The Three Main Options
Most players end up in one of three categories: pickleball-branded athletic wear, tennis apparel, or general athletic shirts from running or gym brands. Here's how they compare across the things that actually matter on court.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Pickleball-Specific | Tennis Shirts | Running/Athletic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price range | $35-75 | $30-80 | $20-45 |
| Moisture wicking | Excellent | Excellent | Good to Excellent |
| UPF sun protection | Often included | Sometimes | Rarely |
| Ventilation panels | Variable | Common | Variable |
| Fit for lateral movement | Designed for it | Designed for it | Usually fine |
| Pickleball branding | Yes | No | No |
| Best for | Enthusiasts and tournament players | Players from tennis backgrounds | Recreational and budget-conscious players |
Pickleball-Specific Shirts
The pickleball apparel market has grown a lot in the past few years. Brands like Fila, Calia, and several smaller direct-to-consumer companies now make shirts specifically designed for the sport. The main selling points are UPF sun protection, moisture management, and cuts designed for the lateral movement patterns in pickleball.
I've played in the Fila Pickleball Core Crew and one of the Calia options. Both are comfortable. The moisture wicking is solid. The Fila shirt has a UPF 50+ rating, which I actually care about now that I play four mornings a week outdoors from May through September.
The honest downside is price for what you get. At $45-65, you're paying a premium for the "pickleball" label. The fabric tech is not meaningfully different from tennis or running brands at similar price points.
When the Pickleball Branding Actually Helps
There's one practical benefit I didn't expect: fit. Pickleball shirts are cut for the specific movement patterns of the sport, particularly the reaching and rotating you do at the kitchen line. Some athletic shirts ride up during overhead shots if they're not long enough. The pickleball-specific ones I've tried tend to have slightly longer hemlines that stay put during play.
Tennis Shirts
Tennis apparel is the closest thing to pickleball-specific gear without the pickleball markup. Tennis involves similar lateral movement, similar overhead reach patterns, and similar court conditions. Most of the major tennis brands have engineered their fabrics specifically for racquet sport movement.
I own two Nike Court Dri-FIT polo shirts that I use for pickleball regularly. They have mesh ventilation panels under the arms and across the back that I appreciate during summer outdoor sessions. The fit through the shoulders is generous enough that overhead swings feel completely free.
The polo collar keeps sun off your neck too, which is a non-trivial benefit if you're playing outdoors. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, clothing is often more effective than sunscreen for sun protection during extended outdoor activity. A collar covers real estate that's annoying to sunscreen properly.
General Athletic Shirts
Running shirts and gym shirts work fine for pickleball. Full stop. If you already have a drawer of Under Armour or Nike Dri-FIT shirts from running or working out, you don't need to buy anything new to start playing.
The limitations show up at higher intensity play. Many running shirts are cut trim and athletic, which can restrict shoulder rotation during aggressive swings. Very lightweight running tops can feel fragile if you're diving for balls on hard courts. And almost none have UPF ratings, which matters if you're spending three hours in direct sun.
For indoor recreational play or evening outdoor sessions, though, a $25 athletic shirt does everything a $60 pickleball shirt does.
What I Actually Wear Now
After trying all three, my rotation for outdoor summer pickleball is tennis shirts (specifically the Nike Court Dri-FIT or similar) and the Fila UPF top for full-sun morning sessions. For indoor play, any athletic shirt I happen to grab works fine.
I stopped buying pickleball-branded apparel because I don't think it performs better than good tennis shirts at similar price points. If a pickleball brand releases something with clearly superior fabric tech or a feature I actually need, I'll reconsider. Right now it's mostly aesthetics and sport identity.
The one thing I'd tell someone just getting into the sport: don't play in a loose, baggy shirt. That's the only real mistake I've seen affect actual play. Anything with structure and moisture wicking will serve you fine.