With Father's Day just around the corner, we figured that we would run you through some great gift options to show them your love next Sunday.
Whether for runners, pickleballers, or tennis players, we’ve got a bit of everything — let’s start with tennis.
Tennis
We know dads (or at least I know dads) can be pretty hell-bent on keeping their old sports equipment from over thirty years ago. The thing is, sports evolve — especially tennis — and it's probably time to freshen things up. The good news is that there are plenty of amazing frames available right now (check out our YouTube channel for more in-depth reviews, comparisons, and Top 5s). Here are a couple of suggestions for today.
Head, in particular, has made a huge splash in 2025, updating both their Gravity and Radical lines. The Radical MP has been around for years, so chances are your dad has heard of it — you could be in for a classic “this is what I used, back in my day.” Fortunately, the racket has evolved with the times, so he'll be comfortable knowing it's a classic product, and you'll be giving him a top-notch racket.
The Gravity MP is a bit more new-school and made for those players who prioritise control over anything else. It's still got great spin though — that’s what makes it a bit more modern — so it's another great option for an all-court game style in 2025.
Pickleball
We all know how quickly the sport has been progressing over the last several years, and so has the equipment. If you bought a paddle a couple of years ago, it's not going to perform as well as the most recently released paddles.
One of the most popular paddles on the market right now is the Honolulu Pickleball J2K. It's a "hybrid" paddle, meaning it's shorter than elongated (16.5 in.) and longer than standard (16 in.). Hybrid paddles are generally 16.3 inches long. That gives them an ideal blend of power, spin, control and hand speed, and the J2K, in particular, is excellent because of its Kevlar top sheet. Kevlar is a bit more plush than carbon, so it's better for control, and it grabs onto the ball a bit more for spin.
The latest and greatest technology nowadays isn't Kevlar, though; it's foam. As soon as foam was introduced into paddles with the original Gearbox Pro Power series, we knew it was a game changer, and a year later, it's more refined with fewer drawbacks.
The Joola Scorpeus Pro IV is an industry-leading foam paddle – it has some of the highest power potential out there, but also much more control than foam paddles had previously. Spin is also off the charts, especially because the Scorpeus is a standard-length paddle. That means it's quick to bring through contact and roll over the ball for spinny volleys.
While foam has been synonymous with power since it first came out, CRBN has proven that that isn't necessarily the case. The CRBN1 TF Genesis paddle actually has a full foam core, but instead of the springy foam we see in paddles like the Scorpeus I just mentioned, TruFoam is much softer. That makes this paddle excellent for control, while still being more powerful than average, and extremely spin-friendly. The CRBN1 shape is elongated, so if you want the most reach as well as the highest amount of power from a TruFoam paddle, it's the one to go for.
Protective Eyewear
Now, with all the power pickleball paddles are producing nowadays, protecting yourself from rogue balls has never been more important. Seriously, if you play a ball-basher who perhaps had a bad day and is taking it out on the pickleball court, you want to protect your eyes.
The CRBN Pivot glasses are the best protective glasses on the market right now. They feature a photochromic lens that dynamically adjusts from clear to dark based on sunlight. If you do play outdoors, these are a real game changer not only for protection but also for performance – you'll never have to worry about staring into the sun on an overhead again.
If you prefer clear lenses, of course, those types of goggles still exist. Black Knight has been at the top of the game in squash glasses for a number of years now, and their Stiletto and Turbo are great options for the pickleball court as well.
Court Shoes
Paddles and rackets are flashy and exciting, but a good pair of shoes is arguably more important. Court shoes provide optimal traction, stability, and support, and they are essential to any player's on-court arsenal.
The Asics Gel-Resolution has been the best-selling court shoe throughout most of its previous 9 generations, and they went big with the updates on the 10th: the Gel-Resolution X. More stability, more support, more durability – that's the name of the game with this shoe, and it remains an industry-leading option for anyone looking for that style of shoe.
While we're on the topic of iconic court shoe lines, the Nike Vapor also received an update this year, and it was mighty time for it. The previous couple of Vapors were flops, it's sad to say, but it's true, and Nike brought it right back to its glory days with the Vapor 12. The design is reminiscent of the Vapors X, 9 and 9.5 – comfortable, sleek and streamlined for a quick and nimble feel, while still providing optimal support.
Nike Vapor 12 All-Court
men's
We've also got a new player in the court shoe game this year: Mizuno. We are finally able to bring Mizuno's court shoes into Canada, and the Enforce Tour 2 is another fantastic option in the support and stability category. It's a little bit more plush and natural-feeling than the Resolution X, but still a tank when you push it laterally.
Socks
We've always been very passionate about how much a premium pair of socks can improve your footwear experience. They stop blisters from occurring, wick moisture better than most, and there are so many choices that you can personalise your level of cushioning.
Feetures have a pretty middle-of-the-road amount of cushioning, so we recommend them to most players, and you have the choice between quarter length and crew length.
The NikeCourt Multiplier Cushioned Socks have quite a bit more cushioning, so we recommend them if you do like that more plush and comfortable feel from your socks.
Everyday upgrades
Tennis balls and pickleballs. You take them for granted when you have them, but when you run out, it becomes a bit of a pain. It's always a good idea to have an extra can of balls, or a couple extra pickleball on hand in case you need one.
Our staff's favourite tennis ball is the Babolat Gold Championship. It's quite soft, so it's nice and easy on the arm, and it lasts a pretty long time as well. The Dunlop Australian Open Ball is another great option, with similar playability, just a little bit stiffer. If you want all-out durability, go for the Penn Tour — these balls last forever.
For pickleballs, we recommend the Durafast 40 for outdoor play, especially for more competitive and fast-paced games.
Overgrips are also a must have for optimal performance in both tennis and pickleball, especially during the hot summer months. You can never go wrong with Wilson Pro Overgrip; it provides the best blend of comfort, tackiness and grit.
For players who sweat a lot, however, we recommend Tourna Grip and Babolat VS Original. Tourna Grip is known for its shammy-like quality, where it absorbs moisture and almost becomes grippier when soaked with sweat, and VS Original has a chalk-like coating that sucks the moisture out of your hand.
That’s it for our Father’s Day Guide. Hopefully, we were able to help you out, and of course, we have excellent staff members in-store who are more than happy to assist you as well.
Happy Father’s Day!