The best pickleball shorts and skirts have one thing gym shorts often lack: a pocket deep enough to hold a spare ball without it bouncing out when you split step. For men that means court shorts with deep front pockets. For women it usually means a skirt or skort with a ball pocket on the built-in short. The eight picks below were checked on each maker’s own product page on October 9, 2026, and the chart says exactly what kind of pocket the brand lists.
| Model | Type | Pocket and standout feature, per the maker | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson Tournament Short 7" | Men's shorts, unlined | Listed with a ball pocket, a storage pocket and an adjustable waistband | Hot sessions and tournaments |
| Wilson Peak Unlined Tennis Short 7" | Men's shorts, unlined | 7-inch inseam with "tennis ball storage"; 77% nylon, 23% spandex | Maximum stretch |
| Under Armour Premier Woven 6" Court Shorts | Men's shorts, no liner | "Extra-deep front pockets can hold tennis balls, your phone, or other essentials" | Shorter inseam, phone and ball together |
| Wilson Midtown Tennis Skirt | Women's lined skirt | Listed as lined with a ball pocket; UPF 40+ fabric; 14.8 in long | A classic skirt with a real ball pocket |
| Wilson Tennis Ball Short | Women's compression short | Liner short with a ball pocket, made to wear under a skirt or short | Adding a ball pocket to a skirt you already own |
| JOOLA Women's Club Skort | Women's skort | Built-in knit shorty with side pockets under a 13-inch woven skirt | A pickleball-brand skort |
| Baleaf Laureate UPF50+ Pleated Skort | Women's skort, longer length | Four pockets and UPF 50+ fabric; 20.5-inch skirt in a size L | More coverage and outdoor sun |
| JOOLA Women's Court 2-in-1 Shorts | Women's shorts with built-in shorty | Invisible zipper pocket on the back yoke; 3-inch outer inseam | Players who want shorts, not a skirt |
Pocket descriptions, fabric blends and lengths are the makers' published details, checked October 9, 2026. No maker on this list states that its pocket was sized for a pickleball, so test with one.
Why a pickleball needs a bigger pocket
Most court shorts and skirts are designed around tennis, and a pickleball is bigger than a tennis ball. USA Pickleball’s equipment standards put a pickleball at 2.87 to 2.97 inches in diameter. The ITF’s Rules of Tennis put a standard tennis ball at 6.54 to 6.86 cm, which is about 2.57 to 2.70 inches. That is roughly a quarter inch of extra width, and a pickleball is hard plastic that does not compress, where a tennis ball’s felt and rubber give a little.
So a “ball pocket” designed for tennis may hold a pickleball snugly, loosely or not at all, depending on the cut and how much the fabric stretches. Three things help:
- Stretch. Pockets on a compression short expand around the ball. The Wilson Tennis Ball Short is 80% polyester and 20% elastane.
- Depth. On men’s shorts, a deep front pocket matters more than a narrow dedicated one. Under Armour calls the Premier’s front pockets “extra-deep.”
- Try it with a real ball. Put a pickleball in the pocket, then do a few side shuffles and a lunge. If it stays put and does not bang your thigh, the pocket works. Our pickleball ball guide covers which ball you are likely to be carrying.
Do you need to carry a ball at all? In rec play and open play, yes, it saves a walk to the fence after every fault. One ball in a pocket is plenty.
Fit and length
- Men’s inseam. A 7-inch inseam sits above the knee on most men and stays clear of a deep knee bend. A 6-inch is a little freer. Longer, baggier shorts can catch on the knee when you get low for a dink.
- Lined vs unlined. The three men’s shorts here are unlined, so you choose your own base layer. The women’s skirts and skorts have a built-in short.
- Skirt length. The Wilson Midtown is listed at 14.8 inches and the JOOLA Club Skort at 13 inches for the outer skirt. The Baleaf pleated skort is listed at 20.5 inches in a size L, which is closer to knee length.
- Waistband. You bend at the waist constantly. A drawcord or adjustable waistband stops the slow slide. Wilson lists an adjustable waistband on the Tournament Short, JOOLA lists an interior drawcord on the 2-in-1 Shorts, and Baleaf lists an inner drawstring.
For the full outfit, see what to wear to pickleball and our indoor pickleball outfit ideas.
