Padel Equipment Guide for Beginners

New to padel and wondering what gear you actually need before your first session? Here's the short answer: less than you'd think, and none of it needs to be expensive to start.

The Racket

Padel rackets are solid, stringless, and nothing like a tennis racquet. A few things matter for a first racket:

Shape: go round. Padel rackets come in round, teardrop, and diamond shapes. Round rackets have their sweet spot dead center, which makes them the most forgiving option while your technique is still developing. Diamond shapes reward precise, powerful hitting and punish mishits, which is a beginner headache you don't need yet.

Weight: stay light. Beginners are best off in the 345 to 365 gram range, and shouldn't go much above 375g. Lighter rackets are easier on the arm and quicker to react with, which matters a lot when you're still learning to read the wall play.

Core: soft EVA foam. EVA foam absorbs vibration and is gentler on your arm than the stiffer foams used in more advanced, power-oriented rackets. If you've ever dealt with tennis elbow, this matters.

Budget: $80 to $130 gets you a genuinely good beginner racket from a reputable brand, one that'll comfortably last a year or more of casual play. You don't need to spend more than that to start.

The Ball

Padel balls look like tennis balls but aren't the same: they have slightly less internal pressure, which keeps the bounce lower and more controlled for the smaller, walled court. Regular tennis balls bounce too high for padel and will throw off your game. Look for balls explicitly labeled for padel (Head, Wilson, and Dunlop all make well-regarded padel-specific balls).

The Grip

Every racket needs a grip wrapped around the handle, and it's worth paying attention to. Most rackets come with a base grip already on, but the layer that actually matters day to day is the overgrip you wrap on top, and it comes in a few feels:

• Tacky. Slightly sticky to the touch, the most popular choice, gives a connected feel and lets you hold the racket relaxed without it twisting in your hand.
• Dry (absorbent). Built to handle sweat, stays stable even when your hand gets wet, a common choice for players who sweat a lot or play in warmer conditions.
• Cushioned. Softer and thicker, adds comfort and cuts down on vibration, a good option if your arm feels it after a long session.

Grip feel is genuinely personal preference, what feels great to one player feels wrong to another, and overgrips are cheap (a few dollars each). Worth trying a couple of different ones in your first few sessions rather than assuming your first grip is your grip for good.

What Else You Actually Need

• Court shoes with good lateral support. Padel involves a lot of quick side-to-side movement; a shoe built for that (padel or tennis-specific) will serve you better than running shoes.
• A wrist cord. Most rackets come with one, and it's mandatory to wear during play, both for safety and because it's the rule.
• That's genuinely it. No strings to worry about, no bag of specialized gear. Padel has one of the lowest gear barriers of any racket sport.

Renting vs. Buying for Your First Session

If you're brand new, don't buy anything yet. Most clubs, including Emerald, will offer racket and ball rentals so you can try the sport before committing to gear. Figure out if you love it first.

Sources: Best Padel Rackets for Beginners 2026 and the LTA Padel Equipment Guide.