What shoes for padel? Herringbone soles, grip on sand and what to avoid

Why padel needs the right sole

A padel court surface is artificial grass with a layer of silica sand brushed into it. The sand makes the turf playable, but it also acts like ball bearings under a smooth sole. Padel movement is all short sprints, sudden stops, lunges and sideways shuffles, so a shoe that slides even a little costs you a step on every ball. The court is 10 by 20 metres, so you are never running far, but you are changing direction constantly.

That is why sole pattern matters more for padel than cushioning or brand.

Sole types compared

Do you need padel shoes as a beginner?

For your first two or three sessions, a pair of flat soled trainers or tennis shoes is fine. Just avoid running shoes and anything with a thick, soft heel. Once you are playing weekly, a proper court shoe is the second purchase most players make after a racket. The difference shows up on the first lob you chase back to the glass: you stop where you want to stop.

If you play on hard indoor surfaces at some venues, a mixed sole is a sensible compromise. Our guide to your first padel session covers the rest of what to bring.

What else to look for

• Reinforced toe: you drag the back foot on low volleys and lunges, which wears out mesh fast.
• Lateral support: a firm side wall stops your foot rolling over the edge of the sole on sideways moves.
• Low, stable heel: a moderate drop, around 8 mm on our Grip shoe, keeps you close to the ground.
• Breathable upper: indoor courts get warm, outdoor courts get wet. Mesh with an overlay copes with both.
• Durable outsole: sand is abrasive, so a thin sole wears through quickly.

How padel movement loads your feet

Watch a rally from the side and you will see almost no long running. Instead there is a split step as the opponent hits, two or three quick shuffles, a lunge to a low ball and a push back to the ready position. At the net there are sudden forward steps to cut off a volley and fast backward crossovers when a lob goes over your head. Every one of those moves puts load through the forefoot and the outside edge of the shoe.

That is why padel shoes put most of their grip pattern under the ball of the foot and wrap a firmer edge around the sides. A running shoe does the opposite: it cushions the heel strike of a forward stride and leaves the sides soft. On a sandy court it feels unstable the first time you change direction quickly.

Fit and sizing

Padel shoes should fit snugly at the heel and midfoot with about a thumb's width of space in front of your longest toe. Too loose and your foot slides inside the shoe on stops; too tight and your toes jam on lunges. Try shoes on with the socks you play in. Cushioned court socks fill the shoe slightly differently from thin trainers socks.

Our Grip shoe comes in UK sizes 4 to 12, standard width and true to size.

Lobwell Grip Padel Shoe

Herringbone sole court shoe for sand filled artificial grass

• Lobwell
• 2 colours

£69

Choose Lobwell Grip Padel Shoe options

Lobwell Court Socks (3 Pack)

Cushioned crew socks for court shoes

• Lobwell

£12

Choose Lobwell Court Socks (3 Pack) options

Looking after them

Knock the sand out after each session and let them dry at room temperature, not on a radiator, which can weaken the glue. Keep a pair just for padel so the sole stays clean and grippy. When the herringbone pattern wears smooth under the ball of the foot, grip drops off quickly and it is time for a new pair. A bag with a separate shoe pocket, like our Daypack, keeps sandy shoes away from everything else: see the padel bags range.

Lobwell Daypack Padel Backpack

Backpack with a racket sleeve and a separate shoe pocket

• Lobwell
• 2 colours

£49

Choose Lobwell Daypack Padel Backpack options

Shoes and the rest of your kit

Shoes are only one part of being ready for court. See what to wear for padel for clothing, and the padel shoes range for sizes in stock. If you also play on clay or hard tennis courts, a herringbone sole works well on clay and acceptably on hard courts, though it wears faster on concrete.