The Top Pickleball Attire for 2023

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Pickleball, a cross between tennis and table tennis, is a fun, beginner-friendly recreational sport that’s sweeping the nation. Pickleball clothing should be lightweight, sweat-wicking, and easy to move in, with features like pockets for extra balls and built-in shorts. In this article, we’ve researched and compiled a list of the best pickleball clothes for women, recommended by professional player Anna Leigh Waters.

An athletic skirt or skort is an essential piece of pickleball clothing, and the BALEAF option is a great choice at under $30. It features a smooth, streamlined front design and flouncy pleats in the back, with a zipped pocket in the back waistband and built-in shorts with a silicone design to keep them from riding up. The thick, wide waistband makes this pickleball skirt extra comfortable.

The Energy Bra from Lululemon is a versatile sports bra that offers medium support and four-way stretch, with cool and smooth Luxtreme fabric and fashion-forward straps. While it is designed for B to D cups, there is also a High Support version for B to DDD cups, with thick, adjustable straps and a hook-and-eye closure on the underband.

The Outdoor Voices Think Fast Tank is perfect for sunny climates, with state-of-the-art cooling technology and a grid-patterned fabric to keep you cool under pressure. The loose, muscle tank style is a breezy option, and the TechSweat Move Free Tank offers a tighter fit and more sizes, with a built-in shelf bra and breathable fabric available in sizes XXS to XXXL.

While most pickleball clothes are made with classic, streamlined fabrics, this Lululemon cropped short-sleeve shirt is an exception with its waffle-esque texture that stands out on the court. It not only looks unique but also features cooling technology to instantly wick sweat away. The shirt's cut ends above the waist to ensure there's no bunching or re-tucking when paired with a pickleball skirt during a high-stakes match.

While the formfitting design offers ease of movement, those with bigger busts might find it a little tight. So, we recommend it whole-heartedly for petite, small-chested pickleballers instead. Taller people or those who prefer showing less skin should size up.

At $68, the shirt comes in sizes ranging from 0 to 14 with four color options and features sweat-wicking, quick-drying, and four-way stretch properties.

Athleta is known for its wide size range in activewear, making the Athleta Advantage Skort in sizes ranging from XXS to 3X perfect for pickleball clothing. Made with lightweight, quick-drying fabric, the skort features built-in shorts to prevent any wardrobe malfunctions on the court.

It's also designed with a pleated look that moves with your every step and comes with a zippered pocket along with a side pocket that fits a ball. However, the pocket opens from the bottom, making a ball prone to falling out with sudden movements.

At $89, the skort comes in three colors and features built-in shorts and zipper pockets.

If you want to switch up your pickleball clothes, opt for casual shorts like this pair from Nike. Its loose, flowy fit guarantees unrestricted movement, and its thick waistband provides support without constriction. The built-in shorts are made with sweat-wicking fabric and feature a side pocket to hold a ball during play.

The waistband is a little higher than most pickleball skirts or shorts, which we found comfy. Some might find the fit unusual, and we recommend styling it with a slim-fit, tucked-in top or a crop like the Lululemon Short-Sleeved Crop.

At $65, the shorts come in three colors and feature built-in shorts and a ball pocket.

This pickleball dress with its fit-and-flare skirt and v-neck design is an instant confidence booster. The classic racerback hides most sports bra straps, and the built-in shorts feature two pockets for your on-court essentials. It performs well in high-sweat environments, and the dress has UPF 50 protection built-in.

We did notice that the built-in shorts ride up and cause wedgies during play, and the straps aren't adjustable. The dress costs $108, comes in four colors, and features built-in shorts, pockets, and UPF 50 protection.

For sock seams that drive you insane, these Feetures socks are seamless. They offer max cushioning and targeted compression zones molded to your foot, engineered to protect your feet from blisters, sweat, and everything in between. They are anatomically designed, meaning that the left sock is different from the right sock for a better fit and blister reduction.

At $18, the socks come in 12 colors and sizes ranging from S to L (W4 to W13) and feature sweat-wicking, seamless, anatomical design, compression, and max cushioning properties.

Up until recently, many players would wear repurposed tennis or squash shoes when playing pickleball. However, the Asics Gel-Renma is one of the first shoes specifically designed for pickleball. What sets these shoes apart are the outsole flex grooves which allow you to move with ease and without the risk of tripping or twisting an ankle. The forefoot has extra gel cushioning for sudden movements, and the shoe provides ample stability and arch support.

It's worth noting that these shoes run a little small, especially in the toe box, and have a synthetic leather overlay which is durable but not as breathable. This might lead to your feet feeling hot when playing. 

Key specs: Sizes: 5 to 12 | Colors: 32 | Features: Stability, gel cushioning, designed for outdoor courts

Fun fact: Pickleball courts are typically aligned on a north-south axis to prevent players from looking directly into the sun. Nonetheless, you will still need a hat or visor to avoid squinting, and the Superlite Performance Visor from Adidas is an excellent pick. The visor's design keeps your head cool and has a dark underbrim which reduces glare and shields your face from the sun. Thanks to moisture-wicking mesh side panels, it improves ventilation and cooling.

