What to Wear for Pickleball: A Beginner’s Guide (Australia)
Here’s the pleasant surprise about pickleball: you almost certainly own everything you need to play your first session this week. Activewear, a t-shirt, a water bottle — done. There is exactly one piece of kit genuinely worth buying before you play, and it isn’t clothing.
Start With Your Shoes (This Is the Big One)
If you take one thing from this guide: wear proper court shoes, not running shoes.
Pickleball is a game of short, sharp lateral movements — sidesteps, quick stops, lunges and backpedals. Running shoes are built for forward motion: they sit high off the ground with soft, cushioned heels and offer almost no sideways support. On a pickleball court, that combination is a recipe for a rolled ankle or a twisted knee — injuries that lay older players off for months, not weeks.
Court shoes are the opposite build: a low, stable sole, firm side support, and grippy soles designed exactly for this stop-start movement. You don’t need a pickleball-specific shoe, either. Any of these work beautifully:
- Tennis or netball shoes — widely available in Australia and ideal. If you played netball back in the day, you already know the feeling: that low, planted, supportive ride.
- Volleyball or squash shoes — same story, built for indoor courts.
- Dedicated pickleball shoes — brands such as ASICS make them (the Gel-Renma line is the widely known example); some specialist retailers stock them locally.
Indicative pricing: $120–$200 AUD for a decent pair from a major sports retailer. That’s real money, but it’s cheaper than one physiotherapy appointment, and it’s the single biggest injury-prevention purchase you’ll make. For indoor courts, check whether the venue requires non-marking soles (most tennis, netball and volleyball shoes qualify — genuine dark-soled runners may not).
Clothing for Australian Conditions
After shoes, keep it simple and comfortable. You’re dressing for movement and for whatever the Australian sky is doing.
Warmer months: light, breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics beat heavy cotton, which soaks through and stays damp. Shorts, skirts, skorts, leggings, a loose tee or polo — all perfectly normal on any Australian court. Many women wear athletic dresses or skorts with built-in shorts; plenty of men play in a polo and shorts. There’s no dress code at social pickleball, only comfort.
Cooler months: layer up so you can shed as you warm up — a light jacket or long-sleeve over a tee, with leggings or trackpants. Morning sessions in Melbourne, Canberra and Hobart can start close to single digits even when lunchtime is tee-shirt weather.
The practical extras: a sweat towel, a cap for glare, and a water bottle you can refill. Australian courts rarely have drink fountains nearby, and hydration matters more every year past fifty.
Sun Protection (Read This Bit — We’re the Skin Cancer Capital)
Australia has one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world — the Cancer Council estimates two in three Australians will be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer in their lifetime. Most pickleball in this country is played outdoors, often in the morning and sometimes on courts with precious little shade. Sun protection isn’t optional; it’s part of your kit.
- Sunscreen, SPF 50+, every session. Apply 20 minutes before you walk out and reapply at the break — sweat and two hours of play undo the first coat. UV in Australia is fierce enough to burn on overcast 22°C days.
- A hat that shades more than your face. A cap shades your nose and nothing else — ears, neck and scalp are common skin cancer sites. A broad-brim or legionnaire-style hat protects all three. If a cap is all you’ll wear, make it one and add sunscreen generously around it.
- Sunglasses with UV protection. They cut glare, help you track the ball, and protect your eyes. Polarised lenses are excellent against court glare.
- Time your play. UV is typically strongest between 10am and 3pm. Social pickleball tends toward mornings anyway — another quiet win.
- Cover-ups between games. A light long-sleeve UV shirt is a worthwhile investment if you play outdoors weekly.
What You Don’t Need Yet
Beginners routinely overspend here, so skip these for now:
- Dedicated “pickleball apparel” — there’s nothing a $90 branded top does that your existing activewear doesn’t.
- Compression wear and pricey sports gear — play a month first; upgrade later if you want to.
- Gloves — some players with arthritis or sweaty grip eventually love them; many never bother. Try without first.
- Fancy sweatbands and accessories — a towel from home does the identical job.
Spend your gear budget where it counts: shoes first, then a decent beginner paddle, a pack of outdoor balls if your group needs them — and an SPF 50+ sunscreen you actually like the feel of.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wear running shoes for pickleball?
For one casual session, yes. Beyond that, please don’t. Running shoes lack the lateral support and low, stable base that pickleball’s side-to-side movement demands, and they’re a leading cause of ankle and knee injuries among newer, older players. A pair of tennis or netball court shoes is the fix.
Do I need white or non-marking soles for indoor courts?
Many indoor venues ask for non-marking soles to protect the surface. Most tennis, netball, volleyball and squash shoes have them — check the product listing or the box. Some heavily coloured running soles do mark, which is one more reason to wear court shoes.
What should I wear playing pickleball in an Australian summer?
Light, loose, breathable clothing in light colours, a broad-brim or legionnaire hat, sunglasses, and SPF 50+ sunscreen applied before you leave home. Bring more water than you think you need, and favour early-morning sessions — Australian summer UV is brutal by mid-morning.
Are leggings and athletic dresses okay for pickleball?
Absolutely — both are common on Australian courts, and dresses and skorts with built-in shorts are especially popular. The only real test is whether you can lunge, squat and reach comfortably. If it moves with you, it’s pickleball clothing.
Do I need sunscreen on cloudy or cool days?
Yes. UV radiation cuts through cloud and has nothing to do with temperature — you can burn on an overcast 20°C morning. If you’re playing outdoors in Australia, sunscreen is an every-session habit, whatever the sky looks like.
Where to Buy in Australia
Court shoes are the easiest item on your list: major Australian sports retailers such as Rebel Sport stock tennis and netball shoes in-store where you can try them on, and Amazon AU plus specialist Australian pickleball retailers carry pickleball-specific shoes and apparel. Try shoes on in person if you can — a proper fit matters more than any brand name. Sorted for clothing? Head to our beginner paddle guide next.