Get a Grip on the Game

When you look for new pickleball products that can help your game, you probably think first about paddles, a ball machine, or perhaps a new pair of high-performance court shoes. You might want to also consider products that help with gripping your paddle.

In any sport where you are using a club, racquet, or paddle, your grip is important, as it is your single point of connection with the tool. When playing pickleball you need to be able to hold the paddle consistently, confidently, and with an appropriate amount of force. If your grip is worn out or slippery, you can lose control and feel. If you have a grip that is too tacky, you might have trouble repositioning your hand for precise shots.

There are plenty of products that can help you get a better grip on your paddle. Let's start with the paddle's grip itself.

Grips & Overgrips

Pickleball paddles all come with grip material wrapped around the handle, but is that manufacturer's grip the best one for you? Grips come in different materials, textures, and thicknesses to create different feels in your hand. Replacement grips can prioritize tackiness, sweat absorption, cushioning, or a combination of all three.

It is worth thinking about what you actually want to change before replacing your grip. Are sweaty hands causing the paddle to move? Does your handle feel too firm? Are you looking for more tackiness without adding much circumference? Those questions can point you toward the right option.

Take a look at some of our pickleball grips and overgrips and a few of our current favorites below.

Absorbing Grips

• HEAD HydroSorb Pro Pickleball Grip
• Selkirk Cushion Contour Pickleball Grip
• GAMMA Honeycomb Cushion Pickleball Grip

Extra-Cushioned Grips

• Tourna Pickleball Cushion Replacement Grip
• Selkirk Cushion Contour Pickleball Grip
• GAMMA Honeycomb Cushion Pickleball Grip

No-Slip Grips

• Tourna Pickleball Replacement Grip
• Selkirk VANGUARD Geo Pickleball Grip
• JOOLA Replacement Feel-Tec Pure Pickleball Grip

Grips that absorb moisture or provide extra cushion are usually applied directly to a bare pickleball handle because of their thicker construction, so you would first remove the original grip before applying the replacement.

If your existing grip still feels comfortable but has lost some tackiness, an overgrip may be the easier solution.

Overgrips are designed to wrap over your paddle's existing grip. They can add tackiness, improve moisture management, freshen up a worn handle, or slightly adjust how the grip feels without requiring a complete re-grip.

Popular Overgrips

• HEAD Xtreme Soft Pickleball Over Grip
• GAMMA Supreme Pickleball Overgrip

Regardless of whether you need to prioritize sweat management, texture, cushion, or tackiness, changing the grip or adding an overgrip can be one of the simplest ways to make your paddle feel more secure and comfortable.

Gloves

Despite the huge selection of grips and overgrips available today, some players like to add a glove to the grip equation. Gloves work together with the paddle grip to manage sweat, add traction, and help maintain a consistent connection with the handle.

Whether you opt for a lighter, more ventilated design or a more protective full glove, the goal is essentially the same: keep moisture from building up between your hand and the paddle.

Pickleball Gloves

• HEAD Airflow Tour Glove
• HEAD Web Pickleball Glove

Extra Grip Accessories

Sometimes the grip itself is not really the problem. Heat, humidity, nerves, and long matches can simply make it difficult to keep your hands dry.

Gamer Grip Racquet & Paddle Grip Enhancer is designed to block sweat before it starts affecting your grip. It dries clear and non-sticky, making it a useful option for players who want drier hands without adding another layer to the paddle handle.

The Selkirk Tacky Towel takes a different approach. A quick application to your hands, glove, or grip can add traction and help manage moisture without permanently changing your setup.

These types of accessories are especially useful if your grip normally feels good and only becomes a problem during hot, humid, or especially long sessions.

Regardless of your skill level or goals within the game, improving the connection between your hand and paddle can help you play more consistently and comfortably. Whether that means replacing a worn grip, adding an overgrip, wearing a glove, or keeping a grip-enhancing product in your bag, it is a small equipment change that can make a noticeable difference.

How To Replace Your Grip

Not sure how to replace the grip on your paddle? Watch our helpful video to learn how.