The best padel grips and overgrips in 2026 are the Wilson Pro Overgrip, Hesacore Tour Grip, Tourna Grip, Head XtremeSoft, Bullpadel Perforated Pro and Hesacore Gel Grip. A fresh overgrip is the single cheapest upgrade you can make to your game - a worn grip forces you to clench harder, which costs you control and invites tennis elbow. Expect to replace overgrips every three to five sessions. The Hesacore Tour grip (the underlying contoured grip, not just an overgrip) is the most-recommended ergonomic upgrade for players who get elbow pain. Buy in 3-packs for better value. Last updated: April 2026.
How we ranked these padel grips and overgrips
We ranked these six products by aggregating 2026 reviews from Google, Playtomic, Reddit r/padel, Tripadvisor and specialist retailers, combined with UK pricing and our own installation testing. Priorities for a padel grip are tackiness or dry grip depending on how you sweat, durability across three to five sessions, predictable installation and compatibility with ergonomic undergrips like the Hesacore. Each product below is a current 2026 option available in the UK.
At a Glance
- Wilson Pro Overgrip - best all-round overgrip
- Hesacore Tour Grip - best ergonomic upgrade
- Tourna Grip - best for sweaty hands
- Head XtremeSoft - best thin grip for feel
- Bullpadel Perforated Pro - best padel-specific overgrip
- Hesacore Gel Grip - best for vibration and elbow issues
1. Wilson Pro Overgrip - Best All-Round
The Wilson Pro is the reference overgrip in both padel and tennis and the safe default for every player. The balance of tackiness, moisture handling and durability is hard to beat, and the wraps go on easily even if you have never done it before. If you want one overgrip that just works, this is the pick.
What you get: Thin tacky overgrip, adhesive start strip, finishing tape. Available in standard and Comfort (slightly thicker) versions.
Price and where to buy: Around £6-8 for a 3-pack. Stocked at every major UK padel retailer and Amazon UK.
Who it is for: Every player, from first-timer to advanced. Especially good for indoor play and moderate sweat.
What Other Players Say
Rating: 4.7/5 aggregated from independent padel review sites (April 2026)
Reviews consistently say it feels the same every time, wraps cleanly and lasts three to five sessions as advertised. Reddit r/padel threads name it the most recommended overgrip for beginners.
The main criticism is that it becomes slippery in high humidity when fully saturated - heavy sweaters should look at Tourna Grip instead. (source)
2. Hesacore Tour Grip - Best Ergonomic Upgrade
The Hesacore Tour Grip is an undergrip rather than an overgrip: it sits under your overgrip and reshapes the flat octagonal handle into a rounded, finger-friendly profile using its hexagonal pattern. Players who have tried it often refuse to play without it once they adjust. It is especially effective for reducing hand fatigue and easing tennis elbow strain.
What you get: Hexagonal-pattern ergonomic undergrip. Install by removing the base grip, sliding Hesacore onto the bare handle, then wrapping an overgrip on top.
Price and where to buy: Around £18. Sold direct at hesacore.com and through UK padel specialists.
Who it is for: Regular players who grip too tightly, struggle with hand fatigue, or have early tennis elbow symptoms.
What Other Players Say
Rating: 4.7/5 aggregated from independent padel review sites (April 2026)
Reviews consistently mention reduced fatigue after long sessions and improved comfort for players with wrist or elbow issues. Many reviewers say they noticed the difference within the first match.
Negatives cluster around the adjustment period - some players find the new handle shape uncomfortable for the first few sessions before it starts feeling natural. It is also more expensive than a standard overgrip. (source)
3. Tourna Grip - Best for Sweaty Hands
Tourna Grip is the exception in the overgrip market: it starts dry and gets tackier as it absorbs moisture. That makes it the go-to choice for heavy sweaters and anyone playing in humid conditions. The trade-off is durability, with most players replacing every two to three sessions, but the 10-pack pricing keeps the cost per session low.
What you get: Dry-feel overgrip in packs of 3 or 10. Light blue colour is the original and most common.
Price and where to buy: Around £10 for a 10-pack. Amazon UK and major racket-sport retailers.
Who it is for: Heavy sweaters, outdoor players in warm weather, and anyone playing padel in humid climates including Dubai, Bali or UK summer.
What Other Players Say
Rating: 4.6/5 aggregated from independent padel review sites (April 2026)
Reviews consistently praise the anti-slip performance once wet. Long-time players report sticking with it for decades in both tennis and padel.
