Pickleball paddle cover: why a protective cover is not a needless luxury

A pickleball paddle is an investment. Whether you pay EUR 80 for an entry-level model or EUR 150 for a custom one with your name on it -- without good protection you will wear through it sooner than necessary.

What damages a pickleball paddle?

Many players think the biggest enemies of a paddle are on the court. The wall, the floor, a hard ball. That is true, but off the court the wear factors are at least as big.

• Impacts in the sports bag. A paddle that rolls around loose next to shoes and a water bottle gets small scratches on the frame and hitting surface every training session.
• Moisture and condensation. A locker room or damp car trunk affects the glue bond of the hitting surface, especially with carbon.
• UV radiation. Direct sunlight fades the print on a custom paddle faster than you expect.
• Pressure from items on top. A heavy bag or suitcase on top of a paddle without a cover can deform the frame.

Hard-shell or soft-shell?

This is the first choice you make with a pickleball cover. Both have their place, depending on how you handle your paddle.

Hard-shell pickleball paddle cover

A hard-shell cover -- such as the carbon-look variant we offer -- has a rigid outer panel that absorbs the blow on impact instead of the paddle. Ideal if you frequently check your bag, cycle, or transport multiple paddles at once. The downside: slightly heavier than a soft-shell.

Soft-shell pickleball paddle cover

Light, flexible and cheaper. A soft-shell is fine for players who carefully put their paddle in the bag and store it at home. Less suitable if your paddle is sometimes left in the car or you fly regularly.

What makes a cover suitable for a custom paddle?

If you have had a custom pickleball paddle made, the print on the hitting surface is the most vulnerable part. The print is weather-resistant but not armor. A cover that fully covers the hitting surface -- without an open cutout at the front -- gives the best protection.

It is also handy if the cover has a zipper that opens wide enough to take the paddle in and out easily. A shoulder strap is pleasant if you walk or cycle to the court.

Which materials are used in a good pickleball paddle cover?

Not every cover is the same. The outside and the inner lining together determine how much protection you get.

Outside

Hard-shell covers are often made of ABS plastic or carbon-look composite. That absorbs a blow without deforming. Soft-shell covers often use neoprene or polyester, comparable to laptop sleeves. Neoprene has a slight shock-absorbing effect but gives little resistance to pressure from outside.

Inside

Look for a lined interior -- thin fleece or foam -- that prevents the hitting surface from scratching when sliding in and out. A loosely rattling paddle in an unlined cover is worse for your custom print than no cover at all.

Zipper

A sturdy, wide-opening zipper is practical but often overlooked. A narrow zipper through which you have to maneuver the paddle at an angle damages edges and grip. With our premium cover the zipper opens on three sides for easy insertion and removal.

Cover size: does a universal cover fit your paddle?

Almost all pickleball paddles are teardrop shaped and fall within a standard size box: around 45 cm long and 26 cm wide. A universal pickleball paddle cover fits almost every brand and model. With diamond-shaped paddles (wider at the top) this is sometimes a bit tight -- always check the stated dimensions of the cover.

Our premium cover fits all standard teardrop-shaped pickleball paddles, including our own base paddles. Unsure? Get in touch, then we check it for you.

Pickleball cover and travel: what you should know

Do you ever fly with your paddle? Airlines often allow pickleball paddles as hand luggage, but in a soft bag they run a risk in the hold. A hard-shell cover offers in check-in situations considerably more protection than a sports bag with loose compartments.

If you travel regularly, a cover with separate compartments for extra grips or balls is also handy. That saves space in your sports bag and keeps everything together.

Maintenance of your pickleball cover

A pickleball paddle cover picks up sweat and dirt after every session. A soft interior also holds dust that subsequently rubs over your hitting surface. Basic maintenance:

• Shake out after each use. Sand and small bits of grit are the main cause of scratches on the hitting surface.
• Wipe with a damp cloth. Once a month wipe the inside with a lightly damp cloth.
• Don't store it wet. Patting a paddle dry after a rain shower before it goes into the cover prevents mold from forming in the cover.

Order a cover with your custom paddle

At Custom Your Pickleball you can add a premium pickleball paddle cover at checkout for EUR 10 per unit. Hard-shell, carbon-look finish, adjustable shoulder strap, fits any paddle model.

Handy: if you order multiple paddles -- for a team or as a corporate gift -- you can include a cover for everyone. The price is the same per unit, however many you order.

Want to know what else is included with a custom paddle? Read our 7-step production process.

Design your own paddle →

Conclusion

A pickleball paddle cover is not a needless luxury. Certainly not if you invest in a custom paddle. For EUR 10 you protect something you had made for much more -- in terms of cost and attention. Hard-shell for the best protection, a shoulder strap for convenience. Pay attention to material, zipper width and sizing, and you have a cover that lasts as long as the paddle itself.