The short answer
Men who want a pocket its maker says holds pickleballs should look at the K-Swiss Men’s Tennis Shorts with Ball Pockets, women who want a skirt with built-in shorts and three pockets at the Baleaf Women’s Pleated Tennis Skort, and women who want lined shorts rather than a skirt at the HEAD Women’s Vigor Short.
Our verdict
Top Picks
Seven of the nine shorts and skorts here are described by their makers for tennis, and one detail worth checking is the pocket, if you like to keep a spare ball on you between points. This guide compares nine pairs you can buy on Amazon today, four men’s and five women’s, each sold by its maker for tennis, pickleball or court play in the maker’s own product text. For every pick we list the inseam or length, the pockets and what the maker says they hold, the liner, the waistband and the fabric, taken from the maker’s site or the maker’s own Amazon listing, with “not published” where we found nothing.
Related guide: Best Visors for Pickleball: 8 Picks Compared
This page is about the shorts and skorts themselves. For the whole outfit, from shoes and socks to layers for cold days, see our beginner’s guide to what to wear for pickleball.
Related guide: Best Glasses for Pickleball: 8 Picks Compared
Finder
Find pickleball shorts for you
Pick what you want to wear and a price tier. The suggestion is our editorial starting point, drawn from the nine shorts and skorts below, not a test result.
Tiers are relative to the shorts in this guide; live prices are in the comparison table below.
Compare the picks
Compare the 9 Pickleball Shorts and Skorts
“Inseam or length” is the maker’s figure: an inseam for shorts, the skirt length for skorts. “Pockets” quotes what the maker says the pockets hold; “listing” marks figures from the maker’s own Amazon listing, used where the maker’s site refused our reader or does not carry the style. Where the maker’s site and its listing disagree, both are given. The table does not compare price.
K-Swiss Men'sMen's expandable pocketsFor men, ball pockets, drawstringInseam not published
Pockets (maker): Deep pleated side pockets (count not stated) that expand to hold 2–3 tennis balls or pickleballs (listing)
Evidence: maker specs only, no independent test
Babolat Men'sMen's deep-pocket shortFor men, ball pockets, racket brand18 cm inseam$39.00
Evidence: maker specs only, no independent test
Nike VictoryMen's Dri-FIT 7-inchFor men, 7-inch, tennis7 in inseam$39.00
Evidence: owner reports, no independent test
HEAD CrosscourtMen's 7-inch, side slitsFor men, ball pockets, side slits7 in inseam$25.10 Prime
Evidence: maker specs only, no independent test
Baleaf Women'sWomen's 3-pocket skortFor women, skort, ball pockets14 in skirt$29.99
Evidence: maker specs only, no independent test
CRZ 2-in-1Women's 2-in-1 shortsFor women, 2-in-1 shortsInseam not published$30.00
Evidence: maker specs only, no independent test
HEAD VigorWomen's lined 3-inchFor women, ball pockets, lined shorts3 in inseam$22.13 Prime
Pockets (maker): 2 inside pockets (also called side pockets) for tennis balls or a phone (listing)
Evidence: maker specs only, no independent test
K-Swiss Women'sWomen's crossover skortFor women, skort, ball pocketsLength not published$36.95
Evidence: maker specs only, no independent test
CRZ PleatedWomen's pleated skortFor women, skort, ball pockets14 in skirt$38.00
Evidence: owner reports, no independent test
How We Read Pockets, Inseams and Liners
How this guide was built
built from manufacturer documentation, the makers’ own Amazon listings and owner reviews on the makers’ sites; we have not tested these products ourselves, and we found no independent published test of any of the nine.
What we compared
- Whether the maker sells it for court play. Every pick’s maker names tennis, pickleball or the court in its own description or bullets; a sport word in an Amazon title or category alone did not count.
- Pockets: how many, where they sit, and what the maker says they hold. A pickleball is not a tennis ball, so we note when a maker names tennis balls, pickleballs, or neither.
- Inseam for shorts and skirt length for skorts, as the maker states it.
- Liner: built-in shorts, a brief-style liner, or nothing stated.
- Waistband: drawcord, drawstring or plain elastic, as described.
- Fabric content, from the maker’s page or the fabric field of the maker’s Amazon listing.
- Men’s or women’s, as each maker sells it.
