And you don't necessarily need to buy everything straight away. Most padel clubs hire rackets and sell balls, meaning you can try the sport before investing in your own gear.
With more than one million people now playing padel in Britain, according to the LTA, it's easier than ever to find a court and give it a go. Whether you're completely new to padel or looking to put together your first proper padel kit, here's everything you actually need.
CHF 245
For your first game, you need:
The racket is the most obvious piece of padel equipment, but choosing one can feel surprisingly complicated when you're starting out.
Unlike a tennis racket, a padel racket is solid, perforated and has no strings. It has a foam core and a wrist strap, and is designed specifically for the shorter movements and enclosed court of padel.
For beginners, a round-shaped racket with a softer core is generally the best place to start. The round shape gives you a larger sweet spot, making it more forgiving when your technique isn't quite there yet.
You'll also see teardrop and diamond-shaped rackets. These tend to offer more power and are often favoured by more experienced players, but they can be less forgiving. When you're learning the basics, control is more useful than maximum power.
If you're wondering what padel racket should I buy?, don't feel pressured to spend a lot.
Hire a racket for your first two or three sessions and make sure you actually enjoy the game before buying one. When you're ready, look for a lightweight, round beginner racket with a soft core and a comfortable grip.
You don't need professional-level equipment to play well. In fact, a forgiving racket can help you develop your technique without making every off-centre shot feel like a disaster.
Padel balls look very similar to tennis balls, but they're designed specifically for the sport.
They are slightly smaller and have lower internal pressure than standard tennis balls, which helps produce the pace and bounce suited to padel's enclosed court.
Balls are generally sold in pressurised tubes of three. They don't last forever. As they lose pressure, you'll notice the bounce and feel of the ball change, so regular players will want to replace them periodically.
For beginners, there's no need to buy a large supply. Most clubs sell balls at reception, so you can simply pick up a fresh tube when you need one.
Once you're playing regularly, keeping a tube in your bag is worthwhile. It means you're ready to play whether or not the club has a convenient supply available.
If there's one part of your padel kit worth prioritising, it's your footwear.
Padel is played on artificial grass covered with a layer of sand, and the game involves plenty of quick lateral movements, changes of direction and short bursts of acceleration.
That's why court shoes are a better choice than running shoes.
Running shoes are primarily designed for forward movement. They don't provide the same level of lateral support or the type of grip required for moving around a padel court.
A clay-court tennis shoe with a herringbone-style sole is a good option. Look for:
You don't necessarily need a shoe specifically branded as a "padel shoe". A suitable tennis court shoe can work well too.
For your first session, you may be able to get away with standard trainers depending on the club and surface. But if you know you're going to keep playing, proper court shoes are one of the first upgrades worth making.
CHF 245
Your usual gym or tennis kit will work perfectly well. Choose breathable, moisture-wicking clothing that gives you plenty of freedom of movement.
A basic padel outfit might include:
One small consideration is pockets. Having somewhere to keep a spare ball while serving is useful, particularly once you get used to the rhythm of the game.
For outdoor courts, it's also worth checking the weather before you leave. A lightweight layer that can go into your bag is useful when temperatures drop or conditions change.
You don't need many accessories to start playing, but a few inexpensive additions can make your setup more comfortable.
A padel overgrip wraps around the existing handle grip to give you a more secure hold and absorb sweat.
Over time, your original grip will wear down, particularly if you play regularly. An overgrip is an inexpensive way to refresh the handle without replacing the racket.
It can also change the thickness and feel of the handle, so you can experiment with what feels most comfortable in your hand.
You don't need one for your first game, but it's one of those small pieces of padel kit you'll probably appreciate once you start playing regularly.
Padel is fast-paced, so staying hydrated matters. Keep a reusable water bottle in your kit bag so you can easily drink between games.
Wristbands aren't essential, but they can be useful for managing sweat during longer sessions.
A small towel is another worthwhile addition, particularly if you're playing outdoors or heading somewhere straight after your game.
