Quick answer: To start playing padel you need a padel racket, a tube of padel balls and a pair of court shoes with a padel or clay-style outsole. An overgrip, a bag and breathable sportswear make life easier; eyewear is optional. A sensible starter set costs roughly £130 to £170, and an improver set roughly £250 to £350.
Most UK clubs will lend you a racket for your first session, but once you are booking courts every week it is worth owning your own padel equipment. This checklist covers every item, what to spend and where it is worth paying more.
The padel equipment checklist
- Padel racket (essential)
- Padel balls (essential)
- Padel or court shoes (essential)
- Overgrips (strongly recommended)
- Bag or backpack (recommended)
- Clothing (whatever you move well in, ideally technical fabric)
- Eyewear (optional)
Padel racket: the one item to get right
Your racket shapes how the game feels. For your first one, look for a round or hybrid shape, a soft EVA or foam core and a weight around 345 to 365g. These rackets are forgiving and easy on the arm. Leave diamond-shaped, head-heavy power rackets until your technique is consistent.
A good starting point is the Adidas Match Light 2026 (£49.49 at time of writing), a round/hybrid racket with a soft EVA core. If you want racket and balls in one box, the Wilson Optix XP Padel Kit Box (£62.99) includes a round-head racket and a can of three balls. For more depth, see how to choose a padel racket and our racket shapes explained guide. Browse all padel rackets.
Padel balls
Buy padel balls, not tennis balls. They are lower pressure and bounce correctly off the glass. One tube of three covers a session for four players, and a fresh tube makes a noticeable difference. Our guide are padel balls the same as tennis balls? explains the difference. For our recommended tubes, see the best padel balls in the UK for 2026. Shop padel balls.
Padel shoes
Padel is full of short sprints, stops and lateral movement on artificial grass with sand. Running shoes slip and roll; padel shoes use a herringbone or mixed outsole that grips the sand-filled turf. This is the item most beginners skip and most regret skipping. Read best padel shoes UK 2026 or browse padel shoes.
Grips and overgrips
Every padel racket comes with a base grip. An overgrip on top adds tack, soaks up sweat and is cheap to replace when it wears. Most regular players change theirs every few sessions. Our guide to padel grips and overgrips explains when to change them and how to choose. Browse overgrips.
Bag, clothing and eyewear
Bag: a padel backpack with a racket sleeve is enough for most players. A full racket bag makes sense if you carry two rackets, shoes and a change of kit. Our padel bag guide compares the options; shop padel bags.
Clothing: wear breathable sports kit you can move in. A technical T-shirt, shorts or a skirt, and a light layer for outdoor courts in UK weather. Shop padel clothing.
Eyewear: optional. Sports sunglasses help on bright outdoor courts, and some players like protective eyewear when playing at the net. See sunglasses.
Padel equipment budget: starter vs improver
| Item | Starter budget | Improver budget |
|---|---|---|
| Racket | £45 to £65 (round, soft EVA, fibreglass face) | £85 to £160 (hybrid or teardrop, carbon options) |
| Balls | £5 to £7 per tube of three | Several tubes, so a fresh one every match |
| Shoes | £55 to £60 | £75 to £100 |
| Overgrips | £4 to £7 | A multi-pack or tub |
| Bag | £40 backpack | £55 to £80 backpack or racket bag |
| Clothing | £20 T-shirt plus kit you own | £20 to £60 per item |
| Rough total | About £130 to £170 | About £250 to £350 |
Ranges are based on Central Sports prices at time of writing. UK delivery is free on orders over £65.
Top picks from Central Sports
- Wilson Optix XP Padel Kit Box - Red (£62.99 at time of writing): racket plus a can of balls in one box, the simplest way to start.
- Adidas Match Light 2026 Padel Racket - Anthracite/Blue (£49.49 at time of writing): round/hybrid shape, soft EVA core and 345 to 365g, built for new players.
- Wilson Hurakn Lite Padel Shoe Men - Black/Red (£58.50 at time of writing): an affordable dedicated padel shoe for grip on sand-filled turf.
- Adidas Courtquick Padel Shoe Women - White/Silver/Mint (£58.99 at time of writing): a women's padel shoe at a starter price.
- Wilson Bela Padel Backpack - Black (£40.04 at time of writing): a compact padel backpack for racket, balls and kit.
- BullPadel GB-1200 Comfort Padel Overgrips - White, Pack of 3 (£6.50 at time of writing): a cushioned padel overgrip in a pack of three.
FAQs
What equipment do you need for padel?
A padel racket, padel balls and court shoes are the essentials. Add an overgrip, a bag and comfortable sportswear once you play regularly.
Can I use tennis shoes for padel?
Clay-court or all-court tennis shoes with a herringbone sole are acceptable to start, but padel-specific shoes grip the sandy turf better. Avoid running shoes.
How much does it cost to start playing padel?
Expect around £130 to £170 for a starter racket, shoes, balls, overgrips and a backpack, plus court hire. You can start for less by borrowing a club racket for your first few sessions.
Do I need padel-specific clothing?
No. Any breathable sportswear works. Technical fabrics just keep you drier and more comfortable.
New to the game? Start with what is padel and our essential kit guide for beginners, then browse everything in our padel shop.
