Padel Equipment Guide

Unlike tennis, padel rackets are solid— no strings. The face is made from fibreglass or carbon fibre with a pattern of drilled holes, and the internal core is foam (EVA or rubber foam). Rackets are between 45 and 47 cm long and weigh 330–395 g.

Three shapes dominate the market, each with a different sweet spot location and performance profile:

Padel balls look almost identical to tennis balls but have lower internal pressure (4.6–5.2 kg/cm² vs 6.0+ for tennis). This makes them slower and easier to control, which suits the enclosed glass court environment. They are sold in tubes of three.

FIP-approved balls carry a certification mark on the tube. Common brands include Head, Wilson, Dunlop, and Bullpadel. A tube costs £5–£9 / €6–€10 and typically lasts 3–5 sessions at recreational pace. Competition players often use fresh balls every session.

There are also high-altitude ballsdesigned for venues above 500–600 m above sea level. Standard balls bounce too high at altitude — if your club is in the mountains, check which variant they stock.

Padel courts use artificial grass or porous concrete, and padel shoes are engineered for these surfaces. The key feature is a herringbone or conical stud solethat grips the artificial turf without sinking in. This provides the lateral stability padel's quick direction changes demand.

Clay court tennis shoesare a perfectly acceptable alternative — the sole pattern and lateral support are similar. What you must avoid are running trainers or gym shoes: their rounded soles cause slipping on turf and increase the risk of ankle sprains.

Budget £50–£120 / €60–€140 for a good pair. Brands with strong padel-specific ranges include Asics, K-Swiss, Head, Wilson, Adidas, and Nike. If you play twice a week, expect to replace shoes every 12–18 months.

Protective eyewear is strongly recommended for all padel players and is mandatory in many junior, amateur, and club competition categories. The enclosed glass court creates angles where a ball can reach you before you see it coming — especially from rebounds off the back and side walls.

Padel-specific glasses are designed with a wrap-around frame that stays on during intense movement, and use polycarbonate lenses rated to withstand ball impact. Regular sunglasses or prescription frames are not a safe substitute. Brands like Adidas Eyewear, Bollé, Head, and NOX make dedicated padel eyewear lines starting around £25–£50 / €30–€60.