It lastly occurred: Like half the world, I dove into the pickleball craze. In the event you’d requested me just a few years in the past if I’d ever play, I’d most likely have rolled my eyes, however now—a yr into studying the game—I think about myself a full convert.
Essentially the most essential ingredient to leveling up your pickleball sport (after buying some cute outfits for the courtroom, in fact) is an excellent paddle. Based on Worldwide Pickleball Educating Skilled Affiliation (IPTPA) licensed pickleball teacher Jennifer Azevedo, “you’ll be able to personalize a paddle to your particular wants as a participant. Missing in mobility? Get a paddle that’s a bit greater and longer to assist attain the ball. There are alternatives to assist virtually each facet of the sport that is perhaps missing,” she says.
Although I perceive the worth of an excellent paddle, I balked when the trainer of my intro class advisable a selected set that price over $100. As a beginner who wasn’t positive if I used to be going to stay with the game or not, I wasn’t able to shell out that a lot—so I went looking by myself, utilizing suggestions from mates who already performed and on-line evaluations to information me.
After weeks of looking out, I lastly landed on the Niupipo Pickleball Paddle Set from Amazon. These paddles have been extremely rated by hundreds of individuals, comparatively reasonably priced, and claimed to have options I used to be on the lookout for. Positive, they weren’t probably the most aesthetically pleasing, however I consider in prioritizing operate over kind with regards to sports activities gear.
The set comes with two paddles, a carry bag, and each indoor and outside pickleball balls (sure, there’s a distinction). Right here’s what occurred once I put it to the check.
The specs
The paddles are USA Pickleball Affiliation–accredited, which Azevedo says is “one thing you’ll want as you start to look into event play,” as officers will really examine your paddles for the stamp of approval.
The paddle faces are product of fiberglass and comprise a honeycomb polymer core, which the model’s web site says helps scale back noise. Your complete paddle head can also be wrapped in an edge guard to assist stop injury and chipping if the paddle scrapes the bottom, which I’ve to say is fairly efficient—there’s barely a scratch on mine after a yr’s price of use.
Authentic picture by SELF author Esther Carlstone
The way it feels
The very first thing I observed once I unboxed the set was how light-weight the fiberglass paddles have been. Weighing solely 7.8 ounces every, they’re a lot lighter than those from one other model I purchased for some members of the family, pondering I’d get them a cute set. I’ve additionally performed with a pal’s wood paddles, which really feel like cement in my hand in comparison with my Niupipo ones.
