The Complete Padel Equipment Guide

The padel equipment market has grown almost as fast as the sport itself. This guide covers what you actually need, what to look for, and how much to spend at each stage. All prices in GBP.

The short version: you need a racket, padel-appropriate shoes, and balls. Everything else is optional.

Padel Rackets

A padel racket is solid — no strings. Three primary shapes:

• Round: Large sweet spot, forgiving, ideal for beginners.
• Diamond: Smaller sweet spot positioned high — more power, for advanced players only.
• Teardrop: Middle ground. Popular with intermediate players.

What to Buy at Each Level

• Beginner (£65–£120): Round shape, fibreglass face. Wilson, Bullpadel Indiga, Head Delta are all solid choices.
• Intermediate (£130–£200): Teardrop, carbon fibre. Bullpadel Hack, Nox ML10, Adidas Adipower.
• Advanced (£200–£400+): Nox AT10 Genius, Bullpadel Vertex, Adidas Metalbone.

Padel Shoes

Do not underestimate shoes. Padel involves frequent lateral cuts and sudden direction changes — running shoes lack the grip and lateral support needed. Look for: artificial grass sole pattern, lateral support in the upper, reinforced toe cap. Expect to spend £60–£150. Bullpadel, Adidas Barricade, Head, NOX, and Babolat all make padel-specific options.

Padel Balls

Padel balls are slightly less pressurised than tennis balls. Always use padel-specific balls. A tube of three costs £5–9. Head, Bullpadel, Wilson, and NOX are all widely available in the UK.

Bags & Accessories

A padel backpack (£20–£80) is the most practical choice. Overgrips (£3–6 per three-pack) extend grip life. Gloves are useful for outdoor court play in British winters.

What to Buy First

1. Shoes first — borrow a racket for your first sessions.
2. A round beginner racket once you know you're hooked (£80–£120).
3. A tube of balls if the venue doesn't provide them.
4. Bags and accessories when you feel the need.