04Hub 04 · Gear

Bags, starter sets and nets — the rest of your kit

Once you've got a paddle and shoes, this is the gear that actually earns its place: a way to carry it, a set to get two people playing, and a net if you're building a home court.

Paddle and shoes come first — everything on this page is the next tier. The good news is that none of it is complicated or expensive, and a couple of these buys (a two-paddle starter set, a portable net) can turn a driveway into a court for a whole family.

Starter setsare the fastest way to get two people playing today: two paddles, a few balls and usually a bag, for less than buying the pieces separately. The catch is that the paddles are entry-level — fine to learn on, but you'll out-grow them if the sport sticks. If you already own a paddle, skip the set and just buy a single paddle and a tube of balls. If you want a whole game in a box for the backyard, a set that includes a portable net is the one to get.

Bagsdivide into slings and backpacks. A sling is cheap and quick for one paddle and a sleeve of balls; a two-strap backpack carries a full kit — shoes, extra paddles, water, a layer — far more comfortably and often has a vented pocket for damp gear. Buy the sling if you travel light, the backpack if you carry everything. What you're paying up for is build quality and organization, not capacity alone.

Netscome in two useful shapes: a regulation portable net (official height and width, often with wheels) for real games, and a compact practice net that's lighter and faster to set up for solo dinking. Only buy a net if you'll play somewhere without one — public courts already have them. A heavy, winch-tensioned tournament net is worth it only if it's staying up all season at home. Below: bags and backpacks (and how to choose between them), starter sets and whether to buy one at all, portable nets, overgrips, protective eyewear, elbow braces, rebounders and ball machines, a what-to-pack checklist and gift guidance — each pick with a live price and an honest note on who it's wrong for.

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