What you wear to play pickleball may not be the most critical part of your gameplay, but it does play a more significant role than you realize. If you’re playing in uncomfortable or too restrictive clothes, your mind won’t be focused on the task at hand. Finding a pickleball skirt or skort you love and feel comfortable in is essential to have the best gameplay possible!
Everyone has different preferences for their athletic gear, so let’s review some of the best options on the market.
Skirts vs Skorts
Women’s pickleball skirts can first be split into two categories – skirts and skorts. Pickleball skirts are precisely that, a skirt. Skirts are designed with no layer underneath.
Most players who wear pickleball skirts opt to wear compression shorts or leggings underneath for added comfort and coverage.
Pickleball skorts look just like a skirt from the outside. A skort features shorts underneath that are built into the skirt.
- Skirts vs Skorts
- The Best Pickleball Skort
- Best Moisture Wicking Skort
- Best Compression Skort
- Best UV Protection
- Best Pickleball Skirt with Pockets
- Best A-Line Skirt
- Best Pickleball Flutter Skirt
- Best Long Pickleball Skirt
- Plus Size Pickleball Skirts
- Pickleball Skirts with Leggings
- Pickleball Skirt Buying Guide
- How Much Do Pickleball Skirts Cost?
Wearing a pickleball skort takes the guesswork out of matching something to wear under your skirt. It all goes on and comes off in one piece, so you won’t have to worry about any unsightly wardrobe malfunctions while you play.
The Best Pickleball Skort
Halara Air Crossover Pickleball Skort
Naming the best of the best pickleball skort comes down to finding something that checks all the boxes. Halara did exactly that with their Air Crossover Pickleball Skort!
With more than 25 colors to choose from, hidden pockets, and a unique design that makes any body type look great, this pickleball skort has earned the number one place.
Pros:
- Built-in pockets
- Crossover waist design
- Tons of colors!
- Reasonable pricing
- Mid-length with side slits
- Flat seams
Cons:
- There are none – that’s why the Halara skort is our top pick!
Best Moisture Wicking Skort
Asic’s Skort
This Asic’s skort is 100% polyester moisture-wicking fabric with shorts underneath.
The material on the skort will keep you feeling dry and chafe-free after even the most intense training sessions. A medium length provides just enough coverage without feeling too hot.
Pros:
- Comfortable elastic waistband
- Affordable price tag
- Flattering cut that stops mid-thigh on most women
Cons:
- Limit colors available – black, blue, and white
- No built-in pockets
Best Compression Skort
Best Compression Skort
Dona Jo has compression shorts built-in to their best-selling “Ultimate Skort.”
The compression shorts in this skort are snug enough to benefit your muscles without being too tight. The skirt itself provides 17” of coverage, so you’ll never be left feeling exposed on the pickleball court.
Pros:
- Breathable material
- Deep pockets on the interior shorts
- Sizing up to an XXL
Cons:
- Only for sale in 1 color – black
- The high-end price tag of $76
- Medium rise waist – this is preferred by some, but anything less than a high waist is a con for others
Best UV Protection
Yogipace Women’s UV Protection Long Skort
This affordable option from Amazon has an impressive UVB protection of 50!
This skort is made with a four-way stretch fabric that moves with your body. Each inch of the 17” skirt provides reliable protection against sun damage.
Pros:
- Multiple pockets
- Built-in music port for headphones
- Mesh liner in the shorts to prevent rolling
Cons:
- Elastic waistband with a drawstring that may move while you play
- The polyester/spandex blend is too soft to keep balls in the pockets
Best Pickleball Skirt with Pockets
Oalka Women’s Active Athletic Skirt
This pickleball skirt has four pockets for maximum functionality! Two ball pockets, a phone pocket, and an added zipper pocket will provide plenty of storage space. With multiple colors to choose from, you can have a pickleball skirt with pockets for every day of the week!
Pros:
- Very affordable at just $20
- Numerous solid colors and bold patterns for sale
- Wide waistband for ultimate comfort
Cons:
- Some customers report size inconsistencies between colors
- No internal hem grippers to keep the shorts in place
This classic a-line option from Nike is a popular choice for athletes shopping for pickleball skirts, tennis skirts, and just a comfortable summertime skirt that’s practical! The universally flattering A-line cut combined with a reliable brand name like Nike makes for a great product.
Pros:
- Dri-Fit material will pull sweat away from the skin
- Six color options
- High-quality material, design, and manufacturing
Cons:
- High-end price tag
- No built-in pockets
- Limited availability
Best Pickleball Flutter Skirt
Pickleball Bella Flutter Skirt
The Pickleball Bella flutter skirt is one of the best-selling pickleball skirts for a reason! With a high-rise waist and compression shorts built-in, comfortable is an understatement. Flutter skirts are a great way to stay fashionable on the court.
Pros:
- UV Protection
- Pickleball specific prints
- Grips at the leg opening on the shorts
Cons:
- Only available through Pickleball Bella
- Matching the printed fabric will limit your options for shirts
Best Long Pickleball Skirt
Lululemon Hotty Hot High Rise Skirt Long
Longer pickleball skirts with extra coverage are available for players that place importance on modesty. This Lululemon skort is 17 inches long for the most coverage while you play. Nylon and Lyrca were combined to make a skirt that feels as good as it looks!
Pros:
- 15” and 17” skirts are available
- Zipper pockets
- Reflective details
Cons:
- $78-$88 price depending on color, length, and size
- Built-in pockets are too small for a pickleball
- Mixed reviews from some customers
Plus Size Pickleball Skirts
Plus-size pickleball skirts should be just as comfortable and cute as straight sizes. Unfortunately, not every retailer offers plus-size options. Plus, size players will have an easier time finding a skirt they love if they branch away from strictly pickleball skirts.
