Adidas isn’t just known for sneakers—it recently stepped onto the pickleball court, launching a line of paddles including their flagship “Metalbone” series on April 22, 2025. But what’s behind their move, and how have players responded so far?

When you think of Adidas, you probably picture running shoes, soccer cleats, or gym gear. But now—Adidas is stepping onto the pickleball court.

Yep, they’ve launched a full paddle line, and it’s clear they’re not just testing the waters. The real question is: does it matter?

Let’s break down what Adidas is doing in pickleball, how their paddles look and play, and whether they’re making a real impact yet.

Adidas’s Entry: Why Now?

Adidas entered the pickleball space recognizing its explosive growth. By introducing a sleek, tech-focused paddle lineup, they clearly aim to capture both casual players and serious competitors.

On the surface, it feels like a smart move. Adidas has the reputation, the reach, and the design chops to make a splash.

But success in pickleball isn’t just about brand name—it’s about performance.

The Metalbone is their top-tier model, built with more aggressive materials and stylized after Adidas’s tennis and padel lines.

So yeah—it looks great. But what about performance?

The Paddle Lineup—Form Meets Function

Adidas offers several models across price tiers (from mid-$60s to $190+), each featuring:

• Lightweight frames

• Textured faces for spin

• Advanced foam cores for balanced power and control

It’s a thoughtful blend of design and performance, packaged in Adidas’s signature visual style.

Marketing Moves & Distribution

To build buzz, Adidas used pro placements and sponsorships, aligning paddles with top players. Distribution spans major retailers and Nike-like direct sales—signaling their intent to make pickleball gear as mainstream as their apparel.

Adidas didn’t just launch quietly. They started building visibility through:

• Pro player sponsorships

• Retail partnerships with large sports stores

• Direct-to-consumer sales via their site

Initial Reception: A Mixed Start

Despite expectations, early sales and popularity rankings show Adidas paddles trailing behind—suggesting they haven’t yet captured the pickleball crowd's loyalty. For a brand of Adidas’s caliber, that's a sign of a slow start.

Why? A few possibilities:

• Players are loyal to niche pickleball brands that already prove performance.

• Adidas’s paddles are too new to have earned trust.

• Or maybe people are skeptical of a mainstream brand jumping into a niche sport.

What’s Next?

This is only the beginning for Adidas in pickleball. As certification processes catch up and player feedback rolls in, there’s ample opportunity for them to revise and strengthen their offering.

Adidas entering pickleball is a big deal—but it’s not a guarantee. The paddles look clean, and the tech seems promising, but they haven’t made a serious dent in the market so far.

That said, this is just their first swing. With more playtesting, better feedback loops, and stronger product iterations, Adidas could easily become a major force in the space.

Whether you're curious about their gear or just keeping an eye on how the pickleball world is shifting, it’s worth watching how this plays out.