A cotton T-shirt is fine for a stroll and a bad idea for a three-hour pickleball session in Philippine humidity. It soaks through, clings, goes heavy and takes forever to dry. A proper sports shirt moves sweat off your skin, breathes better and, in some cases, gives you UV protection too. It also makes a surprising difference to how you feel after a long session, which is why serious players treat shirts as gear and not as fashion.
This guide compares five men’s shirts sold in the Philippines through PickleballPH: two from Paddletek and three from JOOLA, priced from ₱2,650 to ₱3,450. It is a research guide based on the product listings, not a hands-on test, and the fabric and sun-protection claims are the brands’. Several were out of stock when I checked, and I have marked what is available.
What to look for in a pickleball shirt
- Moisture-wicking fabric. Polyester and spandex blends pull sweat off the skin so it can evaporate.
- UPF sun protection. Several JOOLA shirts list UPF 50 or 50+ fabric, which blocks most UV rays.
- Ventilation. Mesh panels, perforations and side vents help in humid weather.
- Freedom of movement. Raglan sleeves and stretch fabric let you swing without the shirt riding up.
- Fit. A compression fit stays close to the body, and a classic fit is looser and more casual.
- Flatlock seams. They sit flat against the skin and reduce chafing on long sessions.
| Shirt | Sleeve | Fit | Sun protection | Listed price | In stock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PADDLETEK Performance Short Sleeve | Short | Athletic compression | Not listed | ₱3,350 | No |
| PADDLETEK Performance Long Sleeve | Long | Athletic compression | Not listed | ₱3,350 | Yes |
| JOOLA Court Long Sleeve | Long | Raglan | UPF 50+ | ₱3,450 | Yes |
| JOOLA Club Short Sleeve | Short | Classic | UPF 50 | ₱3,150 | No |
| JOOLA Court Short Sleeve | Short | Raglan | UPF 50 | ₱2,650 | No |
Prices are the peso prices listed at PickleballPH at the time of writing. Sizes and colors vary by listing, so check what is available before you decide.
JOOLA Court Short Sleeve: the best value
At ₱2,650, the Court Short Sleeve is the cheapest shirt here. It is a raglan-style shirt, which JOOLA says gives maximum mobility, and it has moisture-wicking fabric that dries quickly and UPF 50 sun protection. The material is 90% polyester and 10% spandex, and it comes in Poppy Red, Navy, Black and White in sizes from extra small to 2XL, which is the widest size range in the guide.
The photos show a vertical stripe detail on the back and a small logo on the chest. It was out of stock, but if you can find it, it is the most affordable way to get a UPF shirt from a pickleball brand.
JOOLA Club Short Sleeve: the casual one
The Club Short Sleeve, at ₱3,150, is a classic fit with a crew neckline and set-in sleeves, and a more casual look than the raglan Court shirt. It has hem vents at the side seams for movement, moisture-wicking, quick-drying fabric, and UPF 50 sun protection, in the same 90/10 polyester and spandex blend. It comes in Blue Breeze Heather and Sandstone Heather.
It is the one to wear on and off the court, and the heathered colors hide sweat better than flat colors. It was out of stock.
JOOLA Court Long Sleeve: sun cover that breathes
The Court Long Sleeve costs ₱3,450 and is in stock in sizes extra small to extra large. It has UPF 50+ fabric, the highest sun rating in the guide, moisture-wicking and quick-drying material, raglan sleeves for range of motion, and matte vertical JOOLA heat-seal branding at the center back. JOOLA says it suits cooler conditions or when you need extra sun coverage.
In the Philippines, a long-sleeve UPF shirt is the practical choice for midday outdoor play. It protects your arms from the sun and, because the fabric is light, it does not feel much hotter than a short sleeve. If you burn easily, this is the shirt to start with.
Paddletek Performance Long Sleeve: the compression option
The Paddletek Performance Long Sleeve is ₱3,350 and is in stock, though only in small and large when I checked. It is made of an 86% polyester and 14% spandex compression jersey with an athletic compression fit, which means it sits close to the body. The listing mentions Stay-Cool wicking technology, a crew neck with logo neck tape, tech mesh armhole gussets for ventilation, laser perforation at the center back for airflow, flatlock seams to reduce chafing and a silicone printed logo.
It comes in Vallarta Blue, Black and White. It does not list a UPF rating, so if sun protection matters, the JOOLA long sleeve is the safer choice, but the ventilation details are more extensive. If you like a snug, supportive feel, this is the one.
Paddletek Performance Short Sleeve: the short version
The short sleeve version is the same compression jersey, with the same mesh gussets, back perforations and flatlock seams, at the same ₱3,350. It comes in Glacier Gray and Navy, and sizes small, large and extra large were listed. It was out of stock.
