Of the best padel shoes for beginners, our top pick is the Asics Gel-Dedicate 9 Padel, a padel-specific shoe with GEL cushioning and TRUSSTIC midfoot support for £56.91 (about $75 or €67). The Wilson Courtglide Padel is the best value at £51.99, and the Joma Master 1000 is the cheapest real padel shoe here at £42.99. Whichever you pick, choose a herringbone or padel sole, because most UK courts are sand-filled artificial grass. Last updated: October 2026.
Links to retailers on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them, Padeli may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects which products we recommend or how.
How to choose padel shoes as a beginner
A beginner needs a shoe with the right sole far more than a shoe with the latest foam. Padel is played on artificial grass with sand in it, and the sole decides whether you grip, slide or slip when you change direction. Spend your money on that first, then on comfort.
SAPCA’s padel court construction code, published by the LTA, says the majority of installations and tournaments are played on artificial grass both in the UK and around the world, dressed or filled with silica sand. That is why every shoe below has a herringbone or padel-specific sole rather than a flat hard-court tread.
Our picks all cost under £90, and six sit under £60. For the premium end, see our full guide to the best padel shoes. Here, the focus is a first pair that grips and fits. For the racket, balls and extras, see our padel equipment guide for beginners.
- Sole first. A herringbone (also sold as clay) or padel sole suits sand-filled artificial grass.
- Comfort second. Look for a named cushioning system and a padded collar.
- Support third. A midfoot stabiliser or a reinforced side helps when you lunge for a wide ball.
- Price last. Beginners do not wear out premium reinforcement, so a sale-price pair is a sensible start.
Best padel shoes for beginners 2026 at a glance
| Shoe | Sole | Key feature | UK price, October 2026 | About, in USD and EUR | Best for | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asics Gel-Dedicate 9 Padel | Padel sole | GEL forefoot cushioning | £56.91 | $75 / €67 | Best overall | Check price |
| Wilson Courtglide Padel | Herringbone | R-DST midsole | £51.99 | $69 / €61 | Best value | Check price |
| Joma Master 1000 Men 2602 | Herringbone | Not listed | £42.99 | $57 / €51 | Best under £45 | Check price |
| Bullpadel Indiga 26I | Herringbone (clay) | Mid Stab arch support | £56.91 | $75 / €67 | Comfort and flexibility | Check price |
| Adidas Courtquick Padel M | Padel sole | Bounce midsole with Cloudfoam+ | £56.91 | $75 / €67 | Speed and light feel | Check price |
| Head Motion Team 1.5 Padel 2026 | Herringbone | 3D TPU midfoot shank | £55.99 | $74 / €66 | Lateral support | Check price |
| Asics Gel-Challenger 15 Padel | Herringbone | WINGWALL lateral stability | £86.99 | $115 / €102 | Regular players stepping up | Check price |
1. Asics Gel-Dedicate 9 Padel, best overall
The Asics Gel-Dedicate 9 Padel is the shoe we would hand to most new players. Asics built it with a sole made for the padel court, GEL cushioning under the forefoot and a stable midfoot for £56.91.
The sole is a rubber compound shaped for padel, which Padel Nuestro files under its padel-sole category, a modified herringbone with a wider, shallower tread. TRUSSTIC technology and a wrap-around sole keep the midfoot stable when you turn, and synthetic leather reinforcements protect the toe and hold the upper together on sharp changes of direction.
What you get: Padel-specific rubber sole, GEL forefoot cushioning, TRUSSTIC midfoot support, synthetic leather toe reinforcements, laces.
Price and where to buy: £56.91 at Padel Nuestro, down from £63.71, so about $75 or €67. The women’s White/Pink version is £65.99 at Padel Market.
Who it is for: Beginners playing once or twice a week who want a comfortable, stable first padel shoe from a big brand.
- Padel-specific rubber sole
- GEL forefoot cushioning
- TRUSSTIC midfoot support
Best for: best overall
£56.91 at Padel Nuestro, October 2026
Check price at Padel Nuestro2. Wilson Courtglide Padel, best value
The Wilson Courtglide Padel is the cheapest shoe here with a full set of named comfort features. It pairs a herringbone padel sole with Wilson’s R-DST midsole and an OrthoLite insole, and Padel Nuestro describes it as ideal for players starting out or playing regularly at an amateur level.
The outsole is Duralast rubber, adapted with a padel-specific herringbone pattern for grip on sanded artificial grass. The upper is a breathable mesh with a padded collar and tongue, and it is built on Wilson’s Rush last, which the brand says gives a comfortable fit straight out of the box.
What you get: Herringbone Duralast rubber sole, R-DST midsole, OrthoLite Performance insole, breathable mesh upper, Rush last.
Price and where to buy: £51.99 at Padel Market, down from £69.99, so about $69 or €61. The women’s Courtglide W is also £51.99 at Padel Market.
Who it is for: New players who want a comfortable, well-cushioned padel shoe at a low price from a major brand.
