Introducing PB5star - the best pickleball clothes I've found yet

If you're looking for fresh new clothes for the court, you might have already come across PB5star, one of my new favorite pickleball clothing brands in 2024. With so many big names out there to choose from, it's refreshing to see a brand offer apparel and accessories specifically designed for pickleball players.

My colleague Emily Reburn and I recently got a chance to test out some of what PB5star offers to decide how they hold up. I'll share our experiences with them so far, from the quality of their products to the ordering experience, and explore what sets them apart from other brands.

We put all of these claims to the test across a whole range of products from PB5star. See which ones we recommend for you.

PB5star is an American company offering apparel, accessories, and paddles made specifically for pickleball players. They aim to create a style that's unique to pickleball, so you can wear clothes on and off the court that proudly show your love for the sport.

I like how they have their own distinct look that doesn't just copy from other sports. Their "mixed sets", with complementary colors for doubles partners, are something I've not seen before. They're also steering away from the classic cheeky pickleball sayings and flashy aesthetic.

It feels like pickleball is being taken more seriously here. Compared to some brands I've seen, PB5star's clothes are more stylish and focused on performance. This is refreshing to see in pickleball, especially with younger players now taking up the sport alongside older generations.

What's more, over half of their products are actually made in the US. This is a big win straight away over many of their competitors.

PB5star has an impressive collection, covering pretty much any type of sportswear you might need, including tops, bottoms, and bras. They also offer pickleball caps, socks, and even paddles.

Watch my unboxing video here:

From my experiences so far, I'm impressed with their customer service. They aim for best-in-business practices and their buying and returning experience uses the most modern tech.

Emily and I had a lot of fun trying out PB5star's products on the courts. Check out our reviews below.

The women's tops all fit true to size. For the bottoms, Emily suggests ordering a size up if you are between sizes.

The comfort is some of the best we've seen in pickleball clothes. She's very pleased with how breathable, lightweight, and natural the materials feel. This is what you want for intense pickleball sessions, especially if you're playing in hot conditions.

The PB5star's style is a great mix of functional and flattering. Emily says she'd happily wear some of these pieces off the courts, thanks to how versatile they are. The ability to mix and match designs is a huge plus.

Emily's favorite look is a combination of the Lightweight Wrap Skirt with the Cropped Racerback Tank (both in black). They're comfortable and have a great sporty look while still ranking high on performance.

While she loved the style of the Side Split Skirt, it didn't quite fit her body shape and was less comfortable to wear on the courts. Some people might prefer this type of design, but it was a little too open for her personally.

While the Signature Cap and the Side Split Skirt didn't quite fit Emily, everything still performed really well. Even when playing in over 90º heat with high humidity, she managed to stay comfortable and cool.

PB5star claim their products are great at moisture-wicking, and this is what you want in sports clothes as it'll keep you cool and dry in play. This matters a lot because it means more pickleball!

Emily is planning to purchase several more items, with the Compression Knit Sports Bra at the top of the list. PB5star's unique style really stands out on the courts, so getting a few statement pieces each season is a great option.

The style, quality, and performance are all beyond what you'd expect at this price point. For me, PB5star is a step up from brands like Nike, Under Armour, and Calia, which can sometimes miss the mark when it comes to their pickleball-specific apparel.

PB5star checks all the boxes with their high-quality materials and functional design. What's great for pickleheads is these are all designed specifically for pickleball players.

Watch my initial thoughts on the men's apparel line from PB5star:

I'm relatively slim and in shape and prefer a fitted look (usually a Medium). With that said, all of these clothes fit true-to-size for me. I have heard others say PB5star clothes run small and recommend sizing up. So, keep this in mind if you have a different body shape or fit preference to mine.

Comfort-wise, I find these super comfortable. I'd put the quality on par with the top athleisure brands like Alo, Vuori, and Lululemon.

PB5star advertises their clothing as something you can wear out or lounge in. Personally, they're closer to high-end sports apparel from Nike than lifestyle clothes from Vuori. They might look good at a post-pickleball meetup but I wouldn't necessarily wear them around the house or out to lunch like I would Alo or Vuori.

That's not a bad thing by any means. I want total performance on the court, so I'm more than happy to buy clothing specifically made for pickleball.

I really like the style of the Core Performance Tee and Signature Court Short, especially paired together. The colors are tasteful and the logo isn't overly intense.

I don't care as much for the striped design of the Core Vented Tee and Vented Court Short. It's just a more intense look for my style, but I can't knock the quality of the materials.

After testing these in intense heat, I can confirm they're effective at wicking moisture, and keeping you cool and dry (as dry as you can be in a Phoenix summer).

If you want to enhance your game with pickleball-specific apparel, I can confidently recommend these over most athleisure brands I see on the courts.

While the prices are right at the higher level of Alo and Vuori, PB5star earns the premium in my opinion. It's worth paying for high-performance clothes that are designed in every way for pickleball. Sure, you can grab Nike or Under Armour cheaper, but I think you'll take a big hit on quality.

In their mission to deck you out from head to toe with everything you need for the court, PB5star offers pickleball accessories too. They have two pickleball paddles on offer so far.

Their aim is to simplify your paddle choices based on your needs. While most paddles have flashy names, PB5star keeps things simple with their Control Paddle and Balance Paddle.

The Balance Paddle has an edge guard, while the Control Paddle has an edgeless design that Emily particularly liked. Both feature a textured-grit face that's effective at generating spin.

These aren't trying to be the best pickleball paddles when it comes to performance. However, if you like the look and need a no-fuss paddle, I think they're worth checking out.

I didn't personally test their pickleball socks but they sent my wife a pair. She wears them every week to her job as a dermatology physician assistant. She's on her feet all day, so that's a big endorsement.

Aside from the quality of their apparel, there are more reasons to consider shopping with PB5star. Firstly, the ordering experience on their website has felt seamless and easy for me. Their customer service is great too. They're easily contactable via webchat, email, and phone.

One of the biggest advantages is their Match Fit 30-Day Promise, allowing you to return anything within 30 days for free if it isn't the right match for you. I've not personally had to return any items, but from reviews I've heard, the process is really easy. They'll send you a prepaid USPS label for returns within 30 days.

PB5star is looking to expand into wholesale, so their products should be available in more places in the near future.

PB5star was founded in Florida by Australian Chris Gallagher, a leading figure in the US footwear industry. He co-founded Vionic Shoes, designing products that provide relief from plantar fasciitis and heel pain. Chris successfully sold the company which had become a top 20 US footwear brand and expanded globally.

He has over 35 years of experience in footwear and apparel and is now bringing that to pickleball. After noticing how communal the sport is, with a wildly diverse age range, he wanted to help foster the community with specialized clothing and accessories just for pickleheads.

With his knowledge and expertise in the footwear industry, he sees an opportunity in pickleball and plans to launch pickleball shoes in the future. I'll be keeping my eyes open for that—it should be exciting!

Overall, Emily and I are very impressed with the quality of PB5star's clothing. The moisture-wicking and temperature regulation work just as we hoped, which isn't always the case with athletic clothes. Their clothes are made from high-quality materials like you'd normally get from the best athleisure brands.

While I won't jump to wear these to a social outing, I'm more than happy to buy them for pickleball and other athletic uses. They feel good and give me confidence, enhancing my game. Emily goes a bit further than me, as she'd happily wear some of these items casually.

I wish their free shipping started lower than $100, but I can't fault their ordering, returning, and customer service experiences—right up there with the best. They've entered the pickleball market the way you should—with the best tech and practices. They have big plans to keep growing, so I expect we'll be seeing a lot more from PB5star!