After years of playing other racket sports, we’ve fallen in love with Pickleball and created this site to cover everything related to the sport. Whether you are here just to find out what this funny-sounding sport is all about or are an experienced player looking for more advanced Pickleball tips or gear reviews, we’ve got something for you.

With hundreds of new paddles and brands hitting the market every year, the pickleball community needs a source for unbiased product reviews, news, and guides. The team has compiled a mound of information for all skill levels and will continue to expand the site as the fastest sport in America continues to evolve.

Our Team

Dan Langston is an avid sports enthusiast who has been passionate about various sports throughout his life. As a youngster, he spent countless hours playing ping pong and even competed in local tennis tournaments. His love for sports extended beyond these two when he discovered pickleball. With experience in the ecotourism industry and time well spent as a fly fishing guide in the absaroka mountain range for 6 years, Dan brings a unique perspective on customer service to the digital world.

Today, Dan’s passion for sports and his love for pickleball have led him to build a thriving online community for pickleball players. He hopes that the website will serve as a valuable resource for players of all skill levels and inspire others to take up this exciting sport.

His cooperator Tom Filippini is a racket sports addict, maniacal product researcher, and serial entrepreneur. In spite of his ever-present desire to be wielding rackets & paddles in lieu of working, he has founded and run numerous successful businesses, including renowned travel industry pioneer Exclusive Resorts and disruptive private aviation company, StraightLine Private Air. Tom was first introduced to Pickleball in 2010, when he heard about a game that combined attributes of whiffle ball, tennis and ping pong. Those being amongst his favorite pastimes, he didn’t even have to play to know he would love it. And love it he did. Pickleball has become Tom’s “go-to” sport to play with friends, family and foes. He loved it so much that he partnered with the founder of Pickleball Portal to acquire the site in 2021. Tom is working closely with Dan to completely rebuild & refresh Pickleball Portal in a quest to make it the #1 destination where pickleballers worldwide access informative knowledge and supplemental opportunities. Stay tuned!

Mike Branon is the bestselling author of Pickleball & The Art of LivingHis latest book, The Joy of Pickleball, seeks to help older athletes play their best and experience the physical and emotional benefits that pickleball offers. He has appeared on numerous podcasts, TV and radio shows around the country, sharing his knowledge and passion for the game.

Mike has coached hundreds of novice and experienced players from age 8-80 -something. His books and instruction are dedicated to helping others live their best lives and to play better, healthier, and happier. Mike lives in Carlsbad, California with his wife, Diane, and designer mutt, Cabo. As a well traveled pickleball connoisseur, Mike will be writing about tips and strategy for those who are looking to improve their game. You can learn more about him and his books here.

Hey guys, my name’s Dennis. I’m a full-time Firefighter and “part-time” Pickleball Instructor who honestly loves coaching, teaching, and competing in sports. I played baseball & tennis throughout highschool and college and fell in love with pickleball. My goal with Pickleball Portal is to give you the most honest and reliable info on everything related to pickleball gear and equipment! I want to arm you with the knowledge to feel confident in your paddle choice by giving thorough reviews and comparisons through my hands on testing. Also hoping to share some tips and tricks with you to help your game and continue the growth of this awesome sport!

Kerry Pittenger
Kerry Pittenger

Kerry Pittenger is a highly accomplished photographer based in Fort Collins, Colorado, with several decades of experience in the field. Over the years, Kerry has worked with major companies, including Leaf Trading Cards and the Travel Goods Association, to produce stunning visual content for their various projects. His exceptional eye for detail and his ability to capture the essence of his subjects in a unique and captivating way have earned him a positive reputation in the business community. Kerry’s quick wit and infectious personality make him a pleasure to be around. We are stoked to have him.

Nick Uzunyan is a talented photographer and videographer from the sunny state of California. While Nick’s lens explores various subjects, it has lately focused on one sport—pickleball. His growing interest in the sport and business sense has led him to join the Pickleball Portal team.

His work is fueled by a desire to spread the excitement of pickleball to a broader audience, inspiring others to join the movement. Through his photography and videography expertise, he aims to capture the essence of pickleball—the rallies, passionate players, and community. He’s extraordinarily talented and able to freeze-frame the raw energy moments and determination that players have. Just take a look at some of his photos of Tyson Mcguffin.

