What to wear for padel: outfits for indoor courts, cold outdoor courts and club nights
By the Lobwell Padel team. Updated 1 November 2026.
Short answer: Wear breathable sportswear you can lunge and reach in: a technical t-shirt or polo, shorts, a skort or leggings, cushioned sports socks and court shoes with a herringbone sole. On UK outdoor courts from October to April add a long sleeve base layer and a light jacket for warm ups. Most venues have no dress code beyond clean, non marking court shoes.
The basics for every session
Padel is a stop start game on a small court, so clothes need to move with you more than they need to look the part. A sweat wicking top, something with stretch for the legs and good shoes cover almost everything. Cotton t-shirts are fine for a first go but get heavy and cold once you sweat, which matters on an outdoor court in November.
Most UK venues are relaxed. There is no whites rule and no collar rule at the vast majority of clubs. The only thing most insist on is proper court shoes so the turf is not damaged.
- Top: technical t-shirt, polo or vest.
- Bottoms: sports shorts, skort, skirt with shorts, or leggings.
- Socks: cushioned crew or quarter socks.
- Shoes: court shoes with a herringbone or omni sole.
- Extras: a light layer for the warm up and a towel.
Dressing for the British weather
Our court data found that 42.5% of UK venues with a known court type have at least one indoor court, which means more than half of venues are outdoor or covered only. Outdoor padel in the UK runs all year, and the walls block some wind, but a damp January evening is still cold when you are standing at the net waiting for a lob.
Layer up and peel off as you warm up. A thin long sleeve base layer under your t-shirt keeps arms warm without limiting your swing. A light, zipped jacket goes on between games. Thin gloves are fine in the warm up but take them off to play: you need to feel the handle.
| Conditions | Top | Bottoms | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indoor, any season | Light wicking t-shirt | Shorts or skort | Wristband, towel |
| Outdoor, summer | Light t-shirt or vest | Shorts or skort | Cap, sun cream, water bottle |
| Outdoor, spring or autumn | T-shirt plus thin long sleeve | Shorts or leggings | Light jacket for breaks |
| Outdoor, winter evening | Base layer plus t-shirt | Leggings or tracksuit bottoms | Jacket, hat for the warm up |
Shoes and socks come first
If you only spend on one piece of kit after the racket, make it shoes. A herringbone sole stops you sliding on the sand of artificial grass, and a reinforced toe survives the foot drag on low volleys. Our padel shoes guide explains the soles. Pair them with cushioned socks that grip inside the shoe, so your foot does not slide around on quick stops.
Lobwell Grip Padel Shoe
Herringbone sole court shoe for sand filled artificial grass
- Lobwell
- 2 colours
Small extras that help
A cap is useful on outdoor courts, where the low autumn and winter sun sits right in your eyes as you look up for a lob. Wristbands stop sweat running onto your grip. A small towel lets you dry your hands and handle between points. An insulated bottle keeps water cold through a long americano. None of it is essential, but each one fixes a small annoyance you will meet sooner or later. Browse the padel accessories range.
Lobwell Insulated Bottle 750 ml
Double walled steel bottle that keeps water cold for a long session
- Lobwell
- 2 colours
Outfit ideas for men and women
There is no men's or women's rule in padel clothing, just what you find comfortable. Common choices for men are a fitted technical t-shirt or polo with 7 to 9 inch shorts, or tapered training bottoms in winter. Common choices for women are a vest or fitted t-shirt with a skort, shorts or leggings. Pockets for a spare ball are handy on shorts and skorts, since players often keep one ready for a second serve.
Bright colours have a practical side too: they help your partner see you in their peripheral vision during fast exchanges at the net.
Kit for leagues, americanos and coaching
Club leagues and team events sometimes ask pairs to wear matching colours or a club top, mainly so spectators and opponents can tell the teams apart. If you join a league, ask before your first fixture. Americanos and social nights have no such rule, and people turn up in whatever they train in.
For coaching sessions, think about what the coach needs to see. Close fitting tops make it easier to spot your shoulder turn on a bandeja, and shorts or leggings show your knee bend on low volleys. A coach cannot fix a movement hidden under a baggy hoodie. Bring a spare dry top for afterwards, especially if you are travelling home in winter: you cool down fast once you stop.
What to avoid
If you are heading to your first session, our first padel session guide has a checklist of what to bring, and the padel starter kits cover racket, balls and grips.
- Jeans and casual trousers: no stretch for lunges.
- Loose jewellery: bracelets and long chains catch on the wrist cord.
- Running shoes: soft soles slide on sand and roll on sideways moves.
- Heavy cotton hoodies for play: they soak up sweat and restrict your shoulder on overheads.
Questions people ask
Is there a dress code for padel?
Most UK venues have no dress code beyond court shoes that will not damage the turf. Some private clubs have their own rules, so check before you go.
Can I wear leggings for padel?
Yes. Leggings are a popular choice, especially on cold outdoor courts, as long as they stretch for lunges.
What do you wear for outdoor padel in winter?
A thin base layer under a t-shirt, leggings or training bottoms, and a jacket for the warm up and breaks.
Should I wear a cap for padel?
On outdoor courts a light cap helps with low sun on lobs. Indoors it is not needed.
Sources
Keep reading
GuideWhat shoes for padel? Herringbone soles, grip on sand and what to avoidWear court shoes with a herringbone or herringbone and omni mixed sole for padel, because most UK courts are sand filled artificial grass and that zig zag pattern grips the sand when you stop and change direction.
GuideYour first padel session: what to bring, what to expect and 10 tips from the first hourFor your first padel session, bring grippy trainers, sportswear, water and a friend or three: most venues hire rackets for a few pounds and sell balls at reception.
GuideA padel warm up you will actually do: 10 minutes off court, 10 minutes on itA good padel warm up takes about 20 minutes: around 10 minutes of light movement off court (jogging, side shuffles, lunges, arm circles and trunk rotations), then 10 minutes on court building from mini rallies at the net to volleys, lobs and overheads.
Buying guidePadel gifts: useful ideas for every budget, for him, for her and for juniorsThe best padel gifts are things players use up or replace often: overgrips (£5.99 for three), tubes of balls (£4.49 to £5.49), a ball pressuriser (£14.99), a thermal racket cover (£12.99) or a bag (£29 to £69).
Buying guideThe best padel bags: which size you need, what a thermal sleeve does and our three bagsThe best padel bag depends on what you carry.