Wear court shoes with good grip and side support, a light top that wicks sweat away, and shorts, a skirt or leggings that stretch as you lunge. Leave running shoes and cotton T-shirts at home. A proper padel T-shirt costs about £20 to £30 and shorts or a skirt about £20 to £35, so a full outfit without shoes comes to roughly £40 to £65 (about $53 to $86 or €47 to €76). Good places to start are the Adidas Club T-shirt at £22.91, Nox Team shorts at £27.16 and the Nox Team skirt at £18.66. Last updated: October 2026.
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What to wear for padel at a glance
| Item | What to look for | Good pick | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shoes | Herringbone or clay sole, firm side support | Asics Gel-Resolution X Padel | £93.46 |
| Men’s T-shirt | Polyester with some stretch, roomy shoulders | Adidas Club KS | £22.91 |
| Men’s shorts | Light stretch fabric, pockets for balls | Nox Team shorts | £27.16 |
| Women’s T-shirt | Stretch fabric, cut that does not ride up | Nox Team women’s T-shirt | £19.51 |
| Skirt | Built-in inner shorts | Nox Team skirt | £18.66 |
| Socks | Cushioned heel and toe, sweat-wicking | Vibor-A Pure, pack of three | £10.16 |
Every price is from Padel Nuestro or Padel Market in October 2026. Sports clothing goes on sale often, so the price you see may be lower.
Padel shoes matter more than anything else
If you only spend money on one thing, make it shoes. Padel is all short sprints, sudden stops and side steps on artificial grass with sand brushed into it, and a running shoe is built for none of that. Its soft, high heel rolls when you push off sideways, and the sole slides on the sand.
A proper padel shoe has a herringbone or clay-court sole, the zigzag tread that grips sandy grass, plus a firm side wall to stop your foot rolling over. Clay-court tennis shoes have a similar sole and work fine if you already own a pair.
- Asics Gel-Resolution X Padel. Stable, well cushioned and supportive when you push off sideways. £93.46 at Padel Nuestro, down from £135.95.
- Adidas Crazyquick LS Padel. The cheaper of the three, and a good shoe for most club players, at £76.46.
- Bullpadel Hack Vibram 26V. Paquito Navarro’s shoe, with a hard-wearing Vibram sole, at £108.99 from Padel Market.
Our guide to the best padel shoes goes through more models and how to pick the right fit. Some clubs ask for court shoes so the turf does not get damaged, so if you turn up in trainers, check first.
Best padel T-shirts for men
A padel top needs to do two things. It has to dry quickly, because you will sweat even on a cold night, and it has to let your arms go above your head for a smash without the hem riding up. Polyester with a little elastane or spandex does both. Cotton soaks up sweat, gets heavy and stays wet.
Adidas Club KS T-shirt, the best all-rounder
This is the T-shirt to buy if you just want something that works. It is made from recycled polyester, dries quickly, and the Freelift cut gives you extra room through the shoulders so it stays tucked in when you reach for a lob. It is £22.91 at Padel Nuestro, down from £29.71, in a plain blue with the small Adidas logo.
Nox Team T-shirt, best for stretch
Nox is the brand of Agustín Tapia, one of the best players in the world, and the Team range is its everyday kit. The T-shirt is 90% polyester and 10% spandex, so it has more give than most and moves with you rather than pulling across your back. It is £22.91, down from £30.56.
Head Rainbow T-shirt, the Padel Market pick
Head makes the rackets Arturo Coello plays with, and its 2026 clothing is easy to find at Padel Market. The Rainbow is a light, breathable polyester T-shirt in light blue or dark blue, with the Head logo picked out in a fade of colours. It is £23.99, down from £30.99.
Adidas Freelift KR, the upgrade
If you play three or four times a week, the Freelift is worth the extra money. It has mesh panels for air and a cut under the arms that leaves your shoulders completely free. It costs £39.06, down from £50.96.
