Grab your paddle: It's National Pickleball Day — and we found the essentials all players need

Grab your paddle: It's National Pickleball Day — and we found the essentials all players need

We may earn money from links on this page, but commission does not influence what we write or the products we recommend. AOL upholds a rigorous editorial process to ensure what we publish is fair, accurate and trustworthy. Few sports have exploded in popularity overnight like pickleball. This paddle sport has riveted fitness fans, with courts popping up all over the country.Whether you're a seasoned pickleballer or a newbie, you can celebrate the sport on August 8, aka National Pickleball Day. The holiday is designed to celebrate the sport's invention in1965, along with encouraging people to get out and play. Pickleball does require certain gear to play, and it's important to have the essentials before you hit the court. If you're planning to pick up a paddle for the first time, or just want to upgrade what you've got, consider adding these must-haves to your arsenal. Amazon This set of two pickleball paddles is approved by USA Pickleball, the national governing body of pickleball. The paddles are lightweight and feature an ergonomic, sweat-absorbent grip. You'll get four balls, two grip tapes and a carry bag with the set, too. Amazon It's a universal truth of pickleball: You can never have enough balls handy. This bestselling set from Franklin allows you to keep a stash nearby, so you're not constantly chasing balls down on the court. Amazon You can technically wear whatever you want on the pickleball court, but plenty of people lean into traditional tennis-style gear. This skirt from Stelle has a flattering high waist, along with pockets to hold extra balls and your essentials. Choose from a huge range of colors. Amazon Pickleball shoes allow you to get a solid grip on the court, so you can change directions on a dime. This sneaker from Asics is a fan favorite thanks to its comfortable sockliner and shock-absorbing technology. (It comes in awomen's version, too.) Amazon Sweating is practically inevitable when you're playing hard, but excess moisture can mess with your game when it drips down your arms. These sweatbands help keep things in check, while also providing a convenient spot for you to mop your forehead. Amazon You have to haul a lot of stuff to and from the pickleball court. Toss it all in this 22-liter backpack, which has plenty of space for your paddles, water bottle, balls and more. There's even a convenient separate shoe compartment down below. Amazon All those balls have to go somewhere. Tourna's pickleball pickup tube will "pick up" balls for you without you having to bend down. (Just push the tube over a ball, and it does the rest.) This tube can hold up to 17 balls at once. Amazon Chill out between sets with this towel from Mission. It's specially designed to cool you off when it's activated with water. Just wet it, wring it out and wear it around your neck to cool down. If you have any questions about these pickleball products — or you just wanna chat about your favorite products you think we should check out — send us an email atshopping.editors@aol.comand we'll write you back!