Padel equipment comes down to three items: racket, ball and shoes. Clothing and accessories are the rest. On your first visit almost every club rents rackets and balls, so there is no rush — but once you play regularly, the right gear protects both your game and your joints.
A padel racket is a completely different tool from a tennis racket: no strings, a perforated body, and a wrist strap that must always be used. The core is EVA foam and the faces are made from materials such as fibreglass or carbon. Those three elements — shape, weight and face material — define the racket's character.
There are three shapes:
• Round: the sweet spot sits in the centre and is wide. Control-oriented with a large margin for error — the right choice for beginners.
• Teardrop: a balanced profile between control and power; the pick for players replacing their first racket.
• Diamond: the sweet spot is high and narrow, producing power. It does not forgive technical mistakes and is meant for advanced players.
Weight usually falls between 350 and 375 grams. Lighter rackets are easier to manoeuvre and kinder to the shoulder; heavier ones generate more power per shot but tire your arm over a long match. Staying light at the start (350-360 grams) is a real advantage for serving and net play. Check grip size too: a grip that is too thick distorts the wrist angle and invites tennis elbow.
Padel balls look like tennis balls but are produced with lower pressure for padel courts. A new ball bounces more, a used ball behaves more predictably. Tubes usually hold three balls and should be replaced after roughly three to five games at amateur level; a ball that has lost pressure rebounds slowly off the wall and ruins the rhythm. Buying tubes rather than buckets is both cheaper and more practical.
Shoes are the most critical injury-prevention item in padel. The sport is constant lateral movement, sharp turns and short sprints, and running shoes cannot handle that load because they offer no lateral support. The usual result is a rolled ankle. Buy padel or tennis shoes and match the sole to the surface:
• Artificial turf with sand: a herringbone sole gives grip in the sand.
• Concrete: a mixed sole with broader ground contact suits it better.
• On both surfaces, choose a non-marking sole; some clubs require it.
There is no dress code for clothing; breathable sportswear is enough. A few accessories, however, clearly improve the session:
• Overgrip: absorbs sweat on the handle and prevents slipping; replace it every few games.
• Wristband and towel: a big difference in summer and on indoor courts.
• Glasses: protection when the ball comes at your eyes in fast net play; some clubs recommend them for beginners.
• Water bottle and a small bag: short breaks to drink are normal during a match.
How should you plan your first purchases? The sensible order is shoes, overgrip, racket, balls. Shoes are mandatory and directly reduce injury risk. For the racket, playing your first five to ten sessions with club rentals is the cheapest way to learn which weight and shape suit you. Balls are the fastest to wear out and the most frequently replaced item; sharing the cost with your regular group beats buying a tube before every match.
One last warning about gear: an expensive racket does not make you a good player. Padel is decided by positioning, reading the ball off the walls and applying pressure at the net. At beginner level, a round, light racket with a fibreglass face combined with proper shoes and a regular playing habit will develop your game more than the most expensive diamond model.
Your equipment needs also become clearer as you play: how many hours you get in, which slots you can actually book, and who you get matched with all shape your habits. The CourtON mobile app brings court finding, open matches and match history together, so you can plan gear and progress against your real playing data.