None of these accessories are essential on day one. Start with the basics and add what you find useful as you play more.
Once you've accumulated a racket, balls, court shoes, spare clothes, and a water bottle, carrying everything in your hands becomes less appealing.
A good padel bag should do more than hold your equipment. Ideally, it should keep your clean clothes separate from sandy or sweaty kit, protect your racket, and make the journey to and from the court straightforward.
For beginners, a versatile duffel or backpack can be more useful than a specialist racket bag. You don't need a six-racket compartment or a bag designed for tournament days if you're playing a couple of times a week.
CHF 245
A practical padel bag should have:
The Stubble & Co Kit Bag is designed around exactly this kind of flexible setup. It converts between a duffel and backpack, giving you different ways to carry it depending on the journey.
There's a separate shoe and worn-gear pocket for keeping sandy court shoes away from the rest of your kit, while an internal water bottle pocket keeps hydration within easy reach. There's also enough space for a racket, clothing, and your other essentials.
Made from durable recycled materials with water-resistant zips, it's designed to handle more than just trips to the padel court. Available in 30L and 40L sizes, it can also work as a weekend or travel bag when you're not playing.
You can get started with the cost of a court booking, hiring a racket, and buying a tube of balls. According to the LTA, an average off-peak court booking costs around £7 per person per hour.
If you decide to buy your own equipment, a basic setup of a beginner racket, balls, and court shoes will typically cost around £80 to £150, depending on the equipment you choose. A suitable bag will add to that total.
There's no reason to buy everything at once. Hire a racket first, use the sportswear, and trainers you already own, and see how much you enjoy the sport.
Then upgrade the things you'll use most.
It's easy to get carried away when you start a new sport. There is plenty of specialist equipment available, but most of it isn't necessary for your first few games.
You can safely skip:
A second racket: One racket is plenty when you're starting.
A professional racket: You don't need a top-end, power-focused racket while you're learning the basics.
A large tournament racket bag: Unless you're carrying several rackets and lots of equipment, you probably don't need one.
Lots of spare balls: One tube is enough to get started.
Specialist clothing: Your existing gym or tennis kit will do the job.
Every accessory going: Overgrips, wristbands, and towels are useful, but none are essential for your first game.
The best approach is to start simple. Spend your money on the things that genuinely affect how you play, particularly a forgiving racket and suitable court shoes. Everything else can come later.
If you're putting together your first padel kit, here's the short version:
You need a padel racket, padel balls, suitable court shoes, and comfortable sportswear. A water bottle and bag are also useful. Most clubs hire rackets and sell balls, so beginners can try the sport without buying a complete set of equipment.
Court shoes are strongly recommended over running shoes. Padel involves frequent side-to-side movement and changes of direction on a sand-dressed artificial grass surface, so you need good grip and lateral support. A clay-court tennis shoe can be a suitable alternative to a dedicated padel shoe.
A round-shaped racket with a soft core and relatively light weight is a good choice for beginners. The larger sweet spot makes it more forgiving than a diamond-shaped, top-heavy racket. It's also worth hiring a racket for your first few sessions before buying your own.
No. Padel rackets are specifically designed for the sport. They are solid, perforated, and strung-free, with a shorter profile than a tennis racket. A tennis racket is not a legal substitute for a padel racket.
You can start playing for the cost of a court booking by hiring a racket and buying a tube of balls. A basic setup of a beginner racket, balls, and court shoes typically costs around £80 to £150, with a bag costing extra depending on what you choose.
Not for your first game. Most clubs sell balls, so you can buy them when you arrive. Once you start playing regularly, keeping a fresh tube of three in your bag is useful because pressurised balls gradually lose their bounce.
Yes. Padel is relatively easy to pick up because you can start playing rallies without needing advanced technique. The smaller court and use of the glass also make it a social, accessible sport for new players. As with any racket sport, your technique, and understanding of positioning will improve with practice.
