When you first step onto a padel court, the temptation is to grab whatever trainers are lurking at the back of your wardrobe, dust them off, and crack on with your new favourite sport. But wait – there’s a whole world of padel-specific shoes out there, and apparently, they might just revolutionise your game. So, the question is: do you really need padel shoes, or is it just another way to part you from your hard-earned cash?
What Makes Padel Shoes Special?
At first glance, padel shoes might not look all that different from your standard running or tennis shoes. They’ve got laces, a sole, and they fit on your feet – so far, so familiar. But underneath that seemingly ordinary exterior lies some very clever design work tailored specifically for the unique demands of padel.
Padel courts are often made from artificial grass with sand, or textured surfaces that can get a little slippery. Unlike running shoes, which are designed for straight-line speed, padel shoes are built for quick side-to-side movements. They typically feature a herringbone or hybrid tread pattern on the sole, giving you much better grip on the court without leaving you face down in the glass wall after your first volley.
Cushioning and Support: Your Knees Will Thank You
Padel shoes also come with extra cushioning and lateral support to help protect your ankles and knees from the constant changes of direction. Running shoes might feel bouncy and comfy for a few minutes, but they won’t offer the stability you need when you’re lunging for a tricky lob or chasing down a sneaky drop shot. Investing in a proper pair of padel shoes can help prevent injury – and no one wants to spend more time with an ice pack than on the court.
Indoor vs Outdoor Padel Shoes
If you’re lucky enough to live somewhere with both indoor and outdoor padel courts, you might want to consider having different shoes for each surface. Outdoor courts tend to have more sand on the surface, which means you’ll need shoes with a deeper, grippier tread pattern to stop yourself from sliding around like Bambi on ice. Indoor courts, on the other hand, often have less sand and require a smoother sole that still offers grip without leaving marks all over the place.
How Will They Affect Your Game?
Will the right pair of padel shoes suddenly transform you into the next world champion? Probably not. But will they help you feel more confident on court, move faster, and avoid any embarrassing wipeouts? Absolutely. Padel is a game of small, sharp movements, and having the right footwear can make all the difference when you’re scrambling to return a smash or sneaking in a cheeky drop shot.
Do You Really Need Them?
If you’re only playing once in a blue moon, you can probably get away with your old tennis shoes – for a little while. But if you’re planning to make padel a regular part of your life (and let’s be honest, once you’ve played a few games, you’re hooked), then investing in a decent pair of padel shoes is a no-brainer. Your feet will thank you, your knees will thank you, and your opponents might even start to fear you – or at least your lightning-fast reactions.
Some of the highly regarded Padel shoes available for consideration are:
Nox AT-10 Lux – (See Full Review Here)
Wilson Bela Tour – (See Full Review Here)
Check out our Padel Equipment page for more full and comprehensive information and review of all these and other padel shoes which is regularly updated.
Final Thoughts
Padel shoes might not be the flashiest bit of kit in your bag, but they’re one of the most important. They offer grip, comfort, and support – three things that could mean the difference between winning the point or watching the ball bounce off the glass while you perform an unplanned split. So, if you’re serious about stepping up your game, give your feet the tools they deserve. Trust us – once you’ve tried proper padel shoes, you’ll never look back (unless you’re checking to see if your lob was in).
