The short list
The honest answer to "what do I need for padel?" is: very little. To play, you need a padel racket, padel balls, court shoes and comfortable clothing. That is the whole list — and for your very first session you may not even need the racket or balls, because most clubs hire rackets and sell balls at the desk.
The racket (or "pala")
A padel racket is solid — no strings — with a foam core and a face full of small holes. They come in three shapes, and the shape tells you who the racket is for:
- Round — the sweet spot is large and sits in the centre of the head. The most control and the most forgiving on mishits. The right choice for almost every beginner.
- Teardrop — a balance of control and power. A good "second racket" once you have improved.
- Diamond — power-focused, with the sweet spot high on the head. Demanding to use, and best left to advanced players.
Most rackets weigh around 360 to 365 grams. As a beginner, look for a round shape, a soft core (more comfortable and kinder on your arm) and a weight at the lighter end of the range.
Balls
Padel balls look almost identical to tennis balls and are only slightly lower in pressure. Any padel-specific ball is fine when you are starting out. Buy a fresh tube once they start to lose their bounce.
Shoes
After the racket, shoes are the most important piece of kit — padel involves quick sideways steps, and good shoes give you grip and support. Clean trainers will do for your first few games. If you play on outdoor artificial grass, shoes with an "omni" or herringbone sole grip best.
Clothing
Anything you would wear to the gym: breathable, and easy to move in. Many players add a wristband — padel is sweatier than it looks.
What you can skip for now
Overgrips, a dedicated racket bag, a second racket, branded apparel — all nice to have later, none of them necessary to start. Spend on a decent first racket and good shoes; ignore the rest until you are hooked.
When you are ready to buy
Once you have played a few times and know padel is for you, a racket of your own makes a real difference. Every PadelClub racket is chosen for control and forgiveness — the two things that matter most while you are learning — and the racket finder quiz will point you to the right one.