How to choose padel shoes

What shoes do you use to play padel?

First of all, it is important to find a shoe that provides the right grip on the padel court surface. Normally, the surface on a padel court is made of artificial grass with an artificial sand filling.

This means that you need to find a shoe that gives you a firm grip on this kind of surface but at the same time also gives you the ability to slide a bit which is important for this kind of game.

But of course, this is not all you need to take into consideration when buying a new pair of padel shoes and many big brands are now making shoes specifically to play padel in.

Do I really need padel shoes when playing padel?

While you can technically play padel in any type of shoe, we would recommend investing in a pair of shoes specifically designed for the game.

This is because they will provide you with the right grip and support that you need to play your best. Plus, they’ll also help to protect your feet from any potential injuries.

What should I look for when buying padel shoes?

Outsole:

As mentioned before, the outsole of a padel shoe should provide you with the right amount of grip and traction.

There are three different types of soles to choose from.

Herringbone

The herringbone sole pattern is the most common. This type of sole is flat and has the herringbone pattern as you know it from herringbone flooring.

This pattern will give you a great grip on the artificial grass surface and is ideal for playing padel.

It is also able to withstand the wear and tear of playing on a padel court.

Omni

The main difference between the Omni sole and the herringbone sole is that the Omni type of sole has small round dots instead of the herringbone pattern.

These dots will provide you with a little bit more grip than the herringbone and are ideal if you find that you slip a lot when playing on an artificial grass surface.

It is not as durable as the herringbone sole.

Hybrid

Yes, you guessed it, the hybrid sole is a mix of the herringbone and Omni soles.

It has the herringbone pattern in one side of the sole and the omni pattern in the other side of the sole.

This gives you a great grip no matter the surface you are playing on.

The insole of padel shoes

The insole of a padel shoe is just as important as the outsole, and it is important to choose a padel shoe with a good quality insole so that you can avoid any injuries to your feet.

The insole should provide plenty of cushioning and shock absorption.

The Upper of padel shoes

Normally the upper of an padel shoe is made from mesh that is a breathable and flexible material that will allow your feet to stay cool during play.

On some models you will find synthetic leather overlays to add stability to your feet when moving around and doing quick cuts on the court.

Can I use running shoes for padel?

While you can technically use running shoes for padel, we would not recommend it.

This is because they are not designed for the quick movements and stops that are required in padel and they wouldn’t necessarily give you the right grip on the artificial grass surface.

Can I use tennis shoes for padel?

Tennis shoes can be a good option for playing padel as they are designed for quick movements and stopping.

However, they might not provide you with the right grip on the artificial grass surface and they also might not have enough cushioning to protect your feet from impact, so if you are serious about playing padel we would recommend investing in a pair of padel specific shoes.

On the other hand, if you are new to padel and want to check it out before buying new shoes specific for padel, then you are fine using your tennis shoes.

What’s the difference between tennis shoes and padel shoes?

The main difference between tennis shoes and padel shoes is that padel shoes have a more specialized design.

They are designed to provide you with the right grip and support when playing on an artificial grass surface.

Padel shoes also usually have more cushioning than tennis shoes.

Are padel shoes expensive?

Padel shoes can range in price depending on the brand and the model.

However, you don’t need to spend a lot of money on padel shoes to get a good quality pair of shoes.

You can find some great options for under $100.