The Right Gear Does Make A Difference!

I have had beginner pickleball players ask me this question many times, “Does a good pickleball paddle really make a difference at my level?” The answer is an astounding yes! I’m not implying a beginner go and purchase a 280.00 pickleball paddle but they should avoid buying a 50.00 paddle that is very outdated. In my clinics, I have had beginners show up with hand-me-down paddles or the above mentioned $50 paddle and wonder why they have little to no control hitting the ball even at there level. I can hear all the critics reading this right now saying “but there only beginners” well let me tell you a story, I have given a beginner one of my spare paddles because they were struggling and you should see ther face light up when there game improved immediately. Nuff said!

I have played pickleball for 8 years now and I can tell you I have gone through alot of pickleball gear over those years. The game and the equipment has evolved allot through those 8 years so it’s not surprising I have gone through a dosen paddles, grip tape, and shoes. Let me tell you! I have 6 pairs of pickleball shoes, but there all different colors because they have to match the 6 Under Armour shirts hanging in the closet and then there’s the shorts to go with it.

So you can see, I’m a pickleball equipment and gear junky, I’m always trying out the new pickleball paddle with air holes or the new pickleball with 48 holes or the new training gadget that going to make my game better or the 2 day Level Up Pickleball Camp that’s going to elevate my DUPR rating to a 5.0 after completion, LOL!

Now that I’m 63, I get to explore all the new safety gear that’s going to hold my body together and that adds another layer to my recommended list of gear.

Full Choice Wrap Tape

The Full Choice Wrap Tape is by far the best I have ever used and I’ve gone through many.

• BREATHABLE PERFORATION - Designed with a perforated surface to wick away sweat, our pickleball grip tape promote superior air flow, keeping your hands cool and dry, even during the most intense games.

• ANTI-SLIP RIDGE - The built-in anti-slip ridge provides exceptional hold and shock absorption, pickleball grip tape for paddle reduce the strain on your hands and enhancing your control over the paddle.

• TACKY FEEL - Enjoy the confidence that comes with our tacky surface, which guarantees a comfortable pickleball grip and efficient moisture absorption, allowing you to maintain control and focus on your game.

CRBN Barrage TrueFoam

CRBN’s Barrage TrueFoam is by far the best paddle I have ever put in my hand. From the very first day of play, I felt explosive power in my serves and control with my resets and dinks. The paddle is well balanced and I have noticed a larger sweet spot with the square design. I was an elongated paddle player for 7 years and this CRBN2 Barrage was my first square paddle and I feel that I have have not given up any reach at the net and I have certainly gained a larger sweet spot and forgiveness so it was a “win-win” for me.

• Barrage is built for players who want immediate pop, fast hands, and put-away power.

• At its core is our 100% TruFoam™ floating core construction, tuned specifically for explosive energy return and a crisp, responsive feel

• The floating foam core is engineered to load and release quickly, giving you that sharp, “springy” pop on counters, speed-ups, and overheads without feeling hollow or unstable.

• A dense perimeter and carbon-reinforced structure add stability, so even off-center hits stay solid and controlled

• Barrage is fast, reactive, and aggressive.

Skechers Viper Court Pro 2.0

These Skechers Viper Court Pro 2.0 shoes are awesome, I have a size 13 and I need a wide fit and as I mentioned I have many of these shoes and the fit is consistent no matter what color I buy. These shoes are very comfortable and very stable on the court and the soles are made by the company Goodyear tires and they hold up pretty good on the court and they do not leave behind scuff marks. These shoes have a mild arch fit that are ok but I have very flat feet so there not to harsh on my arch and the toe box is wide enough so it won’t smash the toes. Tyson McGuffin wears these so they have got to be good right? I believe so!

MODVEL Compression Knee Brace

I have gone through my fair share of knee compression sleeves and I have found that these sleeves certainly hold things together better . I usually were these for insurance but I can tell you they work well with mild injuries and the best part is they don’t slide down and there breathable and they look good too. I purchased these at Amazon.

This type of compression sleeve works well for tennis elbow. I have had the misfortune of tennis elbow and let me tell you it’s not fun. But what I can tell you is that this devise works well if worn during pickleball until the pain goes away. One of the tricks to avoid tennis elbow is to not buy too heavy of a pickleball paddle and most importantly “do not hold your paddle with a death grip”.