You do not need to buy a complete kit before your first booking. Start by finding out what the venue supplies, then bring the essentials for a comfortable session.
Ask three questions when you book
- Can I hire a racket, and are balls included? Confirm any hire charge and whether you need to reserve equipment.
- What footwear does this court require? Follow the venue’s guidance for its surface, including any non-marking-sole requirement.
- Is this a coached introduction or an open booking? Check whether you need to bring other players and how early you should arrive.
Save the booking details and the venue’s arrival instructions. For outdoor courts, check the forecast and the venue’s weather-cancellation arrangements before travelling.
Pack the essentials
- Your booking confirmation and a way to contact the venue.
- Comfortable sports clothing and footwear accepted by the venue.
- Water and a small towel.
- A padel racket and padel balls if they are not provided.
- A spare top or layer appropriate to the weather.
Padel and tennis equipment are not interchangeable simply because they look familiar. Padel rackets have a perforated face rather than strings, and padel balls have different pressure characteristics. The LTA’s guide for tennis players moving to padel explains these differences.
Before the first point
Ask the coach or venue staff for a short explanation of serving, scoring and how the walls come into play. Agree the scoring format with your group: different sessions may use different formats.
Wear the racket’s safety wrist cord during play. It is required under the FIP Rules of Padel. Inspect it before starting and ask staff for a different racket if a hired one appears damaged.
Keep bags and loose equipment outside the playing area. Wait until a rally has finished before opening the court door, and let other players know if a loose ball enters their space.
Make the second session easier
After playing, note the racket you used and anything you would change about your kit. Was the handle comfortable? Did your bag hold the essentials without becoming difficult to carry? Did you need an extra layer?
Use those observations to decide what to borrow, hire or buy next. If you are unsure about equipment, a coach who has seen you play can help you compare options more usefully than choosing on price alone. For storage after your session, read our racket and grip care routine.