Maybe it’s the hype, or the fact that Pickleball feels far more accessible than other sports, but it’s safe to admit that the game is addictive. It's less taxing on the body than tennis, thanks to its lower-impact movements and smaller court, making it gentler on your joints. It’s also undeniably fun — just ask Katie, who even has a professional coach to train with. (She may or may not have gotten a little competitive at our company offsite while playing, by the way.)
But while enthusiasm for the sport has surged, finding apparel specifically designed for it is the opposite of a dink. Many players still rely on general activewear that wasn’t made for the realities of the court. Performance gear designed for running or static training is built around straight-line propulsion. That’s why cushioned running sneakers use technology to push you forward — but aren’t always kind to your knees or ideal for lateral stability. In the same vein, pickleball clothing should be different. That’s exactly how Centerline Apparel approaches its designs, with the sport and its players in mind.
Multidirectional sports like pickleball require movement in every direction — forward and back, side to side — so you need clothes that move with you. While the game looks deceptively simple, its reactive nature means you might lunge forward for a drop shot one moment, then shuffle laterally the next. Centerline makes clothes engineered to support those movements, whether you’re a seasoned player or just playing recreationally like Katie.
What sets the brand apart is its attention to detail. Take the deceptively chic Brooklyn Skort: it looks like a standard workout bottom, but features GripTek fabric on the side panels, so you can wipe your sweaty palms between points to improve grip and control. It essentially doubles as a built-in towel for when things heat up. That same high-performance fabric is used in its long-sleeve shirt, which won’t cling to your body no matter how long you play. In other words, Centerline has thought of everything, and it just so happens to be flattering, too. The brand is even partnering with former NFL star and current pickleball enthusiast Terrell Owens on a collaboration later this year.
The benefits to your game are significant, so consider this your sign to reset your court wardrobe with our favorite picks for men and women below.
