There are three types of pickleball paddle covers, which are: elongated, universal, and standard. You can get them in neoprene, can’t, and many other material types that protect them from both the weather and dings in a range of color options.
The price goes up if you want a matching cover and bag. Covers for pickleball paddles are available singly or in sets. For further protection, you can get a pickleball paddle with its case.
Protecting our paddle is essential, so it goes without saying why we need to buy a
pickleball paddle cover. Let’s take a deeper look into the different types of paddle covers, why we need them, which type is best, and more.
Types of Pickleball Paddle Covers
Pickleball paddle cover types are according to the size of the paddles. They are, therefore, elongated, regular, or universal.
Many people choose neoprene as it protects the paddle from the elements. In the processing of chloroprene, we get neoprene, also known as polychloroprene, which belongs to a group of synthetic rubbers.
Neoprene’s primary component, polychloroprene polymer, exhibits excellent thermal and chemical resilience.
Padded neoprene covers protect the paddle from scratches and even breaking in most cases.
Why Do I Need a Pickleball Paddle Cover?
If you’re new to the sport, look around at everyone who is donning a paddle cover. It isn’t just because they can (like I initially thought too.) It’s because we’ve all made the mistake of placing our paddle on the wrong surface, dropping it, or dropping something on it. That led to the beginning of the end for our paddle. Having a cover saves our paddle from scratches and dings while saving money in our pockets.
You may be someone who thinks you don’t need to spend extra money on a paddle cover. You feel that you spent enough money on your paddle and don’t want to spend any more on pickleball accessories. However, if you want to get your money’s worth out of your pickleball paddle, you need to take care of it. A pickleball cover will help you do that.
There have been times that I’ve either dropped my paddle on the ground by accident or had the paddle lying out on a table at home and accidentally dropped something on it.
I’ve also put my uncovered paddle into my pickleball bag along with my many other items only to find a few new scratches when I pull the paddle out of my bag. As you can see, there are many scenarios as to why we should have a paddle cover.
What’s the Distinction Between a Pickleball Bag and a Paddle Cover?
Having a pickleball bag doesn’t mean you don’t need a paddle cover, and vice versa.
Different types of pickleball bags include sling bags, totes, and even duffels. If you want to learn more about pickleball bags, you should read our previous post.
You might easily transport all of your necessary pickleball equipment in a pickleball bag (paddles, balls, water, shoes, and more). You can fit everything you need into the bag. Because of their size, however, paddles are easily misplaced or damaged if they rub against other objects in a backpack.
To protect your paddle’s face from damage, you can purchase a protective cover for it. The paddle face opening is sealed with a zipper. The paddle is safeguarded by the soft cover. Before stowing your paddle away, protect it with a cover.
What Materials Make Up Paddle Covers?
Paddle covers are often composed of neoprene since it is durable enough to keep a paddle from being damaged. Synthetic rubber is known as neoprene. It’s plush and substantial. It offers sufficient protection for the pickleball paddle surface by wrapping around it.
Some paddle coverings are crafted from canvas, leather, or linen in addition to neoprene. Even if your paddle is covered with cloth, it is still vulnerable to dings and scratches.
Even while the majority of pickleball paddle makers offer paddle covers including their logo, you can have your design printed on select covers if you choose. Make sure you purchase a cover for your paddle that will shield it from the elements.
There is a chance that you may dent or even fracture a brand new paddle if you dropped it. The efficiency of a paddle is diminished if its face is damaged, as this shifts the sweet spot. If the edge guard gets dinged, the paddle may become unbalanced or lose weight.
You increase your chances of experiencing all of these drawbacks if you play regularly. For other people, the cost of pickleball equipment is out of reach. Protecting your paddle with a cover is the best way to extend its life and keep it looking great. Here is an analysis of the best pickleball paddle coatings currently available.
Details to Consider When Shopping for a Pickleball Paddle Cover
To keep your pickleball paddle in pristine condition for as long as possible and maximize its performance, invest in a paddle cover. Listed below are features to look for when shopping for a new pickleball paddle cover.
If your paddle cost you a pretty penny or more, you should protect it with a case. Even if you’re careful, dropping a brand new paddle could leave dents, scuffs, or even cracks on the surface. If the face of the paddle is dented, the sweet spot will move, limiting the paddle’s effectiveness. Having the paddle’s edge guard compromised will change the paddle’s balance and swing weight.
The Dimensions
Selecting a pickleball cover that snugly accommodates your paddle is, well, just plain sense. It would be silly if your paddle cover didn’t snugly fit your paddle. You might be surprised to learn that, once you’ve determined the correct paddle cover size, there are a wide variety of paddle covers from which to pick.
Similarly, if you don’t know the specific measurements of your paddle, it will be difficult to choose the proper size. You should know the size of the paddle before going out to buy it.
The Material it’s Made of
Currently, neoprene is the material of choice for the majority of pickleball paddle covers on the market. Excellent chemical stability plus pliability at high temperatures are only two of the many desirable characteristics of this synthetic rubber-like substance.
Even though this cover protects your paddle from the elements, the neoprene material itself is a formidable shield.
Weight
Your ability to easily transport your paddles is directly related to the weight of the paddle cover.
The bulkier the cover, the more unwanted weight will be transferred to the paddle. If you have to carry multiple paddles at once, it’s in your best interest to get a lightweight model that’s easy to grip and maneuver.