- Where the listing sits on Amazon: all nine are new and in stock as of 25 October 2026. Two are sold by Amazon.com, five by the brand’s own Amazon store, and two by other sellers named in their reviews.
Sources and how each is used, what owners and other guides say and shorts we left out
Sources and how each is used
Specifications come from Babolat’s Play Short page, Nike’s NikeCourt Victory page, Baleaf’s skirt page, and CRZ YOGA’s pages for the RS120 shorts and RS119 skirt. HEAD’s site refused our reader on the day we checked, and K-Swiss’s site does not carry either K-Swiss style here, so those four picks rest on the makers’ own Amazon listings, labelled “listing”. The ball-size figure is from the USA Pickleball equipment manual, as quoted in our guide to types of pickleball balls.
What owners and other guides say
In two r/Pickleball threads, owners talk about price, inseam, liners and pockets. The poster of a 2026 thread, “Men’s Shorts?”, writes “I generally prefer a 7” inseam version, light and breathable w/o a liner”, and one reply says of Stack’s shorts, “I like the ones from Stack because the have the pockets in the back for balls.” In an older thread, “Favorite shorts? (Men)”, one owner buys “whatever 7” tennis short I can get on clearance” and adds “Really like the Nike ones I’ve gotten.” These are comments in single threads, not surveys.
Pickleland, an indoor club in Texas that charts eight shorts and skirts by pocket, points out that a pickleball is wider than a tennis ball: “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.” Its advice is to try a pocket with a real ball.
Shorts we left out
Skechers sells GO WALK shorts and a skort with “Pickleball” in their Amazon titles, but neither listing’s description names a sport and we did not find them on Skechers’ own site, so they failed our maker-text test. Adidas’s Club tennis shorts and Lacoste’s tennis shorts are on Amazon, but both makers’ sites refused our reader, so we could not check their pockets or fabric. The Wilson Tournament Short 7″ listings we checked on Amazon were either shipping in five to six days or priced above Wilson’s own list price. Selkirk, JOOLA and Stack Athletics sell pickleball shorts on their own sites, but we did not find them on Amazon.
Detailed Reviews
K-Swiss Men’s Tennis Shorts with Ball Pockets, Men’s expandable pockets
A man who wants pockets its maker says hold pickleballs and is happy to choose the length from the size chart.
View on AmazonVerdict
Men’s court shorts whose maker says the side pockets expand to hold two or three pickleballs, with a drawstring waist. Every figure rests on K-Swiss’s Amazon listing.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: K-Swiss’s Amazon listing.
K-Swiss’s listing says these shorts are “Designed for tennis, pickleball, running, and gym workouts”, and it is the one listing or maker page in this guide that names pickleballs for its pockets: “Deep pleated side pockets expand to hold 2–3 tennis balls or pickleballs easily.” The waist is “Elastic waistband with adjustable drawstring and cord lock”, with “a breathable mesh panel inside the waistband”. The listing describes the fabric as “Lightweight cotton-like fabric with natural stretch”, and its fabric field says 100% polyester. It also lists a “Professional tennis split hem and one-piece crotch design”. K-Swiss does not publish the inseam, and the listing says nothing about a liner.
These shorts are not on K-Swiss’s own site; the linked listing is Black, size Large, sold by K-Swiss’s own Amazon store and shipped by Amazon. We found no review of them outside Amazon.
Specs (K-Swiss Men’s Tennis Shorts with Ball Pockets, Black, Large, the linked listing)
- For: men (listing)
- Inseam: not published
- Pockets: deep pleated side pockets (count not stated) that “expand to hold 2–3 tennis balls or pickleballs” (listing)
- Liner: not stated
- Waistband: elastic with adjustable drawstring and cord lock; mesh panel inside (listing)
- Fabric: “cotton-like fabric with natural stretch”; fabric field 100% polyester (listing)
Pros
- Side pockets that its maker says hold two or three pickleballs
- Drawstring with a cord lock on an elastic waist, by the listing
- Split hem, by the listing
Cons
- No inseam figure from K-Swiss, so check the size chart on the listing
- Every spec rests on the Amazon listing; K-Swiss’s own site does not list these shorts
Who should buy it
A man who wants pockets its maker says hold pickleballs and is happy to choose the length from the size chart.
