What to Wear for Padel: Clothes, Shoes, and Kit for Beginners
Padel is part tennis, part squash, and played inside glass walls. Your kit should handle sand, turf, and a lot of laughing.
Theo Marsh7 min read
In This Story
In This Story
Key Takeaways
- Padel shoes or clay-court tennis shoes grip sand-filled turf much better than running shoes.
- Herringbone soles suit sandier courts; omni patterns suit firmer turf.
- Wear quick-dry court clothes with a pocket for a spare ball.
- Clubs usually rent racquets, so shoes are the first thing to buy.
Padel is the fastest-growing racquet sport you may not have tried yet: doubles on a compact court enclosed by glass and mesh walls, underhand serves, and balls that keep coming back off the walls. It is social, easy to start, and surprisingly sweaty. The clothing is familiar — the shoes are where padel gets specific.
Fast answer
Padel or clay-court shoes, breathable court clothes
Most padel courts use artificial turf with sand infill. Shoes with a herringbone or padel-specific sole grip that surface far better than running or indoor shoes.
Shoes: match the sand
Sand-filled turf is slippery under smooth soles and grabby under aggressive studs. Padel shoes typically use a herringbone pattern (similar to clay-court tennis shoes) or a mixed "omni" pattern. Herringbone gives more grip on sandier courts; omni-style soles are often recommended where courts have less sand. Like pickleball shoes, you want a low, stable platform with reinforced sides.
| Compare | Herringbone sole | Omni / mixed sole |
|---|---|---|
| Best on | Sandier turf courts | Courts with less sand |
| Feel | Grippy with controlled slide | Stable, more grip on firm turf |
| Cross-over | Clay-court tennis | Some all-court tennis use |
Swipe sideways to see all columns.
Clothing for the glass box
- Breathable, quick-dry tees or tanks: rallies are long and indoor courts can get warm.
- Shorts or skorts with a ball pocket — the server holds two balls.
- Leggings or tights for cold outdoor courts; they also protect knees if you brush a wall.
- A light layer for between sets and post-match drinks.
What to bring to your first match
- Padel shoes (or clay-court tennis shoes) — many clubs rent racquets, not shoes.
- A borrowed or rented padel racquet; it is solid and perforated, not strung.
- Water, a towel, and a sweatband or cap.
- Eye protection if you are new to fast balls at the net.
Padel style, in short
Padel grew up in Spain and Latin America, and its look is a little sharper than pickleball's — fitted polos, short shorts, bright shoes, and clean court whites with color. If you already own tennis kit, you are set. If you are building from scratch, the skort vs shorts vs leggings guide covers the bottoms question.
First time on court? Learn the walls and the serve in how to play padel. Still deciding which court sport to commit to? Read pickleball vs padel vs tennis.
Frequently Asked
Can I wear tennis shoes for padel?
Clay-court tennis shoes with a herringbone sole are a good substitute. Hard-court tennis shoes can feel slippery on sand-filled turf.
Can I play padel in running shoes?
It is not recommended. Running shoes lack lateral support and their soles are not designed for sandy turf, which increases slip and ankle-roll risk.
What do you wear to padel for the first time?
Comfortable athletic clothes, shorts or a skort with a pocket, and the best court shoes you have. Rent a racquet at the club and bring water.
Is padel harder than pickleball?
Padel usually has a slightly steeper learning curve because of wall play, but most beginners still have fun rallies in their first session.
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