At just 21 years old, New Jersey native Richard Livornese, Jr. is a rising star in the professional pickleball world and a member of the 2023 APP Next Gen National Team. Initially a college lacrosse player at Stevens Institute of Technology, Richard switched gears to pickleball during the COVID-19 pandemic, co-founding a pickleball academy in his hometown and setting his sights on professional competition. Most recently he has committed to a three-year contract with Major League Pickleball, 2024 through 2026. Richard is an aggressively enterprising person and athlete that is not only finding success on the court, but plans to use his influence to promote the sport’s growth. As a regular contributor to Pickleball Portal, he provides valuable insights through news articles, reviews, and how-to guides. 

Kip, the founder of Famous By Friday Pickleball, boasts an impressive athletic background, having played college tennis and dabbled in baseball and golf. His passion for pickleball ignited in 2018, and by 2020, he was imparting his knowledge as a Professional Pickleball Registry Certified Coach. Beyond teaching, Kip is an avid player and tournament organizer. Kip’s journey from a novice who once missed a pickleball shot with a wooden paddle to a seasoned player and coach is a testament to his dedication. His experiences, influenced by interactions with pickleball professionals, have shaped his coaching philosophy and strategies. With his profound understanding of pickleball paddles and equipment, Kip is poised to guide our website readers in making informed purchase decisions through comprehensive editorial reviews.

A versatile and diversified writer, David Boyle has written three short story collections, published by independent presses. Though he earned his readership by writing reality-based fiction, Boyle has gained a reputation for literary stories, essays, articles, reviews, interviews, analyses, travel writing, reportage, and poems, a good number of which have appeared in both print and online magazines. Inspired by his wife’s passion for the sport, David aims to illuminate current pickleball events and subjects with a fresh, creative perspective, offering readers something they can’t find anywhere else.

Monica Butler
Monica Butler

A burgeoning writer and amateur chef, Monica is passionate about people, languages, travel and culture. She’s lived in the Southwest, the Midwest, Italy, the East Coast, and the Midwest again, where she is a member of a local rowing team. Outside of her job in vacation rental management, Monica is pursuing a masters in nonfiction writing from Johns Hopkins University – it’s not just for doctors! A recent convert to Pickleball, she is happy to join the Pickleball Portal team and steal insider knowledge to perfect her game. 

Nitesh Vijay Profile Picture
Nitesh Vijay

I’m a pickleball enthusiast! I started playing a few years ago, and I’ve been hooked ever since. I love pickleball because it’s a great way to get exercise, have fun, and meet new people. I’m excited to share my love of pickleball with the community. I’ll be writing about all things pickleball, including: Tips on how to improve your game, reviews of pickleball gear, and news about the pickleball world.

Why Trust Us?

In today’s world, digital media brands have become an integral part of our lives. With the advent of social media and other online platforms, these brands have grown exponentially, becoming powerful tools for communication, news dissemination, and opinion sharing. However, one of the essential characteristics that distinguish digital media brands from traditional media outlets is their editorial independence.

Editorial independence is the ability of a media outlet to make editorial decisions without being influenced by any external forces, such as political or commercial interests. This means that a digital media brand is free to report and analyze news and events without fear of reprisal from any external parties. This freedom is crucial for us at Pickleball Portal, and it’s what sets us apart from traditional media outlets that are often influenced by political or commercial interests.

One of the main reasons why editorial independence is important is the trust factor. Readers, viewers, and listeners trust digital media brands that are independent and unbiased in their reporting. This trust is essential as it forms the basis of our credibility and reputation. Without trust, we lose our audience, and our ability to disseminate information is severely compromised.

Furthermore, editorial independence is important for the diversity of ideas and opinions. Because we are independent, we can provide a platform that has a robust exchange of ideas and opinions, including those that may not be popular or mainstream.

We use editorial Independency and a code of ethics as the basis of our credibility, reputation, and ability to remain accountable. By prioritizing editorial independence we are better equipped to serve our audience, and ultimately contribute to a better-informed community of pickleballers.