Babolat Men’s Play Short, Men’s deep-pocket short
A man who wants a roughly 7-inch court short with two pockets for tennis balls from a racket-sport brand.
$39.00 from AmazonAs of Nov 13, 01:16 UTCVerdict
Racket-sport shorts with two deep side pockets for tennis balls and an 18 cm inseam. Sold on Amazon by Do It Tennis, a tennis retailer’s store, on 25 October 2026.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Babolat’s product page.
Babolat calls the Play Short “a must-have for your tennis wardrobe” and describes “two deep side pockets for holding tennis balls, and adjustable elastic waistband”. It gives the inseam as 18 cm, about 7 inches, and the fabric as “100% recycled polyester”, which it calls “naturally elastic”. Babolat does not mention a liner. Its pockets are described for tennis balls, so see the pocket notes in the buying guide below before you count on a pickleball fitting.
The linked listing is Blue, size Medium, model 3MP2061, sold and shipped by Do It Tennis, a tennis retailer’s Amazon store, on 25 October 2026.
Specs (Babolat Men’s Play Short 3MP2061, Blue, Medium, the linked listing)
- For: men (maker)
- Inseam: 18 cm, about 7 in (maker)
- Pockets: 2 deep side pockets “for holding tennis balls” (maker)
- Liner: not stated
- Waistband: adjustable elastic (maker)
- Fabric: 100% recycled polyester (maker)
Pros
- Two deep side pockets that Babolat describes for holding tennis balls
- Published inseam: 18 cm (about 7 in)
- Adjustable elastic waistband, by the maker
Cons
- Sold on Amazon by Do It Tennis, a tennis retailer’s store, on 25 October 2026; the seller can change
- Pockets are described for tennis balls, not pickleballs
Who should buy it
A man who wants a roughly 7-inch court short with two pockets for tennis balls from a racket-sport brand.
NikeCourt Victory Men’s 7-Inch Shorts, Men’s Dri-FIT 7-inch
A man who wants Nike's 7-inch tennis short and does not need a pocket its maker describes for pickleballs.
$39.00 from AmazonAs of Nov 13, 01:10 UTCVerdict
Nike’s 7-inch tennis short in Dri-FIT polyester with a drawcord waist and mesh pockets. One owner on Nike’s page reports smaller pockets in a recent version.
Evidence: No independent test; owner reports. Owner reviews on Nike’s NikeCourt Victory page: variant not stated.
Nike says “The NikeCourt Victory Shorts are designed for tennis and built to perform for all your other favorite exercises.” Its page lists a “7” inseam”, “Elastic waistband with drawcord”, “Smooth woven fabric” and “Mesh pockets hold your tennis essentials close.”, with body and pocket bags in 100% polyester made from recycled fibres. Nike does not say how many pockets there are or mention a liner. Nike also sells a 9-inch fit of the same short; we link the 7-inch.
On the pockets, one reviewer on Nike’s page writes: “Had the blue model for over three years and they were great, this being the reason I re-purchased, this time in white. The fit seems to have changed a bit, especially pocket sizes. Tennis balls don’t fit as comfortably, which makes it annoying when taking them out.” That is one review, dated 21 August 2026, and it names neither the 7-inch nor the 9-inch fit; it is about tennis balls. Another buyer on the same page wishes for a phone pocket.
The linked listing is Obsidian/White, size XX-Large, style FD5380-451; other sizes and colours sit on the same listing. It is sold by a third-party seller: Amazon’s data showed Blossomable Brands (it does not report who ships for that seller) and the product page showed Amarela’s, shipped by Amazon, on 25 October 2026.
Specs (NikeCourt Victory Men’s Dri-FIT 7″ Tennis Shorts FD5380, Obsidian/White, XX-Large, the linked listing)
- For: men (maker)
- Inseam: 7 in (maker)
- Pockets: mesh pockets, number not stated (maker)
- Liner: not stated
- Waistband: elastic with drawcord (maker)
- Fabric: 100% polyester, recycled fibres; Dri-FIT (maker)
Pros
- Dri-FIT woven polyester with a drawcord waist, by Nike
- 7-inch inseam, with a 9-inch version of the same short on Nike’s site
- Mesh pockets that Nike says hold your tennis essentials
Cons
- One owner reports smaller pockets than an earlier version
- Sold on Amazon by third-party sellers, and the seller changes
Who should buy it
A man who wants Nike’s 7-inch tennis short and does not need a pocket its maker describes for pickleballs.
