Why Franklin Is a One-Stop-Shop for Pickleball Players

Let's start with the basics: You know you want to start playing this popular new sport called pickleball. You know you can easily recruit a bunch of friends to join the fun. What you don't know is what equipment you need to start and equally as important, where exactly you can get it all.

Luckily, we've put together a comprehensive guide you and your pickleball partners will need at the outset. (More on that later.) Here's the CliffsNotes version: If you've never played pickleball before, you'll need 1.) a paddle 2.) gear to set up a court 3.) a good pair of shoes and 4.) proper attire.

Which brings us to the second part of your inquiry and our surprisingly easy answer: You can cop everything from Franklin Sports, making the process of getting out onto the court pretty darn seamless. Read on to find out more about our favorite pickleball purveyor.

Irving H. Franklin and his brother Sydney founded Franklin Sports in 1946, cultivating a line of sports products around a singular athlete: NFL legend Joe Namath. Since then, the brand has been affiliated with a wide roster of superstar athletes, from Sugar Ray Leonard to David Robinson, Dan Marino and Barry Bonds. Point blank, it's difficult to think of a brand more iconic in the sprawling world of sports. So it's natural that Franklin hasn't missed a step establishing itself as the leading name in the fastest growing sport in America.

Part of what makes pickleball so appealing is how it can be played at any level. So whether you're just looking to get some cardio in or thinking about pursuing a career in Major League Pickleball, you can get appropriate gear from Franklin.

The X-40, Franklin's ball, is the official ball of USA pickleball. And hey, if it's good enough for the pros, it's surely good enough for us.

Franklin Sports makes it seamless to fill up your cart with everything you'll need to get playing—all in one place. Depending on where you're planning to play, you'll definitely need a paddle, some balls and a net. Check, check, check.

Paddles like the Carbon STK are approved by USA pickleball for pro play, but work just as well for players of any level. If you just want a good starter set to get you out there without the necessity of the highest level performance on the market, check out this collection of wooden paddles.

If you're starting a burgeoning pickleball career, odds are you might want some of the bells and whistles too. With that in mind, you can cop tee shirts, sunglasses, performance gloves and more to take your game—and aesthetic—to the next level.

Below, we compile a list of a few of our favorite products to get you onto the court.

If you want a full rundown of all the gear you can shop to set yourself up for pickleball greatness, check out this handy guide on how to start playing anywhere.