What Shoes Should You Wear for Padel in the UK?

You're standing at the wardrobe with your running trainers in hand, wondering if they'll do for padel. They might get you through a first taster session at a relaxed outdoor club — but for anything regular, you'll want proper court shoes.

Padel is sideways. Lots of pivoting, lunging, stopping dead at the back glass. Running shoes are built for going forward on pavement. On artificial turf, that soft heel and smooth sole is exactly what sends you sliding into the mesh.

Court shoes, not gym trainers

Most UK padel courts use artificial turf over a hard base. Indoor venues are similar — sometimes synthetic, sometimes the same turf you'd find outdoors.

Court shoes (tennis or padel) give you three things running trainers don't: lateral support so your ankle doesn't roll, a herringbone or padel sole that grips the turf, and non-marking rubber that indoor clubs insist on.

If you've got old tennis court shoes in the cupboard, those work fine. Padel-specific shoes are nice once you're playing weekly, but they're not essential on day one.

What to actually look for

Sole pattern matters most. It should feel tacky on turf, not smooth like a gym trainer. Try a few side steps in the shop — your foot shouldn't slide around inside the shoe either. Go snug if you're between sizes.

Indoor clubs often enforce non-marking soles. Scuff marks on a freshly cleaned court floor will not make you popular with whoever manages the venue.

Padel shoes exist from most major racket brands. So do all-court tennis shoes. Either is fine. Don't overthink the brand until you know you're sticking with it.

What clubs expect

Policies vary. Indoor venues tend to be strict about non-marking soles. Outdoor clubs are more relaxed, though damp turf is slippery in any footwear.

Nobody expects pro kit on your first visit. They do expect you not to damage the surface or create a slip hazard. Playtomic listings sometimes mention shoe rules in the venue notes — worth a quick check before you travel.

Some larger indoor centres offer shoe hire. Not common, but worth asking when you book.

Mistakes people make

Wearing running trainers with worn-down grip is the big one. They look fine on the road long after the sole has gone slick. On court, that's when you slide.

Borrowing shoes two sizes too big is worse than wearing the wrong type entirely. And if you play indoor and outdoor regularly, one pair rarely covers both well — outdoor soles can mark indoor floors, and indoor shoes wear fast on gritty outdoor turf.

Worth buying proper shoes?

If you're playing once a month, tennis court shoes you already own are enough. If you're booking twice a week, a dedicated pair pays for itself in confidence alone — especially near the glass, where footing matters.

Pair them with the basics from our beginner's guide to padel. Rental racket, decent shoes, an hour on court — that's enough to know if you're hooked.

When you're ready to book, search padel courts near you and filter by indoor, racket hire, or parking so you're not scrambling on the day.