I enjoy writing these articles for my readers, you guys. I don't accept payment for writing reviews, my opinion on products is my own, but if you find my recommendations helpful and you end up buying something through one of the links I may be able to receive a commission on that. More information
A good player, in any sport, is concerned with the choice of his boots, but with the speed in which paddle is played, it is ESSENTIAL to find the right features in a shoe.
The best men's shoe, which I use myself, is this Adidas Galaxy, due to its wide design and unique cloudfoam. Being for ladies this ASICS gel Rockets very well because of their Trusstic midsole system, which perfectly absorb the intensive back and forth movement.
Sure, you can just buy tennis shoes and have a nice end, but for the BEST results I have selected the 3 best models of the moment for both men and women.
First, let's take a look at all the options I've put together for you; then you can read a more in-depth review on each of these choices later in this article:
Best overall
Best cheap padel shoes
Although made for running, the sole and air mesh upper combination is sturdy and breathable.
Best grip
Herringbone sole provides perfect grip on turf or hard court.
Best Cheap Padel Shoes For Women
Special gel cushion that protects your feet from long hours of padel play.
Best attenuation
Designed to cushion the heel area and front with plenty of padding in the upper.
Best lightweight padel shoes
Lightweight synthetic sole with herringbone pattern that keeps your feet flexible.
What we discuss in this comprehensive post:
Padel shoes buying guide
With padel you make different movements than you with squash shoes for example want to catch.
Ordinary running shoes have less grip and cushioning because they are made to absorb the movements of running straight on a paved surface and standing on the padel court for a long time will lead to knee, hip and back problems.
Tennis shoes are the closest to padel shoes because of the similar movements, but padel involves even more fast turns and rotations, so special padel shoes have more grip and cushioning to protect your knees and lower back.
Padel shoes are also less reinforced around the shoe, which makes them lighter and more agile, because you play a lot more up and down and back and forth, while in tennis you often work from the baseline.
Grip
Sufficient grip is important to handle the fast rotations of padel without slipping and they must be able to support sufficient lateral movement.
It can get really intense in a padel rally like this:
The Omni sole with small dots is most popular with top players and offers the best grip on artificial grass.
They are less durable because the small points on the sole cause more abrasion from friction on the trajectory of fast movements.
The Babolat Movea has this sole.
This pattern offers better support no matter what surface you play on, for example indoors or outdoors.
A herringbone sole has a very strong grip and is specially made to withstand the wear and tear of sandy surfaces.
The Asics Gel Resolution has this sole.
It also offers better cushioning thanks to the high pattern and is suitable for harder surfaces.
The mixed sole is a mix of omni and herringbone with the smaller dots on the inside, like this Asics Gel Rocket.
The rest of the sole uses a herringbone pattern for easier glide and more durability.
How much grip you want depends on your playing style. Some slide more on the court while others want maximum grip, whether they are a beginner or experienced padel player.
- Polyurethane is light and very resilient with good shock absorbing properties
- while rubber offers the best grip and durability.
Damping
You need a good bounce with the right cushioning to handle gravity and joint stress in the lower, twisting motions than tennis.
If you are heavier, you want to opt for extra cushioning, and padel shoes for men also differ from those for women.
The cushioning also helps you maintain balance, posture and the correct center of gravity during these dynamic movements.
The midsole is where most of the cushioning comes from and brands use different names for the material used such as bounce, gel, dual fusion and FlyteFoam.
In general, it is a type of EVA foam, air, or gel in various shapes and thicknesses.
For padel you will want to go for a fairly thick foam or a comparable gel midsole. Gel soles can be slightly thinner and offer 10% more bounce and 20% more shock absorption per thickness.
Upper material
The padel shoe must be stable and comfortable for ankle and joint protection and a powerful stroke.
Breathable material is usually not the most stable or durable so you will have to make a tradeoff here.
The upper material is the flexible part of the shoe and ensures that your feet are firmly seated while also allowing them to roll off easily.
Synthetic materials are cheap, sturdy and you can combine materials with different properties for individual parts of the shoe.
