Padel racket and shoes - what to choose when you're starting out

The first question after your third or fourth visit to the court is usually the same: buy your own racket or keep renting? The answer isn't obvious, because padel gear is chosen differently from tennis gear. Below is everything you need to know before you spend your first money.

Do you even need your own gear to get started?

No. And that's the honest answer, even though shops will tell you otherwise.

For your first few visits, a rental racket is a better choice than your own. The reason is simple: you don't yet know how you play. You don't know whether you prefer calm volleys at the net or big swings from the back of the court. A racket bought in the first week very often turns out to be the wrong one by the second month.

The right time for your own gear is when you're playing regularly - say once a week for a month - and you start noticing that one rental racket feels better in your hand than another. That's a sign you now have something to compare.

Racket: shape is everything

Padel rackets have no strings. They're a solid foam core wrapped in fiber, with holes. It looks simple, but the differences between models are significant and come mainly from the shape, because that's what determines where the sweet spot sits.

Three racket shapes and what they mean for you

Shape	Sweet spot	Who it's for
Round	Low, in the center of the head	Beginners. Most forgiving of off-center hits
Teardrop	Center of the head	Intermediate players who want control and a bit of power
Diamond	High, near the edge	Advanced. Lots of power, but far less forgiving

If you're just starting, go round. Not because it's worse - because it has the widest area where the ball goes where you want it to. With a diamond, every hit a few centimeters off the sweet spot ends with the ball landing somewhere you didn't plan, and a jolt in your wrist.

Weight and stiffness: two numbers worth checking

Weight. Padel rackets weigh roughly 350 to 385 grams. A lighter one reacts faster at the net and puts less strain on your elbow. A heavier one gives more power on shots from the back of the court. To start, look for something around 355-365 grams.

Foam stiffness. Soft foam holds the ball longer and gives more control; hard foam sends it back faster. Manufacturers label this in different ways - soft, medium, hard - but the rule is simple: the fewer years you've been playing, the more a soft foam will help you. Hard foam requires your own arm speed to get anything out of it.

There's one more argument for soft foam that people mention less often. A hard racket transmits more vibration to the forearm, and tennis elbow happens in padel more often than you might think.

Shoes: where beginners cut corners most often

And they usually regret it. The racket affects how you play. Shoes affect whether you finish the match at all.

Padel is a game of short, explosive bursts: two steps sideways, stop, turn, two steps forward. Running shoes have a sole designed for movement in a single plane, and on a sudden sideways move your foot slips out of control. That's where most ankle sprains on court come from.

Look for shoes with an omni sole - the one with dense, small nubs in a herringbone-like pattern. It grips on artificial turf and lets you slide in a controlled way instead of locking your foot in place. Good clay-court tennis shoes will work almost as well.

Balls, edge guard and the other small stuff

Balls. They look like tennis balls, but they have lower pressure and bounce less. Regular tennis balls can't really be used - they fly too fast and too high. A can of padel balls lasts for several recreational games, although pros change them every match.

Wrist strap. Not decoration, but a rule requirement at most venues. A racket that flies out of your hand mid-swing on an enclosed court has nowhere to go except your partner.

Overgrip. A thin wrap for the handle that costs a few zlotys. It changes your grip more than many pricier pieces of gear, and it wears out every dozen or so hours of play.

Edge guard. Usually included. It's worth replacing, because it takes the contact with the wall and the floor - and it's only a matter of time before you clip the glass for the first time.

What it costs to get started

A sensible setup for someone who plays once a week costs about as much as a few court rentals. A mid-range racket will last two or three seasons of recreational play. There's no point buying a top-tier league model - it's gear designed for technique you don't have yet, and for the first few months it will only get in your way.

The opposite is true too: a supermarket racket for thirty-odd zlotys is a piece of plastic that will put you off the game faster than you can learn to serve.

Quick answers to common questions

Can you use a tennis racket for padel? No. It's longer, it has strings, and on an enclosed court it simply won't work. The rules don't allow it either.

How long does a racket last? Playing once a week - two to three seasons. The foam hardens over time and the racket loses its responsiveness, even if it looks brand new.

Do I need sportswear? A regular T-shirt and shorts are enough. The only thing that really matters is your shoes.

Can you play padel with glasses on? Yes, plenty of players do. Consider a strap, because glasses can slide off your nose during quick turns.

Rent before you buy

The cheapest way to make the right purchase is to test a few rackets on court. At our club in Warsaw, it costs you nothing extra. You can take any racket from our partner for a test - on Intro Padel with a coach and at court rental. An hour of play will tell you more about a racket than any spec table, including the one above.

If you're still wondering what the game is all about, start with our article on padel rules for beginners. And when you're ready to step onto the court, leave us your number - we'll fit you with gear on site.