Things to Look for in a Portable Pickleball Net
Portable nets are a must have piece of equipment in New York City. There is only one location with dedicated pickleball nets, with a second location at pier 2 coming, but if you don’t live in Brooklyn, you’re going to need a net to play. There are dozens of models to choose from at varying price points, so how do you pick what’s right for you? Let’s talk about the important factors of a well designed net.
Regulation height and size
Source: https://www.dimensions.com/element/pickleball-net
A pickleball net is meant to be 22 feet across (1 foot past each side line), with a height of 36 inches on the sideline, and 34 inches in the middle. There are many nets on Amazon.com that are only 20 feet long, as well as others that do not have a 34” drop for the center height despite saying so in the description. You can usually tell visually the difference in photos, so be careful. Try to avoid those nets if you can, as they are not regulation and if you plan to play more seriously it will make a difference. Typically anything below a $150 list price is going to be a lower quality net in terms of QC as well as being within regulations.
Notable models with falsely advertised center heights: Flybold, A11N
Note the net goes straight across
Net tightening mechanism
We would avoid any tightening mechanism that involves velcro, as they quickly become weaker and loose over time. Make sure that you are not getting sags on each side of the net when you set it up. You want your net to look as close to a single U, rather than two. A loose net allows many more balls to roll over the netcord than on a regulation net.
Weight
Most pickleball nets weigh between 20-25 pounds. Having a heftier net can be a burden to carry, but can also come in handy in windier environments. Check the carrying bag to see if there are longer straps that could potentially be used as shoulder straps for those who bike around the city. 25 pounds distributed across your back is much easier than carrying 20 pounds by hand with a short strap. If a net is advertised as lightweight, make sure to check the feet of the net are longer to add stability.
Feet design
Avoid nets with feet that sit flush with the ground as it reduces the net’s stability. We prefer legs that are longer to avoid being easily blown over.
Short, flush legs on the A11N vs longer arched legs on the Swiftnet
Nets we recommend
Lower price range
The two nets below are nearly identical in design, just different colors. We like these nets because of the longer, stable feet that sit off the ground, the true 34 inch height pole in the center, and the tension system to keep the nets tight. The downsides are that they are a bit on the heavier side, and the center post can rip a hole over time. We recommend reinforcing that center net area using some cloth and duct tape like in this video BEFORE a hole begins to form. These nets can often go on sale either at pickleballcentral.com or amazon.com, but pickleballcentral can price match, and you can use code CRNYCPB to get an additional 5% off and support the NYC pickleball community as we get a 5% match.
Rally Portable Net System - Retails $199, currently $150 on pickleballcentral.com.
The 3.0 Tournament Net System by Pickleball Inc - Retails $199
Higher price range
The Swiftnet 2.1 is the net we currently use and love. It utilizes an innovative design that eliminates the need for a center post, creating a perfectly natural curve across the entire net.
The carbon fiber and aluminum materials are lightweight but sturdy, so the net and bag comes in at 17 pounds, about 30% lighter than standard nets.
Additionally, the company that produces the Swiftnet - Composite Recycling Technology Center - is a 501(c)3 non-for-profit company that designs products that use carbon fiber scrap, and the products are all manufactured here in the US.
We like the net so much that we asked to partner with CRTC to provide New Yorkers better access to (in our opinion) the best portable net in the market. They’ve set up a coupon code NYC20 that provides $20 off either the Swiftnet 2.1 system or the Swiftnet with badminton bundle. Buying directly from CRTC gives you a lower price compared to other retailers, as well as a more premium bag with adjustable straps, and additional spare parts.
Please note that the coupon code NYC20 only applies to products delivered to the New York metro area, including New Jersey and Long Island. With every purchase, NYCpickleball.com also gets $20 to help us continue to grow the sport of pickleball in NYC.