Padel Accessories Guide: Everything Beyond the Racket

By Gary, founder of RacketRise. Playing padel in the UK and tracking the sport's explosive growth.

Last Updated: March 2026

Quick Summary

• Essential accessories: overgrips, padel balls, a decent bag, proper court shoes, and a water bottle
• Nice-to-have: racket protector tape, wristbands, sports glasses, vibration dampener
• You do not need everything at once — start with the essentials and add as you play more
• Find courts near you — use the RacketRise Court Finder to book a session

Once you own a padel racket, you are technically ready to play. But there is a whole world of accessories that can improve your comfort, protect your gear, and make your time on court more enjoyable. The trick is knowing what is genuinely useful and what is marketing noise.

Quick Answer: For your first few sessions, all you really need beyond a racket is proper court shoes, an overgrip, and a water bottle. As you play more regularly, invest in a padel bag, your own balls, wristbands (if you sweat), and racket protector tape. The full list of accessories in this guide costs well under £100 total — and most of it lasts for months.

Table of Contents

• Essential Padel Accessories
• Nice-to-Have Accessories
• What to Bring to Your First Session
• Seasonal Accessories
• Storage and Care Tips
• How Much Does It All Cost?
• Sources & Further Reading
• Related Articles
• Frequently Asked Questions

Essential Padel Accessories

Overgrips

What they are: Thin wraps applied over your racket's base grip. They absorb sweat, improve feel, and give you a fresh grip surface.

Why they are essential: A worn or slippery grip is the single most common equipment complaint among padel players. Overgrips cost £1-2 each and take two minutes to apply. There is no reason not to keep your grip fresh.

What to buy: Wilson Pro Overgrip or Head Xtreme Soft are the go-to options. For heavy sweaters, try the Tourna Grip. Budget around £5-7 for a 3-pack.

How often to replace: Every 3-5 sessions for recreational players. More often if you sweat heavily.

For a full breakdown of types, top picks, and application technique, see our Best Padel Overgrips UK guide.

Padel Balls

What they are: Similar to tennis balls but with approximately 11% less internal pressure, resulting in a lower bounce suited to the enclosed padel court.

Why they are essential: Many venues provide balls with your court booking, but playing with fresh balls makes a noticeable difference. Dead balls bounce unpredictably and make rallies less enjoyable.

What to buy: Head Padel Pro (£6/tube of 3) is the gold standard. Decathlon Kuikma PB 590 (£3-4/tube) is a solid budget alternative.

For a detailed comparison of every ball on the market, read our Padel Balls Guide.

Court Shoes

What they are: Shoes designed specifically for court sports, with herringbone or omni soles suited to artificial grass padel courts.

Why they are essential: Running trainers, gym shoes, and fashion trainers do not provide the lateral support or grip pattern needed for padel. The stop-start, side-to-side movement on artificial grass demands proper court shoes. Playing in the wrong footwear risks ankle injuries and poor on-court movement.

What to buy: Asics Gel-Padel Pro, Head Sprint Pro, or Adidas Barricade are all excellent choices in the £50-£100 range.

Our full guide covers everything: Best Padel Shoes UK.

Padel Bag

What they are: Purpose-built bags with padded racket compartments, ventilated shoe sections, and sports-specific organisation.

Why they are essential: Once you own your own racket, you need to protect it. A padel bag keeps your racket safe, separates sweaty kit from clean clothes, and organises all your accessories.

What to buy: A padel backpack (£25-£50) is ideal for most players. Racket bags (£30-£70) offer more protection if you carry a spare racket.

See our full buyer's guide: Best Padel Bags UK.

Water Bottle

This one needs no explanation. Padel is a high-intensity sport and dehydration affects your game before you even notice it. Bring at least 500ml for a one-hour session, more in summer or for back-to-back matches.

Nice-to-Have Accessories

Racket Protector Tape

What it is: Adhesive tape applied around the top edge and sides of your racket head. It protects the frame from chips and scratches when the racket contacts the court surface, walls, or glass.

Why it is useful: Padel rackets take a beating. Diving volleys, low scoops, and wall shots regularly bring the racket frame into contact with hard surfaces. A chip in the frame can affect the structural integrity of the racket over time. Protector tape absorbs the impact and is easily replaced.

Cost: ~£3-5 per roll. One roll lasts several applications.

Wristbands and Sweatbands

What they are: Absorbent fabric bands worn on the wrists and/or forehead to catch sweat before it reaches your hands and eyes.

Why they are useful: Sweat running down your forearm onto the grip is a real problem, especially during summer play or in heated indoor venues. A wristband on your playing hand catches moisture before it reaches the overgrip. A headband keeps sweat out of your eyes.

Cost: ~£3-8 for a pair.

Vibration Dampener

What it is: A small rubber insert placed in the strings or holes of the racket to reduce vibration on impact.

Why it is useful: Some players find that repeated impacts cause discomfort in the wrist or elbow, particularly with harder rackets. A dampener softens the feel slightly. It is a personal preference — many players use them, many do not.

Cost: ~£2-5 for a pack.

Sports Glasses

What they are: Protective eyewear with impact-resistant lenses, designed for racket sports.

Why they are useful: A padel ball travelling at speed can cause serious eye injury. While it is relatively rare, it does happen — especially at the net during fast exchanges. Some players wear sports glasses as a precaution, particularly those who already wear prescription glasses and want impact protection.

