Indoor vs Outdoor Pickleball Playing

If you asked most people about pickleball just a decade ago, they’d probably have no idea what you’re talking about. Now, however, the made-in-U.S. game has seriously taken off, and more pickleball courts are popping up all across the good ol’ USA.

Pickleball’s success is no surprise when you consider the fact that it’s one of the easiest games to get into. Great for all ages, it involves a lightweight paddle and equally light ball, and the rules are easy to follow. Injuries are minimal, and just about anyone can become a skilled player with enough practice.

Still, most pickleball players have a very strong preference when it comes to one thing: whether they play indoors or outdoors. Despite the fact that there are more pickleball courts than ever, most towns across the United States provide only the choice of indoors or outdoors. And if you aren’t happy, you will have to travel a bit farther to find the type of court you would rather play on.

So, we will compare the two, in order for you to then decide which court can provide not only the advantage, but also allow you to simply enjoy playing the game.

Indoor vs. Outdoor Pickleball Things to Know

Before we get into the influence that indoor and outdoor pickleball playing will have on your game, we need to cover some equally important variables that can impact your overall experience.

Indoor vs. Outdoor Pickleballs

There are two types of actual balls used in pickleball: those for indoor playing and those for outdoor. If anything, this illustrates just how much the environment can make a difference in how you play.

Indoor Pickleballs

Indoor pickleballs have 26 holes in them, and they’re made from a softer plastic than outdoor balls. They’re also more lightweight, so that they can travel farther. Why? Because indoor courts typically generate more bounce based on their construction, and are less likely to break, as well. They travel faster as a result.

Outdoor Pickleballs

By contrast, have 40 holes, and the holes are smaller. Outdoor pickleballs also weigh more. They are built to be sturdier, to handle the harder surfaces of outdoor courts, and be more resilient to harder hits that you may end up using due to factors like wind. Outdoor balls also tend to have more bounce by design, again to accommodate the harder materials of the court itself.

Indoor vs. Outdoor Paddles

Indoor and outdoor pickleball paddles are designed with specific characteristics to suit different playing environments.

Indoor Pickleball Paddles

Indoor paddles are lighter and focus on finesse:

Material: Typically made of lighter materials like graphite or composite materials. These materials are more sensitive to control and touch, which are crucial in indoor play where players often focus on finesse shots and precise placement.
Core: Often features a softer core, such as polymer or a blend, to provide better control and touch on indoor surfaces.
Surface Texture: Smooth or lightly textured surfaces are common, offering better spin control and maneuverability on indoor courts.
Noise Level: Indoor paddles are designed to be quieter to minimize noise disruptions in enclosed spaces.

Outdoor Pickleball Paddles

Outdoor paddles prioritize durability and power for more challenging outdoor conditions:

Material: Made from more durable materials like polycarbonate, fiberglass, or some heavy-duty composite blends. These materials are chosen for their resilience against outdoor elements like sun, wind, and occasional impacts.
Core: Typically has a firmer core, such as honeycomb or aluminum, which helps withstand rougher outdoor play and provides more power in shots.
Surface Texture: Textured surfaces with more grip are common to handle outdoor conditions, such as wind and humidity, and to enhance ball control.
Noise Level: Outdoor paddles may produce a louder sound due to their tougher materials, which is generally acceptable in outdoor environments.

Indoor vs. Outdoor Pickleball Clothing

When it comes to this intense sport, whether you play indoors or outdoors, your choice of pickleball apparel can significantly impact/enhance your comfort, performance, and enjoyment of the game, no matter where you play.

Material and Fabric

· Indoor:

Lightweight and Breathable Fabrics: Indoor environments are usually temperature-controlled, but it can still get warm during intense play. Choose materials like moisture-wicking polyester or nylon to keep you cool and dry.
Compression Wear: Compression shorts or tops can be beneficial indoors to enhance blood flow and reduce muscle fatigue.

· Outdoor:

UV-Resistant Fabrics: Outdoor play exposes you to the sun. Look for clothing with UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
Breathable and Quick-Drying Materials: Outdoor environments can be more variable in terms of weather. Fabrics like moisture-wicking polyester are ideal for hot conditions, while quick-drying materials help if you get caught in light rain.

Footwear

· Indoor:

Non-Marking Soles: Indoor courts typically have surfaces like wood or synthetic materials that require non-marking soles to prevent damage and ensure proper grip.
Court Shoes: Indoor court shoes designed for sports like badminton or tennis offer the right balance of grip and support.

· Outdoor:

Durable Outsoles: Outdoor courts can be rougher, requiring shoes with more durable and thicker outsoles.
Tennis Shoes: These are generally suitable for outdoor pickleball due to their durability and support on hard surfaces.

