What equipment do you need for padel?
The good news: padel needs very little to get started. Here is the full checklist, what to buy first, and what you can happily rent or borrow.
To play padel you need a padel racket, padel balls and suitable court shoes, plus comfortable sportswear. That is genuinely it to get on court. Most clubs rent rackets and sell balls, so you can try padel before buying anything. As you play more, a dedicated pair of padel shoes and your own racket are the first upgrades worth making.
Key takeaways
- The essentials: racket, balls and court shoes.
- Comfortable, breathable sportswear is all the clothing you need.
- Clubs often rent rackets and sell balls, so you can start for very little.
- Your own racket and proper padel shoes are the first upgrades.
- A bag, grips and eyewear are nice-to-haves, not requirements.
The essentials
The one piece of gear that shapes how you play is the racket. If you are buying your own, read how to choose a padel racket and racket shapes explained first, then compare models in our racket reviews and best padel rackets guide. You will also need padel balls — slightly lower in pressure than tennis balls — and grippy court footwear — see how to choose padel shoes for what actually matters, then browse our best padel shoes picks.
Nice-to-haves
None of these are required, but they make life easier as you play more often. A padel bag keeps your racket and balls together and protected. Overgrips let you tune the handle feel and keep it dry — see our padel overgrip guide for how often to replace one and the signs yours is worn out. Protective eyewear and a wristband are personal-comfort choices. Browse everything in one place on our padel gear page.
What you can rent or borrow
Before you spend, remember that most clubs rent rackets by the session and keep balls in stock, so your first few games can cost almost nothing beyond court time. That makes padel one of the cheapest racquet sports to try — more on that in how much does padel cost?
FAQs
What is the minimum I need to play padel?
A padel racket, padel balls and suitable court shoes. Many clubs rent rackets and sell balls, so you can try the sport before buying anything of your own.
Do I need special shoes for padel?
Purpose-made padel shoes are best. They offer lateral support and grip suited to the artificial-turf surface, but clean court or tennis shoes are a reasonable starting point.
Can I use tennis balls for padel?
It is better to use padel balls, which are slightly lower in pressure and sized for the game. Regular tennis balls behave differently and are not ideal.
Last updated August 12, 2026 · PadelAnywhere Editorial
Sources
Based on published manufacturer specifications for padel rackets, balls and shoes, and on common club practice for equipment rental. Availability and rental policies vary by venue.