You’ve got a game in an hour. What do you actually need to bring?
For a sport that looks as simple as pickleball, it’s surprising how much little stuff you end up wanting on the court. Forget one thing and it nags at you the whole session. So here’s the checklist we’d hand any player — the essentials, the nice-to-haves, and the “you’ll thank yourself later” extras.
The non-negotiables
Your paddle, obviously — and a backup if you have one, because a cracked paddle mid-session ends your day fast. Balls, enough for your group. And water, more than you think you need, especially in summer.
The comfort layer
A towel for your hands and face. A hat or visor and sunscreen if you’re outdoors. An extra shirt for when the first one’s soaked. And a light layer for before and after — mornings and evenings on the court get cooler than you’d expect.
The small stuff that saves your day
Extra overgrip, because a slick handle costs you shots. Athletic tape or a small first-aid kit for blisters and tweaks. A snack for long sessions. And a spot for your keys, phone, and wallet where they won’t rattle loose or get lost.
The “keeps you playing” extras
A portable fan or cooling towel for hot days. Bug spray for evening outdoor play. And a small bag for wet or dirty gear so it doesn’t end up against everything clean.
The part most players get wrong
It’s not what you pack — it’s how. Throw all of this into a plain gym bag and you’re back to digging for your paddle while everyone waits. The trick is a bag with a place for each thing, so you grab and go instead of hunt and sigh.
That’s exactly why we built the PicklePack Pickleball Backpack — six engineered pockets so every item has its home, a quick-access paddle opening so your paddle’s in hand in seconds, and an integrated fence hook so it all hangs court-side, off the ground. Play hard, pack easy.
See the PicklePack: https://oncourtoffcourt.com/picklepack-pickleball-backpack/
Kalindi Dinoffer is trained in multiple aspects of mindfulness in life and in sports, sharing on her blog MindfulKalindi.com. She is also certified to teach yoga, fitness, reiki, and MFR. Kalindi also serves as CMO at OnCourtOffCourt.com, a leading supplier of tennis, pickleball, fitness and yoga training aids and equipment and has been published in Tennis industry Magazine and Pickleball Magazine, and has conducted workshops at conferences around the world. In her spare time, Kalindi plays tennis, pickleball and table tennis and enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking and biking and cross country skiing in the winter.
