Shoes

Why padel needs its own shoes

Padel courts are artificial turf dressed with sand, so grip and lateral support matter more than cushioning. Padel shoes use a clay (herringbone) or omni (studded) sole that bites into the sand and releases cleanly on slides, plus reinforced sidewalls that hold your foot through hard changes of direction. Running shoes wear out in weeks on turf and offer almost no side support.

Choose herringbone if you slide into shots and play mostly on sanded courts; choose omni for firmer, low-sand courts or if you prefer a locked-in feel. Fit should be snug at the heel with a thumb of space at the toe. Asics, Adidas, Bullpadel, Head and Babolat all cover men’s, women’s and junior sizes.