Kitchen & Court

What to Wear for Pickleball (Over 55)

A plain-English gear checklist for older players — the shoes, clothing and joint supports that actually matter, and what you can safely skip.

By Stephen V.Last updated How we research

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One of pickleball’s great charms is how little you need to play it. There’s no dress code and no expensive kit — but a few choices genuinely matter for an older player, and one of them matters a lot. Here’s a simple, honest checklist of what to wear, roughly in order of importance.

1. Court shoes (this is the one that matters)

If you take away one thing, take this: wear proper court or tennis shoes, never running shoes. Injury data shows the leading risk for players over 60 is falls, and the biggest single cause of them is the wrong shoe. A court shoe’s stable, low, wide base keeps your foot planted during the sideways movement pickleball demands; a running shoe tips and slides. This is the most important gear decision you’ll make, and it’s worth doing properly.

2. Comfortable, moisture-wicking clothing

Anything you can move freely in works — a t-shirt and shorts or athletic pants are ideal. If you’re buying, choose moisture-wickingfabrics over cotton; they keep you drier and cooler through a long session. Layers help for cooler mornings you can peel off as you warm up. There’s no need for anything specialized or pricey.

3. Sun protection for outdoor play

Pickleball is often played outdoors in the middle of the day, so for outdoor sessions add a hat or visor, sunglasses (which also help you track the ball against a bright sky), and sunscreen. Skin and eyes appreciate it, and squinting into the sun is a genuine cause of missed shots and stumbles. If you are buying eyewear anyway, buy the kind that also protects the eye: emergency-room eye injuries from pickleball have risen sharply and skew toward players over 50, and impact-rated pickleball eye protection costs about the same as ordinary sunglasses.

4. Joint supports — if you need them

This is the personal part. If a joint tends to ache during play, the right support makes you more comfortable and confident:

The key word is if: a support isn’t preventive gear for a healthy joint, so match it to an actual problem rather than wearing one because you can. Our do-braces-help guide covers when each one earns its place.

What you don’t need

Plenty. You don’t need an expensive outfit, branded compression everything, or a bag full of gadgets. Balls are almost always provided at open play, and a beginner doesn’t need a premium paddle — a light, comfortable oneis perfect. Get the shoes right, dress comfortably, protect yourself from the sun, support any joint that needs it, and you’re fully equipped to enjoy the game.

Frequently asked questions

What should I wear to play pickleball?

Comfortable athletic clothing you can move in, and — most importantly — proper court or tennis shoes rather than running shoes. Moisture-wicking fabrics keep you comfortable, and for outdoor play add a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Beyond that, wear any joint supports you need (a knee sleeve, wrist support or arthritis gloves). You don't need anything fancy or expensive.

What is the most important thing to wear for pickleball?

Your shoes. A court or tennis shoe with a stable base is the single most important piece of gear, because it's the best defense against the falls that are the leading pickleball injury for players over 60. Everything else — clothing, hats, supports — matters less than not wearing a running shoe on the court.

Do I need special clothes for pickleball?

No. Any comfortable athletic wear you can move freely in works fine — a t-shirt and shorts or athletic pants are perfect. Moisture-wicking fabric is a nice upgrade because it keeps you drier and cooler, and for outdoor play a hat and sunglasses help. There's no dress code at recreational play; comfort and freedom of movement are all that matter.

Should I wear a knee or wrist support to play?

Only if you have a reason to. If a knee, wrist or your hands tend to ache during play, a compression sleeve, wrist support or pair of arthritis gloves can make you more comfortable and confident. If nothing bothers you, you don't need them — a brace isn't preventive gear for a healthy joint. Match the support to an actual problem.

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