New players often ask whether they can wear their tennis shoes for padel. The honest answer is: for a first session, usually yes. Over time, shoes made for padel surfaces can be worth it. Here is why.
The surface is different
Padel is typically played on artificial turf, often topped with sand. Tennis shoes are built for hard courts, clay or grass, and their outsoles are designed accordingly.
What padel shoes do differently
- Outsole pattern: many use a herringbone or similar pattern to grip sanded turf.
- Lateral support: padel involves quick side-to-side movement and sudden stops.
- Durability: turf and sand can wear some outsoles quickly.
When tennis shoes are fine
If you are trying padel once or twice, clean court trainers are fine. Avoid heavily treaded running shoes, which can grip unpredictably and feel unstable when moving sideways.
When to upgrade
Play more than once a week and you will probably appreciate shoes designed for the sport. Read our guide on how to choose padel shoes for what to look for.