Shoes are the one bit of padel kit you can't borrow at the desk, and the one most people get wrong. Padel is all short sideways steps, sudden stops and changes of direction on a sandy artificial surface. The right shoe grips without sticking and supports your ankle when you plant your foot. The wrong one either slides out from under you or locks your foot in place while your knee keeps going.
Why not running shoes
Running shoes are built for forward motion. They usually have:
- A high, soft heel that's great for landing on the road but unstable when you push off sideways.
- Little lateral support, so the upper rolls over the sole when you change direction.
- A smooth or lugged outsole that either slips on sand-dressed turf or catches on it.
- Lightweight mesh uppers that wear through quickly when you drag your toe on a lunge.
Rolled ankles and strained knees are the classic result. Running shoes will get you through a first taster session, but if you're playing every week, buy proper court shoes.
Sole patterns explained
Most UK padel courts are artificial grass with a sand infill, either indoors or outdoors. The sole pattern decides how a shoe behaves on that surface.
| Sole | What it looks like | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Herringbone | Zigzag grooves across the whole sole | The standard padel sole. Grips well on sand-dressed turf while letting you slide a little on purpose. A safe choice for most courts. |
| Omni | Small rubber pimples or studs | Courts with a lot of loose sand, especially outdoors, where the extra bite stops you skating. |
| Clay | Fine, tight herringbone | Clay tennis courts. Can work on padel turf with less sand but may clog or slip on heavily sanded courts. |
| Hybrid | Herringbone with studs at the edges | A compromise that grips well on most padel surfaces. |
If you only play indoors on a well-kept court, a herringbone sole is usually right. If you play outdoors or the courts at your club have a lot of loose sand, look at omni or hybrid soles. Many brands now sell shoes labelled specifically for padel, which nearly always means a herringbone or hybrid sole.
The amount of sand on a court changes over its life. A newly laid or recently re-dressed court can be quite loose and slippery, and an older court where the sand has worked down into the fibres is grippier. If you find yourself skating at one venue and sticking at another, that's usually why, and it's worth having a second pair with a different sole if you play at several clubs.
What to look for
- Lateral support: a firm heel counter and a reinforced upper around the sides.
- A low, stable base: a lower heel than a running shoe, so you're closer to the court.
- Toe protection: a rubber or reinforced toe, because padel lunges drag the front of the shoe.
- Fit: snug in the heel with a little room at the toe. Try them on with the socks you play in.
- Durability: outdoor courts and sand wear soles quickly. A worn-smooth sole is a slipping hazard, so replace them when the pattern goes.
Can I use tennis shoes?
Yes, usually. Tennis shoes are built for the same kind of side-to-side movement. An all-court or clay tennis shoe with a herringbone sole works well on most padel courts. Hard-court tennis shoes with a flatter sole can be slippery on sandy turf. What you shouldn't use are running shoes, gym trainers with soft foam soles, or anything with black rubber soles that might mark an indoor floor at a multi-use venue.
Looking after them
Knock the sand out after each session rather than taking it home in your car, and let them dry naturally if they get wet on an outdoor court; putting them on a radiator breaks down the glue and foam. Keep your padel shoes for padel. Wearing them to walk around on pavements wears the sole pattern flat far faster than playing does. A regular player on court two or three times a week will wear through a pair surprisingly quickly, and you'll feel it in your grip before you see it. Socks matter too: a cushioned sports sock that doesn't bunch helps prevent the blisters that come from all the stopping and starting.
Got your shoes sorted? Find padel courts near you or browse UK padel venues. If you're choosing a racket too, read best padel rackets for beginners.
Questions
Can you wear running shoes for padel?
For a one-off taster, yes, but not regularly. Running shoes lack lateral support and grip for sideways movement, which raises the risk of rolled ankles.
What sole is best for padel?
A herringbone sole suits most UK padel courts. Omni or hybrid soles with small studs give more grip on courts with a lot of loose sand.
Are tennis shoes OK for padel?
Generally yes, especially clay or all-court tennis shoes with a herringbone sole. Flat hard-court soles can slip on sandy turf.
Do I need special padel shoes?
Not necessarily, but you need a court shoe with good lateral support and a sole suited to sand-dressed artificial grass. Padel-specific shoes are designed for exactly that.