Open pickleball backpack with two paddles, balls, bottle, towel, phone, keys and sunglasses on a court

What to bring to a pickleball match: the complete list

September 17, 2026

The first time you go to play pickleball you bring the paddle and little else. By the third time you've realized water was missing, the balls were indoor ones and the towel stayed in the car. This is the list we use, ordered by what is missed most.

The essentials

The paddle. And if you play several times a week, a second one as a spare. An edge that peels or a grip that tears mid-session won't leave you stranded.
Two or three balls of the right type. Outdoor balls have smaller and more numerous holes than indoor ones, and they don't bounce the same. Check where you're going to play before leaving home.
Water. Although pickleball doesn't leave you out of breath, an hour and a half in the sun shows. Better a bottle that can be kept within reach than one you have to go looking for.
Your playing shoes. If you're dressed in street clothes, carry them separately. Running shoes aren't good for stopping and pushing out sideways; we explain in what shoes you need for pickleball.

What you'll appreciate in the second hour

Small towel. For your hands, above all: a paddle that slips in the grip is a lost point.
Spare overgrip. It changes in two minutes and the feel goes back to what it was.
Cap, sunglasses and sunscreen if you play outdoors.
Spare socks. It seems silly until you play two matches in a row in summer.
A warm layer for the waiting time between matches, especially in fall and winter.
Something to eat if the session is going to be long.

If you use supports

If you play with a knee support, ankle support or elbow sleeve, put it in the bag the night before. It's forgotten more than it seems, and putting it on is the first thing you do on arriving. Which piece goes with each movement we explain in ankle support, knee support or elbow sleeve: which one you need.

What you don't need to bring

The net. At clubs and sports centers it's already there. You only need it if you set up the court yourself.
Three paddles "just in case." Two is more than enough.
A travel bag. To go play for a while, the smaller and more organized, the better.

How to carry it all

There are two options that work, and one that doesn't.

The one that doesn't is the usual: loose paddles in the trunk, balls and bottle in a plastic bag and the phone in your trouser pocket. The paddles bang into everything on every turn and something ends up staying at home.

The ones that do:

A backpack you already have, with the paddles inside a cover or wrapped in the towel so they don't get scratched.
A backpack designed for pickleball, with a fixed place for the paddles and another for the water. We sell the RALLY backpack: side sleeve for two paddles with the handles out, mesh pocket for the bottle and two zip pockets for phone and keys. It's worn with both straps or slung over one shoulder.

If you already have a backpack that works for you, use it. What matters is that everything has its place and that the list above is inside before you leave.

The list, to copy

Paddle (and spare) · 2-3 balls of the court type · water · playing shoes · towel · overgrip · cap, sunglasses and sunscreen · socks · warm layer · something to eat · supports if you use them · phone and keys.