It’s that time of year again. Are you looking to surprise the pickleball addict in your life? Or maybe you want to encourage the budding beginner to pick up a paddle. If you’re like me, maybe you need a way to give a few friendly gift hints to your family. No matter your situation, I’ve got you covered with gift recommendations for beginners, intermediates, traveling tournament players, addicts, and everyone in between.
Pickleball Paddles for Beginners
Do you know someone who is just starting out with pickleball? Or maybe you’re looking for a good deal on a pickleball package?
Based on the cost and quality, I would recommend skipping the wooden paddles and go straight for a graphite paddle.
A good option for sets would be Amazin’ Aces. You can get two graphite paddles with balls for a reasonable price. They also come with a 1-year warranty.
These paddles last longer and the handle is nicer than most beginner paddles. The only potential downside with this brand is that they tend to be on the heavier side at 8.3 oz.
Pickleball Paddles for Intermediate to Advanced Players
Your pickleball paddle is essential to your game and there are many variables to consider: weight, face width, handle length, paddle surface, and more. If you want to gift someone a paddle, you could spend anywhere between $80-$200 on brands like Selkirk, PaddleTek, Onix, Franklin, Engage, and ProKennex.
Instead of guessing, I would recommend a gift card to your local tennis store. Check to make sure they have pickleball gear first. Also, many stores have a demo program where you can “rent” a paddle for a week for cheap to determine if you want to make the purchase.
Gifts for the Person Who Wants to Practice or Drill All Day
For the person who is always looking to drill and practice, consider the essentials:
Getting Started
- A 2-1 portable net. This set is great because it’s made by a great brand, it’s reasonably priced and it comes with a practice net.
- Pickleball court line marking set: This set allows you to quickly lay out boundary areas.
- Training cones or training dots: These are helpful for setting up drills of any kind.
- 2-inch painters tape: Believe it or not, tape can be a life saver for the scrappy pickleball player. With tape you can setup a court or tape a wall for solo drills.
Getting Serious
- Pickleball machine: Most pickleball machines are expensive, but with the tutor plus, it is worth the money. This is great for someone who wants to drill but doesn’t have consistent drill partners. This is the #1 selling machine and most reliable for the cost.
- Pickleball basket: Gamma makes a solid option for holding 250 balls.
- Pickleball collector: No one wants to pickup 50 balls. Save your back with a ball collector.
Pickleball Bag for the Serious Tournament Player
Any player who is constantly on the move will love a good pickleball bag. I personally use this bag and love it. Not only does it look good, but it has tons of storage and a space for shoes. They come in many colors and are worth the price.
For the Pickleball Player with Pesky Physical Aches
Physical pain management is a major factor for all pickleball players despite his/her age or skill level. Some common chronic issues include elbow pain (tennis elbow), foot pain (plantar fasciitis), neck and shoulder pain, and knee pain. Below are a few gift ideas that could help the pickleball player with all of the aches.
- I like this massage gun because of its long battery life and 15 massage heads.
- KT Tape can be a lifesaver when you’re in a pinch and need quick pain management.
- Foot roller kit
- Shiatsu foot massager machine
Court Shoes for Pickleball Players
Good shoes are one of the top essentials for playing pickleball and thankfully they’re one of the easier gifts to purchase. A few brands that make great shoes are K-Swiss, Adidas, Babolat, and Wilson.
After many months of trial and error, I have personally settled on the K-Swiss tennis shoe because it is light but also durable on any surface.
When making a selection, it’s important to know the surface. If it’s outdoors, go with a heavier more durable tennis shoe with protection around the toebox.
Conclusion
What pickleball gear are you getting for your nearest and dearest this year? Is there anything I should add to the list? Let me know in the comments.
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