HEAD Men’s Crosscourt Short, Men’s 7-inch, side slits
A man who wants an entry-level 7-inch court short with two pockets, sold by Amazon.
$25.10 from AmazonAs of Nov 13, 01:16 UTCVerdict
A 7-inch stretch court short with two side pockets, an internal drawcord and side slits, sold by Amazon. The entry-level men’s pick here.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: HEAD’s Amazon listing.
HEAD’s listing describes the Crosscourt as “Designed for quick cuts, long rallies, and players who own every inch of the court.” It lists “a 7” inseam, side slits, internal drawcord, and yarn-dyed waistband”, and “Two Side Pockets: Easily stash tennis balls or a phone without interrupting play or practice flow.” The fabric is described as “a flexible, featherlight polyester”, and the listing’s fabric field says 90% polyester and 10% spandex. HEAD says nothing about a liner. HEAD’s own site refused our reader on the day we checked, so these figures are from the listing.
The linked listing is Stark White, size Large, model HEM251SH13, sold and shipped by Amazon.
Specs (HEAD Men’s Crosscourt Short HEM251SH13, Stark White, Large, the linked listing)
- For: men (listing)
- Inseam: 7 in (listing)
- Pockets: 2 side pockets for tennis balls or a phone (listing)
- Liner: not stated
- Waistband: yarn-dyed, internal drawcord (listing)
- Fabric: polyester; fabric field 90% polyester, 10% spandex (listing)
Pros
- 7-inch stretch short with side slits, by the listing
- Two side pockets that HEAD describes for tennis balls
- Sold and shipped by Amazon
Cons
- Figures rest on HEAD’s Amazon listing; HEAD’s site could not be checked
- No liner mentioned
Who should buy it
A man who wants an entry-level 7-inch court short with two pockets, sold by Amazon.
Baleaf Women’s Pleated Tennis Skort, Women’s 3-pocket skort
A woman who wants a skirt with built-in shorts and room for a ball, a phone and keys.
$29.99 from AmazonAs of Nov 13, 02:59 UTCVerdict
A 14-inch pleated skirt with built-in shorts, two side pockets that Baleaf says hold tennis or golf balls, and a zipped back pocket. Baleaf names pickleball in its own description.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Baleaf’s product page.
Baleaf’s page says the skirt is “Perfect for tennis, golf, pickleball, running, gym workouts”, and lists “Built-in shorts & 3 pockets: Side pockets for tennis or golf balls, phone, and keys; zippered back waist pocket for extra security.” It is “Above-the-knee 14″ length”, high-waisted with a drawstring, and the Amazon listing adds silicone leg grippers on the built-in mesh shorts. Baleaf lists the fabric as 92% polyester and 8% spandex; the Amazon listing’s fabric field says the body is 90% polyester and 10% spandex, with a different blend for the waist and liner, so the two sources disagree. Baleaf also lists the fabric as UPF 50+.
The linked listing is Black, size Medium, sold by Baleaf’s own Amazon store and shipped by Amazon.
Specs (Baleaf High-Rise Pleated Tennis Skirt 14″, Black, Medium, the linked listing)
- For: women (listing)
- Length: 14 in skirt (maker); liner inseam not published
- Pockets: 3; 2 side pockets for tennis or golf balls, phone and keys, 1 zipped back waist pocket (maker)
- Liner: built-in shorts with silicone leg grippers (maker, listing)
- Waistband: high-rise with drawstring (maker)
- Fabric: 92% polyester, 8% spandex (maker); body 90% polyester, 10% spandex (listing); UPF 50+ (maker)
Pros
- Two side pockets for tennis or golf balls plus a zipped back pocket, by the maker
- Maker names pickleball among its uses
- Built-in shorts with leg grippers and a drawstring waist
Cons
- Maker and listing give different fabric blends
- A skirt rather than shorts; liner length not published
Who should buy it
A woman who wants a skirt with built-in shorts and room for a ball, a phone and keys.
CRZ YOGA Women’s 2-in-1 Flowy Shorts, Women’s 2-in-1 shorts
A woman who wants flowy lined shorts for play and keeps spare balls somewhere other than her pocket.
