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07 November 20266 min read

Padel clothing: what to wear for padel

You don't need a new wardrobe for your first padel session. A sports shirt, shorts and trainers are enough to give it a go. Once you play regularly, though, you soon notice what gets in the way: a soaked cotton shirt after twenty minutes, shorts with no pocket for the ball, a blister on your heel. Here's what makes a good padel outfit, where it's worth spending money and where it isn't.

Padel clothing: what you actually need

A complete outfit has five parts, and only one of them is truly padel-specific:

  • A technical shirt: short-sleeved or sleeveless, fitted or loose, as you like.
  • Shorts, a skirt or leggings: with a pocket or ball holder.
  • Sports socks: slightly thicker, with padding at the heel and ball of the foot.
  • Padel shoes: the only item where the sport really matters.
  • Extras: a wristband, headband or cap, a towel and, in winter, a jacket for breaks.

Padel has no dress code like tennis once had with its all-white rule. When you play for fun, you wear whatever you can move in. Some clubs require sports shoes with a suitable sole in their court rules, so a quick look at the house rules saves an argument at reception.

Technical fabric instead of cotton

Padel is faster than it looks from the outside: lots of short sprints, changes of direction and hardly any rest between rallies. You sweat, even in a cool indoor club. Cotton soaks up sweat and holds on to it. The shirt gets heavy, sticks to your back and chills you during breaks.

Shirts made of polyester or polyamide, often sold as technical or dri-fit shirts, move moisture to the outside where it evaporates. That isn't marketing; it's the single most important difference in the whole outfit. A technical shirt from running or tennis works just as well as one with a padel logo.

Two small details matter more in practice than the brand: flat seams that don't rub under your hitting arm, and a cut that doesn't ride up on overheads. Try the shirt on in the shop with a smash motion.

Shorts, skirt or leggings

When you serve, you keep the second ball in your hand or your pocket. That's why your shorts deserve a closer look:

  • Shorts: deep side pockets that don't let a ball fall out are essential. Inner shorts or a light fabric stop them chafing when you lunge.
  • Skirt with inner shorts: most padel skirts have built-in shorts with a ball holder on the leg. That's more practical than any pocket.
  • Leggings or tight-fitting tights: good for cold clubs and playing outdoors in autumn, ideally with a side pocket.

Women's or men's cut: the differences are in fit and length, not material. Choose whatever doesn't pull when you lunge deep.

Shoes and socks: where money is well spent

If you only invest in one thing, make it your shoes. Padel courts have artificial grass with quartz sand. Running shoes give too little lateral support there and slip, and their soft soles wear quickly. Padel shoes have a herringbone or omni sole that grips the sand and firm side support for all the sideways steps. Which sole suits your club and which models are good is in my list of the best padel shoes of 2026 and the padel shoe guide.

Socks often get forgotten. Thin trainer socks slide forward in the shoe when you stop, and sand coming through the upper rubs against your skin. Slightly thicker sports socks with padding at the heel and ball of the foot and a cuff above the ankle prevent both.

Indoors, outdoors and in winter

Indoors, your summer outfit works for most of the year. Many padel clubs are only lightly heated, though, and 12 to 15 °C in winter isn't unusual. Then layering helps: a long-sleeved technical top under your T-shirt or a thin training jacket that you take off after warming up. Pack a warm jacket for breaks and the journey home so you don't cool down in a wet shirt.

Outdoors in summer, a cap or visor against the sun on lobs and a wristband on your hitting arm to keep the grip dry make sense. Light colours heat up less than dark ones. Outdoors in autumn and winter, long tights and a long-sleeved top work; gloves don't, because the grip needs feel.

Examples and what it costs

A simple padel outfit with a shirt, shorts or skirt and socks costs around €50 to €80, plus shoes. A few items available from Tennis-Point, with prices from 6 November 2026:

What else belongs in your bag, from overgrips to eye protection, is in my padel equipment overview. And if you need a bag for it all: padel bag or backpack?

Links marked * are partner links to Tennis-Point. If you buy through them I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Frequently asked questions

What should I wear to my first padel session?

A sports shirt, sports shorts with a pocket and clean trainers are enough for your first hour. Running shoes are fine for trying it out but slip in the sand. If you stick with it, padel shoes are the first thing to buy.

Is there a dress code in padel?

No, there's no rule about particular colours like tennis once had. Some clubs require sports shoes with a suitable sole in their court rules. Normal sportswear is fine for tournaments.

Do I need special padel clothing?

Only shoes. Shirts, shorts and socks from tennis or running work just as well, as long as they're made of technical fabric and the shorts have a pocket for the ball.

What should I wear for padel in winter?

Layers: a technical shirt, a long-sleeved top or thin jacket over it that you can take off, and long tights if the club is cold. Pack a warm jacket for breaks.

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