Padel Equipment Guide: What You Need to Start Playing

Padel requires very little equipment to begin, which is one of the reasons the sport is so accessible. Clubs supply the balls and hire out paddles. The courts are managed by the venue. All a beginner truly needs on day one is appropriate footwear. This guide explains what each piece of equipment does, what to buy first, what to skip for now, and how much to budget at each stage of your padel journey.

For a broader introduction to getting started — including finding a club, what to expect from a first session, and how to improve — see the complete beginner's guide to getting started with padel.

The paddle

The most important piece of padel equipment is the paddle (sometimes called a racket, though technically incorrect — there are no strings). Understanding the basics of paddle design helps you hire the right one and, eventually, buy the right one.

Shape

Paddle shape is the first and most important variable. There are three main shapes:

Round paddles have the widest, most central sweet spot. Mishits stay on the face rather than flying sideways, which makes them the most forgiving for beginners — and almost always the right choice on day one. Teardrop (or hybrid) paddles shift the sweet spot slightly higher, splitting the difference between control and power; most intermediate players end up here. Diamond paddles concentrate the sweet spot at the very top of the face for maximum power — punishing on off-centre contact and built for advanced or professional players, not beginners.

As a beginner, hire a round paddle and do not overthink it.

Weight

Paddles typically run between 340g and 390g. For beginners, 355 to 375g is a sensible range — light enough to manoeuvre quickly, heavy enough to feel stable on contact. Paddles under 340g can feel hollow and give poor feedback; paddles over 385g can cause arm fatigue if your technique is still developing.

Core material

The foam inside the paddle determines how the ball feels on contact. EVA foam (ethylene-vinyl acetate) is the standard: firm, durable, and consistent in feedback. Memory foam cores are softer and more comfortable on the arm — common in beginner and control paddles. For a first paddle, either works well. Avoid paddles with very hard foam cores (sometimes called "HR3" cores in carbon paddles), which amplify vibration and are uncomfortable for beginners.

Face material

The outer face of the paddle affects durability, spin potential, and price. Fibreglass faces are standard in beginner and mid-range paddles: durable, slightly textured for spin, and gentle on the arm. Carbon fibre faces are stiffer and faster, with more spin potential — but harsher on the arm, and they appear mostly in paddles above £120. Begin with fibreglass.

What to spend

Our best padel rackets guide covers specific models at every price point. In broad terms: under £50 buys functional first paddles from Head, Bullpadel, and Nox — adequate for a first year of casual play. The £50 to £100 range offers better materials, a more refined feel, and longer lifespan; worth the extra if you are sure you will play regularly. Most serious club players end up in the £100 to £160 bracket, where carbon-fibreglass hybrid faces and better balance produce a noticeably improved feel. Over £160 is the professional and premium tier — unnecessary until you are playing at a high competitive level.

Balls

You never need to buy padel balls for club play. Every padel club supplies balls for all sessions, whether it is a coached beginner session or an open court hire. Balls are not something you bring to the club; they are part of the venue's equipment.

If you want to practise serves or volleys outside of a club session — in a park, against a wall, or in a multi-use games area — buying a tube of padel balls makes sense. A can of three balls costs approximately £4 to £8 from Amazon.co.uk or a sports retailer. Popular brands include Head, Wilson, Dunlop, and Babolat. All padel balls sold in the UK meet ITF padel specifications.

Avoid using tennis balls for padel practice. They are higher-pressured and produce a different bounce — fine for loose hitting but misleading as preparation for padel.

Footwear

Footwear is the one thing beginners genuinely do need to think about before their first session. The wrong shoes do not just feel uncomfortable — they can affect your movement and increase the risk of ankle rolls on the artificial grass surface.

What the surface is like

Padel courts use artificial grass with sand infill — the same surface as a 3G football pitch, but shorter pile and more densely packed. The surface provides moderate grip, and the sand makes it slightly loose underfoot compared to a hard court. The main demand on footwear is lateral stability: padel involves a lot of side-to-side movement, lunges, and sharp direction changes.

What works

Padel shoes are the best choice for regular play. They feature a herringbone outsole designed to grip artificial grass, low-profile lateral support for stability, and often padded ankle collars to reduce the risk of rolling. Expect to pay £50 to £100 from brands like Bullpadel, Head, Babolat, or Wilson — worth buying once you are playing weekly.

Tennis shoes, particularly clay-court models with a herringbone outsole, work well as a starting point. If you already own a pair, use them. Squash and badminton shoes work on indoor courts but can be slippery on outdoor artificial grass. Running shoes are the least suitable option — thick, cushioned midsoles reduce ground feel and lateral stability. Football boots and studded footwear are not permitted on padel courts.

Clothing

There are no clothing requirements specific to padel. Any comfortable sports kit is appropriate: breathable shorts or leggings, a t-shirt or polo shirt, and whatever you would wear to any other racket sport. In cold British weather, a lightweight base layer or tracksuit works well on outdoor covered courts.

As you play more regularly, you may notice other players wearing padel-branded clothing from brands like Bullpadel, Nox, or Head. This is entirely optional — the clothing looks good but offers no performance advantage over standard sportswear.

Wristbands and overgrips are worth considering once you are playing regularly. Sweat on the paddle handle affects grip and shot control. An overgrip — a thin adhesive tape that wraps around the handle — costs approximately £1 to £3 and is replaced every few sessions. Wristbands stop sweat running down your arm onto the handle. Both are inexpensive and make a real difference in longer sessions.

Bags

Any bag that fits your paddle is adequate for beginner and casual club players. A standard rucksack or sports holdall works fine.

Dedicated padel bags offer useful features for regular players: a rigid or semi-rigid paddle section that protects the frame, a thermal compartment that keeps balls at the right pressure in cold weather, a ventilated shoe pocket, and separate wet/dry sections. Expect to pay £30 to £70 for a practical padel bag from major brands.

Paddle protection is worth thinking about once you own your own paddle. Even a simple paddle cover (usually included when you buy a paddle) protects the frame and face from scratches during transport. Padel court glass and concrete edges are unforgiving on unprotected carbon faces.

Accessories worth having (eventually)

Once you are playing regularly, a few small accessories improve the experience:

Overgrip tape is cheap, easy to change, and makes a real difference to handle feel as sessions get longer.

A vibration dampener is a small rubber insert that fits into the handle or frame of some paddles to reduce the sting on off-centre shots. Worth trying if you feel elbow discomfort after playing.

Eye protection is worth thinking about for players with glasses or reduced vision in one eye. Padel balls travel fast in an enclosed court, and the Royal College of Ophthalmologists recommends eye protection for squash — the same logic applies here. Most recreational players go without, but it is not a bad idea.

A rosin bag or grip spray improves handle traction in hot or humid conditions. A minor detail, but useful in summer outdoor play.

Equipment summary by stage

The padel for beginners guide covers what to expect at your first session, including what clubs typically supply, so you know exactly what to bring on the day. When you are ready to search for courts, the UK padel court directory covers venues across the country with booking links.