Mesh, for example, has a high air permeability and is very flexible.
A full mesh upper may not provide enough support for padel but is often combined with other materials such as the Asics Gel Rocket.
Textiles, such as cotton, wool or nylon, provide a soft and comfortable padding and the insole is often made of this. It is a balanced material which is not necessarily very durable or very breathable, but you can easily design and create patterns with it.
Leather shoes were very popular in the past for their durability, but they are not as breathable as synthetic materials and a lot heavier.
Synthetic leather is a bit lighter and more breathable than real leather and is now more common, but suede is also very durable for a shoe that will last, such as the New Balance Wl373.
Sustainability
Durability of the shoe depends on so many factors and in general you compromise on lightweight, grip or cushioning for a more durable shoe.
But the way of attaching the upper to the shoe also plays a role, whereby a shoe made of one piece with synthetic material or a wrap around is more durable than a glued model.
Type of surface
The following applies: The harder the surface, the greater the damping must be, such as with a hard court or indoor track.
There are different types of padel courts in sports complexessuch as clay, concrete, mats or artificial grass courses.
A padel court is usually artificial grass, which is quite soft, and you will be able to get away with a lower degree of cushioning.
Artificial grass is lightly covered with sand so that it will wear out your sole faster.
Also read: the best padel rackets for your budget
Best padel shoes for men and women reviewed
Babolat movea
- Perfect shock protection
- Omni-sole grip
- Supportive straps on breathable mesh
- Omni sole does not give the best durability
It is a heavily cushioned shoe that provides perfect shock protection during tough competitions.
Babolat produces one of the few shoes on the market, made specifically for the movements that you need to make with padel: whether on clay, grass or asphalt!
The babolat movea POWER STRAP is like having a personal trainer wrapped around your feet. The POWER strap provides serious traction with every stride, providing powerful midfoot support and eliminating distractions so you can focus on your fast-paced game.
The last thing an athlete has to worry about is how their shoes will perform at the time, and with the KPRSX technology not even Hagrid can break them!
With a Michelin rubber outsole for superior traction during fast footwork drills, this shoe offers unparalleled protection.
If you're looking for reliable, quality tennis shoes from a trusted name in the industry, look no further.
The padding on these trainers provides as much support as possible without compromising comfort or grip on the court.
The two supportive straps around the midfoot make them an ultra-comfortable shoe compared to anything else on the market, and they still have all the features needed when playing intense matches against your toughest opponents: PLUS breathable fabric lining so they don't start to smell after hours and hours of wear.
Adidas Galaxy Men
- Breathable mesh lining
- wide fit
- Sufficient damping
- They run a little small
- Not for professionals
Although they are made for running, it is the sole of the shoe, combined with the air mesh upper that allows maximum breathability.
They've risen to the class of padel shoes because of the intelligent, breathable design that makes landing on your toes really comfortable during high-performance competitions.
They have a wide fit that provides a larger running surface and prevents slipping during swings and slides.
In general, the stability of this shoe protects your feet and offers your feet the right comfort. This cushioning comes from the cloudfoam midsole.
The Adidas Galaxy running shoe comes with a FITFRAME 3D molded TPU. This is for increasing stability around the heel.
The outsole provides durability and together with the midsole it provides your feet with a lockdown fit.
This is critical when playing on a court, as your shoes need to function as a part of your body.
Here's a close-up of the shoes:
The lock-down fit stabilizes you and makes the Adidas Galaxy a great choice for beginners and mid-level players on the padel court.
Benefits
- The breathable mesh lining
- Midsole provides cushioning to protect during jumps
- Wide fit is for providing a lockdown fit
- FITFRAME 3D-molded TPU, an exclusive feature of this product series
- Maximum breathability for extended use
Cons
They run a bit small, so pay attention when choosing your size, it is probably better to take a size larger.
Judgment
These are running shoes and if you are a professional looking to play on a padel court then you may want to reconsider your choice.
They are comfortable shoes and perfect for protecting your feet against absurd and very fast movements.