Compression fit versus regular fit
Paddletek’s shirts are cut as athletic compression fits, which means they are close to the body. Some players like that because it feels supportive and does not flap in the wind, while others find it too tight in hot weather. JOOLA’s raglan and classic fits are looser, which lets more air circulate. If you are between sizes, go up in the compression fit and down in the classic fit, and check the size chart for each brand because sizing differs.
What the fabric numbers mean
Every shirt here is a polyester and spandex blend. Polyester is the base: it does not absorb much water, which is why it wicks sweat and dries fast. Spandex adds stretch, so the shirt moves with you. The JOOLA shirts are 90% polyester and 10% spandex, and the Paddletek compression jerseys are 86% polyester and 14% spandex. More spandex means more stretch and a closer fit, which is why the Paddletek shirts feel snug on paper.
Neither number tells you how the shirt feels, because the knit and the finish matter as much as the blend. Mesh panels, brushed interiors and perforations all change how the fabric feels on the skin, and a light mesh can feel cooler than a plain knit of the same fiber. If you can try a shirt on, do, and walk around in it for a few minutes to check for rubbing at the seams.
What UPF means
UPF stands for ultraviolet protection factor. A UPF 50 fabric is rated to block about 98 percent of the sun’s UV rays, and UPF 50+ is the top of the scale. It is a property of the fabric and the way it is woven or knit, and it works whether the shirt is wet or dry, though the rating can drop a little if the fabric is stretched very thin or worn out. A UPF shirt is a good way to cover your arms and torso without having to apply sunscreen to them, though you still need sunscreen on exposed skin.
Of the five shirts here, the JOOLA Court Long Sleeve is rated UPF 50+, and the JOOLA Club and Court short sleeves are rated UPF 50. The Paddletek listings do not mention a UPF rating, so I cannot say what they offer.
How to pick a size
Sizing varies by brand, and the available sizes on these listings differ: the JOOLA Court Short Sleeve goes from extra small to 2XL, the Court Long Sleeve from extra small to extra large, the Club from extra small to large, and the Paddletek shirts were listed in small, large and extra large. For a compression fit, check the chest measurement and choose the size that is snug but does not restrict your shoulders when you swing. For a classic or raglan fit, pick the size you usually wear. If you are between sizes, remember that polyester shirts do not shrink much, so choose the size that fits now.
How many shirts do you need
If you play two or three times a week, three technical shirts is a sensible number. That lets you wash one, wear one and keep one spare, and it means you are not wearing the same sweat-soaked shirt two days running. If you play every day, add a fourth. A technical shirt dries quickly, so you can rinse it in the evening and wear it again the next morning, but a rotation extends its life and keeps it from developing odor.
Indoor courts and air conditioning
Indoor courts can feel hot, but covered gyms with air conditioning can be cold at the start of a session. A long-sleeve UPF shirt can double as a light layer for an indoor warm-up, and the fabric is breathable enough that you will not overheat once you start moving. If you play in a cool venue, a long-sleeve compression shirt from Paddletek keeps your muscles warm without adding bulk.
Common mistakes
- Wearing cotton. It holds sweat and gets heavy.
- Buying too tight. A compression fit should be snug, not restrictive.
- Using fabric softener. It reduces wicking.
- Ignoring the sun on your face and hands. A shirt only protects what it covers.
- Waiting too long to wash. Sweat and bacteria set into the fabric.
Caring for technical shirts
- Wash in cold or warm water, and avoid hot dryers, which can damage stretch fibers.
- Do not use fabric softener, which coats the fibers and reduces wicking.
- Turn the shirt inside out to protect printed logos and heat-seal branding.
- Wash soon after play, because sweat left in the fabric can cause odor.
- Follow each brand’s care label. JOOLA lists machine wash according to the label.
Sun safety on the court
A UPF shirt reduces the sun’s effect on the skin it covers, but it does not protect your face, neck or hands. A visor or hat and sunscreen on exposed skin are still necessary, and my guide to visors, hats and towels covers the rest of the kit. If you play outdoors between ten and three, a long-sleeve UPF shirt is one of the best things you can wear.
My picks
- Best value: JOOLA Court Short Sleeve (₱2,650).
- Best sun protection: JOOLA Court Long Sleeve (₱3,450).
- Best casual shirt: JOOLA Club Short Sleeve (₱3,150).
- Best compression fit: Paddletek Performance Long Sleeve (₱3,350).
A good shirt is part of a full kit, and my guides to bags and shoes cover what else to wear and carry to the court.