Layering and Weather Considerations

· Indoor:

Light Layers: Since indoor temperatures are regulated, you might only need light layers like a warm-up jacket or a long-sleeve shirt that you can easily remove as you warm up.

· Outdoor:

Versatile Layers: Outdoor conditions can change quickly. Wear layers that you can easily add or remove, such as a lightweight jacket, a long-sleeved shirt, or a vest.
Wind and Rain Gear: Be prepared with a windbreaker or a rain jacket for cooler or wetter conditions.

Headgear and Accessories

· Indoor:

Sweatbands and Caps: To keep sweat out of your eyes, consider wearing sweatbands or lightweight pickleball hats.
Minimal Accessories: Indoors, you don’t need much in terms of sun protection, so keep accessories minimal and focused on comfort.

· Outdoor:

Sun Protection: Hats with brims, visors, or even sunglasses can help protect against glare and UV rays.
Sweatbands: These are still useful outdoors to manage sweat during hot weather.

Color and Style

· Indoor:

Bright and Reflective Colors: Indoor lighting can sometimes be less intense than outdoor sunlight. Bright colors can help you and your partners see each other more clearly.
Personal Style: Indoor play allows for more flexibility in style without the worry of sun exposure.

· Outdoor:

Light Colors: Lighter colors are preferable for outdoor play to reflect sunlight and keep you cooler.
Function Over Fashion: Prioritize functionality and comfort, but don’t be afraid to show some personal flair with your clothing choices.

Outdoor vs. Indoor Court Maintenance

Both outdoor and indoor pickleball courts require regular maintenance to ensure they remain in good condition. However, the type and frequency of maintenance can vary based on whether the court is indoors or outdoors.

Outdoor Pickleball Courts:

Cleaning: Outdoor courts are exposed to elements like dirt, leaves, and debris, which can accumulate on the surface. Regular sweeping or blowing off debris is necessary.
Resurfacing: Due to exposure to weather, outdoor courts may need more frequent resurfacing to repair cracks, bumps, or uneven surfaces caused by weathering.
Line Maintenance: Outdoor court lines may fade faster due to sun exposure. Periodic repainting or re-striping of lines is necessary to maintain visibility.
Drainage: Proper drainage systems are crucial for outdoor courts to prevent water accumulation, which can damage the surface over time.

Indoor Pickleball Courts:

Cleaning: Indoor courts generally accumulate less debris but still require regular sweeping and mopping to maintain cleanliness.
Surface Maintenance: The surface of indoor courts may require less frequent resurfacing compared to outdoor courts, as they are not exposed to weather conditions.
Line Maintenance: Indoor court lines may need occasional touch-ups to maintain visibility, but they typically fade slower than outdoor lines.
Humidity Control: Indoor courts may require climate control to manage humidity levels, which can affect the playing surface and equipment over time.

Addressing the Great Pickleball Debate

Now, let’s compare the actual practice of playing pickleball indoors compared to out.

Playing Pickleball Indoors

Indoor pickleball courts are pretty easy to find nowadays, and more of them are being built on a regular basis.

Pros:

No Weather to Factor in

A huge factor is the weather. Basically, the best player in the world can have an off day because, say, the wind direction is just sabotaging each shot. Temperature and rain are more obvious factors, and they can be advantages or disadvantages based on each player’s comfort level and the clothing that they’re wearing. If it’s too wet, hot, or too cold, it’s likely that a game won’t even happen, which can ruin your plans.

An indoor court means that you can play year round, and regardless of the weather. It also means that wind just won’t be an issue, as it really can be outdoors especially since the ball is so lightweight by design.

A More Controlled Space

An indoor court is simply a more controlled and contained space, in which fewer anomalies are likely to occur – like a squirrel running across the court during a particularly intense moment of the game, or pollen causing your eyes to itch, resulting in a miss. Basically, the fewer things that are left up to surprise, the better.

More Privacy While You Play

Another thing to consider is that indoor courts are usually more private. That is, fewer passersby who want to stop and watch, or even ask you questions about the game while you’re trying to serve. This can be an advantage, especially if you’re a bit on the shy side, and don’t want random people watching you during a game.

Fewer Distractions

In general, indoor courts have fewer distractions that can steal away your thoughts while you’re trying to stay focused. An outdoor, open space means a lot of things can sneak into our peripheral vision when all we want to do is concentrate on what’s happening in front of us.

Better Visibility

Often, indoor courts are well-lit in a way that’s better than what you’d get outside. Any outside pickleball player knows how inconvenient it is when there’s sun glare, or when the sun is going down right as things are getting exciting.

