The Padel Mistake I Won’t Make Again: Why Good Trainers Really Matter

I think this is something that's easy to overlook when you first start playing.

Padel involves so much more than simply running around.

You're moving forwards, backwards and, importantly, side to side. You're stopping suddenly, changing direction, twisting and reaching for balls that you probably have no business attempting to reach!

Your footwear needs to cope with all of that.

Once I started wearing trainers designed for court sports, I immediately felt much more secure.

The grip was better.

My feet felt more stable.

And I wasn't constantly thinking about whether I was going to slip.

That last one might sound like a small thing, but after my A&E adventure, trust me, it wasn't!

There's something quite nice about knowing you've got the right kit for what you're doing.

I'm not suggesting a pair of trainers is going to make you a better padel player overnight — if only it were that easy!

But when you're not worrying about your feet sliding around, you can concentrate on actually playing.

And if you're new to padel, that confidence is particularly useful.

You're already trying to remember where you're supposed to stand, what shot you're meant to play and why everyone else seems to know exactly what they're doing.

The last thing you need is to be worrying about your footwear too.

I'm definitely not an expert in padel equipment, but after my experience, there are a few things I'll always look for now.

Good grip – because you need to feel secure when moving around the court.

Stability – particularly when you're changing direction quickly.

Comfort – because nobody wants sore feet halfway through a game.

And, of course, something that actually feels good to wear.

Because I'm still me, and if I'm going to buy new sports kit, I want to like how it looks too!

If you're starting padel yourself, I've put together some of the padel trainers I'm looking at from Sport It First.

Shop Padel Trainers at Sport It First

There are lots of different styles and brands, so it's worth having a look around and finding something that suits you, your budget and how often you're likely to play.

And if you're currently thinking, "I'll just wear my normal trainers to begin with..."

I'm going to gently say:

Don't make the same mistake I did.

One of the things I love about this stage of life is being willing to try things I might never have considered before.

Padel was one of those things.

I'm still learning, still missing shots I was absolutely convinced I'd hit and still getting far too competitive with my friends.

But I'm also really enjoying it.

And if you're thinking about giving it a go, I'd say go for it.

Just perhaps learn from my experience and invest in the right trainers before you step onto the court.

Your feet will thank you.

And hopefully, unlike me, your first padel adventure won't include a trip to A&E!

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