Padel

[shirt]

I did a search and was surprised there wasn't already a thread, unless I have missed it?

Looking to start playing as a social thing and for exercise and so looking to buy some basic kit. Only I am wondering if the level of hype and detail around racquet choice is as nuanced as it's made out to be. Or is it much like cycling and skiing in that 'good enough' is going to be 'great for a long time' for most people?

Reason I ask is that i can't fathom how is it possible for a padel bat to cost as much as they do. I mean 300quid in some cases for some carbon encased foam seems opportunistic at best.

Then I start to learn more and read reviews where the difference between a perceived light and heavy racquet is 40g, and a difference between low and high balance a couple of cm.

Is it that nuanced? Will I notice? Does it really matter? My current position is no to all 3 but willing to be educated otherwise.

[Furbo]

shirt said:

I did a search and was surprised there wasn't already a thread, unless I have missed it?

Looking to start playing as a social thing and for exercise and so looking to buy some basic kit. Only I am wondering if the level of hype and detail around racquet choice is as nuanced as it's made out to be. Or is it much like cycling and skiing in that 'good enough' is going to be 'great for a long time' for most people?

Reason I ask is that i can't fathom how is it possible for a padel bat to cost as much as they do. I mean 300quid in some cases for some carbon encased foam seems opportunistic at best.

Then I start to learn more and read reviews where the difference between a perceived light and heavy racquet is 40g, and a difference between low and high balance a couple of cm.

Is it that nuanced? Will I notice? Does it really matter? My current position is no to all 3 but willing to be educated otherwise.

Your problem is that you are shopping for a padel bat. Padel RACKETS are far more common and therefore reasonably priced.

My son plays to a good standard and uses a racket costing £300-400. He would have it that it's a lot more powerful than cheaper ones he has had, with greater control.

TBH, if you are a complete duffer, I would not spend a lot of money on one. He was one of the best players at the local club with a bat...sorry racket... costing £80. In the early days there will be other variables affecting your game, mostly related to your skills.

[shirt]

I'm pretty sure I referred to it correctly the times I wished to do so.

My query and reason for posting is that I can get a 2023 head gravity pro for less money than their 2025 beginner model. Whilst this might be akin to being a FKW on a casual cycle, will it hinder me in any way? I'm thinking not.

[NDA]

Furbo said:

Your problem is that you are shopping for a padel bat. Padel RACKETS are far more common and therefore reasonably priced.

Or raquet if you are British.

[Arkose]

Probably best to start with an all rounder mid ranger model if you're a beginner, then figure out what style of racket you want when you improve

[Furbo]

shirt said:

I'm pretty sure I referred to it correctly the times I wished to do so.

My query and reason for posting is that I can get a 2023 head gravity pro for less money than their 2025 beginner model. Whilst this might be akin to being a FKW on a casual cycle, will it hinder me in any way? I'm thinking not.

I asked the lad for you. He said for your first one Head or Nox and you can get one for £60-80. He agreed that your ability will be the limiting factor and not the racket.

There is also the consideration that if you rock up with a £250 racket, even if it's old stock, you may look "all the gear..." if you cannot play.

[FazerBoy]

NDA said:

Furbo said:

Your problem is that you are shopping for a padel bat. Padel RACKETS are far more common and therefore reasonably priced.

Or raquet if you are British.

If you’re British and pedantic it would be racquet…

[Furbo]

FazerBoy said:

NDA said:

Furbo said:

Your problem is that you are shopping for a padel bat. Padel RACKETS are far more common and therefore reasonably priced.

Or raquet if you are British.

If you re British and pedantic it would be racquet

Or can spell.

But padel rackets are still more often called rackets.

[GTO-3R]

https://everythingpadel.co.uk/product/nox-x-one-pa...

Something like this is ideal to start with. Nox are a top brand and the round head gives you a bigger sweet spot. If you like it then you can always upgrade to a better racket at a later date which is what I did. I waited until the 2025 rackets came out and then picked up a 2024 bargain at £100 less than it retailed at

Plus, Ewan at Everything Padel is a good lad (watch his YouTube channel) and you'll be supporting him which is better imo.

[addey]

Middle of Lidl had some padel rackets this week. If it's the first time you've played you're not going to have anything to compare it to, so I'm sure it will be just fine. Then if you get in to it and upgrade to something better you'll notice a huge difference (or will you?! ) Decathlon another option if you are starting out

[Hoofy]

You might be better off borrowing the club's kit for the first few sessions to get a feel for them and what works for you. It'd mean you can also speak to the regulars and find out more about the kit.

It's like with tennis rackets/racquets/raquets/bats/clubs. The head size can vary (97 to 103), the weight can vary (250 to 320), the balance can vary (head heavy for beginners to balanced for regulars and intermediates/advanced), the string tension can vary (powerful to control), the layout of the strings including gaps between the strings, the racquet bridge! Having been a bit too enthusiastic in the past, I've just bought racquets based on price rather than finding out what all the numbers meant... and then sold them/given them away/hidden them in the spare room.

[AB]

Timely thread as I'm looking at joining a local club and giving it a go. I was a county level badminton player, now more top club level as I only compete in local matches and club nights. Also a mid-club level tennis player. But I think Padel would be a sport that would suit my skills and I'm keen for a new hobby.

