The best pickleball shirt is a polyester or polyester-spandex top that wicks sweat, dries fast and does not bind across the shoulders when you reach overhead. Cotton is fine for a casual hour and miserable for three. Below are eight performance tees, tanks and polos with the fabric and sun-protection claims each maker publishes, read on the brands’ own product pages on October 9, 2026, plus the club tees we sell at the front desk.
| Shirt | Type | Standout feature, per the maker | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under Armour Tech 2.0 Men's Short Sleeve | Men's tee | Quick-drying UA Tech fabric with odor control | An everyday court tee |
| Under Armour Tech Twist Women's Short Sleeve | Women's tee | 100% polyester UA Tech fabric that "wicks sweat and dries really fast" | An everyday court tee |
| Under Armour Tech Knockout Women's Tank | Women's tank | 90% polyester, 10% elastane with 4-way stretch; racerback | Free shoulders on overheads |
| Selkirk Essentials 2.0 Men's Sport-Wik Tee | Men's tee | 94% recycled polyester, 6% spandex; relaxed fit; odor control | A looser cut from a pickleball brand |
| Selkirk Essentials 2.0 Women's Sport-Wik Tank | Women's tank | Same Sport-Wik fabric; relaxed fit; wrinkle-resistant | Warm sessions and travel |
| Under Armour Matchplay Men's Polo | Men's polo | UPF 40; 93% polyester, 7% elastane; anti-pick, anti-pill finish | Collared dress codes and outdoor play |
| JOOLA Men's Club Printed Polo | Men's polo | UPF 50; hem vents at the side seam | Sun and a pickleball-brand look |
| JOOLA Women's Club Polo | Women's polo | UPF 50; buttonless placket; hem vents | Sun protection without buttons |
Fabric blends and UPF ratings are the makers' published figures, checked October 9, 2026. A shirt with no UPF number in this chart has no rating on the page we read.
The club tees
As an Amazon Associate, Pickleland earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Start with what is on the rack. The Pickleland logo tee comes in black and white with the logo on the chest. We do not have a fabric spec recorded for it, so treat it as a club shirt rather than a technical top, and ask the front desk which sizes are in.
The shop also carries JOOLA men’s T-shirts in black and white. Sizes on the rack vary.
More club apparel, including hats, is on the apparel shelf.
What to look for in a pickleball shirt
Fabric
Synthetic knits move sweat off the skin and dry quickly. Cotton absorbs it and stays wet. Every shirt in the chart is mostly polyester. The difference between them is what is blended in:
- 100% polyester (UA Tech Twist) is light and dries fast, with only the mechanical give of the knit.
- Polyester with 6% to 10% spandex or elastane (Selkirk Sport-Wik, UA Knockout, UA Matchplay, JOOLA Club) stretches with you. For a sport built on reaching, that is worth having.
Our what to wear to pickleball guide covers the same principle for the whole outfit.
UPF, and when it matters
UPF is a rating for how much ultraviolet light a fabric blocks. It only means something when the maker states a number. On the pages we read, JOOLA rates both Club polos UPF 50 and Under Armour rates the Matchplay polo UPF 40. Selkirk says its Sport-Wik fabric “shields you from UVA and UVB rays” but does not give a number, and the Under Armour Tech tees and tank list no rating.
Indoors, none of this matters. Pickleland is an indoor club, so pick on fabric and fit. If you also play outdoor courts around Austin, a rated polo or long sleeve earns its place in the bag.
Fit
- Shoulders and armholes. Raise your paddle arm overhead. If the hem lifts past your waistband or the sleeve pulls, size up or choose a tank or raglan cut.
- Length. You bend at the knees and waist on every dink. A shirt that rides up will bother you all night.
- Relaxed vs fitted. Relaxed cuts breathe and hide sweat. Fitted cuts stay out of the way of your swing. Neither is faster.
- Collar. Some clubs and leagues ask for collared shirts. Pickleland does not, but a polo with a soft self-fabric collar gives you the option.
Tees
Under Armour Tech 2.0 Men’s Short Sleeve
Under Armour describes the fabric in the Under Armour Tech 2.0 Men’s Short Sleeve as “quick-drying, ultra-soft” with “a more natural feel,” and lists odor control technology. It is the plain court tee: no collar, no print, nothing to think about.
Under Armour Tech Twist Women’s Short Sleeve
The Under Armour Tech Twist Women’s Short Sleeve uses the same UA Tech fabric in 100% polyester, with lighter and darker yarns knit together for the heathered “twist” look. Under Armour lists the same wicking and odor-control claims and also sells it as a V-neck.
Selkirk Essentials 2.0 Men’s Sport-Wik Tee
Selkirk lists the Selkirk Essentials 2.0 Men’s Sport-Wik Short Sleeve Tee at 94% recycled polyester and 6% spandex, with a “subtle stretch,” odor control and a relaxed fit it describes as a “confident look without awkward cling.” If you already play a Selkirk paddle, this is the matching shirt.
Tanks
Under Armour Tech Knockout Women’s Tank
The Under Armour Tech Knockout Women’s Tank is 90% polyester and 10% elastane. Under Armour lists “4-way stretch material” that “moves better in every direction” and a classic racerback, which keeps fabric off the shoulder blade on serves and overheads. Under Armour’s own Q&A notes it has no built-in shelf bra.
Selkirk Essentials 2.0 Women’s Sport-Wik Tank
The Selkirk Essentials 2.0 Women’s Sport-Wik Tank Top uses the same 94% recycled polyester and 6% spandex fabric as the men’s tee in a relaxed fit. Selkirk adds that it is wrinkle-resistant, which is useful if your shirt lives in a bag between sessions.
Polos
Under Armour Matchplay Men’s Polo
Under Armour rates the Under Armour Matchplay Men’s Polo at UPF 40 and lists 4-way stretch, a 93% polyester and 7% elastane blend, and a textured “anti-pick, anti-pill” fabric. That last part matters more than it sounds: hook-and-loop straps on gloves and braces chew up soft knits.
JOOLA Men’s Club Printed Polo
JOOLA lists the JOOLA Men’s Club Printed Polo at 90% polyester and 10% spandex in a “breathable, lightweight knit jersey,” with a two-button placket, a self-fabric collar and hem vents at the side seam. JOOLA states it “provides UPF 50 sun protection” and “wicks sweat and dries quickly.”
JOOLA Women’s Club Polo
The JOOLA Women’s Club Polo uses the same 90/10 blend and the same UPF 50 rating, with a buttonless placket and side hem vents. If you want a collar without buttons pressing under a bag strap, this is the one.
Care that keeps a shirt working
- Wash cold, inside out. Under Armour’s care label for the Tech Twist says exactly that: machine wash cold, tumble dry low, no iron.
- Do not leave it in the bag. A damp synthetic shirt left in a closed bag overnight is where the smell comes from. A bag with a separate vented compartment helps.
FAQ
Can I wear a cotton T-shirt to play pickleball?
Yes. Nobody will stop you, and for a first session it is fine. Cotton holds sweat and gets heavy, so most regular players switch to a polyester top after a few sessions.
Do I need a UPF shirt for indoor pickleball?
No. UPF is about sunlight. Indoors, choose on fabric and fit. Keep a rated shirt for outdoor courts.
Are polos better than tees for pickleball?
Only if you want the collar. A performance polo and a performance tee from the same brand usually share a fabric family. The polos in this chart are the ones with a stated UPF rating, which is the practical difference outdoors.
Is there a dress code at Pickleland?
Athletic clothing and non-marking court shoes. See indoor pickleball outfits for ideas, and the shorts and skirts guide for the bottom half.