Some private clubs still prefer a collar. If yours does, the Nox Team polo in white is £23.76 and made from the same kind of technical fabric.
Best padel shorts for men
Padel shorts sit above the knee and should stretch as you drop into a low volley. Pockets matter more than you would think. Most players keep a spare ball in their pocket for the second serve, and a ball bouncing around a shallow pocket gets annoying fast.
Nox Team shorts, the best all-rounder
These are light, breathable and have an inner mesh lining, so you do not need anything special underneath. They are £27.16 at Padel Nuestro, down from £33.96, and look smart enough to pair with any of the T-shirts above.
Adidas Club 7-inch shorts, best for pockets
The Adidas Club shorts have side pockets made to hold spare balls securely, which is exactly what you want between first and second serve. The fabric is a woven stretch with 14% elastane, and the leg is 7 inches long. They cost £26.31, down from £33.96.
Asics Padel Court 7-inch shorts
Asics now makes a padel range alongside its shoes, and Mike Yanguas plays in it. These shorts come in white or green, with an ergonomic cut and breathable polyester. They are £34.99 at Padel Market.
On a tighter budget, the Bullpadel Cabanas shorts are £20.99 at Padel Market, down from £28.99, in black, white, beige or blue.
Best padel T-shirts for women
Nox Team women’s T-shirt, best value
This is the best value women’s padel T-shirt here. It is a soft stretch fabric of polyester and spandex, with a fitted cut that leaves your shoulders free to swing. It is £19.51 at Padel Nuestro, and it pairs with the matching Nox skirt below.
Adidas Club KX women’s T-shirt, best for hot courts
The Adidas Club KX has mesh panels under the sleeves, which makes a real difference on a warm indoor court. It is 88% recycled polyester and 12% elastane, with a regular fit and a slightly curved hem. It costs £28.86, down from £33.96.
Head Rainbow women’s T-shirt
The women’s version of the Head Rainbow comes in blue or white, in a light breathable polyester. It is £23.99 at Padel Market, down from £30.99.
Best padel skirts
Most women play padel in a skirt with shorts built in underneath, which some shops call a skort. You get the freedom of a skirt and the cover of shorts. Look for a wide waistband that stays put when you twist.
Nox Team skirt, the best value padel skirt
At £18.66, down from £29.71, this is hard to beat. It has compression shorts built in underneath, a stretchy polyester and spandex fabric, and enough weight to sit nicely rather than flap about. It comes in more than one colour.
Adidas Club Pleat skirt, best for coverage
The Adidas Club Pleat has inner leggings rather than short shorts, so it gives a bit more cover. The wide elastic waistband is comfortable for a long session, and the fabric uses the same Climacool sweat-wicking fabric as the Adidas Club tops. It costs £35.66, down from £42.46.
Asics Padel Court skirt, the Padel Market pick
This skirt has a mesh inner short for support, a mesh panel at the back to let air in, slits at the sides and a drawcord at the waist. It is £34.99 at Padel Market in bright green.
For the lowest price, the Bullpadel Dalia skirt is £21.99 at Padel Market, down from £39.99, with built-in inner shorts and a high waistband, in white, blue or dark blue.
Padel shorts and leggings for women
If skirts are not for you, shorts work just as well. The Adidas Club KQ women shorts are £27.16, with a loose fit, an elastic waist with a drawcord and mesh leggings built in. The Nox Team women shorts are cheaper at £22.91, down from £32.26.
Leggings are fine too, especially on a cold outdoor court. Any good gym leggings will do, as long as they are not so thick that you overheat once the rallies start.
Socks and underwear
Good socks are worth more than you would expect. All those stops and side steps rub your foot against the inside of the shoe, and a thin cotton sock is where most blisters come from. Look for padding under the heel and the ball of the foot, in a fabric that wicks sweat.
A three-pack of Vibor-A Pure socks is £10.16 at Padel Nuestro, and a three-pack of Mizuno Training Mid is £12.71. Ankle or mid-calf is up to you.
