Essentials for your Pickleball Bag

What to carry in you Pickleball Bag(s) to make your court life better!

Ladies, is your pickleball bag an extension of your purse? If you spend as much time on the court as we think you do, we are guessing YES!

My pickle partner and I are so loaded down we could be at the airport ready to hop a flight on a pickleball girls trip at a moment's notice.  

But since I get what feels like a core workout when I carry my huge backpack to the courts, I decided to get a second bag so I could downsize for those regular rec and league play days, and keep the big one for tournaments. I am on the hunt for a sporty mid-size bag and will link here when I find it.

This list of essentials might seem a little long, but honestly, it’s nice to know we have all our stuff handy when we need it. And like everything we talk about, these are just suggestions. You do you, boo. 

So, here is a list of ideas and necessities for you BOTH pickleball bags:

The Essentials for Everyday Play

Paddles

Let's start with the obvious.  Most people carry a 16mm and a 14mm paddle. One for games that require more control, and one that gives you some extra pop and power. Kat goes back and forth knowing when to use these with ease. Right now, I am using my new 14mm paddle that I have searched far and wide for, took out a bank loan to get, and is now my Paddle-Soul Mate. The 16mm is in my bag because the orange overgrip looks cool sticking out of the side. Kidding… but it does. Sometimes you might want to reign in your pop and power so you go back to your 16, for example.

And sometimes you can blame a bad game on a paddle and switch it up as kind of a reset for yourself.  

Balls

Always carry balls. One, it’s a pain to borrow balls. Two, people might not even have an extra. Don’t mooch balls. They are expensive and get worn out. Three, balls crack during play and you will need more. Four, when you drill, you need a lot of them. 

Hydration

Keep yourself hydrated during those intense rallies. Pack a stainless steel water bottle or two if there is no refill station. Don’t drink out of plastic, especially in the heat. Microplastics will leach into your body from this and they never leave. Glass bottles and straws will break. I know this from experience. Use an electrolyte replenisher for an extra boost. You are sweating out salt and minerals, so you need to replace them. We love LMNT electrolytes. Order here and get a free sample pack with your purchase to try more flavors. 

Nutrition

Bring along some energy-boosting snacks to keep your stamina up during long play sessions. 

Do Bring: whole fruit, organic fruit leathers, nuts, clean ingredient protein bars like IQ Bar and Marigold.  Gum and Mints.

Don’t Bring: Refined processed sugary stuff like gummi bears and junky ingredient bars. You will crash and be starving in 20 minutes when your blood sugar drops because you didn’t give your body real food to use. 

Court shoes

Invest in a good pair of court shoes  to support your movements and prevent slipping on the court. Court-specific shoes are designed to support the movements that are common in the sport. I cannot tell you how many injuries I have seen and heard about from people wearing running and walking shoes like Brooks, Hokas and On. While these are fantastic shoes… Y’ALL! These are squishy, comfort shoes designed for forward movement. Pickleball requires lateral movements and quick pivots. You need shoes that support ankles, tendons and shins. Court shoes have a wider base and better grip.

If you are near a Dick’s Sporting Goods or a PGA Superstore, these stores have a good selection of court shoes that you can try on. Dick’s has volleyball and basketball shoes also, which are options if you need high tops for ankle support or prefer how they feel. Those soles will wear out sooner, but I loved Nike volleyball shoes until I found court shoes I love-also Nike. 

Don't forget to wear thick, moisture-wicking socks to keep your feet dry and comfortable.

Sunscreen: The best protection is to play in the morning or later day when uv rays are less strong, but if you are going to be out for a while, protect your skin. Don’t wear cheap crappy sunscreen with chemicals. This is worse for you than the rays as it absorbs into your bloodstream within twenty heartbeats. You need good stuff. Here is a list of the best sunscreens from the Environmental Working Group’s Verified list and others that are close to it.

Eye protection: The other day I was talking to a friend at the courts over the fence and a ball whizzed right at my face and hit me smack in the eye. I was wearing my glasses and was fine, but it was a pretty hard ball and I wasn’t even playing or technically on the court.

 I met a woman in Myrtle Beach who had to have eye surgery after getting hit during a friendly rec game and heard another story of a woman who almost lost her eye playing. 

The ball is hard plastic and players can’t fully control where they hit them. We are taught to aim at shoulders and chests with a lot of zeal. It’s important to protect your vision. Go to a sports store and try some on to see what you like.

Hygiene Stuff: Kleenex, lip balm, deodorant, hairbrush, hair ties 

Sweat towels, Wristbands

Eyeglass anti-fog wipes

Paddle cleaner block

Everyday Play Extras

Battery-operated Neck Fan for breaks to cool down

Meds and creams: Tylenol, Voltaren,  Icy Hot, Tiger Balm, CBD Rubs.

Small pen and notebook: Handy for jotting down notes or strategies.

Small First Aid Kit

Ball Pouch: For drilling when you don't want to pull out the ball bag or have pockets.

What to pack in your pickleball bag for a tournament.

These days are longer so you need more stuff. 

Two or more paddles: In a tournament, having a backup paddle is crucial in case your primary paddle breaks or malfunctions.

Change of clothing: Pack an extra set of clothes in case you get sweaty or need a fresh outfit after the game. Don’t forget socks.

Jackets, hats, and sunglasses: For outdoor tournaments. 

ID and credit card for tournament check-in: Don't forget your ID to check in at the tournament venue. I keep a photo of my passport on my phone in case I forget my ID. 

Credit cards are for food trucks and local vendors.

A chair: Many tournaments do not have enough places to sit. Plus you want to set up a little camp area.

Sandals: Allow your feet to breathe and relax by switching into sandals between matches. We like Oofos or Crocs

Compression sleeves and sports braces: Provide support to your muscles and joints during intense competition.

Cooling towel: Ensure you can cool off in between matches. 

Earbuds: If music helps you get focused before a match, bring along your earbuds so others are free to focus in their own way.

Massage gun

Wipes for porta potties, Hand sanitizer

Break and shake ice pack for injuries

Always do what works best for you! Something we forgot? Let us know in the comments!!