The price is perfect as an entry-level model and they have, in our opinion, the best price/quality ratio.
Adidas Barricade Club Men
- Adituff system offers excellent protection
- ADIWEAR for high wear resistance
- 360-degree TPU film for durability
- Herringbone motif is not for every playstyle
This shoe has a herringbone sole, which makes it very suitable for a turf or hard court track.
They have an upper that is both light and breathable. They come with an exclusive Adidas feature called ADITUFF.
This feature wraps the top and mid forefoot to prevent injury during extreme lateral movements, on the serve and volleys that occur when you drag your foot.
Protecting the foot during these movements is extremely important, as such movements are usually match-deciding.
The exciting feature is the removable insole, so you can maintain these shoes well.
With extreme durability in areas prone to abrasion, the Adidas Barricade Club Tennis Shoe comes with 360 degree TPU film.
These shoes are specially made for long-term use and are very light because of the EVA midsole.
They also include additional midfoot support in the form of 3D torsion. Both features of 360-degree TPU film and 3D torsion come in handy during extended, long rallies.
These shoes have a full length ADIPRENE. This feature was added by Adidas to provide optimized cushioning and rebound.
The added feature for durability is the ADIWEAR outsole.
The biggest problem with tennis shoes is that their outsole wears out faster than other athletic shoes.
So ADIWEAR is made to provide ultimate durability under high wear.
Benefits
- 360-degree TPU film for durability
- EVA midsole provides adequate cushioning
- 3D Torsion for Midfoot Support
- ADIWEAR for high wear resistance
- Specially made for comfort during tennis movements
Cons
The eye of shoes needs some improvement.
Judgment
These are shoes made for professional padel players. Made exclusively for tennis, these Adidas shoes deliver on their promise of durability.
There are some complaints regarding the eyelets of these shoes. These complaints, however, do not affect the value of this product in any way.
The comfort they provide while playing is still top notch.
Adidas Galaxy vs Barricade Club
The Barricade Club is simply a better shoe, especially if you play on clay. Still, I have the Galaxy as number 1 recommendation?
How did that happen?
Two reasons:
- price
- versatility
The Adidas Galaxy is a good choice if you want maximum breathability and comfort during exercise. Plus, you get the FITFRAME 3D molded TPU that provides stability in sought-after areas such as the heel.
But if you have an intensive game and want to be able to maneuver easily on different surfaces, the Barricades are perfect because of their herringbone sole.
The biggest difference between the Barricade Club and Galaxy is the herringbone sole and gives the Barricade the perfect grip on the court, but not on every surface. This makes the Galaxy a lot more versatile, especially if you don't know what kind of courses you will be playing on or if you change often, this can be very useful.
In addition, the Galaxy is about half the price, and while it won't be the shoe of the most demanding pro (which the Barricade certainly is!), you can get by with it in almost all cases (OK, bad pun). ).
ASICS Gel Rocket
- Good stability and are comfortable
- Shock absorbing gel cushioning system
- NC rubber outsole compound with more natural rubber
- On the heavy side
A good pair of tennis shoes or volleyball shoes for women will last a long time. You will also enjoy better performance if you wear a light shoe that is comfortable and fits you well.
ASICS is one of the top producers of sports shoes. It's no wonder that most of the shoes on our list of the best padel shoes for women come from ASICS.
But they can be a little more expensive, so we've also included some affordable options that are quite good.
Made for volleyball, this shoe is excellent for transferring power from the legs to the feet in the volleyball court as you move back and forth or from right to left.
They will therefore feel fantastic on the padel court. The shoes have a rubber sole and use a special Trusstic midsole system. This is a special technology in combination with material that makes the shoe light but strong.
It makes the shoe super stable on the pitch, whether you're playing indoors on a wooden floor or outside on asphalt.
The shoe is called the Gel Rocket because of a special gel cushion, which protects your feet against shocks. Playing padel for long hours has never been more comfortable than with these shoes!
Cool summer colors such as blue, silver, pastel pink and white make the shoe a must-have.
Benefits
- These women's padel shoes have good stability and are comfortable.