$30.00 from AmazonAs of Nov 13, 01:10 UTCVerdict
Flowy shorts over a built-in short liner, sold by CRZ for tennis and pickleball. The pockets are for a phone and keys; CRZ does not describe a ball pocket.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: CRZ YOGA’s product page.
CRZ YOGA’s page for the Feathery-Fit Soft 2 in 1 Flowy High Rise Shorts (model RS120) says “It’s perfect for tennis, pickleball, workout, running and daily wear.” It lists a “High Crossover Waistband”, “Built-in Short Liner with Pockets” and a “Waistband Pocket”, in 86% polyester and 14% elastane that it calls “slightly stretchy”. The Amazon listing describes the liner pocket as a phone pocket and says “Waistband pockets hold your keys, cards, etc”. Neither source gives an inseam or calls any pocket a ball pocket.
The linked listing is Black, size X-Large, sold by CRZ YOGA’s own Amazon store and shipped by Amazon.
Specs (CRZ YOGA Feathery-Fit Soft 2 in 1 Flowy High Rise Shorts RS120, Black, X-Large, the linked listing)
- For: women (listing)
- Inseam: not published
- Pockets: pockets in the short liner (phone pocket, listing) and a waistband pocket (maker)
- Liner: built-in short liner (maker)
- Waistband: high crossover (maker)
- Fabric: 86% polyester, 14% elastane (maker)
Pros
- Shorts rather than a skirt, with a built-in liner
- Maker names pickleball among its uses
- Crossover waistband with a pocket, by the maker
Cons
- No pocket described for a ball
- No inseam published
Who should buy it
A woman who wants flowy lined shorts for play and keeps spare balls somewhere other than her pocket.
HEAD Women’s Vigor Short, Women’s lined 3-inch
A woman who wants short lined shorts with pockets for tennis balls at an entry-level price.
$22.13 from AmazonAs of Nov 13, 01:16 UTCVerdict
A 3-inch lined court short with two pockets HEAD describes for tennis balls, sold by Amazon. The entry-level women’s pick.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: HEAD’s Amazon listing.
HEAD’s listing calls the Vigor a short for “every match” and its description ends “from serve to match point”. It lists “a 3” inseam, mid-rise silhouette, scalloped hem, and built-in underwear liner”, and “Two Inside Pockets: Easily stash tennis balls or a phone without interrupting play or practice flow.” The description elsewhere says “Side pockets offer on-the-go convenience”, so the listing calls the pockets inside pockets in one place and side pockets in another. The fabric is “a flexible, moisture-wicking polyester fabric”, 90% polyester and 10% spandex by the listing’s fabric field. HEAD’s own site refused our reader, so these figures are from the listing.
The linked listing is Black, size Medium, model HEW251SH04, sold and shipped by Amazon.
Specs (HEAD Women’s Vigor Short HEW251SH04, Black, Medium, the linked listing)
- For: women (listing)
- Inseam: 3 in (listing)
- Pockets: 2, described as inside pockets for tennis balls or a phone (listing)
- Liner: built-in underwear liner (listing)
- Waistband: mid-rise; construction not stated
- Fabric: polyester; fabric field 90% polyester, 10% spandex (listing)
Pros
- Built-in liner and a 3-inch inseam, by the listing
- Two pockets HEAD describes for tennis balls or a phone
- Sold and shipped by Amazon
Cons
- Figures rest on HEAD’s Amazon listing; HEAD’s site could not be checked
- The listing describes the pockets two ways
Who should buy it
A woman who wants short lined shorts with pockets for tennis balls at an entry-level price.
K-Swiss Women’s Cross Waist Skort, Women’s crossover skort
A woman who wants a skort with a crossover waist and a ball pocket in the liner.
$36.95 from AmazonAs of Nov 13, 01:16 UTCVerdict
A nylon-spandex skort with a crossover waistband and two pockets in the liner for a phone and a ball. Every figure rests on K-Swiss’s Amazon listing, and stock was low when we checked.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: K-Swiss’s Amazon listing.
K-Swiss’s listing calls it a “tennis skirt” that “transitions easily from the tennis court to the street”, with “The elastic V-cut crossover waistband” and “The two functional pockets in the liner of our women’s skorts work perfectly as both phone and ball storage”. It adds silicone grippers at the leg openings and names CICLO fabric; the fabric field says 76% nylon and 24% spandex. K-Swiss gives the length only as “Mini” and publishes no skirt length or inseam.