Underneath, sports underwear or compression shorts are more comfortable than cotton, especially in a long session. Many padel shorts and skirts already have something built in, so check before you double up.
Accessories and what to bring
A sweatband on your playing wrist stops sweat running onto the grip, which is one of the most common complaints in padel. A fresh overgrip on the racket helps too, and our beginner racket guide covers grips and handles.
Outdoors, a cap or visor keeps the sun out of your eyes on overheads and smashes. Some players wear sports sunglasses, but many find them distracting in fast rallies, so if you wear them make sure they will not slip.
For the bag itself, pack a water bottle, a small towel and a spare top for longer sessions. If you have your own racket, a padel bag with an insulated pocket keeps it out of the heat. If you do not, most clubs rent rackets, and our beginner guide covers what to expect on your first visit.
What not to wear for padel
- Running shoes or casual trainers. They give little side support and the wrong sole for sandy grass.
- Shoes with dark soles that mark. Some clubs will ask you to change.
- Jeans, chinos or anything that does not stretch. You will not get low enough for a volley.
- Heavy cotton. It soaks up sweat and stays wet.
- Jewellery that dangles. Rings and bracelets catch on the racket strap and the court fencing.
Most clubs are relaxed about clothing, but a few private clubs have stricter rules, so check before your first visit.
Padel clothing brands worth knowing
You do not need padel-branded clothing to play. Any decent sports kit will do, and the money is better spent on shoes. If you do want padel kit, these are the names you will see most, and all of them have official 2026 shirts for the players they sponsor.
- Nox. A Spanish padel brand, worn by Agustín Tapia. The Team range is good value.
- Head. The brand of Arturo Coello, with a growing clothing range that Padel Market stocks well.
- Adidas. Huge in padel now, with Ale Galán among its players. The Club range is the place to start.
- Bullpadel. Spanish and padel-only, the brand of Paquito Navarro. Both Padel Nuestro and Padel Market carry a big range.
- Asics. Best known for padel shoes, but its Padel Court clothing range is well made and fairly priced.
Padel Nuestro’s padel clothing section has hundreds of tops, shorts and skirts if you want to browse.
Dressing for the weather
Indoor courts keep the wind and rain off, so a T-shirt and shorts or a skirt work all year. Outdoor courts in a British winter are a different story.
For cold outdoor games, wear a light long-sleeved technical top or a zip-up jacket for the warm-up, and expect to take it off within a few games. Leggings or tracksuit bottoms keep your legs warm while you get going.
In heat, wear the lightest and most open fabric you have, a cap or visor, and sun cream. On the outdoor courts here in Bali, a spare T-shirt in the bag is not a luxury.
Padel clothing FAQ
What should I wear for padel?
Court shoes with a herringbone or clay sole, a light polyester T-shirt that wicks sweat, and stretchy shorts, a skirt with built-in shorts or leggings. Add cushioned sports socks and leave running shoes and cotton at home.
Do I need special padel clothing?
No. Any good sports clothing in a breathable, quick-drying fabric is fine. The one thing worth buying for padel is a pair of padel or clay-court shoes.
What do women wear for padel?
Most women wear a sports T-shirt or tank top with a padel skirt that has shorts built in, often called a skort. Shorts and leggings are just as common, especially in colder weather.
Can I wear running shoes for padel?
It is best not to. Running shoes are built for moving forwards, have soft high heels that roll when you move sideways, and their soles slip on the sand in a padel court.
Is there a dress code for padel?
Most clubs only ask for sports clothing and proper court shoes. A few private clubs have stricter rules, so it is worth checking with the club before your first game.
How much does padel clothing cost?
A good padel T-shirt costs about £20 to £30 and shorts or a skirt about £20 to £35. The padel shoes in this guide cost £76 to £109.
What should I wear for padel in cold weather?
Layer a light long-sleeved technical top or zip-up jacket over your T-shirt and wear leggings or tracksuit bottoms. You will warm up fast, so pick layers that are easy to take off.
