Padel equipment: what you need
By the Finding Padel team · Updated 30 October 2026
To play padel you need a padel racket, padel balls, court shoes with good grip and comfortable sports clothes. Many clubs rent rackets, so for your first game you may only need shoes and a water bottle. A padel racket is solid and perforated with no strings, and no longer than 45.5 cm.
The padel racket
A padel racket (sometimes called a pala) looks nothing like a tennis racket.
- Solid, not strung. A solid face with holes drilled through it.
- Short. No longer than 45.5 cm in total, no wider than 26 cm and no thicker than 38 mm.
- Perforated. The holes in the centre are 9 to 13 mm across.
- Wrist cord. Every racket has a cord that goes around your wrist. Wearing it is compulsory under the rules.
Which racket shape suits a beginner?
Padel rackets come in three broad head shapes:
| Shape | Feel | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Round | Sweet spot near the centre, easy to control | Beginners and control players |
| Teardrop | A balance of control and power | Improvers and all-rounders |
| Diamond | Sweet spot higher up the head, more power | Experienced, attacking players |
| If you are starting out, choose a round racket. It is the most forgiving. |
Should you buy or rent?
Rent for your first few sessions, try a couple of shapes, then buy. Most clubs have rackets to hire, but check with the club before you go. You can find contact details on every club page.
Padel balls
A padel ball looks a lot like a tennis ball, but use balls made for padel. Under the rules, a padel ball is a rubber ball 6.35 to 6.77 cm across, weighing 56 to 59.4 g, that bounces 135 to 145 cm when dropped from 2.54 m. Competition balls must be FIP approved. Balls lose their bounce over time, so many players open a fresh tube for each game.
Shoes
Shoes matter more than you think. Padel is all short sprints, sudden stops and side steps.
- Wear court shoes, not running shoes. Running shoes are built for forward motion and give little side support.
- Match the sole to the surface. Many courts are artificial grass with sand. A padel shoe or a clay court tennis shoe with a herringbone sole grips well on it.
- Look for side support and a cushioned heel.
What to wear
Comfortable sports clothes that you can move in. The rules only ask for suitable sports clothing and footwear in competition, and rule out swimwear. Indoors or out, bring a towel and plenty of water.
Your first-game kit list
- Court shoes
- Comfortable sports clothes
- Water bottle and a towel
- A padel racket (or book a rental)
- A tube of padel balls (ask if the club supplies them)
- A cap and sunscreen for outdoor courts
Ready? Read your first padel game.
Where to play padel near you
Club details last checked 30 Oct 2026.
Quick answers
Can you play padel with a tennis racket?
No. Padel needs a solid, stringless padel racket of the right size.
Can you use tennis balls for padel?
Use padel balls. They are made to the padel specification and behave as players expect off the glass.
How long is a padel racket?
No more than 45.5 cm, including the handle.
Sources
International Padel Federation, Rules of Padel (applies from 1 January 2026), The Ball, The Padel Racket and Attire.
Keep reading
Everything you need for your first game of padel: how to book a court, find three other players, what to bring and wear, how to warm up and the court etiquette regulars expect.
Padel vs tennis: court size, walls, rackets, the underarm serve and scoring compared. What carries over from tennis, what does not, and tips for tennis players trying padel.
Learn how to play padel in ten minutes: the serve, the one-bounce rule, playing off the walls, where to stand with your partner and the shots to learn first.