In recent years, pickleball has transformed from a niche pastime into one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, especially in the United States. As the sport booms, demand for high-quality pickleball paddles has surged. Major brands like Selkirk, Joola, Onix, Franklin, and Paddletek are all expanding their product lines to capture the growing audience. Behind this explosive growth lies a crucial question for global pickleball paddle manufacturers: where should they produce paddles in an era of trade uncertainty?
U.S.-China Trade Tensions Reshape the Supply Chain
For more than a decade, China has been the leading hub for pickleball paddle manufacturing, offering advanced carbon fiber molding, CNC machining, thermoforming technology, and cost-effective supply chains. However, with U.S.-China trade frictions leading to higher tariffs on sporting goods, many international brands and distributors are reevaluating their sourcing strategies.
This shift has opened the door for Vietnam to emerge as a manufacturing alternative. Like in the apparel and footwear industries—where Nike and Adidas already rely heavily on Vietnamese production—pickleball paddle manufacturers are now considering Vietnam as a “safe haven” for production diversification.
Why Vietnam?
Vietnam offers several advantages that make it attractive to pickleball paddle brands and OEM/ODM manufacturers:
• Lower Labor Costs – Vietnam remains competitive compared to China in terms of labor-intensive industries.
• Trade Agreements – Participation in RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) and various free trade agreements with the U.S. and EU give Vietnamese exporters tariff advantages.
• Geopolitical Stability – While China faces U.S. tariff challenges, Vietnam is perceived as a more politically neutral option.
• Growing Industrial Base – Vietnam has developed strong expertise in textiles, footwear, and now increasingly in sports equipment manufacturing.
For companies like Franklin Sports or Selkirk, which are constantly looking to balance cost, quality, and supply chain stability, Vietnam is no longer just a backup option—it is becoming a strategic choice.
Challenges for Vietnam Manufacturers
However, moving pickleball paddle production from China to Vietnam is not without obstacles. While Vietnam has cost advantages, China still dominates in advanced materials such as aerospace-grade carbon fiber, EVA foams, and thermoforming techniques. The expertise of established Chinese factories, combined with decades of experience, remains unmatched.
Brands that want premium pickleball paddles with advanced features—such as thermoformed carbon paddles, edgeless designs, or kevlar reinforcements—still rely heavily on Chinese partners. Thus, Vietnam’s growth is likely to be complementary rather than fully substitutive.
Dore Sports: Balancing Innovation with Global Trends
As one of the emerging leaders in pickleball paddle manufacturing, Dore Sports has already anticipated this global supply chain shift. With more than a decade of manufacturing experience, Dore Sports continues to refine its hot-press molding, CNC precision cutting, UV printing, and laser engraving technologies, ensuring consistent paddle quality.
To adapt to market changes, Dore Sports has also:
• Explored Vietnam-based partnerships to diversify production lines for cost-sensitive clients.
• Invested in sustainable materials, such as recyclable edge guards and TPU borders, to comply with stricter EU and U.S. environmental regulations.
• Enhanced R&D to support custom pickleball paddle designs for brands seeking unique aesthetics and better performance.
• Integrated smart supply chain management, making lead times shorter and pricing more competitive.
By leveraging both China’s advanced technology and Vietnam’s cost and policy advantages, Dore Sports positions itself as a flexible and reliable partner for international buyers.
As pickleball continues to grow—bolstered by celebrity endorsements, sports clubs, and even discussions about potential Olympic recognition—the demand for reliable paddle suppliers will only increase. It is likely that the future supply chain will adopt a dual-hub model: China for advanced, high-performance paddle production, and Vietnam for mid-range or cost-sensitive models.
For global distributors and brands, choosing the right pickleball paddle manufacturer will depend on striking a balance between innovation, sustainability, and supply chain resilience. In this new landscape, companies like Dore Sports that embrace flexibility, innovation, and cross-border collaboration will remain at the forefront of the industry.
As a one-stop pickleball product supplier, D...
As a one-stop pickleball product supplier, D...
As a one-stop pickleball product supplier, D...
