How UDRIPPIN became a one-stop shop for pickleball accessories
Last Edited
Jan 21 2026
Category
News
Like a lot of entrepreneurs, Jon Nilson wasn’t really trying to start a business in the early days of what eventually became UDRIPPIN.
He was just trying to find some tennis and pickleball overgrips for himself after Wilson stopped making their hot pink tour grips – his favorite at the time.
After searching on sites like eBay and having a hard time finding them, he started to wonder if it was something he could produce himself, or find a supplier that could make him a custom order.
It took a few tries to get the thickness, color and tackiness just right, but eventually he had his very own hot pink overgrips. Then he started to wonder: ‘I can’t be the only one who is looking for colorful overgrips, right?’
So he ordered a bunch more and started selling them, and his theory proved to be true. After making more orders and selling out again and again, he knew he had a legit business on his hands, and UDRIPPIN was born.
The company officially launched in September 2023 with its overgrips that can be used for pickleball or tennis, and has since expanded into several other sports where having a good grip on equipment is important – such as golf, baseball, lacrosse and more. Nilson also has plans to expand into hockey, skateboarding tape and motocross grips.
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“The vision is to be like the next Wilson Sporting Goods, but in our own way and with more extreme sports,” he said.
True to its origin, the UDRIPPIN site now offers overgrips in just about every color and pattern imaginable, allowing players to bring flair to the court without sacrificing performance.
“I wanted to be a one-stop shop for grips,” Nilson said. “From tacky grips to mid-tacky to custom and dry grips, we make something for everybody. So whether you’re into the bright colors or want something more classic, you can find something you like and that is high quality. That’s been the goal with the grips all along.”
Making a splash in the pickleball industry
While many companies that make overgrips – such as Wilson, Babolot and Yonex – have remained focused on tennis, UDRIPPIN has doubled down on pickleball since the company was founded.
Nilson has formed partnerships with multiple Major League Pickleball teams – the Los Angeles Mad Drops, Orlando Squeeze, Texas Ranchers, Phoenix Flames and Dallas Flash – to make custom team-themed grips and hats.
UDRIPPIN has also sponsored pro players Thomas Wilson, Catherine Parenteau, Allyce Jones, DJ Young, Meghan Dizon, Blaine Hovenier and more over the years, and has a huge network of amateur ambassadors who are loyal supporters and promoters of the brand.
As a high-level amateur player himself, Nilson has a keen understanding of the community aspect of pickleball and wanted his brand to be involved in the fabric of the sport at all levels.
“Our business wouldn't be doing what it does without our ambassadors,” Nilson said. “I was an ambassador for other brands over the years, and I kind of learned that ambassadors get left in the dust a little bit. They don’t get a lot of recognition. So when I created our ambassador program, we wanted to make it a win-win situation for us and them, and a lot of people just want to be a part of something. They are the ones who are really passionate about the brand and they see the value behind the brand, and that means a lot to us.”
Nilson said the company more than doubled its revenue from 2024 to 2025, and did it mostly through ambassadors and email blasts, with almost no marketing spend.
“To be able to do that organically is a huge thing,” he said. “Now the challenge is trying to figure out how we can keep it growing year-over-year, and I think just being part of the community at the grassroots level is important for that.”
A one-stop shop for pickleball accessories
Beyond its overgrips, UDRIPPIN has leaned hard into making pickleball accessories that true gearheads find useful. Sunglasses, drinkware, towels, arm sleeves, sweatbands, liquid chalk, tungsten tape, edge-guard tape – you name it.
But one product that Nilson is especially excited about is UDRIPPIN’s grip cases. The premium leather cases are meant to help players keep their overgrips and other paddle accessories organized, and he said he’s heard nothing but positive feedback from players who have one.
“We actually get a lot of emails – like 5 or more a month – from people reaching out and saying, ‘This case is incredible.’” Nilson said. “We're getting to the point now where there's so many people who are really into paddles and customizing all their stuff. So I think this is a game-changer for those people who want to keep everything organized.”
The case comes in three colors – black, black with elephant print, and bone white – and features two large interior pockets for essentials like phones, keys, and small accessories, along with a dedicated grip pocket made from durable double-wall mesh for easy visibility and added strength. Included with the case are mini UDRIPPIN scissors and a 3-pack of grips.
“We’re all about allowing people to customize their gear to fit their needs so they can feel like themselves on the court – that’s the biggest thing for me,” Nilson said. “If they can get a cool grip with a 90s design that showcases who their personality is, that’s what I want to see. Look good, feel good, play good.”
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