Why You Need Padel Shoes & How to Choose Them

Every padel player is different. We have varying game styles and have unique foot shapes. Choosing the right padel shoes can sometimes be very challenging because there are many aspects to consider. At Total Padel we pride ourselves on our extensive knowledge and experience, especially in helping our customers find the perfect padel shoes to suit their specific needs and preferences. This article will help you understand why you need padel specific shoes and how to choose them. Let's dive in!

Why You Need Padel Specific Shoes

Shoes are amongst the most important pieces of equipment. Using sport-specific shoes that match your needs are essential and will help you prevent injuries, play more freely and completely enjoy the game. Whether you are going for a run or you are going to bowl, you'll be wearing sport-specific shoes. We are often asked if you can wear tennis shoes to play padel. Padel and tennis are different sports with different characteristics that require different shoes to play your best. Here are the two main reasons why you should use padel-specific shoes.

1. Sport-specific Movements

Padel and tennis require different movements. The following chart shows the difference between them:

To maintain optimal footing on the particular courts, it’s important to wear a shoe that is designed to handle the needs of the specific movements. The padel and tennis shoes provide specific support and are designed to reduce the risk of injury when playing.

Based on the specific movements above, padel and tennis shoes offer the following features:

2. Sport-specific Designs

The movements in padel and tennis are not the only different, but the surfaces also vary. To adapt to the sport-specific surfaces, the outsole designs of the shoes have to be different.

The padel surface has changed over the years from artificial turf with sand/granules to artificial turf without any or less sand. While many players used to wear padel shoes with a tennis clay court outsole for optimal grip and traction, the needs have changed and require padel-specific outsoles.

The outsole design of each brand offering padel shoes is different but offer the same characteristics. The outsoles support the padel-specific movements, while providing optimal grip and traction. The following picture shows different padel outsoles of different brands.

How to Choose the Right Padel Shoes

There are many factors to consider when you're choosing padel shoes. Playing style, shoe characteristics, and foot shape all make a difference. Here's our three-step guide on choosing the best padel shoes for you.

1. Consider your playing style

Assess your playing style to determine the features you need in padel shoes. If you're an aggressive player who frequently moves laterally and makes quick changes in direction, prioritise shoes with lateral support and stability. For defensive players who prefer to stay back and rally, cushioning and comfort may be more important. If you are a light-footed, sprinting all over the court kind of player, a lightweight and breathable shoe is more likely to suit your needs.

2. Determine the features you need in padel shoes

Stability & Support
Stability shoes are built to hold your feet securely while providing ultimate comfort and confident steps. Quick cuts are going to feel more secure, and you will be less likely to tip over or take a spill on the court. Look for padel shoes with reinforced sidewalls and midfoot support to prevent ankle rolling during lateral movements. A secure fit around the ankle and midfoot will enhance stability and reduce the risk of injuries.

Cushioning & Comfort
Padel matches can be physically demanding, so prioritize comfort when selecting shoes. Choose models with ample cushioning in the midsole to absorb impact and reduce fatigue during long rallies. Breathable uppers, such as mesh or synthetic materials, promote airflow and help keep your feet cool and dry throughout the match.

Lightweight Feel & Breathability

Lightweight shoes have their focus on quick feet and fast movement on the court. They are going to flex more in order to mold and move with your foot more efficiently. Lightweight shoes often have breathable materials in the uppers to improve airflow and keep your feet cool and dry during intense matches. Look for shoes made from lightweight yet durable materials with mesh panels or perforations that promote ventilation without adding weight.

3. Fitting Padel Shoes

Every padel player is unique and so are their feet. But there is no need to worry because we can find the best padel shoes that perfectly fit the anatomy of your feet. Check out our article about how to determine your shoe size and fit and take a closer look at the following steps. As shown below, you will need a pen and piece of paper to trace your foot, and then you will measure the length and width. Finding the right shoe size is not always easy, as each brand uses different sizing charts. Therefore, we recommend using centimetres as a guide. You can find the centimetres details in our sizing grid.

After measuring your foot, take a closer look at the fit details in our product descriptions to determine if the tennis shoes you are interested in are a good fit for your feet.

Closing Thoughts

Whether you are an advanced player or a beginner, having padel-specific shoes is important. In this article we showed you the two main reasons, why you need padel-specific shoes and how to choose the right padel shoes. Each sport has specific movements, which require specific designs. If you want to learn more about padel shoes, go check out our article about the best padel shoes. We are proud to serve you with a wide range of padel-specific shoes. Take a look and find the one that suits your needs. Check out our Learning Center to learn more about the game, padel equipment and "How To's" to improve your game.