Easier on the Joints

Most indoor courts are constructed from softer materials that have a good deal of bounce to them. This is easier on the joints than most outdoor surfaces, like asphalt or concrete. These things to make a difference if you’re someone who plays frequently.

Smoother Surface

A smoother surface also helps you avoid tripping and falling, and also gives you better agility while you’re running back and forth. Outdoor surfaces may be bumpy or uneven, and your shoes may grip them so much that it impedes speed.

Cons:

Can Be Slippery if You’re Not Wearing the Right Shoes

The smoother surface of an indoor court can mean that if you’re not wearing the proper footwear, you’ll find yourself skidding and slipping. This can even mean that you’re more prone to injury if you’re not careful. Typically, however, the right shoes can compensate for this.

Takes Getting Used to if You’re Used to Playing Outdoors

If you’re someone who has always played outdoors, don’t be surprised if your first few games indoors feel off. The different ball, the higher bounce, and the smoother surfaces can all take some getting used to if your muscle memory is hardwired to play best in an outdoor environment.

The Ball Might Bounce a Lot More

With an indoor pickleball court, the ball will probably have a lot more bounce to it. This in and of itself can require a lot of adjusting to how you serve and volley, and you may have to retrain yourself to compensate.

The Acoustics Can Be a Bit Much

Indoor pickleball courts can be noisier if they’re busy, because of the acoustics that cause a lot of echo and reverb. This can be distracting, especially in the beginning, as you are trying to focus on the game and not what’s happening in terms of peripheral sound.

Potential for “Dead Spots”

A lot of indoor courts have “dead spots,” which are areas that use surface materials that impede bouncing. Basically, you hit the ball in the wrong direction, and it doesn’t bounce at all. This can take some getting used to, as you learn to avoid these spots altogether.

Harder to Come By

Most neighborhoods are more likely to have an outdoor pickleball court than an indoor one, so you may need to travel a bit more if indoors is what you prefer.

Playing Pickleball Outdoors

Playing pickleball outdoors comes with its own variables, and there are more variables than indoor ones, like the surface material of the court, whether or not it has walls, and how faded the lines are.

Pros:

Potentially More Reaction Time Due to Slower Bounce

Because you’ll get less bounce out of your ball, you actually have an advantage. The slower the bounce, the more time you have to react, and that can be particularly helpful if you’re a beginner who’s still learning how to play. This gives you more time to adjust your body, your location, and your swing to shoot the ball back accordingly.

A Great Way to Get Some Fresh Air

Of course, playing outdoors has one very undeniable benefit of getting you outside, so you can breathe in fresh air and get that much-needed vitamin D from the sun. It’s a fantastic outdoor activity for the whole family, and a wonderful way to get everyone outside when the family is feeling a bit too cramped indoors.

Easier to Find

Indoor courts are typically easier to come by, so you probably won’t have to travel as much in order to use one.

Often Quieter

Outdoor courts may be quieter too, as there isn’t the issue with acoustics compared to indoor ones. Of course, if it’s a particularly crowded outdoor court, noise may still be an issue.

Cons:

Unpredictable Weather

Yes, playing outdoors means that you’re at the mercy of mother nature. And, again, wind can be a big issue, as that can have a major influence on how successful you are, regardless of your skill level. Now, becoming a more skilled player can help you compensate for wind problems, but at the end of the day, most people would prefer to play without any wind influence whatsoever.

And like we said before, wind is not the only potential issue. It’s easy to get dehydrated, for example, if it’s too hot. And, if it’s too cold, your joints might start to really tense up before you’re even hitting your stride. Then, there are other issues like rain, snow, pollen, or bees that are all related to the seasons, and won’t be a problem inside.

Surface May Not Be Ideal for the Joints

Again, outdoor courts are usually made from harder and less buoyant surfaces. This means you might be able to grip the ground better when you run, but it can also mean that your knees and ankles are taking a beating if you’re not in great shape to begin with.

We strongly recommend that you buy the proper shoes that provide the right kind of support to your feet if you’re going to be playing indoor or outdoor, but especially if you’ll be playing routinely on concrete or asphalt. There are shoes that are made for pickleball, but typically, any traditional tennis shoes will work just fine.

Can Take Getting Used to

If you’ve always been an indoor pickleball player, playing outside can be quite an adjustment. We have already talked about this in reverse – switching from playing outdoors to indoors. The same principles apply then. The differences in the bounce level, the feeling of the ground, what’s happening in your peripherals, and the feeling of using a different ball can all mean that you need to sort of recalibrate how you play.

If you find that switching to an outdoor court means you’re off your game for a bit, don’t beat yourself up. Just understand that being able to play indoors as well as outdoors makes you a more resilient player, and this in turn, will benefit your pickleball skills in all kinds of ways.