Table of Contents
What to wear to pickleball comes down to comfort and movement more than rules, since the sport does not have a strict dress code the way tennis clubs sometimes do. Still, a few details matter: the fabric you sweat in, the shoes you plant and pivot in, and a handful of court-safety basics that show up in the official rulebook. Here is what to wear to pickleball and why each piece belongs in your bag.
Fabric: what keeps you cool
Skip heavy cotton. It soaks up sweat and stays wet, which gets heavy and cold once you slow down between points. Lightweight, moisture-wicking polyester or nylon is the standard pick for pickleball tops for the same reason it works for tennis and running: it pulls sweat away from your skin instead of holding onto it. A tight weave also holds up better to the twisting, quick-stop movement of the sport than a loose knit.
Bottoms that let you move
Shorts, skirts, and skorts all work as long as the fabric stretches and doesn't restrict your split step or lunge. Built-in base layer shorts under a skirt or skort cut down on chafing and double as a place to stash an extra ball, which is a real convenience during a long rally. Avoid baggy athletic shorts. Excess fabric catches on your paddle hand during a low volley (a shot hit before the ball bounces) and adds drag you do not need.
Footwear: the one piece of gear you should not skimp on
Court shoes matter more than almost anything else on this list. Pickleball involves constant lateral movement and quick direction changes that running shoes are not built for, since running shoes are designed for forward motion and can let your ankle roll when you move sideways. If you spend money on one thing, make it shoes. Look for a shoe with a supportive, low-to-the-ground build, a durable outsole rated for your court surface, and non-marking soles for indoor play. Our guide to pickleball shoes for women covers fit, width, and seven court shoes worth a look, and our guide to pickleball shoes for men does the same for men.
Our guide to pickleball shoes covers what separates a real court shoe from a running shoe. Our breakdown of pickleball shoes vs tennis shoes is worth a look if you already own tennis shoes and want to know whether they will do.
Sun protection for outdoor courts
Outdoor courts mean real sun exposure for an hour or more at a time. Light-colored clothing reflects heat better than dark colors, which matters on a hot asphalt court. A hat or visor cuts glare, and sunglasses do double duty, protecting your eyes from both UV exposure and the ball itself. Eye injuries are not common, but they are rising. A 2025 study in JAMA Ophthalmology estimated 1,262 emergency room visits for pickleball eye injuries in 2024, from balls, paddles and falls (Boston Globe report on the study). Our guide to pickleball sunglasses covers what matters in a pair built for the court, not just borrowed from your regular sunglasses drawer.
Does pickleball have a dress code?
Not for casual or club play. No white-only rule like some traditional tennis clubs enforce, and most rec players wear whatever athletic wear they already own. Sanctioned tournament play is a different story. The official USA Pickleball rulebook addresses apparel directly in Rule 18.B: graphics and writing on apparel "must be in good taste," shoes must have soles that do not mark or damage the playing surface. A Tournament Director can also require a player to change clothing that closely matches the color of the ball, with a forfeit possible if a player refuses.
That last point is worth remembering even outside tournament play. A bright yellow or green shirt makes the ball harder for your opponent to track, so it is common court courtesy to avoid ball-colored tops even in a casual match.
What to avoid wearing
A few items cause more trouble than they are worth. Cotton shirts get heavy and cold once you sweat through them. Loose, baggy shorts or tops catch on your paddle hand and slow you down. Sandals, slides, or worn-out running shoes with no lateral support are a twisted-ankle risk. Dangling jewelry, long necklaces, or anything that swings freely is both a distraction and a minor safety issue during a fast exchange at the net. None of this is complicated. It is mostly a matter of dressing the way you would for any other court sport.
Building a simple court bag
Once your on-court outfit is sorted, the rest is what you carry to the court: a second shirt if you run hot, sunscreen for outdoor sessions, a water bottle, and a bag that keeps your paddle protected between games. Our guide to pickleball bags covers what belongs on that checklist if you are still carrying everything in a gym duffel.
For skirts with built-in shorts, see our best pickleball skirt picks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you wear tennis shoes to play pickleball?
You can for a casual session, but it is not ideal. Tennis shoes are built for the more linear, forward-and-back movement of tennis, while pickleball demands quicker lateral cuts. A dedicated court or pickleball shoe offers better side-to-side support and typically lasts longer under pickleball's stop-start movement pattern. Our comparison of pickleball shoes vs tennis shoes breaks down the real differences.
Is there an official dress code for pickleball?
Not for casual or club play. Sanctioned USA Pickleball tournaments do enforce apparel rules under Rule 18.B, covering things like good-taste graphics, non-marking shoe soles, and avoiding clothing that closely matches the ball's color, with a possible forfeit if a player refuses to change. Rec play does not enforce any of this, though avoiding ball-colored tops is still good court courtesy.
What fabric is best for playing pickleball?
Lightweight, moisture-wicking polyester or nylon blends. They pull sweat away from your skin and dry faster than cotton, which gets heavy and cold once it's soaked through. A tighter weave also holds up better to the sport's twisting movements than a loose knit.
Do you need special shoes for pickleball, or will running shoes work?
Running shoes are built for forward motion and are not designed to handle the lateral, quick-stop movement pickleball requires, which raises the risk of rolling an ankle. A real court shoe with a low-to-the-ground, supportive build and a durable, non-marking outsole is the safer and longer-lasting choice.
What should you avoid wearing to play pickleball?
Cotton shirts that get heavy when wet, baggy shorts or tops that catch on your paddle hand, sandals or worn-out shoes with no lateral support, and loose jewelry or anything that dangles and swings during play. None of it is complicated. It's the same common sense that applies to most court sports.