There are more than a dozen different shades available if you want a visor that's fashion-forward. The visor is one size fits all and comes with an adjustable Velcro strap to fit heads 21” to 22 ⅝”.

Sizes: One size | Colors: 16 | Features: Dark underbill, Velcro strap, mesh ventilation

When playing pickleball outside, natural elements like wind can disrupt your game. You want to make sure that your clothes won't weigh you down, and we recommend the Lululemon tennis jacket. Its lightweight and slightly boxy fit allows you to layer underneath it, and the cropped elastic hem keeps it close to your body while leaving space for your waistline. If you prefer a full-length jacket, consider going up a size. There are numerous zipped pockets outside that are convenient for storing gear, and there's even a sneaky sleeve to keep your phone secure.

The jacket has a stretchy and comfortable fit. While the water-repellent material is a nice feature, it's not as necessary for pickleball clothing (since it's not safe to play on slippery courts when it's raining).

Sizes: 0 to 14 | Colors: 1 | Features: Ball pocket, exterior zipped pockets, water-repellant fabric

You'll need a bag to carry all your essentials, such as paddles, balls, water bottles, and sunscreen, and our favorite pickleball bag is from Georgie and Lou. It's about the size of a tote bag, but its spacious interior accommodates multiple paddles, water bottles, several balls, and everything else you need. We found the bag to be the perfect size, but Georgie and Lou offers slightly smaller options if you're a minimalist.

“I was really surprised by how much this bag holds, even though it looks totally normal,” says Geil. “I call it my Mary Poppins bag, because you never know what I might pull out of there. Plus, the design is chic enough that I’ve started using it as an everyday tote, too.” She especially appreciates the carabiner at the top of the bag, which she clips onto the fence at her local courts to keep the bag off the ground. 

The bag has numerous exterior pockets – one mesh and two with zippers — where you can store your phone, keys, and wallet. Since the top of the bag is tote-style without a zipper or snap to close, the zipper pockets come in handy.

Size: One Size | Colors: 3 | Features: Internal compartments, external water bottle holder, 3 external pockets, removable strap, carabiner 

To help get you started on your pickleball journey, we spoke to Anna Leigh Waters, a professional pickleball player who consistently ranks in the Top 5 in Women's Doubles, Mixed Doubles, and Women's Singles. As a professional who has been playing since 2019, Waters knows exactly how the right clothing can make a difference in your game and advised us on what features to look for when shopping for pickleball clothes. After conducting hours of research and product comparison, we have determined these pickleball clothes to be the very best.

Pickleball clothes are typically similar to tennis clothes, but there are some specific considerations to keep in mind when shopping for pickleball clothing.

Since most pickleball games are played outside, you’ll want to prioritize quick-drying, sweat-wicking material. Otherwise, you risk chafing and irritation, especially around your armpits or inner thighs. Look for fabric blends with polyester, nylon, and other moisture-wicking materials, and avoid cotton, which will quickly saturate and stay damp.

Ultimately, the fit of your pickleball clothes is completely up to your personal preferences. Some players prefer form-fitting tops to avoid any distractions during games, while others want looser, breezier tops for max comfort. As for bottoms, look for shorts, skorts, or skirts with wide waistbands that won’t budge or fall during quick movements. 

Wondering whether you should wear shorts or skorts for pickleball? Again, it’s totally up to you. You likely already have plenty of athletic shorts that you could wear for pickleball, so if you’re a pickleball beginner, go ahead and start with what you already have before investing in a ton of new gear. The advantage of pickleball skirts or skorts is that they have a combination of built-in compression shorts and a looser skirt that allows you to move quickly and freely around the court. Plus, most pickleball skorts have handy features like ball pockets that make them more suited to the sport.

In a pinch, any hard-court shoes will work for pickleball, and you can certainly wear regular sneakers before buying pickleball shoes for yourself. Ideally, these shoes would have a flat, stable sole with a consistent tread pattern and good grip, so that you can move laterally without tripping. But if you’re ready to buy pickleball shoes, look for shoes with a durable outsole, lots of stability, and ankle support.

Since most pickleball games are played outside, you’ll likely want a few specific accessories to level up your game. Hats, visors, and sunglasses are all helpful for blocking the sun and allowing you to see the bright yellow ball without squinting. 

Kristen Geil is a senior commerce editor at Shape who’s been on the pickleball bandwagon since 2013. She plays pickleball recreationally and knows that she’ll never beat her dad, who’s a Kentucky state champion. Kristen leads Shape’s Best in Fitness Awards and Sneaker Awards, so she’s spent hundreds of hours testing the best activewear, athletic shoes, and gear. She’s also a NASM-certified personal trainer.