Your three rackets
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Common questions
I'm a tennis player. Why not just buy the most powerful padel racket?
Because padel points are won on placement and patience, not pace. A head-heavy diamond rewards a full swing, and your tennis swing is already too long for padel. Every guide for tennis converts says the same thing: teardrop, medium balance, 360 to 365 g for the first six months. Move to a diamond once your overheads land deep and you stop hitting the back glass long.
I play pickleball. What changes?
Weight. A pickleball paddle weighs about 8 oz (220 g); a padel racket weighs 12 to 13 oz (350 to 375 g) and the swing is longer. Your hands and reactions at the net carry over, so the goal is a racket light enough to keep them. Stay under 365 g, pick a round or teardrop head with a soft core, and expect the first few sessions to feel heavy.
Round, teardrop or diamond?
Round heads put the sweet spot in the middle and the balance low: the most forgiving and the best for control. Diamond heads move the sweet spot up and the weight toward the head: more power on the smash, less margin for error. Teardrop heads sit in between and suit most players from their second season onward. Brands' "hybrid" frames are teardrops with a slightly wider top.
What do the weight numbers mean?
Padel rackets are sold by a weight range, such as 365 to 375 g, because each one is hand-finished. Most adults play between 355 and 375 g. Lighter is quicker at the net and easier on the arm; heavier adds punch and tires you sooner. Women's models are usually the same racket 10 to 15 g lighter, which makes them a good option for any lighter player.
Do I need padel shoes?
Yes, eventually. Running shoes have no lateral support and tennis hard-court shoes grip too hard on the sand-dressed turf, which is bad for knees. Clay-court tennis shoes are the closest substitute until you buy padel-specific ones.