Shape
The dimensions of the paddle aren’t the only factor; the design of the paddle cover is also crucial. One thing to keep in mind is that paddles come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, so it’s important to pick a paddle cover that is a good fit for your particular paddle.
You shouldn’t try to make your cover and paddle have dissimilar shapes. One more neat feature is a fence clip integrated into the paddle cover, so you’ll always know exactly where your cover is.
Cushioning
The degree of protection afforded to your paddle within the cover is also dependent on the padding, so keep that in mind while shopping. Paddles with thicker cushioning are more likely to be safe from damage than those with thinner ones.
Weatherproof
Waterproof paddle coverings offer further defense against rain and sunspots, complementing the heavy padding included on the paddles themselves. This pickleball paddle cover is substantial enough to prevent your paddle’s surface from being dinged, scratched, or scuffed when you store it in a sports bag alongside other equipment.
How durable it is
When shopping for a paddle cover, durability should take precedence over all other considerations. Someone who doesn’t want to waste their money on something that won’t even last a few weeks or a few months would never buy it. If you play often, you should get high-quality paddle covers to keep your paddles safe.
The Design and Color
Some players might not give much thought to the paddle’s color and design, but it’s always a good idea to pick something you like. Most paddle covers sold nowadays are designed to draw attention to their contents. Some companies, however, make paddle coverings in a variety of eye-catching hues and patterns, and graphics.
The Price
A paddle cover won’t break the bank, that’s for sure. Most paddle covers on the market nowadays won’t put a major dent in your bank account. Of course, there are other pricier paddle coverings to choose from. You should always go for a paddle cover that is within your budget, yet sturdy.
How the Cover Closes
The majority of paddle coverings feature a zipper for easy access and storage. And fairly sure you know how it feels to struggle with a stiff zipper that takes so much time to shut or open. Selecting a paddle cover with a slick opening and closing mechanism can help prevent this from happening.
Before buying a cover, make sure the zipper works. You can open and close the cover by gently sliding the zipper back and forth; if the zipper catches or you need to apply undue force, you should probably abandon the cover.
Warranties and Guarantees
When purchasing a paddle cover, look for one that comes with a guarantee in case you have any problems. Warranty protection is valuable because it gives buyers peace of mind in the face of potentially harmful substandard goods. Verify the paddle cover to see whether it has any guarantees or warranty. Look into how long these promises last if you have the time.
Pickleball Paddle Cover/Case Pros and Cons
A paddle case is much more compact than a paddle bag, as it’s designed just to store the paddle without any extra gear.
Pros:
- It keeps the paddle’s face plus its grip safe. Meanwhile, the cover only keeps the face protected.
- The case allows you to sling it over your shoulder for easy transport, which is the central detail missing from a cover)
- As opposed to a pickleball bag, this one is significantly smaller and lighter, but slightly bigger than a cover
Cons:
- No additional pockets for gear and supplies and personal items on both the case and cover.
- You might need to bring an extra bag for shoes, a change of clothing, water, a towel, and more.
How Do We Define Pickleball?
Pickleball is played with solid-faced paddles and a vented empty polymer ball across a net that is 36 inches (1.01 m) high by two or four players. The game can be played indoors or out. The two teams continue trading shots across the net till one of them breaks the rules. Pickleball was created in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, USA, as a game for kids to play in the backyard. Pickleball was officially recognized as Washington’s state sport in 2022.
Pickleball’s Level of Popularity
A total of over 4.8 million Americans participated in the sport in 2021 and 2022, making it the fastest-growing activity in the country, according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association. Reasons for the sport’s rising popularity include its low entry barrier, broad appeal, and quick learning curve.
The United States is home to thousands of pickleball tournaments every year, such as the National Championships along with the United States Open Tournament, as well as two professional tours plus one competitive league. Pickleball is expanding beyond the United States as evidenced by the proliferation of regional, continental, and world championships.
How Pickleball Originated
One Saturday afternoon in 1965, when Pritchard and Bell got home from a round of golf, they found their families sitting around doing nothing. They had planned to play badminton, but nobody could locate the shuttlecock.
Pritchard and Bell gave their children free rein to come up with their games. The adults and children converged on the badminton court, where they tried out a variety of equipment, including table tennis paddles, to see what worked best.
Over time, the badminton net was lowered from its original height of 5 feet (1.5 meters) to where it is now, at hip level, to allow for driving the ball. At first, it was assumed that a Wiffle ball would be the best option, but later, the Cosom Fun Ball proved to be more long-lasting and fun to play with.
Table tennis bats were promptly swapped out for bigger, stronger plywood bats made in an adjacent shed. McCallum kept his dad’s Seattle cellar workshop busy with his ongoing experiments with paddles of varying patterns. Most of the earliest paddlers used a paddle he designed and dubbed the “M2,” short for “McCallum 2.”
Pickle Ball, Incorporated
Pickleball quickly gained popularity among the founders’ friends and family once it was first developed. Pritchard and David McCallum, McCallum’s son, and two other friends founded Pickle Ball, Inc. in 1968. About the same time that they registered the trademark for the name Pickle-ball in 1972, the company also submitted its first annual report.
To meet consumer demand for pickleball, a company specialized in making wooden paddles and complete game sets. As the popularity of pickleball increased, “snowbirds” transported it from the Pacific Northwest to warmer states including Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Florida. PickleballCentral.com, which is owned by the company Olla, LLC, acquired Pickle Ball, Inc. in 2016.