Wouldn't have a clue where to start equipment wise so I'm following with interest.

[GTO-3R]

AB said:

Timely thread as I'm looking at joining a local club and giving it a go. I was a county level badminton player, now more top club level as I only compete in local matches and club nights. Also a mid-club level tennis player. But I think Padel would be a sport that would suit my skills and I'm keen for a new hobby.

Wouldn't have a clue where to start equipment wise so I'm following with interest.

Coming from playing Badminton & Tennis you will already know, but footwear is more important than a racket initially. I see so many people playing in running shoes and rolling their ankles but loaded up with a £250+ racket

[shirt]

Hoofy said:

You might be better off borrowing the club's kit for the first few sessions to get a feel for them and what works for you. It'd mean you can also speak to the regulars and find out more about the kit.

i am in freetown, sierra leone. sports direct is closed on sundays i will not use anything here that has had someone else's sweat on

the guy who invited me to start playing is bringing me a racket back from his holiday, plus a pair of shoes. total outlay 150quid, he says his mrs will have the racket if i don't like it [it's a women's pro level control BAT]. i think i will and we are building 3 courts at work so it'll be an easy route to regular exercise.

[AB]

GTO-3R said:

Coming from playing Badminton & Tennis you will already know, but footwear is more important than a racket initially. I see so many people playing in running shoes and rolling their ankles but loaded up with a £250+ racket

Good advice, seen it happen many a time.

I'm assuming tennis shoes are the way forward rather than badminton due to the court? I've played tennis in badminton shoes once before when I picke dup the wrong ones, soon felt the heat coming through the sole!

[GTO-3R]

AB said:

Good advice, seen it happen many a time.

I'm assuming tennis shoes are the way forward rather than badminton due to the court? I've played tennis in badminton shoes once before when I picke dup the wrong ones, soon felt the heat coming through the sole!

Yes. I’ve bought dedicated Padel shoes but from what I read while looking, clay court tennis shoes are the ones to buy if you’re getting tennis shoes for Padel.



I’ve got these and they’re unreal. So comfortable and supportive. They were stiff at first but after 5 or so games they’ve broken in nicely.

https://www.tennis-point.co.uk/adidas-crazyquick-b...

[Hoofy]

shirt said:

Hoofy said:

You might be better off borrowing the club's kit for the first few sessions to get a feel for them and what works for you. It'd mean you can also speak to the regulars and find out more about the kit.

i am in freetown, sierra leone. sports direct is closed on sundays i will not use anything here that has had someone else's sweat on

the guy who invited me to start playing is bringing me a racket back from his holiday, plus a pair of shoes. total outlay 150quid, he says his mrs will have the racket if i don't like it [it's a women's pro level control BAT]. i think i will and we are building 3 courts at work so it'll be an easy route to regular exercise.

Ah that sounds like a good option for you then!

Lucky re the courts at work.

[The G Kid]

GTO-3R said:

Yes. I ve bought dedicated Padel shoes but from what I read while looking, clay court tennis shoes are the ones to buy if you re getting tennis shoes for Padel.



I ve got these and they re unreal. So comfortable and supportive. They were stiff at first but after 5 or so games they ve broken in nicely.

https://www.tennis-point.co.uk/adidas-crazyquick-b...

I think clay court shoes are very similar top Padel ones. I've used my Nox Padel ones on clay courts and they have been perfect.

I moved from Adidas shoes to Nox, mainly because of availability where I live. The Nox ones are heavier, which puts off some people. The thing to look out for on all of them is a little lip on the sole on the outside of the shoe by where your little toe would be. This is to stop you rolling your ankle.

Racket wise, currently use Nox, having previously had Adidas and Head. I didn't like the Head much as the they seem to be weighted to the top of the racket. It really does make sense to try a few first before you buy. I play 3 times a week, and generally find they last 2 to 3 years, so I think an outlay of £200 to £250 is reasonable. It's worth getting new balls every 3 or 4 games, as bouncier balls makes the game better.

It's a great game, and incredibly sociable.

[AB]

Have been playing once a week for 4 months now and really enjoying it. I went for a Nox racket but it's the only one I've ever played with so I've no idea if it helps or hinders my game. But, it's sociable, interesting, decent rallies and not much waiting around like you have in tennis with serve and collecting balls etc.

Judging the bounce off the walls gets easier pretty quickly but sometimes it is just too quick for your brain to process and feet to get you to the right place.

The Playtomic app is brilliant for finding games with similar standards and for booking/paying for a courts. It's sociable and accessible, I can see why it's taken off.

[DibblyDobbler]

I've been playing for about 2 years to a reasonable intermediate standard - I 'upgraded' from an Adidas Ctrl 3.3 Team to an Adidas 3.3 Ctrl - both supposedly mid balance and the same weight but the Ctrl has the carbon face for more spin. The extra spin is there alright but it feels heavier somehow (maybe a higher centre of balance?) and my timing is off which is a bit of a blow! Anybody familiar with the Adidas range - maybe something a bit lighter?

Thanks in advance for any replies