The Beginner’s Guide to Padel: Everything You Need for Your First Match

Welcome to the Cage!

Padel is taking Switzerland by storm, and it is easy to see why. It is highly social, incredibly fast-paced, and has a much easier learning curve than traditional tennis. But if you are booking your very first court, you might be wondering what gear you actually need to step inside the glass cage. Here is a simple checklist of beginner essentials to get you started without any of the usual shopping guesswork.

The Right Racket

As a beginner, you want to avoid the stiff carbon-fiber rackets designed for advanced pros. They have tiny sweet spots and transfer heavy vibrations to your arm. Instead, look for a round-shaped racket weighing between 355 and 375 grams with a soft EVA foam core. Round rackets offer maximum forgiveness and control, giving you a large sweet spot so you can focus entirely on developing your technique.

Proper Footwear and Balls

While you can technically wear regular running shoes, it is a major slip hazard. Padel courts are made of artificial turf layered with fine sand. To safely perform sudden lateral shifts and quick stops, you need proper padel shoes or clay-court tennis shoes with a herringbone sole to grip the turf and prevent rolled ankles. Additionally, make sure you are using padel-specific balls rather than old tennis balls from the garage, as padel balls have less internal pressure to ensure they bounce predictably off the walls.

Overgrips and Hydration

Because you are constantly reacting to quick wall bounces, keeping a secure hold on your racket is key. Adding a soft Comfort overgrip to your racket handle provides excellent extra cushioning for beginners. Combine that with a reliable water bottle and some fast-acting energy gummies like Cola or Fruit Mix to keep your focus sharp during sixty to ninety minutes of high-intensity rallies.

Start Smart with El Lote

If you want to skip the hassle of buying everything separately, El Lote offers curated Starter Boxes as a one-time purchase with absolutely no subscription required. Ranging from CHF 19.90 to CHF 39.90, they come packed with premium balls, custom overgrips, energy gummies, and essential accessories, making it the easiest way to kickstart your padel journey in Switzerland.