The main negative is that it feels unfamiliar to players used to tacky overgrips - it starts dry and almost papery to the touch. It also wears faster than tacky grips.
4. Head XtremeSoft - Best Thin Grip for Feel
Head’s XtremeSoft is the thinnest mainstream overgrip and the choice for players who want the handle to feel as close to the base grip as possible. Touch players who rely on soft hands at the net swear by it. It is comfortable and reasonably tacky but does not absorb sweat as effectively as the Wilson Pro.
What you get: Ultra-thin soft-feel overgrip, typically in 3-packs or 30-pack tubs.
Price and where to buy: Around £6 for a 3-pack. Head.com and UK racket retailers.
Who it is for: Touch players, indoor players, and anyone who wants maximum handle feel.
What Other Players Say
Rating: 4.5/5 aggregated from independent padel review sites (April 2026)
Reviewers praise the thinness and the way it keeps the handle close to its original dimensions. Popular with players who switch between rackets frequently because the feel stays consistent.
The main criticism is sweat absorption - not the choice if your hands get wet quickly. It also wears through faster than the Wilson Pro under heavy use. (source)
5. Bullpadel Perforated Pro - Best Padel-Specific Overgrip
Bullpadel is one of the biggest names in padel-native kit and their Perforated Pro overgrip is purpose-built for the sport. The small perforations improve ventilation, which matters more in padel than tennis because the shorter handle means your hand covers a larger percentage of the grip surface. Widely stocked in UK club pro shops.
What you get: Perforated tacky overgrip, packs of 3.
Price and where to buy: Around £8 for a 3-pack. Bullpadel-stocking UK retailers and Amazon UK.
Who it is for: Players who want a padel-native brand and prefer the perforated feel.
What Other Players Say
Rating: 4.5/5 aggregated from independent padel review sites (April 2026)
Reviewers like the ventilation and the padel-specific marketing - it is popular with players who already own Bullpadel rackets. Feedback says it performs comparably to the Wilson Pro in normal conditions.
Negatives are minor: the perforations can hold more dirt than a smooth grip, and the tackiness is slightly less strong than Wilson. (source)
6. Hesacore Gel Grip - Best for Vibration and Elbow Issues
The Gel version of the Hesacore is softer than the Tour and incorporates a gel layer that dampens vibration noticeably. Players recovering from tennis elbow, wrist niggles or any kind of overuse strain tend to choose it over the standard Tour. Expect the same ergonomic benefit as the Tour with extra shock absorption.
What you get: Hexagonal ergonomic undergrip with gel dampening layer. Install the same way as the Tour.
Price and where to buy: Around £20. Hesacore.com and specialist retailers.
Who it is for: Players managing elbow or wrist issues, senior players, and anyone sensitive to vibration.
What Other Players Say
Rating: 4.6/5 aggregated from independent padel review sites (April 2026)
Reviews highlight the vibration dampening and comfort during long sessions. Players recovering from tennis elbow frequently name it as the product that let them return to the court.
Negatives are the price and the slightly softer feel - some players prefer the more responsive feedback of the standard Tour. (source)
Honourable Mentions
Yonex Super Grap - Rating: 4.4/5 aggregated from independent padel review sites (April 2026). Around £6 for a 3-pack. A tacky overgrip popular in the Asia-Pacific padel scene. Comparable to Wilson Pro with a slightly drier initial feel.
Babolat VS Original - Rating: 4.4/5 aggregated from independent padel review sites (April 2026). Around £7 for a 3-pack. Soft, highly tacky, favoured by players who like a sticky feel. Wears slightly faster than Wilson Pro.
NOX Luxury Pro Grip - Rating: 4.3/5 aggregated from independent padel review sites (April 2026). Around £8 for a 3-pack. NOX-branded overgrip popular with players who already own NOX rackets. Reliable all-round performance.
Verified 2026 padel grip prices
| Product | Type | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson Pro Overgrip | Overgrip (3-pack) | ~£7 | All-round default |
| Hesacore Tour Grip | Ergonomic undergrip | ~£18 | Hand fatigue and elbow |
| Tourna Grip | Dry overgrip (10-pack) | ~£10 | Sweaty hands |
| Head XtremeSoft | Thin overgrip (3-pack) | ~£6 | Maximum feel |
| Bullpadel Perforated Pro | Overgrip (3-pack) | ~£8 | Padel-specific ventilation |
| Hesacore Gel Grip | Ergonomic gel undergrip | ~£20 | Vibration and elbow |
What to Know Before You Buy
Overgrips Are Consumables - Replace Them Often
A fresh overgrip is the cheapest upgrade in padel. Replace yours every three to five sessions, or every two sessions if you sweat heavily. A worn overgrip forces you to grip harder, which costs control and invites tennis elbow. At under £1 per grip in a multi-pack, there is no reason to play with a worn one.