The linked listing is Blue Misc, size Large, sold by K-Swiss’s own Amazon store and shipped by Amazon; Amazon showed only four left on 25 October 2026. This skort is not on K-Swiss’s own site.
Specs (K-Swiss Women’s Cross Waist Tennis Skort, Blue Misc, Large, the linked listing)
- For: women (listing)
- Length: “Mini”; skirt length and inseam not published (listing)
- Pockets: 2 in the liner, for a phone and a ball (listing)
- Liner: shorts liner with silicone leg grippers (listing)
- Waistband: elastic V-cut crossover (listing)
- Fabric: CICLO; fabric field 76% nylon, 24% spandex (listing)
Pros
- Two liner pockets the maker describes for a phone and a ball
- Crossover waistband, by the listing
- Nylon-spandex fabric, a different feel from the polyester picks here
Cons
- No skirt length published
- Low stock on the linked colour and size when we checked
Who should buy it
A woman who wants a skort with a crossover waist and a ball pocket in the liner.
CRZ YOGA Women’s Pleated Tennis Skort, Women’s pleated skort
A woman who wants a pleated tennis skirt with built-in shorts and a pocket for a ball.
$38.00 from AmazonAs of Nov 13, 01:16 UTCVerdict
A 14-inch pleated skirt over built-in shorts with pockets, sold by CRZ. CRZ’s site and its Amazon listing describe the pockets differently.
Evidence: No independent test; owner reports. Review on CRZ YOGA’s RS119 page: RS119, Sparkle Blue, size M.
CRZ YOGA’s page for the Feathery-Fit Soft Pleat High Rise Skirt 14” (model RS119) says “It’s perfect for tennis, golf, badminton, outdoors, walking and daily wear.” and the Amazon listing opens with “Designed for tennis”. CRZ’s page lists “2 Side inner pockets” and a “High elastic waistband” in 86% polyester and 14% elastane; the listing says “Inner shorts with a phone pocket and a ball pocket” and adds anti-slip dots on the built-in shorts, with the lining in polyamide and spandex. The skirt is about 14 inches long.
One reviewer on CRZ’s page writes “I love the fit and quality of this tennis skirt. And the sparkle blue is such a nice and bright color.” That is a single review, from a buyer who bought size M (the linked listing is Large).
The linked listing is Sparkle Blue, size Large, sold by CRZ YOGA’s own Amazon store and shipped by Amazon.
Specs (CRZ YOGA Feathery-Fit Soft Pleat High Rise Skirt 14” RS119, Sparkle Blue, Large, the linked listing)
- For: women (maker)
- Length: about 14 in skirt (maker, listing)
- Pockets: 2 side inner pockets (maker); a phone pocket and a ball pocket (listing)
- Liner: built-in shorts with anti-slip dots (listing)
- Waistband: high elastic (maker)
- Fabric: 86% polyester, 14% elastane (maker); lining 88% polyamide, 12% spandex (listing)
Pros
- Pleated 14-inch skirt with built-in shorts
- A ball pocket in the inner shorts, by the listing
- Many colours on CRZ’s site and on Amazon
Cons
- Maker page and listing describe the pockets differently
- Owner evidence is a single review on the maker’s page
Who should buy it
A woman who wants a pleated tennis skirt with built-in shorts and a pocket for a ball.
Pockets, Inseam and Liner: What to Check
Will the pocket hold a pickleball?
USA Pickleball’s equipment manual sets the ball at 2.87 to 2.97 inches across, as quoted in our guide to types of pickleball balls. Five of the nine picks name tennis balls for their pockets (Baleaf names tennis or golf balls), which Pickleland notes are a little narrower and softer than a pickleball. Of the nine, K-Swiss’s men’s listing names pickleballs; Babolat and both HEAD shorts describe pockets for tennis balls; Baleaf describes them for tennis or golf balls; the K-Swiss women’s skort and the CRZ RS119 skirt listings name a ball pocket without saying which ball; Nike describes “tennis essentials”; and CRZ’s 2-in-1 shorts describe pockets for a phone and keys. If a spare ball matters to you, try the pocket with a real pickleball before you remove the tags.