- Herringbone Duralast rubber sole
- R-DST midsole
- OrthoLite Performance insole
Best for: best value
£51.99 at Padel Market, October 2026
Check price at Padel Market3. Joma Master 1000 Men 2602, best under £45
The Joma Master 1000 Men 2602 is the cheapest genuine padel shoe in this guide at £42.99. It keeps things simple, with a herringbone sole that Padel Market classes as clay.
Padel Market lists little beyond the sole and the FW26 season, with no weight or cushioning system named. Treat it as a no-frills shoe that gets the most important part, the grip, right for very little money.
What you get: Herringbone (clay) sole, FW26 model, laces. Weight and cushioning not listed.
Price and where to buy: £42.99 at Padel Market, so about $57 or €51. The Joma Master 1000 Lady 2602 is the same £42.99 at Padel Market.
Who it is for: Anyone trying padel for the first time who wants proper court grip without spending more than they have to.
- Herringbone (clay) sole
- FW26 model
- laces. Weight and cushioning not listed
Best for: best under £45
£42.99 at Padel Market, October 2026
Check price at Padel Market4. Bullpadel Indiga 26I, comfort and flexibility
The Bullpadel Indiga 26I is Bullpadel’s shoe for players who are starting out or have reached an intermediate level, in the retailer’s words. The retailer describes it as light and flexible, with a construction that allows a natural stride, while still giving you a proper zigzag sole.
The high-density rubber sole has a zigzag, herringbone pattern that Padel Nuestro classes as clay. Bullpadel uses Thermo Sealed seamless construction on the mesh upper to save weight and add flexibility, a central TPU stabiliser called Mid Stab to support the arch, and an EVA Stitch Insole for cushioning.
What you get: Herringbone (clay) rubber sole, Breathmesh upper, Thermo Sealed construction, Mid Stab TPU arch stabiliser, EVA insole.
Price and where to buy: £56.91 at Padel Nuestro, down from £63.71, so about $75 or €67. The women’s Indiga W 26I is £64.99 at Padel Market.
Who it is for: Beginners who find stiff court shoes uncomfortable and want a flexible, breathable shoe that still grips.
- Herringbone (clay) rubber sole
- Breathmesh upper
- Thermo Sealed construction
Best for: comfort and flexibility
£56.91 at Padel Nuestro, October 2026
Check price at Padel Nuestro5. Adidas Courtquick Padel M, speed and light feel
The Adidas Courtquick Padel M is built for players who like to move quickly, and Padel Nuestro sells it on its lightness. It combines a padel-specific sole with Adidas’s Bounce midsole and Cloudfoam+ cushioning, and it costs the same £56.91 as our top pick.
The rubber outsole is shaped for padel courts, with AdiTuff protection in the areas that wear fastest. The upper is open mesh for breathability, with synthetic reinforcements at the toe and heel and a removable insole. No weight is listed, so take the lightness as the brand’s claim.
What you get: Padel-specific rubber sole, AdiTuff abrasion protection, Bounce midsole with Cloudfoam+, open mesh upper, removable insole.
Price and where to buy: £56.91 at Padel Nuestro, down from £67.96, so about $75 or €67. The women’s Courtquick Padel W is £57.76 at Padel Nuestro.
Who it is for: Active beginners, perhaps coming from running or five-a-side, who want a shoe that feels quick and light.
- Padel-specific rubber sole
- AdiTuff abrasion protection
- Bounce midsole with Cloudfoam+
Best for: speed and light feel
£56.91 at Padel Nuestro, October 2026
Check price at Padel Nuestro6. Head Motion Team 1.5 Padel 2026, lateral support
The Head Motion Team 1.5 Padel 2026 is our pick under £60 for sideways support. It is built to hold the foot firmly through sideways moves, and it is on sale at Padel Market for £55.99.
The outsole was developed with Mondo, a sports surface maker, for grip in every direction, and Padel Market classes it as herringbone. A 3D TPU midfoot shank and Head’s Lateral Control technology stop the foot rolling, while a TPU toe cap protects the front of the shoe when you drag it.
What you get: Herringbone sole developed with Mondo, 3D TPU midfoot shank, Lateral Control, TPU toe cap, mesh upper with padded tongue.
Price and where to buy: £55.99 at Padel Market, down from £94.99, so about $74 or €66.
Who it is for: Beginners with a history of rolled ankles who want firm sideways support. Only the men’s version is listed at Padel Market.
- Herringbone sole developed with Mondo
- 3D TPU midfoot shank
- Lateral Control
Best for: lateral support
£55.99 at Padel Market, October 2026
Check price at Padel Market7. Asics Gel-Challenger 15 Padel, regular players stepping up
The Asics Gel-Challenger 15 Padel is the pick for beginners who are already hooked. It costs more, at £86.99, but it is a far more reinforced shoe, rated by Padel Nuestro for intensive play and competition, so it is the one to buy if you play several times a week.
Asics gives it a full padel-specific sole in AHARPLUS rubber, made to resist wear, with WINGWALL technology for lateral stability and DYNALACING for a secure fit. PGUARD adds durability at the toe and inner forefoot, and the upper has a synthetic leather structure.
