Outdoor pickleballs, explained

Four of our outdoor balls ride in every set, and a twelve-pack keeps the season going. Here is what separates a good outdoor ball from a cracked one by Thursday.

Why 40 holes

Outdoor balls use 40 smaller holes. The pattern keeps the flight steady in a breeze, where an indoor ball with fewer, larger holes would drift. Ours are machine-drilled for an even pattern, so every ball in the pack flies the same way.

Weight, size and shell

Our outdoor ball weighs 0.92 oz and measures 2.91 in across, inside the USAPA standard. The shell is a harder thermoplastic that stands up to rough concrete and asphalt, in a high-visibility yellow that is easy to follow against blue and green courts.

Seam welding

A ball usually fails at the seam. We weld ours to resist splitting and keep the ball round over months of play.

How long should a ball last?

It depends on the court, the temperature and the hitters. Cold weather makes any outdoor ball more brittle. Rotate balls through your bag, retire one when it goes soft or out of round, and keep a pack in the trunk so a cracked ball never ends a game.

Quick answers

Are these balls approved for tournaments?

Yes, our outdoor pickleballs are USAPA certified.

Do the sets include these balls?

Yes. Every MTEN paddle set includes four of the same outdoor balls.