Padel shoes vs tennis shoes comes down to the sole: you can play padel in tennis shoes, because the FIP Rules of Padel only ask for suitable sports footwear, but padel shoes suit regular play better. Padel outsoles use herringbone or hybrid treads made for the sand-dressed artificial grass that LTA guidance specifies for UK courts, and ASICS says padel shoes have a stiffer sole for rotation. If you start in tennis shoes, choose a clay court pair with a full herringbone tread, and never use running shoes. Last updated: October 2026.
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This guide compares padel shoes and tennis shoes for UK players: the rules, the soles, the shoes to avoid and which padel pair to buy. For the full ranked list, see our best padel shoes for 2026.
Padel shoes vs tennis shoes at a glance
Padel shoes and tennis shoes differ most in the outsole, as the table below shows, and both are allowed under the FIP Rules of Padel.
| Feature | Padel shoes | Tennis shoes |
|---|---|---|
| Outsole tread | Herringbone, the traditional padel pattern, or a hybrid with multi-directional zones and forefoot pivot points | Modified herringbone on hard and all-court shoes, full herringbone on clay shoes, nubs on grass and omni shoes |
| Built for | Sand-dressed artificial grass, the surface LTA guidance specifies for UK padel courts | Hard, clay, grass or omni tennis courts |
| Sole and upper | Stiffer sole for rotation, softer upper for flexibility (ASICS) | Made for tennis, which mostly calls for horizontal movement along the baseline (ASICS) |
| Allowed under FIP rules | Yes | Yes, as suitable sports footwear |
| Best for | Regular padel | Your first sessions, ideally a clay court pair |
Can you use tennis shoes for padel?
Yes, you can use tennis shoes for padel, and nothing in the FIP Rules of Padel stops you. ASICS still says tennis shoes are not perfectly suited to the unique demands of padel.
Can I play padel in tennis shoes under the rules?
The FIP Rules of Padel, applied from 1 January 2026, ask players to wear suitable sports clothing and footwear and set no sole or tread specification. Tennis shoes are therefore not banned. Swimwear is not allowed, and unsuitable kit is a fault that leads to disqualification if it is not put right.
Which tennis shoes work best on a padel court?
Clay court tennis shoes are the better option if you play padel in tennis shoes, because their full herringbone outsole is more functional on a padel court. Herringbone is the traditional padel outsole, and its grooves let sand pass through so you can slide in control.
Hard court and all-court tennis shoes use a modified herringbone pattern instead. Grass and omni tennis outsoles use nubs or pimples and are made only for grass, omni and artificial grass courts.
What’s the difference between padel and tennis shoes?
The main difference between padel and tennis shoes is the outsole, followed by how the sole and upper handle movement. ASICS says padel, played on a court 10 m wide by 20 m long, asks for more vertical movement and sudden, swift rotations, while tennis mostly calls for horizontal movement along the baseline.
Outsole and tread
Padel shoe outsoles are built for sand on artificial grass. LTA guidance says a UK padel court should be a single tone, sand-dressed synthetic surface made to UNE 41958 IN. Padel soles answer that with herringbone grooves that let the sand through, or hybrid patterns with multi-directional zones and forefoot pivot points.
Tennis shoe outsoles are matched to the tennis surface instead. Clay court shoes use a full herringbone tread that keeps clay out of the outsole. Hard court and all-court soles use a modified herringbone, and hard courts are the most demanding surface on outsole durability.
Sole stiffness and upper
Padel shoes have a stiffer sole to allow rotation and a softer upper for flexibility, according to ASICS. ASICS also says grip must be balanced: too much impairs mobility and risks extra strain on the knees, too little makes slipping more likely, and too little stability could lead to injury.
Wear on sand and artificial grass
Sand and artificial turf can prematurely damage outsoles and uppers not designed for them, a padel retailer warns. Weekly padel in your tennis shoes can wear out the pair you bought for tennis sooner.
Do I really need padel-specific shoes?
You do not need padel-specific shoes to start, but they are worth buying once you play regularly.
New players looking for a first pair can start with our guide to padel shoes for beginners, and the guide to padel shoes for artificial grass goes deeper on soles for sand-dressed courts.
Can I wear running shoes for padel?
No, you should not wear running shoes for padel. Foot Pain Centres of Leeds, a UK podiatry clinic, says never to wear standard running shoes on a padel court, because they lack lateral support for rapid side-to-side movement. In the clinic’s experience, the ankle sprain is the most frequently encountered court injury.
Padel shoes vs pickleball shoes
Pickleball shoes and padel shoes are built for different courts. Pickleball.com calls tennis shoes an excellent choice for pickleball, with softer soles indoors and harder soles for outdoor asphalt and concrete. Neither is a sand-dressed padel court, so a pickleball pair is closer to a tennis shoe.
Padel shoes vs badminton shoes
Badminton shoes are made for indoor floors, not padel courts. They often use non-marking rubber outsoles made for indoor surfaces, while padel soles are designed around sand on artificial grass.
Can you use padel shoes for tennis?
Padel shoes are best kept for padel, because a padel sole is designed around sand on artificial grass rather than hard court tennis. Hard courts are the most demanding surface on outsole durability. If you play both sports, keep one pair for each.
