Before you step onto a Padel tennis court and let loose on the fastest growing racket sport in the world, we have put together our essential guide to choosing the best equipment for a flying start.
Andy Murray, Serena Williams, David Beckham, Lionel Messi and Maria Sharapova are a number of high profile celebs who have got into action - so follow in their footsteps and take to the little court.
Our bumper selection of gear for beginners is specifically designed to help navigate you to finding the best racket, footwear and kit bag. Naturally, using the correct Padel kit will assist in avoiding unnecessary injuries and get you well on your way to becoming a Padel pro.
What kind of Padel racket would I use?
There are three types of shaped bats that you can choose from that suit different kinds of players:
- Round: Suitable for all levels of players (especially beginners) - as they provide more control. They have the largest sweet spot area and are more forgiving.
- Tear dropped: These strike a balance between control and power (perfect for intermediate or players who have experience of other racket sports).
- Diamond: Gear for the more aggressive and experienced player - generally it has less control and a smaller sweet spot area (located at the tip of the bat).
Each shaped racket has three factors of balance (stability) to consider:
- Low: Positioned more towards the handle and found more in round shaped rackets. Provides greater all-round control.
- Average: Located in the central zone between the handle and head (commonly used with tear-dropped rackets)
- High: The weight here is head heavy which adds extra oomph to your diamond shaped bat.
Next, you will need to evaluate whether to go for a soft or hard Padel racket. Soft is predominatly crafted from fibreglass and is both flexible and forgiving - a perfect choice for beginners. Hard options use carbon fibre which is more rigid, has better durability, and ultimately carries a higher price tag.
The core compounds used are also important. Foam is softer with a bit of bounce and your budget friendly option. EVA on the other hand, has wider appeal as it is harder with better longevity compared to foam.
Finally, weight - this is split between light or heavy. The latter offers more power but less control and aimed at the advanced bunch. Lighter options match up nicely for newbies and the like.
David Capper of @padeltribeuk says: “There is a mind-boggling amount of Padel products to choose from. Big names from the world of sport such as Adidas, Babolat, HEAD and Wilson will be immediately recognised. However, it’s worth highlighting Argentinian and Spanish brands, which you might not have heard of, but are really good. The likes of Bullpadel, Nox, Royal Padel and StarVie are names you are highly likely to see when playing Padel”.
The key is to get a feel of them and make sure it’s the right racket for you.
Power play tip: Loop the racket’s wristband around your wrist - this avoids a penalty point during competitive play and the possibility of it flying out of your hand during a match, which could cause injury.
What kind of footwear do I need to play Padel tennis?
Running trainers will not give the support you need for Padel. Tennis shoes do offer this in abundance, but the way you move on a Padel court (zipping forwards, backwards with lateral or diagonal spinning steps thrown in) and the surface requires specialised footwear.
Generally, a mixed type or herringbone sole will give you the grip and confidence to boost your game. Look out for shoes made specifically for Padel. Market players Asics, Babolat, Bullpadel, Munich, Nox and New Balance are on the ball, to name a few. Certain speed-focused shoes also hit the mark and offerings from Adidas, Nike and Wilson should not be discounted.
Now all you need to do is find your nearest court, whack a few balls (these are different to standard tennis balls by the way, they are lower in pressure and slightly slower) and have fun.
Power play tip: Most court surfaces work better with a herringbone pattern for optimum grip. You will also want to find a balance between a speed and durability shoe - as the game involves mainly short explosive movements both forwards and backwards.
Is there anything else I need to complete my Padel tennis kit?
Apart from suitable exercise clothing for that professional player look, complete the aesthetic with style and functionality by keeping all your Padel gear and belongings in a specialised courtside bag. There are a few different compact and versatile options available; a backpack, racket or duffle bag, or even a fashionable tote depending on your personal preferences.
See our shopping guide for Padel tennis below
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Best Padel Racket for Beginners: Nox X-One Evo 2023
A pick-up-and-play option that is easy to get on with and won’t put a big dent in your bank account either, the Nox X-One Evo is big on control, lightweight, comfortable and durable. Players transitioning across from other racket sports will find this a delight to hit with. If you have suffered from tennis elbow in the past, size up with this racket.
Buy now £95.90, Tennis Point
Best Padel Racket for Intermediate: Babolat Veron Air 2023
For players who are dancing around the mid-level standard, this racket is more forgiving and has impressive firepower down to its EVA foam and dual carbon flex technology. The 3D Spin+ surface gives increased spin potential and control. Babolat’s Veron Air 2023 has excellent balance and manoeuvrability to boot.
Buy now £210.00, Wigmore Sports
Best Padel Racket for Advanced: Wilson Bela Pro v2
A stunning racket in both the looks and performance department, this option was co-designed by Padel legend Fernando Belasteguin. Best placed in the hands of a seasoned, advanced player, this is a premium price tag choice with a wider sweet spot which boosts power and accuracy upon impact.
Buy now £325.00, Wilson
Best Padel Shoes: New Balance 796v4
Looking for something that is not only light, quick and supportive with decent shock absorption for under £100? These hit every nail on the head and are high in performance and durability. Some players may feel the need for an orthotic insert, which we would recommend for extra support. A women’s version is available in a selection of three colourful hues for £80.
Buy now £85.00, New Balance
Best Padel Shoes: Nox ML10 Hexa
If you know Padel, you would have heard of Nox. The brand’s ML10 Hexa pumps is the shoe of choice for Miguel Lamperti from Argentina, a Top 25 player on the World Padel Tour. Lab tested and certified by INESCOP Footwear Technology Centre in Spain, these go the extra mile for optimising your performance and minimising the risk of injury.
Buy now £74.99, Tradeinn
Best Padel Shoes: Babolat Jet Premura 2 Juan Lebron
Endorsed by World Number 1 Juan Lebron, Babolat’s Jet Premura 2 have outstanding comfort and ventilation to coincide with their innovative design. The Matryx technology is said to increase flexibility without compromising support. Yes, the price point is high, but it is a high performance champion choice for Padel.
Buy now £134.99, Babolat
Best Padel Bags: Wilson Rak Pak
With three main compartments, you can throw all your gear and up to six bats in this all-encompassing kit bag from Wilson to ensure you look the part whether you’re on or off the Padel court. There is also a handy exterior zipped pocket for personal items. Look at the price tag too, it’s an absolute steal.
Buy now £47.99, Amazon
Esserly Padel Bag
A very elegant option from Sweden, this bag is not a case of style over function. The exterior has a quilted design that is made with a water and tear resistance fabric. The main storage area is 16L so has plenty of room and pockets for extra apparel and small valuables. Plus it comes complete with a shoe bag. You can access your beloved Padel bat from the tailored separate front compartment.
Buy now £119.00, Etsy
Cancha Padel Bag Mini
With the ability to transport a maximum of three Padel rackets and other essentials with its hard-wearing water resistance shell and minimalist look - this is a strong courtside companion. You can also purchase add-ons for The Padel Bag Mini for extra room. Available in four colourways.
Buy now £119.00, Cancha
Best Padel Bags: Babolat RH Performance Backpack
Babolat’s insulated bag has a whopping 51 litre capacity as well as three waterproof storage areas that can carry a maximum of four padel rackets and loads of extra gear. The side pockets are worked in for a tube of balls and a water bottle, while the outer shell is hard-wearing and waterproof. All in all, it’s a highly functional and compact option for the serious player.
Buy now £94.99, Tennis Point