Undergrip vs Overgrip - Know the Difference
An overgrip is the thin consumable you wrap on top and replace often. An undergrip like the Hesacore sits between the handle and the base grip and changes the shape of the handle. They are complementary, not alternatives - a popular pro setup is Hesacore underneath plus Wilson Pro on top.
Match Your Grip to Your Sweat and Climate
If you sweat heavily or play outdoors in warm weather, Tourna Grip or a perforated overgrip will outperform a tacky overgrip. For indoor play and cooler climates, Wilson Pro or Head XtremeSoft work best. A player who plays both indoors and outdoors can keep two overgrips in the bag and switch depending on conditions.
Wrap Technique Matters
Start at the butt end, stretch slightly as you wrap, and overlap each layer by about a third. Right-handers wrap counter-clockwise, left-handers clockwise.
Cut at an angle at the top and secure with the tape from the pack. A bad wrap ruins a good overgrip - practise on an old grip once or twice before doing it on match day.
How to Wrap a Padel Overgrip
Wrapping an overgrip is simple once you have done it once. Remove any old overgrip and wipe the handle clean.
Most overgrips come with a short adhesive strip at one end - peel this off and attach it to the base of the handle at the butt cap. Starting at the butt end, wrap the overgrip spirally up the handle with a slight stretch as you go, overlapping each pass by about one third.
When you reach the top of the handle, cut the excess at an angle so it sits flush and secure it with the finishing tape included in the packet. The whole process takes two minutes once you are used to it.
Grips for Hot and Humid Climates
If you play regularly in humid conditions - Bali, Dubai, UK summer - moisture-handling matters more than tackiness. Tourna Grip is the best choice, and you may need to replace it every two sessions rather than three to five. See our guide to the best padel gear for hot and humid climates for the full tropical kit list.
Padel grips and overgrips FAQ
How often should I replace my padel overgrip?
Every three to five sessions for regular players. If you sweat heavily or play in humid conditions, every two to three. The telltale signs are a shiny or slick feel, a smooth surface where the texture has worn, or gripping harder than usual to hold the racket. Overgrips cost under £1 each in multi-packs - there is no reason to play with a worn one.
What is a Hesacore grip and is it worth it?
The Hesacore is an ergonomic undergrip with a hexagonal pattern that reshapes a flat padel handle into a rounded finger-friendly profile. It reduces hand fatigue and helps with tennis elbow. Most players who try it keep using it. Budget £18-20 and expect it to last many years, since it sits under the overgrip and does not get worn directly.
Can I use a tennis overgrip for padel?
Yes. Overgrips are the same product in both sports. Wilson Pro, Tourna Grip and Head XtremeSoft are all used widely in both. Padel handles are slightly shorter than tennis handles so you may have a little extra grip length to trim, but it is otherwise identical.
What is the difference between a grip and an overgrip?
Which overgrip is best for sweaty hands?
Tourna Grip. It is the only mainstream overgrip that becomes more grippy as it absorbs moisture rather than less. Perforated grips like the Bullpadel Perforated Pro are a decent alternative. Avoid standard tacky overgrips if you sweat heavily - they become slick once saturated.
Do professional padel players use Hesacore?
Many do. The Hesacore is common on the Premier Padel tour and the Bullpadel collaboration with Hesacore has made the combination especially popular among Bullpadel-sponsored players. Look for the hexagonal pattern visible through a worn overgrip in pro match photos.
Should I use Hesacore plus an overgrip, or just one?
Both. The Hesacore is an undergrip - it sits under the base grip and stays put for years. The overgrip goes on top and gets replaced regularly. Using Hesacore alone leaves the ergonomic shape exposed to sweat and wear. The standard setup is Hesacore under a Wilson Pro Overgrip.
Do I need to wrap a new overgrip in any particular direction?
Yes. Right-handers wrap counter-clockwise (looking from the butt end), left-handers wrap clockwise. This ensures the spiral edge of the grip faces away from your palm when you hold the racket, so the overlap does not catch as you swing.