The only compensation for the time, effort, and costs that go into maintaining this website is in the form of affiliate commissions if readers click on affiliate links and then purchase items. The research and analysis include talking to friends and competitors to find out what they like or dislike and playing with each other’s gear to compare.

We hope you enjoy the site and find it useful. If you have any questions or suggestions please leave a comment by visiting our Contact Us page.

Review Process

Paddles

Analyzing and experimenting with a pickleball paddle can provide valuable insights into its performance and help players choose the best paddle for their playing style. Here is a detailed outline of our process and the variables we look at.

  1. Understand the Basics: Before starting the analysis, it is essential to understand the basics of pickleball paddles, such as materials, size, shape, weight, and grip type. This knowledge will help in identifying the variables that need to be measured during the analysis.
  2. Material: Pickleball paddles are typically made of a variety of materials, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. See differences below.
  3. Weight: The weight of a paddle can affect its power, control, and maneuverability.
  4. Measure the Balance Point: The balance point of a paddle is the point where it is evenly balanced. The balance point can affect the feel of the paddle during play and its ability to generate power.
  5. Grip Size: The grip size can affect the comfort and control of the paddle.
  6. Thickness: The thickness can affect the stiffness of the paddle and its ability to generate power.
  7. Testing Performance: We use rigorously play several games with every paddle to ensure thorough test results. We take note of how the paddle feels in the hand, the level of control, the power generated, and the ability to place shots accurately.
  8. Compare the Data: We then identify the paddles that perform the best based on the desired criteria and put our thoughts into words.

Wood was the original material used to make pickleball paddles, and it is still popular today. Wooden paddles are typically made of hardwoods like maple or plywood. They are inexpensive and offer good control and touch, but they can be heavy and less durable than other materials.

Composite paddles are made of a combination of materials, including fiberglass, carbon fiber, and polymer. They are lightweight and durable, making them a popular choice among players. Composite paddles also provide good power and control, and they are available in a range of shapes and sizes.

Graphite paddles are made of layers of graphite and other materials, such as fiberglass or Kevlar. They are lightweight and offer excellent power and control. Graphite paddles are often the preferred choice for experienced players, but they can be more expensive than other types of paddles.

Aluminum paddles are made of a solid piece of aluminum, which makes them extremely durable. They are also lightweight and offer good control, but they are not as popular as other materials because they can be less powerful.

Polymer paddles are made of a solid piece of polymer, which makes them extremely durable. They are also lightweight and offer good control and power. Polymer paddles are a good choice for beginners and recreational players.

Shoes

Our job is to help you find the right pair of shoes that will support your feet, provide stability, and improve your level of comfort and performance.

  1. We select a variety of shoes from different brands and models to experiment with.
  2. We look at all aspect of the shoe including; the upper, midsole, outsole, and cushioning.
  3. We evaluate the upper of the shoe which is the part that covers the foot. We look for features such as breathability and comfort.
  4. Examining the Midsole: The midsole is the layer between the upper and the outsole, and it provides cushioning and support. We determine the responsiveness, stability, and shock absorption by pressing down on the midsole to see how well it responds to pressure.
  5. We also check the bottom of the shoe that comes in contact with the ground by tuning into the traction, durability, and flexibility while playing on the court.
  6. We measure the weight of the shoe because it can affect your speed and agility on the court.
  7. For safety reasons, we ensure that the shoes we recommend have adequate arch support.

Equipment

  1. We check the build quality of the equipment by examining the materials, construction, and overall durability and look for features such as sturdiness, resistance to wear and tear, and the ability to withstand different weather conditions.
  2. Testing on the Court: Test the equipment on the court to evaluate its performance in real-world conditions. For a ball machine, we vary the settings and observe how well it delivers consistent shots. For a net, we observe how well it stays in place, how easy it is to set up and take down, and how well it fits with the court dimensions.
  3. Analyzing User-Friendliness: we evaluate how user-friendly the equipment is by looking at features such as ease of use, adjustability, and portability. Test how easy it is to set up and operate the equipment, and how well it can be adjusted to different playing conditions.
  4. Considering Price and Value: lastly we compare the prices of the different equipment and evaluate their value for money.