Eyewear

It isn't required, but it's highly recommended, especially in doubles. Fast volleys at the kitchen line and mishits from your partner can send a hard ball toward your face with little time to react. Protective eyewear is a small investment that guards your eyes, and many clubs encourage it for players of all levels.

Popular options include the Onix Falcon, Eagle and Owl Eyewear, the Head Raptor Pickleball Eyewear, and the Kitchen Blockers Lensless Protective Glasses in regular and Slim Fit. Choose a pair that wraps comfortably, stays put when you move quickly, and gives you a clear view of the ball.

Lensless glasses, like Kitchen Blockers, use a sturdy frame with openings smaller than a pickleball, so the frame stops the ball before it reaches your eye. With no lens, there's nothing to fog up, scratch or reflect glare, which many players like indoors. For bright outdoor courts, lensed eyewear or sunglasses also cut glare.

Protective pickleball eyewear is designed first to shield your eyes from a ball, with a secure wraparound fit, and works indoors and out. Sunglasses are designed to cut glare and UV on bright outdoor courts. Some sport sunglasses do both, but if impact protection is your priority, choose eyewear made for pickleball.

Eyewear should sit snugly without pinching, stay in place when you lunge and look up for lobs, and leave your peripheral vision clear. If you have a narrower face, a slimmer frame like the Kitchen Blockers Lensless Slim Fit may be more comfortable. If you wear prescription glasses, check each product's details for compatibility, or ask our team for advice.

Yes. Beginners are still learning to read the ball and control their shots, so unexpected hits and mishits are more common. Wearing eyewear from the start builds a good habit. Add it to your starter kit along with a paddle, balls and court shoes.