SportsPedia / Padel explained
Padel Equipment: What You Need
Start with the essentials and a comfortable setup. Hiring a racket can help you learn what you like before buying one.
The first-session checklist
| Item | What to arrange |
|---|---|
| Padel racket | Ask whether the venue hires rackets and which beginner options are available. |
| Wrist strap | Use the racket’s attached safety cord around your wrist during play. |
| Padel balls | Confirm whether the booking includes balls or you need to bring a tube. |
| Court footwear | Ask which footwear suits the venue’s surface and permitted use. |
| Sports clothing and water | Choose clothes that allow movement; bring water for breaks. |
Understanding the racket
A padel racket has a solid, perforated hitting face rather than strings. Its weight, balance, shape and surface affect how it feels through a swing. The FIP maximum dimensions are 45.5 cm overall length, 26 cm width and 38 mm thickness, subject to the specified thickness tolerance.
Round and teardrop shapes are common starting options in the LTA’s guide. Treat shape labels as a starting point for comparison. Two rackets of the same shape can feel different because the weight, balance and core differ.
If you can, try a hire or demonstration racket for controlled rallies before deciding. Notice whether you can prepare it comfortably on both sides, keep a secure grip and repeatedly meet the ball cleanly. A larger price tag does not answer those questions.
The wrist strap is compulsory
FIP requires a non-elastic safety cord attached to the handle and worn around the wrist. An overgrip improves the handle surface; it does not replace the strap. Check the cord and attachment before play. A broken cord or dropped racket during a point loses that point under the 2026 rules.
Use balls made for padel
Padel balls resemble tennis balls but have a different playing specification. Their pressure and bounce help shape the enclosed-court game. Use balls labelled for padel rather than assuming a tennis tube is equivalent.
Check what the venue supplies before buying. For an introductory session, having the correct balls and a reliable bounce matters more than adding accessories.
Shoes and clothing
Padel involves changes of direction rather than only straight-line running. Court footwear should suit the playing surface, allow secure movement and comply with the venue’s requirements. The LTA’s footwear guide discusses padel and clay-court tennis shoes as options; ask the venue about its particular surface.
Comfortable sports clothing, usable pockets and a small towel can make a session simpler. A racket cover or bag is useful for carrying equipment, but it is not a rule requirement.
Before buying your own kit
- Confirm what is included in your first booking.
- Try the racket over a session rather than judging only a few swings.
- Check comfort, grip and the attached safety strap.
- Replace or add items to solve a specific need, such as worn grip or unsuitable footwear.
Once your equipment is arranged, the beginner guide provides a practical route into your first rallies.
Sources and review
Reviewed 26 October 2026. Standard doubles padel; FIP Rules of Padel effective 1 January 2026. Competition formats can vary. Practical exercises are introductory suggestions, not additional rules.