Inseam and length
The four men’s shorts are about 7 inches where the maker publishes a figure: 7 inches for Nike and HEAD, 18 cm for Babolat; K-Swiss gives none. Nike also makes the Victory in a 9-inch fit. On the women’s side, HEAD’s Vigor has a 3-inch inseam, and the Baleaf and CRZ pleated skirts are about 14 inches long. Check each listing’s size chart for your size.
Lined or unlined
Of the men’s shorts, none of the four makers mentions a liner. All five women’s picks have one: built-in shorts under the three skirts, a short liner in the CRZ 2-in-1 shorts and an underwear-style liner in the HEAD Vigor. If you prefer a liner in men’s shorts, check the maker’s description before you buy.
Waistband and fabric
Seven picks list an elastic, drawcord or drawstring waist; CRZ describes a crossover waistband on its 2-in-1 shorts, and HEAD’s Vigor listing does not describe the waistband. Eight list a polyester fabric, alone or with spandex or elastane; the K-Swiss skort is nylon and spandex. “Moisture-wicking” and “quick-dry” claims on these pages are the makers’ own fabric claims.
Shoes and a bag to go with them
Shorts are only part of the kit. For footwear, see our guides to the best pickleball shoes, men’s pickleball shoes and women’s pickleball shoes; for carrying spare balls and a change of clothes, see our pickleball bag guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What kind of shorts should I wear for pickleball?
Shorts or a skort you can move in, with a pocket for a spare ball if you like to carry one. Every pick here is sold by its maker for tennis, pickleball or court play. Our beginner’s guide to what to wear for pickleball covers the rest of the outfit, and any dress code a club may set.
Q. What is the best clothing to wear to play pickleball?
Our beginner’s guide to what to wear for pickleball puts it in one line: court shoes, a light top, and shorts, a skirt or leggings you can move in. It covers the rest of the outfit head to toe, from socks to layers for cold days.
Q. Can you wear tennis shorts for pickleball?
Yes; seven of the nine picks here are described by their makers for tennis, and K-Swiss’s men’s shorts, Baleaf and CRZ’s 2-in-1 shorts also name pickleball. The thing to check is the pocket, since five of the nine picks name tennis balls for theirs.
Q. Are there pickleball shorts with pockets for balls?
Yes. K-Swiss’s men’s listing says its side pockets “expand to hold 2–3 tennis balls or pickleballs”. Babolat and HEAD describe pockets for tennis balls and Baleaf for tennis or golf balls, and the K-Swiss women’s skort and CRZ pleated skirt listings name a ball pocket. Try any of them with a pickleball before you remove the tags.
Q. Do pickleball shorts need a liner?
That is a matter of preference. Of the men’s shorts here, none of the makers mentions a liner; one poster on r/Pickleball says they prefer shorts “w/o a liner”. All five women’s picks here have built-in shorts or a liner.
Q. Does Nike make pickleball shorts?
Nike’s NikeCourt Victory short in this guide is sold for tennis; Nike’s page says it is “designed for tennis and built to perform for all your other favorite exercises.”
Q. What shoes should I not wear for pickleball?
That is a shoe question; our guide on whether you can wear tennis shoes for pickleball and our pickleball shoe roundup cover it.
The bottom line
Final Verdict
For men, the K-Swiss Men’s Tennis Shorts with Ball Pockets (check price) are the pick if carrying pickleballs matters, since their listing is the one here that says the pockets hold them, though K-Swiss gives no inseam. The Babolat Men’s Play Short (check price) and HEAD Men’s Crosscourt Short (check price) both publish an inseam of about 7 inches and two pockets for tennis balls, and the NikeCourt Victory Men’s 7-Inch Shorts (check price) add Nike’s Dri-FIT fabric, with one owner reporting smaller pockets in a recent version. For women, the Baleaf Women’s Pleated Tennis Skort (check price) gives three pockets and names pickleball among its uses; the K-Swiss Women’s Cross Waist Skort (check price) and CRZ YOGA Women’s Pleated Tennis Skort (check price) put a ball pocket in the liner, by their listings; the HEAD Women’s Vigor Short (check price) is a lined 3-inch short with pockets for tennis balls, and the CRZ YOGA Women’s 2-in-1 Flowy Shorts (check price) are lined shorts with pockets for a phone and keys. Whichever you choose, test the pocket with a pickleball.
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