The Best Pickleball Gear for Summer 2019
by laurapbc on Jun 24, 2019
Summer can be both a blessing and a curse when it comes to playing pickleball. Most people prefer playing outdoors, and so you now have the perfect excuse to hit the courts and soak up the sun.
On the other side of things, those same rays can also make it easy to overheat or lose grip of your paddle, and no one likes playing in sticky, sopping clothes.
At PickleballCentral we have an array of great gear to help you minimize stresses the weather can bring so you can fully enjoy the warm weather and competition.
GAMMA Tacky Towel
Your hands get slick from sweat and your paddle is constantly on the verge of flying across court, but you can't bear to wear a glove in the heat of the day. What's a pickler to do?
With just a few passes of the GAMMA Tacky Towel your hands will feel stable again thanks to a sheen of its main moisture-repelling ingredient: bee's wax! The Tacky Towel will last through multiple uses so you can continue to play consistently no matter how sticky the situation.
Chilly Pad Cooling Towel
While a standard towel would get soggy and heavy after enough passes over a perspiring player's skin, the Chilly Pad Cooling Towel absorbs liquid and then allows it to evaporate. You can use this towel again and again without fearing that you'll just be re-applying sweat!
The extra benefit of this product is that it can also be used as a cooling device. If you dunk it in some water and set it against your neck you'll feel a pleasant cooling sensation radiate from the material. It retains its temperature for some time but can easily be re-wetted when you want another refreshing experience.
Wilson ProGrip Lotion
This is another great option for players who want to keep a firm grasp on their paddles no matter how humid things get. The Wilson ProGrip Lotion applies to a smooth finish and doesn't feel sticky, yet you'll feel far more comfortable keeping your hand in contact with your grip. The gel is quickly transferred to the skin and dries to white finish so you an ensure it's good to go.
The ProGrip Lotion lasts for around 2 hours and has a non-toxic formula with a pleasant citrus scent.
Overgrips
If you don't want to fuss with products you need to apply to your hands, you can always stick an overgrip on top of your existing handle. We have plenty of options that offer an array of different finishes so that you can find one with just the right amount of tack and absorbance.
For those who want some guidance on the best overgrips for reducing moisture, we recommend the HEAD HydroSorb Pro and Tourna Moisture Absorbency Grip. The HydroSorb has more of a traditional tacky texture with a thin construction that allows players to still feel a solid connection to their paddle. The Tourna Grip has more of a dry feel that will actively wick moisture away from the hands.
Hats & Visors
It should go without saying, but a simple hat can go a long way to keeping the sun out of your eyes when you're trying to position your shots just so. You don't want to trap heat next to your noggin' though, so we recommend choosing something that maintains good airflow and visibility.
Our Heritage Shade Cap has ventilated mesh siding and a protection flap that will keep the back of your neck from burning during extended games. The Margaritaville Visors are a colorful way to celebrate the season while feeling the breeze. If you want to go for accessories that are as minimal as possible, the HEAD Headband and Wristband will prevent sweat from reaching your hands and eyes.
Shoes
Shoes can make or break your game, and all players want to avoid injuries! Beyond their stabilizing and cushioning nature, a good shoe should allow your feet to breathe so you aren't sliding around or dealing with smelly digits after your fun.
In addition to great multi-court traction, arch support and a light weight, the HEAD shoes we carry feature a special vent with air holes at the bottom of the soles which allow for plenty of cooling air to enter.
Gloves
We've offered several alternatives to gloves for when the summer heat may make them feel smothering, but there is one option you may still want to consider. The HEAD Airflow Tour Glove uses a perforated leather that lets air in while also pulling moisture away from the hand.
If you appreciate the added security of a glove but want to ensure you're not sweating up a storm, the Airflow Tour Glove is your best option.
Apparel
One of the easiest ways to stay cool in the heat is to make sure you're wearing clothes that have a wicking feature and won't get bogged down with sweat. This usually means utilizing a polyester or poly-blend fabric.
We have several options that are great for this purpose, and will not only prevent you from leaving a trail on the courts, but will protect you from burns as well. Our Sun Shield Tee provides UVA/UVB protection in addition to some of our long-sleeved tops like the UV Performance Top. Choose from our many designs to customize them to your heart's content!
Eyewear
You can defend your eye's from glare and wayward balls and paddles all in one go if you select some great protective eyewear. Check out our HEAD Raptor Eyewear which feature anti-scratch and anti-fog construction.
They have interchangeable lenses and wearers can use their “smoke” colored lens for when they're dealing with bright outdoor rays.
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