Gear guide

Racket

Padel rackets are solid (no strings), perforated, and lighter than they look. Venues often rent rackets for your first visits — use that before buying.

• Beginner-friendly shape. Round or teardrop shapes with a larger sweet spot forgive off-centre hits. Avoid ultra-elite diamond shapes until you consistently contact the centre.
• Weight. Roughly 360–375 g is a common comfortable range for adults learning the game. Too heavy tires your wrist; too light can feel twitchy on volleys.
• Balance. Even or slightly head-light rackets help control at the net. Head-heavy models add power but demand better technique.
• Grip. Replace overgrips when slick. One correct grip size beats an expensive frame with a slippery handle.

Shoes

Footwork matters more than racket brand at beginner level. Prioritise grip and lateral support.

• Court-specific soles. Herringbone or padel/tennis patterns grip indoor courts better than flat street soles. Running shoes can slide on painted indoor surfaces.
• Lateral stability. You will shuffle sideways constantly. Shoes with a stable base and reinforced sides reduce rolled ankles.
• Outdoor vs indoor. If you play on gritty outdoor courts, a durable outsole helps; some players keep a separate pair for indoor to protect club floors and their knees.
• Fit. Snug heel, room for toes on stops. Break shoes in during a warm-up, not during your only competitive set of the week.

Balls

• Pressurised vs low-pressure. Social play often uses balls similar to tennis pressure cans when fresh; practice balls may be slightly slower. Dead balls bounce low and kill rallies — swap them when rallies feel “heavy”.
• Bring a spare can for club sessions if the organiser asks participants to contribute. Label your balls if you mix kit bags.
• Storage. Keep balls out of cold car boots when possible; pressure drops in cold weather and changes bounce.

Clothing

• Layers for Ireland. Indoor venues can be warm; outdoor evenings cool quickly. A breathable base layer and a light jacket you can shed beat one heavy cotton top.
• Freedom to rotate. Shorts or leggings that allow deep lunges; avoid restrictive denim or pockets that trap the ball on your hip.
• Sweat management. Wristbands and a small towel reduce slippery grips — cheap upgrades with big impact.
• Eye protection. Sports glasses are optional but sensible if you have had eye injuries before; the ball is softer than squash but still fast at the net.

What to skip for now

You can add these later when your level card and drill habits show a clear need:

• Top-tier carbon rackets marketed for tour players — they punish mishits and cost more than your learning curve needs.
• Large pro-style kit bags, matching team bundles, or multiple rackets before you know your preferred shape.
• Specialised vibration dampeners, weighted tapes, or custom stringing — irrelevant on solid rackets.
• Compression sleeves and recovery gadgets unless you already use them for other sports.

Spend time on court and on the drill cards first. Upgrade gear when you repeat the same mistake because of equipment limits, not marketing.