Which padel shoes to buy
These four padel shoes all have a padel or all-court outsole, with UK prices checked at Padel Nuestro in October 2026. For more picks and full reviews, see our best padel shoes guide.
| Shoe | Best for | Sole | Price, Padel Nuestro, October 2026 | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson Hurakn Pro V2 | Best value | Duralast rubber padel sole built for rotation | £66.96 | Check price |
| Bullpadel Hack Vibram 26V | Best for mixed courts | Hybrid Vibram rubber, mixed and all-court | £82.87 | Check price |
| Babolat Premura 3 | Best for a flexible sole | Michelin rubber padel outsole with flex grooves | £83.71 | Check price |
| ASICS Gel-Challenger 15 Padel | Best herringbone tread | AHAR rubber, modified herringbone tread | £97.95 | Check price |
Wilson Hurakn Pro V2, best value
The Wilson Hurakn Pro V2 is the cheapest of these four picks at £66.96. Its Duralast rubber sole is designed to favour rotational movements, the sudden turns ASICS describes as typical of padel.
What you get: A Duralast rubber padel sole, designed for rotation and abrasion resistant.
Price and where to buy: £66.96 at Padel Nuestro (October 2026).
Who it is for: Players moving on from tennis shoes who want a padel sole for the lowest price of these four.
- A Duralast rubber padel sole
- designed for rotation and abrasion resistant
Best for: Players moving on from tennis shoes who want a padel sole for the lowest price of these four
£66.96 at Padel Nuestro, October 2026
Check price at Padel NuestroBullpadel Hack Vibram 26V, best for mixed courts
The Bullpadel Hack Vibram 26V has a hybrid Vibram rubber sole that Padel Nuestro lists as mixed or all-court. FIP rules allow courts in cement, synthetic material or artificial grass, so an all-court sole suits players who book at more than one venue.
What you get: A hybrid Vibram rubber sole for mixed and all-court use.
Price and where to buy: £82.87 at Padel Nuestro (October 2026).
Who it is for: Players who move between different padel court surfaces.
- A hybrid Vibram rubber sole for mixed and all-court use
Best for: Players who move between different padel court surfaces
£82.87 at Padel Nuestro, October 2026
Check price at Padel NuestroBabolat Premura 3, best for a flexible sole
The Babolat Premura 3 has a Michelin rubber padel outsole with flex grooves and costs £83.71 at Padel Nuestro, the second dearest of these four picks.
What you get: A Michelin rubber padel outsole with flex grooves.
Price and where to buy: £83.71 at Padel Nuestro (October 2026).
Who it is for: Players who want a padel-specific outsole with flex grooves at a mid-range price.
- A Michelin rubber padel outsole with flex grooves
Best for: Players who want a padel-specific outsole with flex grooves at a mid-range price
£83.71 at Padel Nuestro, October 2026
Check price at Padel NuestroASICS Gel-Challenger 15 Padel, best herringbone tread
The ASICS Gel-Challenger 15 Padel has an AHAR rubber outsole in a modified herringbone tread for padel courts and a listed weight of 389 g. It is the dearest of these four picks at £97.95.
What you get: An AHAR rubber outsole, a modified herringbone tread for padel courts and a listed weight of 389 g.
Price and where to buy: £97.95 at Padel Nuestro (October 2026).
Who it is for: Players who want a herringbone padel tread and are happy to pay the most of these four.
- An AHAR rubber outsole
- a modified herringbone tread for padel courts and a listed weight of 389 g
Best for: Players who want a herringbone padel tread and are happy to pay the most of these four
£97.95 at Padel Nuestro, October 2026
Check price at Padel NuestroPadel shoes vs tennis shoes FAQ
Can you use tennis shoes for padel?
Yes. The FIP Rules of Padel only require suitable sports footwear and set no sole or tread specification. ASICS says tennis shoes are not perfectly suited to padel, so treat them as a stopgap and choose a clay court pair, whose full herringbone outsole is more functional on a padel court.
What’s the difference between padel and tennis shoes?
The outsole is the main difference. Padel shoes use herringbone or hybrid treads built for sand-dressed artificial grass, while tennis shoes use a modified herringbone for hard courts, a full herringbone for clay or nubs for grass and omni. ASICS adds that padel shoes have a stiffer sole and a softer upper.
Are tennis shoes banned in padel?
No. The FIP Rules of Padel let players use the footwear they want as long as it is regulation and suitable sports footwear. Swimwear is not allowed, and unsuitable kit is a fault that leads to disqualification if it is not put right.
Can I wear running shoes for padel?
No. Foot Pain Centres of Leeds, a UK podiatry clinic, says never to wear standard running shoes on a padel court, because they lack lateral support for rapid side-to-side movement. Tennis shoes, ideally a clay court pair, or padel shoes are the better choice.
Can wearing the wrong shoes increase injury risk?
It can. ASICS says too little grip makes slipping more likely, too much grip risks extra strain on the knees, and too little stability could lead to injury. In the experience of Foot Pain Centres of Leeds, the ankle sprain is the most frequently encountered court injury.
What’s the best sole for outdoor padel courts in the UK?
A herringbone or hybrid padel sole suits UK courts built to LTA guidance, which describes a sand-dressed synthetic surface. The LTA example outdoor specification follows UNE 147201:2024, with monofilament grass preferred. Herringbone grooves let the sand pass through for controlled slides.
Can you use padel shoes for tennis?
Padel shoes are best kept for padel, because they are designed around sand on artificial grass rather than hard court tennis. Hard courts are the most demanding surface on outsole durability. If you play both sports, keep one pair for each.