Many of the best tennis skirts and golf skorts on the market can easily be used for pickleball, and they come in plus sizes! This Old Navy pleated skort is available up to a 4XL with stretchy material and a flattering look.
Athleta has an A-line option that goes up to a 3X and comes in a range of gorgeous solid colors!
If you’re looking for a little more coverage, Lands End carries an active knit skort up to a 3X that features a long-length style.
Pickleball Skirts with Leggings
Shopping for pickleball gear during the colder months is a great excuse to try a new style! Women’s pickleball skirts with leggings, often marketed as skirted leggings, act as leggings and an athletic skirt in one. The built-in leggings offer more coverage when you need them for warmth or modesty.
These skirted leggings on Amazon have Capri cut leggings, so you don’t have to worry about getting too hot. There are tons of beautiful colors and fun designs to choose from too! There’s a pocket near the waistband of the leggings, perfect for your phone or keys.
Pickleball Skirt Buying Guide
It can get confusing if you’re new to shopping for women’s pickleball skirts and skorts. Navigating the terms used to market different pickleball athletic wear is easier than you think, though!
Follow this buying guide so you’ll know what to look for when you’re reading product descriptions.
Material
The material used to make the pickleball skorts and skirts is vital to comfort and functionality. The wrong material can leave you feeling scratchy, sweaty, and self-conscious on the court. Pickleball skirts are made using similar materials that are used to make tennis skirts.
Moisture Wicking
Skirts and skorts made using polyester will have great moisture-wicking abilities. This means that the fabric will pull sweat away from your skin while you play. Less sweat on your skin makes for a chafe-resistant outfit.
Compression
Clothes that offer compression are some of the most popular for athletes in all sports. This is because wearing compression gear is proven to promote good blood flow and improve the rate at which your muscle tissues are oxygenated.
The list of benefits that comes with wearing compression gear should be enough to make any athlete make the switch!
UVB Protection
Another important feature that you’ll find in all the best pickleball skirts and skorts is UV protection. Not every material offers adequate UVB protection when you’re spending hours on the pickleball court.
Look for products that provide UVB protection to better protect your sensitive skin against sun damage and an increased risk of skin cancer.
Functionality
One of the biggest deal-breakers for athletes when it comes to their gear is functionality. If what you’re wearing isn’t very functional for your sport, there’s room for improvement!
Pockets
Everyone has preferences for their most functional wardrobe, but one thing can’t be overlooked when you’ll be wearing the skirt while playing pickleball: pockets! Pockets can be found on the skirt itself or the interior shorts of a skort. Two types of pockets will make your skirt more functional. The first is ball pockets!
Ball pockets provide ball storage right on your hip, so you won’t waste time going to the sidelines for a new ball. Secondly, a phone pocket. A phone pocket is typically found on the back of the skirt or the side of the inner shorts.
This feature allows pickleball players to keep their phones on them even during the most heated moments on the court.
Style
Just like normal skirts, pickleball skirts come in a variety of styles.
Some players prefer one style over another for comfort, while others may find a certain style is more flattering for their body type.
A-Line
A-line is the most common type of style you’ll see shopping from the biggest women’s pickleball retailers.
This cut refers to a skirt that fits snug at the hips, with a gradually wider hem at the bottom. An A-line cut is flattering on almost anyone, but it’s especially great if you’re pear-shaped!
Flutter
Flutter skirts don’t fit as close to the body as other styles. The material of the skirt is designed to flutter and flow away from your body as you move. This creates an incredibly flattering style that looks great on all body types.
Drop Pleat
A skirt with a drop pleat has pleats just from the top of your thigh to the hem. Instead of a traditional pleated skirt that starts at the waistband, only the bottom part of a drop pleat skirt is pleated.
Pickleball Bella is one of the most popular retailers for players in the market for a drop pleat skirt. This style is a bit harder to find but well worth it!
Comfort & Fit
This may be at the bottom of our buying guide, but the comfort and fit of your pickleball skirt are arguably the most important thing to consider before purchasing! Comfort looks different for everyone, so don’t be afraid to try a few different styles and sizes to find the perfect fit.
A pickleball skirt should be something you feel comfortable in, even when you’re running, bending, and jumping.
Flat seams and an elastic waistband are a great place to start! Internal hem grippers that hold your skirt or shorts in place will save you the trouble of readjusting your outfit mid-game.
Length
Length is where you’ll have a lot of options to choose from, with no choice being better or worse than the rest.
The length of your pickleball skirt comes down to how much you want to be covered and how easily you want to be able to move. Some players find longer skirts to be too restricting, while others wouldn’t feel confident playing in a short skirt. You might even find you prefer a different length for practice versus tournaments.
Most major brands offer skirts ranging from 11 to 15 inches in length. Anything over 14 inches is considered medium to long.
How Much Do Pickleball Skirts Cost?
There’s no standard answer to say how much pickleball skirts costs. Ultimately, it depends on where you’re purchasing the skirt from, the type of fabric that’s used, and extra features on the skirt. You can find soft, comfortable skort and skirt options for as low as $25.
Higher-end brands like Nike, Adidas, and Lululemon have skorts going up to $88. It’s important to remember that buying the most expensive skort won’t improve your pickleball game!
Stick within a budget that’s comfortable for you, especially when you’re trying different styles to learn what you like the best.
Investing in high-end pickleball skort and skirt options is a nice way to treat yourself, but the $25 option will get the job done just fine.
Pickleball skirts and skorts come in so many styles, with a range of functionality. A cute pickleball skirt isn’t a necessity on the court but can make boost your self-confidence while you have fun. Each cool, stylish skirt and skort on our list is a great choice.