Cost: ~£15-40 for a decent pair.

Grip Trainer

What it is: A small resistance device that strengthens hand and forearm muscles.

Why it is useful: Stronger grip means better racket control and reduced fatigue during long sessions. Useful for players who experience hand tiredness or those recovering from grip-related injuries.

Cost: ~£5-15.

What to Bring to Your First Session

If you are heading to your first padel session and wondering what to pack, here is the minimum:

• Court shoes (or clean trainers with non-marking soles as a last resort)
• Comfortable sports clothing — see our What to Wear to Padel guide
• Water bottle (at least 500ml)
• Small towel for wiping hands between games

You probably do not need to bring:

• A racket — most venues hire rackets for £3-5 per session
• Balls — most venues provide them with court bookings
• Anything else — keep it simple for your first time

Once you are hooked (and you will be), start investing in your own racket, shoes, and accessories over time.

Seasonal Accessories

Winter (October - March)

UK padel in winter presents specific challenges, particularly for outdoor courts:

• Thermal base layer. A lightweight, moisture-wicking long-sleeve top under your playing shirt keeps you warm during the first few games without overheating once you are warmed up.
• Lightweight gloves for between games. Some players keep thin running gloves in their bag to wear during changeovers when it is cold. Do not play in gloves — they ruin your grip feel.
• Extra overgrips. Cold weather makes grips feel harder and less tacky. Carry spares and change more frequently.
• Hand warmers. Disposable hand warmers in your bag for before play and during breaks. Sounds excessive, but at 4°C on an outdoor court they are a godsend.

Summer (April - September)

• Cap or visor. If you play outdoors, sun in your eyes during serves and smashes is a genuine problem. A cap or visor solves it.
• Sunscreen. Apply before you play, even on overcast days. A one-hour session in direct sun is enough to burn.
• Extra water. Increase to at least 750ml-1L per session. Consider electrolyte tablets for particularly hot days.
• Spare overgrip. Sweat destroys overgrips faster in summer. Carry a spare and change mid-session if needed.
• Sweatbands. Much more useful in summer. A wristband on your playing hand and a headband make a real difference.

Storage and Care Tips

Racket Care

• Store your racket in its bag, away from extreme temperatures. Never leave it in a hot car boot — heat damages EVA foam cores.
• Apply protector tape to the racket head edges, particularly if you play aggressive, low shots.
• Wipe the racket face with a damp cloth after sessions to remove dirt and sweat residue.
• Check the grip regularly. A degraded base grip should be replaced, not just covered with more overgrips.

Shoe Care

• Air out your shoes after every session. Remove the insoles if possible and let everything dry naturally.
• Do not machine wash padel shoes — it breaks down the adhesives and cushioning.
• Store in a ventilated shoe compartment in your bag, not sealed in a plastic bag.
• Check the sole tread regularly. Worn herringbone patterns mean less grip on artificial grass.

Ball Storage

• Keep unopened tubes in a cool, dry place at room temperature.
• Once opened, use a pressure tube container (ball saver, ~£15-25) to maintain ball pressure between sessions.
• Do not leave balls in your car — temperature extremes affect the rubber and internal pressure.

How Much Does It All Cost?

Total to get fully kitted out (excluding racket and shoes): Under £50.

The ongoing cost is mainly overgrips and balls — roughly £10-15 per month if you play twice a week.

Sources & Further Reading

• LTA Padel — Getting Started — Official guidance on padel equipment
• PDHSports — Padel accessories range — UK padel retailer with accessory selection

Related Articles

• Best Padel Rackets for Beginners (UK Buyer's Guide)
• Best Padel Shoes UK
• Best Padel Bags UK
• Padel Balls Guide
• What to Wear to Padel
• Best Padel Overgrips UK

Frequently Asked Questions

What accessories do I need for my first padel session?

For your first session, all you need is court shoes (or clean non-marking trainers), comfortable sports clothing, a water bottle, and a small towel. Most venues hire rackets and provide balls. Do not invest in accessories until you know you enjoy the sport and plan to play regularly.

How much do padel accessories cost?

The essential accessories — overgrips, balls, a bag, and a water bottle — cost under £50 total. Ongoing costs are mainly overgrips and balls, which work out to roughly £10-15 per month for someone playing twice a week. Court shoes are a separate investment (£50-£120) and last 6-12 months.

Do I need racket protector tape?

It is not essential, but it is highly recommended if you play regularly. Protector tape costs £3-5 per roll and prevents chips and scratches on your racket's frame — damage that can affect the racket's structural integrity over time. If you have invested £80+ in a racket, spending £3 to protect it makes sense.

What should I wear to play padel?

Comfortable sports clothing — shorts or leggings, a breathable top, and proper court shoes. Avoid anything too loose that could restrict movement, and always wear shoes suitable for the court surface. For a detailed guide, see our What to Wear to Padel article.

Are padel accessories the same as tennis accessories?

Many crossover — overgrips, wristbands, sweatbands, vibration dampeners, and sports glasses work identically for both sports. The main differences are in shoes (padel shoes are designed for artificial grass, not hard court) and balls (padel balls have lower pressure than tennis balls). Bags are also shaped differently to accommodate the wider, shorter padel racket.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Product recommendations are based on research — individual preferences may vary. Prices are subject to change.