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- The Kitchen's 2025 holiday pickleball gift guide
The Kitchen's 2025 holiday pickleball gift guide
You won't believe how cool this pickleball trip is
There are now nearly 20 million pickleball players in the U.S., which means there's a decent chance somebody on your holiday shopping list is an avid player.
If you're wondering what you should get that person for the holidays this year, we’ve got you covered. Below you will find our top picks for paddles, shoes, bags, apparel, accessories, training aids and more. Check out our holiday gift guide below.
Also in this issue:
Tyra Black shares why she quit singles after beating Anna Leigh Waters 🎧
Florida pickleball game turns violent 😱
This could have ended up much worse 🤕
Escape to Mexico for unforgettable pickleball vacation ✈️
40-hour pickleball marathon will benefit Thomas Wilson ⏱️
Let’s get cookin’. 🧑🍳
LOWLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Florida pickleball game leads to bloody fight
Almost exactly one year removed from the most viral pickleball fight ever, we were made aware of another bloody pickleball altercation that happened recently in Florida.
The man with the bloody face was apparently “overcoaching” and that led another man to hit him. Overcoaching or not, there’s obviously no place for this in the sport, and hopefully we go another year or more without another one of these.
🔗 Watch the latest pickleball fight on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok
PICKLEBALLERS
Why Tyra Black quit singles after beating Anna Leigh Waters
In case you missed it last week, Tyra “Hurricane” Black joined Pickleballers for a wide-ranging discussion about why she left tennis, how pickleball helped her find joy again, battling an autoimmune scare, MLP drama and quitting singles after a PPA title. She also told us what she hopes pro pickleball will ultimately become.
It’s arguably the most raw, honest and inspiring episode we’ve ever done.
2025 HOLIDAY PICKLEBALL GIFT GUIDE
The best paddles, shoes, bags, apparel and more
Holiday shopping is hard. You might know that somebody on your shopping list is an avid pickleball player, but maybe you’re not sure exactly what pickleball-related gift you should get them this year.
We’re here to help. In our holiday pickleball gift guide, you will find some of our top picks for paddles, shoes, bags, apparel, accessories, training aids and stocking stuffers. And if you wanted to get some of these things for yourself while you’re at it, we won’t tell anybody.
TOP PADDLES
🎁 JOOLA Perseus Pro IV: The JOOLA Pro IV series has been No. 1 on our list of the Top 10 paddles on the market since it was released in March. An added section of high-density foam inside the bottom corners/throat area of the Pro IV models allows the paddle to flex more than prior paddles, which adds forgiveness and enhances feel, power and dwell time. Check out our in-depth review of the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV or find a breakdown of the entire Pro IV line here. Paddle ships in a premium box with extra grips and edge tape. Order now and JOOLA will add a FREE cover and balls, too! Shop now, $279.95.
🎁 RPM Friction Pro: This paddle -- designed by pro player James Ignatowich -- has everything a player could want: Top-tier spin, great power and effortless control. The RPM comes in 3 options: 16mm elongated, 14mm elongated and 16mm widebody. Shop now, $249.99 -- use code "KITCHEN" at checkout for 15% off.
BEST SHOES
🎁 DAPS Desi Low: The DAPS out-perform the big brands in several key metrics, and you don’t just have to take our word for it — they have the data to back it up. They sent the shoe to the Heeluxe Performance Lab, which compared the DAPS to several other well-known shoes in the pickleball space.
The results favored the DAPS in several areas: Faster starts, quicker stops, better energy return and more energy efficiency.
You can find our in-depth review of the shoes here, and read our breakdown of what the shoe experts at Heeluxe had to say about them here.
DAPS come in men’s and women’s sizes and also in a mid-top version for players who want extra ankle support.
Shop the DAPS now, $159.99 -- Use code "KITCHEN" for 15% off.
THE KITCHEN APPAREL & HATS
🎁 The Kitchen hoodie: This is one of our most popular items -- perfect for staying warm around the house this winter and great for those chilly mornings on the court. Shop now, $55.
🎁 The Kitchen performance hat: All black 6-panel performance rope hat with our classic white puffed logo. This one is clean, extremely comfortable, and can handle some sweat. Perfect for the pickleball court or golf course. Shop now, $32.
SCARY MOMENT
This could have ended up much worse
There are a couple of important lessons to be learned from this scary video of a player getting hit in the eye by a ball.
There’s zero reason to full-send a popup at your opponent when he’s down on the ground. That pickleball could have been put away a hundred different ways rather than hitting it as hard as possible directly at the guy.
This is a perfect example of why eye protection matters. At the very least wear a forward hat to give your eyes some protection.
The kid thankfully walked away with no serious damage, dabbed it up and showed good sportsmanship. But this could have ended very badly.
🔗 Watch the video of this scary point on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok
TRENDING
The Pickle Breakers are gearing up for another 40-hour world record pickleball marathon attempt — and this time, it’s bigger than ever. A previous record the group set was thrown out due to a technical ruling, so they are back to try again and this time are donating proceeds to pickleball pro Thomas Wilson, who is currently undergoing treatment for a serious health condition. Their goal is to raise $22,000 for his medical treatments.
A fundraiser tournament will be held Nov. 29 at the same time they are fighting for the record, all at Pickler Universe in Carrollton, TX.
Stream the full marathon live and donate online at PickleBreakers.org.
PICKLEBALL TRIPS
Escape to Mexico for unforgettable pickleball vacation
Pickleball Trips is now offering an unforgettable pickleball adventure in the beautiful coastal town of Los Barriles, Mexico! Nestled between stunning Baja desert landscapes and the sparkling Sea of Cortez, this trip offers the perfect blend of clinics, competitive play and relaxation. All play will be at a brand new, 24-court facility with opportunities for all skill levels to improve their game. After pickleball, unwind at the beach or resort pool, savor delicious local cuisine and tap into your adventurous side for a four wheeler trip around the community.
With breathtaking sunsets and a welcoming community, Los Barriles is the ideal destination for pickleball enthusiasts looking to make lasting memories in a tropical paradise.
Use code "Kitchen" to receive a $200 discount per person, per trip.
QUICK HITS
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