Holiday Gear Gift Guide (Part 4): All About Pickleball

Major League Pickleball will be the first major American professional sports league to implement a promotion and relegation system. The draft for the first season—featuring some of the world's best pickleball players and most famous celebrities—will take place in Las Vegas tonight, Thursday, December 15th, and air on Tennis Channel at 9:00 p.m. EST.

Diadem Hero Pickleball Starter Kit (Shop)
Price: $75

If you’ve never given pickleball a try, the holidays are a great time to do so—and the Diadem Hero Starter Kit is one of the best bundles for first-time players. The brand’s Hero paddles feel welcoming for beginners, featuring a large surface area to make contact with the balls and a thick bumper to prevent damage as you learn.

This kit comes with two Hero paddles (one orange, one blue), two pickleballs and a mesh carry bag.

Recess Pickleball - Paddle Multi-Set Bundles (Shop)
Price: $180 (for 2)

A Baseline favorite since its buzzy collab collection with J. Crew, Recess Pickleball continues making some of the most stylish and artsy paddles on the market today. For those looking to elevate their on-court aesthetic, Recess’ endlessly customizable bundle sets are the perfect way to stand out from the crowd.

The basic two-paddle set comes with a set of three pickleballs and a mesh court bag.

Wilson Pickleball Paddles - Echo & Juice (Shop Echo, Shop Juice)
Price: $80 (each)

There are few sports that Wilson hasn’t left its mark on, and pickleball is no different. The company that has created some of the most beloved racquets in tennis has also set its sights on pickleball, unveiling some of the most tech-packed gear to date in the Echo and the Juice paddles.

Both models feature a polypropylene honeycomb core for shock absorption and fiberglass hitting zone for extra flexibility and feel. The Echo’s longer handle will accommodate a two-handed backhand, while the Juice’s oversized sweet spot will pack a punch.

CourtGirl - Play All Day Kit (Shop)
Price: $95

The great thing about racquet sports is how much crossover players can get when they don’t stick to one or another. For savvy players and fans looking for high-end tennis accessories that get just as much mileage with a pickleball loving crowd, CourtGirl’s gift sets are a perennial favorite.

The Play All Day Kit comes with a reusable water battle, match-time towel, club sock (in berry), racquet pen (in pink) and more—along with complimentary shipping.

Tangerine - Hunter Bag (Shop)
Price: $155

The retro-cool canvas court bag that has taken the pickleball world by storm, Tangerine’s Hunter Bag can double as a catch-all gym tote and a dedicated pickleball bag. The sidecar holds two paddles, and there is plenty of room in the main compartment for balls, water bottles, towels, toiletries, good luck charms and more.

Monogramming is available on both the paddle bag and cover, with an additional two weeks for shipping and additional cost of $30.

Strutz Pro Cushioned Arch Support (Shop)
Price: $28

Foot and heel pain strikes pickleball players and tennis players alike—not to mention athletes, healthcare workers and everyday people who live and work on their feet. When you need relief, our gear expert Jon Levey recommends Strutz Pro for cushioned arch support:

The one-size-fits-all, gel-foam core insert can be worn with any type of shoe or even barefoot as a recovery tool—the compression combined with the massaging effect from each step increases circulation. It’s like giving your feet a post-match rubdown.

Asics Gel-Renma Pickleball Shoes (Shop Men's, Shop Women's)
Price: $85

A familiar name in tennis, Asics’ shoes are gaining traction—get it?—in pickleball too, as tennis lovers start picking up paddles. And because most outdoor pickleball play these days happens on repurposed tennis facilities, the company’s Gel-Renma shoes have quickly become a staple for all-court chameleons.

Available in a variety of colorways, the shoes’ outsoles also feature a smart flex-groove design built for multi-directional movement on pickleball’s smaller court.

Babolat Propulse Fury All Court Shoes (Shop Men's, Shop Women's)
Price: $140

Much like in tennis, many of the top pickleball pros swear by Babolat—including world No. 1 Ben Johns, who wears the Jet Mach 3. But for someone who is looking for a great shoe with stability, durability, plus ankle support built in, the Propulse Fury is worth adding to your cart, too.

Built to help protect your feet and bring you closer to the ball faster, the Propulse Fury also leads in comfort and grip with rubber soles by Michelin. Available in a variety of colorways, it's the only Babolat model which comes with a six-month outsole warranty.