When to use an overgrip in pickleball (and what type you need)

With summer heating up, sweaty hands become an issue for some players. If you find your paddle slipping when you play, it’s time to try an overgrip.

An overgrip is a thin, replaceable wrap that goes over the handle of your paddle. It adds tackiness, absorbs sweat, and can make your grip feel softer or more cushioned.

Players use overgrips to stop their paddle from slipping, improve comfort, or just add some personality to their gear.

Here I’ll talk more about the different types of overgrips, recommend some that I like, and teach you how to apply overgrip to your paddle.

There’s no right or wrong time. You don’t have to use an overgrip – if your paddle’s base grip works for you, that’s great!

Most beginners aren’t worried about their paddle’s grip just yet, so it’s usually once players get more experienced that they find an overgrip improves their performance and comfort.

To be honest, even though I’m a 5.0 level player, I haven’t used overgrips much, even before I started testing paddles. I don’t sweat a lot, and I’ve never been particularly picky about grips, so it hasn’t been a big factor for me.

Most intermediate to advanced players do use overgrips, though, and here’s why:

If you sweat, you’ve probably felt your paddle slipping when you play, affecting your performance. You don’t have to put up with this when there’s a simple solution – an overgrip.

The standard base grips on most paddles aren’t tacky enough to stay secure when your hands get sweaty. An overgrip will help you to maintain a consistent hold, especially during the hotter summer and early fall months.

Lots of non-sweaty players like overgrips too. If you find your base grip uncomfortable, you can try an overgrip that’s not too tacky and has a softer, more cushioned feel. It will help you stay relaxed, keep a looser grip on the paddle, and improve your touch and control over the ball.

Some players simply want to customize their paddle’s look. If you don’t vibe with your paddle’s grip color, you can add a splash of personality with a new overgrip.

After testing out a bunch of overgrips, I think they fall cleanly into two categories: sweat-focused grips and comfort-focused grips. Here’s the difference between the two, with a bonus section for style-focused grips:

If you sweat a lot, you’ll want a high-tack grip. The tackier a grip is, the stickier it feels, the more it grips your hand to prevent slippiness.

Because I don’t really sweat, I personally don’t need a super-tacky grip. I find them a little uncomfortable and too dry, to the point where I feel like I might get a blister.

However, I have friends with sweaty hands who rely on tacky grips. My top recommendation, having tested some with my sweaty friends, is the Tourna Mega Tac. It’s built for serious sweat.

ADV FeltTac is another top choice. Both of these are super tacky – you’re not losing your grip no matter how slippy your hands get.

I personally prefer grips that are more focused on comfort over tack. Don’t get me wrong, I like a confident grip that won’t slip. I just don’t want an overly sticky feel that some of these mega-tack grips have.

My favorite is the UDRIPPIN Pro Tour grip. It has good tack and moisture absorption but a softer, slightly squishy feel that’s really comfortable in your hand.

If you’re someone who doesn’t sweat a ton, it’s an awesome choice.

Bread & Butter Grip & Rip is the most striking I’ve seen, and it’s popular with players who want to customize their paddle’s look. It’ll add a lot of personality. It’s a great comfort choice too, very similar to my favorite – the UDRIPPIN Pro Tour grip mentioned above.

I’ll give another shout out to UDRIPPIN here also – they offer a wide range of bright color choices across their grips.

Wrapping an overgrip is easier than you think. Here's how to do it:

Tip: If it’s your first time, look for grips with a tapered starting edge – they’re easier to align cleanly.