- They are available in vibrant color combinations such as black/silver, white/magenta, silver/pink, white/magenta, white/silver.
- These are made of synthetic material and have a rubber sole.
- The shock-absorbing gel damping system dampens shocks during the impact phase.
- The truss system reduces the weight of the sole, while maintaining the structural integrity of the shoe.
- These shoes have an NC rubber outsole compound that contains more natural rubber than traditional solid rubber, resulting in improved traction on the track.
- These can be worn for outdoor padel. They provide adequate traction and flexibility.
Cons
- The size can be an issue with these shoes, they run a bit small, so probably choose a size larger than you normally would.
- These shoes do not provide additional support for plyometric training.
- They are a bit on the heavy side.
- This padel shoes is not the best for narrow feet.
ASICS GEL-Resolution Women
- Rearfoot shock absorber
- AHAR+ high-abrasion non-marking outsole
- Perfect for people with orthotics or bunions
- Toe is narrower than normal
This is another shoe with a Trusstic midsole and gel cushioning. In addition, it has a lot of other special features, such as a FluidRide system from ASICS.
This technology is designed to cushion the feet in the heel area and the front. The shoe also has a lot of padding in the upper part.
This makes the Gel Resolution very comfortable for hours of padel games.
Women will love the fit of the shoe. The upper of the shoe is made with a synthetic FlexionFit fabric that protects your feet like a glove.
Women's feet are shaped slightly differently than men's. Their feet are smaller, narrower, and have larger instep and toes than males.
These ASICS shoes are designed to fit women perfectly, but make sure you buy the right size.
Another feature of the Gel Resolution is an AHAR+ technology. You'll find this on many other ASICS shoes. They give you a good grip on many outdoor surfaces.
Benefits
- This is a lace- sports shoe with FlexionFit upper for supportive, form-fitting comfort, inter-sole compression and women-specific cushioning.
- They have a soft lip and collar. These shoes are on the narrower side.
- These shoes come with a rear foot shock absorber. Absorption of forefoot shocks during the strike and push-off phases allows rapid multi-plane movement as the foot transitions into the gait cycle.
- They have an AHAR+ high-abrasion non-marking outsole.
- These are perfect shoes for people who need orthotics, people with bunions or similar problems.
- They are stylish and stand out for their unique design and color combinations.
Cons
- Because these shoes are narrow, people with wide feet may experience pain after continuous use for 2-3 hours.
- The toe of these shoes is narrower than normal.
- The material of the shoe is a bit hard and stiff, which can limit movement and sometimes cause pain.
Asics Gel rocket vs Gel Resolution
These two models are both equipped with gel damping and in a very similar price range. So what is the main difference between these two?
The Rockets are most suitable for indoor use and the Resolutions for outdoor use.
Rockets are comfortable thanks to the rubber sole and they have good stability thanks to the Trusstic midsole of ASICS technology. In addition, this shoe has a lot of padding in the upper, so that you do not feel that something is rubbing against your foot during exercise.
The Resolution has a development called FluidRide and is there to cushion your heel and the front of the shoe! These shoes also come with other special features, such as a Trusstic midsole and gel cushioning, just like the Rocket.
New Balance Wl373 Women
- Light synthetic sole
- Durable suede upper
- Not suitable for professionals
- More suitable for indoors than outdoors
New Balance makes great shoes that aren't too expensive.
This lightweight tennis shoe has no rubber sole. But the synthetic sole has a nice herringbone pattern that keeps your feet flexible, while you have enough grip on the floor.
The synthetic and fabric upper is comfortable yet sturdy and allows your feet to breathe through the small holes.
These shoes are really light, probably because they don't have a rubber sole. You can smoothly and easily change direction to retrieve a lob and the stable Adzorb midsole will protect your feet.
This is a good shoe for playing indoor padel, because indoor shoes don't need a lot of rubber.
Conclusion
Padel has a very specific dynamic playing style which certainly influences the shoes you choose.
It's different from tennis or squash and the game type should affect the type of sole and support you choose.
