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Your $250 paddle has a dirty little secret. All that glorious, spin-generating grit? It doesn't last forever. But a new generation of paddles is promising to change that, with innovative surfaces engineered to keep their bite long after conventional grit wears down.

We rounded up nine of the most promising options, from $110 bargains to $270 beasts. You can thank us later.

In This Issue:
— The secret to hitting cleaner shots
— Does AI line-calling tech really work?
— 15 court shoes worth your money

Grip it and rip it.

You’ll spend $150+ on a paddle without a second thought. But the thing under your feet? Probably the stock liners that came with your shoes. VKTRY’s carbon fiber insoles are customized to your weight and built to return energy with every step. Here’s why top pros are wearing them.

With hundreds of paddles fighting for your money, how do you pick the right one? Chris Olson of Pickleball Studio has tested 500+ and developed a five-step process to cut through the marketing noise. Your next paddle starts here.

Your local club is buzzing. Every court is booked. So why might it still be bleeding cash? Turns out, some of the biggest financial mistakes happen before the first ball is ever hit. Here's the scary truth.

Rolled your ankle? Just because the pain is gone doesn't mean you're good to go. Lingering instability can lead to repeat sprains and bigger problems. Here's how to recover properly and stay on the court.

Your paddle has a sweet spot. Your eyes apparently have other plans.

One of the biggest reasons players shank easy shots? Looking up before making contact. Here's how to break the habit:

Sounds easy, right? We'd be willing to bet you're not doing it nearly as consistently as you think.

➡️ Five simple fixes. Fewer embarrassing shanks.

Selkirk’s S2 Pro is out, and the pitch is simple: A pickleball engineered to stay round and resist cracking, backed by a one-year warranty if it doesn't.

The ball has 38 holes in three sizes, spaced so it flies straight. The surface is textured to add spin, and it has a harder feel than a typical ball.

On sale now, and backed by a 1-year warranty.

Start playing with the S2 Pro (use code ADV-THEDINK for money back on orders of $50+.)

Your paddle's spin has an expiration date. Or at least, it used to.

For years, players have shelled out hundreds for spin-happy paddles, only to watch that glorious grit slowly disappear. Nothing like spending $250 on a paddle that loses its magic before you've finished bragging about it.

But the paddle industry's latest obsession might actually be worth the hype: durable grit.

New materials and surface technologies are promising serious spin that sticks around for hundreds of games. And some early independent testing suggests manufacturers are onto something.

We rounded up nine paddles pushing the limits of spin durability, including:

From budget-friendly sleepers to premium spin machines, there's something here for every player and wallet. Best of all, code THEDINK will score you a sweet discount on lots of them.

➡️ See all 9 paddles bringing built for spin that lasts.

Should screaming be illegal in pickleball? Should AI be trusted to make match-deciding line calls? And does anyone actually know who's running Major League Pickleball?

Just another perfectly normal episode of the PicklePod.

Zane Navratil joins Nico from Hong Kong, and the boys have plenty to unpack:

Plus, a pickleball protest, some spectacularly savage YouTube comments, and Nico's latest semi-pro misadventures.

➡️ Watch the full PicklePod episode here.

Speed. Stability. Comfort. A toe box that doesn't crush your pinky. Whatever you're looking for in a court shoe, 2026 has options.

We broke down 15 of the best men’s pickleball shoes, including purpose-built picks from JOOLA, Franklin, and Selkirk, tennis crossovers from Nike and Mizuno, and a few brands worth knowing.

Each one comes with key specs, pricing, and who it’s best for, so you can skip the guesswork and find the right pair.

Find your perfect pair.

Good news for chronic overthinkers: Your brain might be your biggest opponent on the court.

And this advice comes from... an NHL goalie?

Calgary Flames tendy Devin Cooley recently went viral for explaining why he plays his best when he stops thinking and lets his instincts take over.

Pro pickleball player Alex Crum says the same principle applies at the kitchen line. When speedups start flying, there's no time to mentally review your 37-point technique checklist.

The catch? You have to earn that autopilot. Repetition builds confidence. Practice builds instincts. Overthinking kills both.

➡️ Train your brain. Then get it out of the way.

A review from the Dink Fam...

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