Get a grip—literally! The handle is where you connect to the most important part of your pickleball game: your paddle. While stock grips are usually decent, they’re rarely exceptional. You deserve a grip that matches the performance of your paddle—and your game! That’s where Lizard Skins comes in.
With 30+ years of experience crafting grips for sports like golf, baseball, and hockey, this overgrip wrap is a game changer. The moment I tried it, I knew it was a keeper. Affordable, available in a variety of colors, and easy to apply, this grip gets 5 balls out of 5 from me!
- Non-slip performance in all weather.
- Soft, tacky Durasoft Polymer (DSP) material.
- Easy install with premium adhesive and rubber finish band.
- Trusted grip leader in multiple sports, now in pickleball!
By The Numbers
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Length | 31.25 inches |
| Width | 27 mm |
| Thickness | 0.8 mm |
| Available Colors | 11 |
| Price | $14.49 |
Nuts And Bolts
- Durasoft Ultra Polymer material
- Highly textured surface
- Pre-cut/beveled ends
- Adhesive backing and sealing tape
- Rubber finish band
- Wrap-around, hard protective edge
First Impressions
The packaging is simple, and Lizard Skins cleverly includes a sample of the grip on the package so you can feel it before buying. With 11 colors—from basic black, white, and tan to bold options like lime, hot pink, yellow, and bright royal blue—there’s something for every style. (Yes, I’m one of those fashion-conscious players!) Lizard Skins sent me one of each color, and I decided to go with gray for my first paddle.
After unrolling the grip, I got a better feel for its tacky, rubbery texture, which was incredibly satisfying. It was time to install it.
Though I hesitated to remove the stock grip from my Diadem ICON paddle, I was confident Lizard Skins would be a huge upgrade. Following the simple instructions and video on their website, I swapped the grip in under 10 minutes. The new grip felt even better than expected—unlike any stock grip I’ve used. I was ready to hit the court!
Game On: Playtesting the Grip
With larger hands and some arthritis, I was eager to test out this new grip. I prefer a firm, non-slip, yet soft feel on the paddle handle, and this grip delivered perfectly.
My first trial was against a pitching machine for deep, driving returns. The grip felt amazing—secure, comfortable, and giving me more confidence in my shots.
Sweat? No Problem!
Even as my hands began to sweat, the grip stayed non-slip, soft, and comfortable. When I switched to dinks and drop shots, it still provided excellent touch and control.
*Note: the first image shows the Lizard Skins overgrip over the Hesacore grip.
25+ Games In: Still Loving It
After more than 25 games with the new grip, I found it hard to go back to other paddles without Lizard Skins. The grip maintained its tacky, soft feel and didn’t absorb oils or dirt like many grips do.
Whether I was serving, driving from the baseline, or executing spinning drop shots, the grip felt exceptional.
The Ultimate Combo: Hesacore + Lizard Skins
A few weeks later, I received Hesacore’s hexagonal honeycomb slip-on undergrips, designed for a thicker, cushioned grip that requires an overgrip. I combined the Hesacore with a Lizard Skins overgrip on my Diadem 18K Speed Pro. The installation took less than 20 minutes, and the result was a larger-diameter grip with enhanced friction and cushioning.
This combo absorbed impact well, reducing hand and arm fatigue—a winning combination for sure. The enhanced feel led me to add this setup to another paddle, my Bread & Butter Shogun.
For those looking for a larger, more cushioned grip with extra texture, I highly recommend pairing the Hesacore undergrip with the Lizard Skins overgrip.
Pro Tip: How to Nail the Perfect Grip Application
After replacing four stock grips with Lizard Skins, here’s a key tip for any overgrip: Do a dry run before removing the adhesive backing to ensure you wrap it properly. This helps avoid wrinkles and ensures you have enough length to cover your paddle handle.
While the company says it fits all handles, this extra step guarantees a perfect fit, especially for handles between 5.25″ and 5.75″.
The Final Score
| Category | Rating (1 out of 5) |
|---|---|
| Design/Build | 5 |
| Application Process | 5 |
| Grip | 5 |
| Texture | 5 |
| Cushion | 5 |
| Price Point/Value | 5 |
| Overall | 5 |
Many players stick with their stock grips and perform just fine. However, an informal survey suggests that over half of intermediate players—and an even higher percentage of advanced players—opt for replacement overgrips. Given the low cost, easy installation, and enhanced comfort, I highly recommend the Lizard Skins overgrip.
If you’re dealing with hand or arm fatigue, or prefer a larger, softer grip, the Hesacore and Lizard Skins combo is a fantastic option. They truly go hand-in-hand! (Sorry, couldn’t resist the dad joke!)
Pickle on my friends, pickle on…
