickleball players sport non-marking tennis shoes to play the game, a pair of dedicated pickleball shoes can make an excellent gift for outdoor and indoor play.

Skechers

The American footwear company Skechers has become the fourth-largest shoe brand in the United States. From its roots in utility-style boots and men’s street shoes, the company has grown to offer footwear products targeted at the pickleball-playing community. With prominent event and player sponsorships, Skechers has become one of the best-recognized dedicated pickleball shoe brands today. You can find popular men’s pickleball shoes here.

Pickleball Apparel

When looking for pickleball apparel, there are two things to consider: on-court clothing and off-court clothing. The clothes worn during gameplay are made from lightweight, moisture-wicking material for maximum mobility and breathability. Off-court pickleball apparel consists of streetwear and fashion statements representing aspects of the pickleball lifestyle. While you can safely pick tennis apparel for male and female pickleball players, here are a few unique finds you may want to check out.

Pickleball Bag

If the pickleballer in your life carries her playing gear in a shopping bag, it’s time to get her a pickleball bag. It’s a practical gift that not only keeps equipment organized but also adds a touch of convenience to a player’s life. Racquet bags have evolved and hold a lot more than racquets and paddles. Paddles, balls, water bottle, shoes, spare clothes, towel, sweatbands, and other accessories get thrown into the players’ bags. You can opt for branded pickleball bags or a cool bag that serves the purpose.

Gamma Pickleball Caddy

The Gamma Sports Ball Hopper Pickleball 50 is a helpful accessory for pickleball players. With a 50-ball capacity, it minimizes interruptions and maximizes playing time. Its unique hexagonal shape and floating wire design facilitate easy ball retrieval. When not in use for collecting balls, the handles fold down, transforming the hopper into a convenient ball feeder. An attached lid keeps balls secure during transport.

Pickleball Wish List (for beginners & intermediate players)

A11N Pickleball Automatic Launcher

If you are relatively new to pickleball or struggling to find a hitting partner, you may want to give the A11N Pickleball Launcher a try. Priced hundreds of dollars below high-end pickleball ball machines, the A11N Pickleball Launcher offers capabilities that go beyond other products in its price range.

TopspinPro Pickleball Training Aid

Developed initially for tennis players to practice hitting topspin, the TopspinPro has been repurposed for pickleball. The TopspinPro is designed to help players develop and improve their topspin and paddle swing techniques. It features a screen panel and an attached ball to help users practice the much-touted windshield wiper motion needed for heavy topspin.

Pickleball Eye Coach

Another tool that has its origins as a tennis training aid, Billie Jean King’s Pickleball Eye Coach is a solo training device that focuses on improving essential skills such as keeping the head still, guiding the eyes’ focus, and teaching ball-striking rhythm. This training aid is aimed at helping players develop topspin strokes and consistency, making it beneficial for players looking to enhance their overall game.

So, there you have it. As the holiday season approaches, you can use this list to explore pickleball gifts for that special person in your life.