What you get: Herringbone AHARPLUS rubber sole, WINGWALL lateral stability, DYNALACING fit system, PGUARD toe protection, synthetic leather upper.
Price and where to buy: £86.99 at Padel Market, down from £103.99, so about $115 or €102. The women’s Gel-Challenger 15 Padel W is £104.99 at Padel Market.
Who it is for: Beginners who play two or three times a week and want a shoe that will last as their game improves.
- Herringbone AHARPLUS rubber sole
- WINGWALL lateral stability
- DYNALACING fit system
Best for: regular players stepping up
£86.99 at Padel Market, October 2026
Check price at Padel MarketHonourable mentions
The Babolat Movea 2 Men has a Michelin padel sole and STRAP-LOCK stability, and it was heavily discounted at Padel Nuestro when we checked. The retailer pitches it at intermediate and advanced players, so it is a better second pair than a first one.
The Asics Gel-Dedicate 8 Padel, the previous version of our top pick, is still on sale with a herringbone sole. It is worth a look if the Gel-Dedicate 9 is out of stock in your size.
What to look for in a beginner padel shoe
Get the sole right and almost any comfortable padel shoe will do for your first months on court. Then think about fit, support and price.
Herringbone, clay or omni sole
A herringbone sole has a zigzag tread, and retailers often sell it as clay. ASICS describes it as a wavy pattern that helps you glide across artificial turf, especially recommended for sandier courts and highly durable. Padel Nuestro calls it the most common choice, best on sand-filled artificial turf.
An omni sole uses small dots or pimples instead. ASICS says it gives great grip and suits lateral sliding but lasts a shorter time than herringbone, and Padel Nuestro suggests it for artificial grass with a heavier layer of sand. A mixed or all-court sole combines the two.
For UK beginners, herringbone or a padel-specific sole is the safe default. The LTA’s padel court data sheet specifies a sand-dressed synthetic turf surface, and that is what you will play on at most of the padel clubs in the UK.
Fit and sizing
A padel shoe should hold your heel firmly and leave a little room at the toes, because you stop and push off sharply. Try shoes on with the socks you play in, and lace them fully before you judge the fit. Our beginner’s guide to padel shoes covers fit in more detail.
Retailers list European sizes, and stock varies by size. Padel Market had the Joma Master 1000 Men in EU 40 to 47 when we checked, but some shoes on this list were down to a few sizes, so check yours before you settle on a model.
Cushioning and support
ASICS says padel shoes have a stiffer sole to allow rotation and a softer upper for flexibility, and that tennis shoes are not perfectly suited to padel. Look for a named cushioning system, such as GEL, R-DST or Cloudfoam, and a midfoot stabiliser if you are heavier or prone to rolling an ankle.
Budget
You do not need to spend £100 on a first pair. Six of our seven picks cost under £60 at Padel Nuestro or Padel Market, and the Joma Master 1000 is £42.99. Pair your shoes with the right racket from our best padel rackets for beginners and the right kit from our guide to what to wear for padel.
When to replace them
Padel Nuestro says padel shoes usually last months, even a year if you look after them, but advises changing them every 4 to 6 months if you play frequently. Replace them sooner if the zigzag on the sole has worn smooth and you start to slip.
There is no official rule on shoe type: the FIP Rules of Padel only say that players will wear suitable sports clothing and footwear. If you like a particular brand, our Nike padel shoes guide covers another option.
Beginner padel shoes FAQ
Can you start playing padel in running shoes?
It is not a good idea. ASICS says you cannot substitute padel shoes for other trainers, because other footwear will not let you sprint and slide, so you could twist an ankle or fall. Running shoes also lack the sideways support padel needs.
Can I use tennis shoes for padel?
A clay-court tennis shoe with a herringbone sole will get you through a first session, but ASICS says tennis shoes are not perfectly suited to padel. Padel shoes have a stiffer sole for rotation and soles made for sand-filled artificial grass.
What is the difference between Omni and Clay soles?
A clay sole has a zigzag herringbone tread that grips and lasts well on sand-filled artificial turf. An omni sole uses small dots for extra grip on courts with a heavier layer of sand, but ASICS says it wears out sooner.
How long do padel shoes last?
Padel Nuestro says padel shoes usually last months, even a year with care, and advises replacing them every 4 to 6 months if you play frequently. Change them sooner if the sole tread has worn smooth.
How much should I spend on padel shoes?
A beginner can buy a good padel shoe for under £60. The Asics Gel-Dedicate 9 Padel is £56.91 at Padel Nuestro, the Wilson Courtglide Padel is £51.99 and the Joma Master 1000 is £42.99 at Padel Market.
Do I need different shoes for indoor vs outdoor padel?
Usually not. SAPCA’s padel court construction code says most padel courts in the UK are sand-filled or sand-dressed artificial grass, so one pair with a herringbone or padel sole covers both.
Are there women’s padel shoes?
Yes. Most picks here come in a women’s version, including the Wilson Courtglide W at £51.99, the Joma Master 1000 Lady 2602 at £42.99 and the Adidas Courtquick Padel W at £57.76.
