What Equipment Do You Need to Start Padel? UK Beginner’s Guide 2026
Last updated: May 2026 | Reading time: 7 minutes
One of the best things about padel is how little you need to get started. For your very first session, whatever sports kit you own and £10 for court hire is genuinely enough. This guide covers everything — what’s essential, what’s optional, what to buy first, and what to avoid wasting money on until you know you’re going to stick with it.
The Essential Three
There are only three things you truly need to play padel:
1. Footwear
For your first few sessions, whatever sports trainers you own will do the job fine. You’ll be able to play and enjoy yourself without specialist footwear.
Once you’re playing regularly it’s worth upgrading to padel-specific shoes or clay court tennis shoes. Both have herringbone or small-dot patterned soles designed for grip on artificial turf, which makes a noticeable difference during the quick lateral movements padel involves. Running trainers work fine to start — they’re just not quite as grippy or stable during sharp direction changes once you’re playing seriously.
See our best padel shoes UK guide for specific recommendations when you’re ready to upgrade.
2. A Racket
Unlike tennis, padel rackets are solid with no strings. They have a perforated face and a foam core that generates feel and power. For beginners, the key things to look for are:
- Round shape — largest sweet spot, most forgiving on off-centre hits
- Weight of 350–365g — heavier risks wrist and elbow strain
- Soft EVA foam core — softer foam is more forgiving and gives better feel for beginners who are still developing their timing. It also performs better in cold UK conditions where harder foam can feel less responsive. Worth looking for but not a dealbreaker
A good beginner racket costs £70–£100. Don’t go cheaper — the foam quality in sub-£50 rackets is poor and they need replacing within months. See our best beginner rackets guide for the top options.
For your first few sessions: hire a racket from the club. Most venues offer hire for free or £3–5. Get a few sessions in before spending money on your own.
3. Padel Balls
Padel balls look almost identical to tennis balls but have lower internal pressure for a more controlled bounce. You cannot use tennis balls — the bounce will be wrong.
A tube of three padel balls costs £4–6. Most clubs include balls in the court hire, so you won’t always need to bring your own — check when you book.
What’s Optional but Useful
Once you’ve got the essentials sorted, these items make a noticeable difference:
Racket Bag
Once you own a racket you need something to carry it in and — more importantly — protect it. Padel racket foam is sensitive to temperature extremes. Leaving your racket in a cold car overnight can affect the core. A basic bag or racket cover costs £20–£40 and extends the life of your racket significantly.
Overgrip
Padel rackets come with a factory grip but many players add an overgrip on top for extra comfort and sweat absorption. A pack of three overgrips costs £5–8 and is one of the best value purchases in padel. Easy to apply yourself, easy to replace when it wears out.
Sports Clothing
Standard sportswear works perfectly well for padel — you don’t need specialist padel clothing to start. Lightweight moisture-wicking kit is ideal. As you play more, padel-specific clothing is more comfortable but there’s no rush to buy it.
For UK indoor courts in winter, bring a thin zip-up or sports jacket you can remove once you’re warmed up. Courts can be cold.
Water Bottle
Padel is more physically demanding than it looks. A one-hour session involves a lot of movement. Bring water.
Wristband
Optional but useful if you sweat heavily. Keeps your hands drier and your grip more secure during longer sessions.
What You Don’t Need Yet
Save your money on these until you’re playing regularly:
Padel-specific clothing — regular sportswear works fine for months. Buy padel clothing when your existing kit wears out.
Premium racket — a £200 racket offers zero benefit at beginner level. You won’t feel the difference until you’re playing at a much higher standard. Stick to £70–£100.
Multiple rackets — one good racket is all you need. Some players carry a spare but it’s not necessary until you’re playing competitively.
Vibration dampener — common in tennis, rarely used in padel. Not worth buying.
Beginner Equipment Checklist
Use this before your first session:
Essential:
- ✅ Sports kit you can move in
- ✅ Trainers or sports shoes (any will do for first sessions)
- ✅ Water bottle
- ✅ Three other players (padel is always doubles)
If not hiring from the club:
- ✅ Padel racket (round shape, 350–365g, soft EVA core)
- ✅ Tube of padel balls
Once you’re playing regularly:
- Padel or clay court shoes
- Racket bag or cover
- Overgrip
- Thin sports jacket for cold courts
What Order Should You Buy Things?
If you’re starting from scratch, here’s the sensible order:
First: Racket — once you’ve had 3–5 sessions and decided you want to keep playing. Hire until then.
Second: Shoes — once you’re playing regularly, worth the upgrade.
Third: Bag — once you own a racket, protect it.
Fourth: Overgrip — cheap and makes a real difference to comfort.
Fifth: Clothing — last priority. Your existing sportswear will do for months.
Total Cost to Get Properly Set Up
| Item | Budget option | Mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| Shoes | £65 | £85 |
| Racket | £70 | £95 |
| Bag | £20 | £35 |
| Balls | £5 | £5 |
| Overgrip | £6 | £6 |
| Total | £166 | £226 |
That’s a one-off investment. Your shoes and racket should last at least 12–24 months of regular play before needing replacing.
Where to Buy in the UK
Specialist padel retailers offer the best advice and returns policies:
- Padel Market
- WX Padel
- Live For Padel
- PDX Padel
General sports retailers:
- Decathlon — good value own-brand options for shoes and basic gear
- Sports Direct — stocks main brands at competitive prices
Amazon — wide selection but check seller ratings carefully. Counterfeit rackets do exist. Stick to trusted sellers or buy direct from brand websites.
Can You Borrow Equipment to Start?
Yes — and it’s the smartest approach for your first sessions.
Most UK clubs offer racket hire for free or £3–5 per session. Balls are usually included in the court hire. The only thing you genuinely need to bring yourself is some form of sports shoes — clubs cannot lend you footwear.
Try the sport properly for 3–5 sessions before spending money on your own equipment. You’ll have a much better idea of what you want by then and you won’t end up buying the wrong racket.
Ready to kit up? Read our detailed guides on best padel rackets for beginners UK 2026, best padel shoes UK 2026, and how much does padel cost in the UK.