Men’s shorts
Wilson Tournament Short 7”
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Wilson describes the Wilson Tournament Short 7” as “feather-light, breathable tennis shorts that are perfect for tournaments.” The feature list reads: athletic fit, storage pocket, ball pocket, adjustable waistband. The fabric is 88% polyester and 12% spandex, and Wilson tags it as quick-drying and moisture-wicking.
Wilson Peak Unlined Tennis Short 7”
The Wilson Peak Unlined Tennis Short 7” is described by Wilson as “unlined performance tennis shorts with a 7” inseam and tennis ball storage.” The fabric is the story here: 77% nylon and 23% spandex, the highest spandex share of the three men’s shorts here. If shorts usually bind across your thighs in a low ready position, start with this one.
Under Armour Premier Woven 6” Court Shorts
Under Armour lists the Under Armour Premier Woven Men’s 6” Court Shorts with “extra-deep front pockets” that “can hold tennis balls, your phone, or other essentials,” plus open back pockets, 4-way stretch, a 6-inch inseam and no liner. The fabric is 90% polyester and 10% elastane with a water-repellent finish, and Under Armour lists a soft elastic waistband “with built-in grip to keep your shirt in place.” It pairs naturally with the Under Armour tees in our pickleball shirt guide.
Women’s skirts and skorts
Wilson Midtown Tennis Skirt
The Wilson Midtown Tennis Skirt is the most direct answer to “a skirt with a ball pocket.” Wilson’s feature list is short: classic fit, lined, ball pocket. It is a high-rise skirt, 14.8 inches long, in a 100% nylon knit that Wilson says has “UPF 40+, 4-way stretch, wicking and quick-drying technology.”
Wilson Tennis Ball Short
The Wilson Tennis Ball Short solves the problem from the other direction. Wilson calls it “the perfect partner for your favorite tennis skirt or short”: a lightly compressive, anti-chafe liner short with a ball pocket, in 80% polyester and 20% elastane. If you already own skirts or dresses you like and they have no pocket, wear this underneath.
JOOLA Women’s Club Skort
JOOLA lists the JOOLA Women’s Club Skort as a mid-rise skort with a 13-inch woven outer skirt and a “built in under knit shorty with side pockets.” The shell is 90% polyester and 10% spandex, and the lining is 82% polyester and 18% spandex. JOOLA does not call the side pockets ball pockets on the page, so this is one to test with a ball.
Baleaf Laureate UPF50+ Pleated Skort
The Baleaf Laureate UPF50+ Pleated Skort is the longer, higher-coverage option. Baleaf lists four pockets, “1 hidden waistband pocket and 1 back zippered pocket on the skirt, and 2 side pockets,” a high rise with an inner drawstring, a built-in liner that “won’t ride up,” and UPF 50+ sun protection. In a size L the skirt is 20.5 inches with a 6.3-inch liner inseam. Baleaf’s page does not label any of the four as a ball pocket either.
Women’s shorts
JOOLA Women’s Court 2-in-1 Shorts
Not everyone wants a skirt. The JOOLA Women’s Court 2-in-1 Shorts have a 3-inch-inseam outer shell in a “lightweight perforated woven fabric” over a built-in knit shorty, with an interior drawcord and side hem vents. Be clear about the pocket: JOOLA lists one “invisible zipper pocket on back yoke seam.” That is a key or card pocket, not a ball pocket. Pair these with a ball clip or keep a ball at the fence.
FAQ
Do pickleball shorts need pockets?
For rec play, yes. Carrying a second ball keeps games moving. Any deep front pocket works on men’s shorts. On skirts and dresses, look for a pocket on the built-in short.
Will a tennis ball pocket fit a pickleball?
Sometimes. A pickleball is about a quarter inch wider than a tennis ball and does not compress. Stretchy pockets on compression shorts usually cope better than a fixed woven pocket. Test with a real ball before you take the tags off.
What is the difference between a skirt and a skort?
A skort has shorts built in under the skirt panel. Most athletic “skirts,” including the Wilson Midtown, are lined the same way, so the terms overlap. Check the product page for the words “lined” or “built-in.”
What inseam is best for men’s pickleball shorts?
Most court shorts are 6 to 7 inches, which keeps the hem off the knee in a low stance. Go longer only if you prefer the coverage.
Does Pickleland sell shorts or skirts?
Not at the moment. The club shop carries tees and hats on the apparel shelf, along with paddles, bags and grips. For shoes to go with the outfit, see the women’s and men’s shoe guides.