Platform tennis is a game that is played on a platform, which is about 6 inches above the ground. It’s similar to squash but it’s not as fast paced and there are no walls around the court. It’s also similar to table tennis, but with larger courts and a lower net. You can play platform tennis using any type of shoes, but if you want to get the most out of your game, we recommend using the best shoes for platform tennis. Here are our top picks: Adidas Men’s Adizero Prime Boost Tennis Shoe – This shoe features a lightweight knit upper with a molded sockliner and boost cushioning for maximum comfort and stability. The quick lacing system ensures a secure fit while allowing you to adjust easily when needed. The outsole features Continental AG rubber for excellent grip and durability on both indoor and outdoor courts. It also has an abrasion-resistant toe cap so you can wear them longer without worrying about them getting worn out quickly. The Adidas Men’s Adizero Prime Boost Tennis Shoe comes in 4 color combinations: blue/white/red, black/white/blue, green/white/black, gray/black/orange

Best Shoes For Platform Tennis

Best Padel Shoes 2022

Babolat Jet Premura

Bullpadel Hack Hybrid Fly

Adidas Gamecourt

Bullpadel Flow Hybrid Fly

Why do you need padel shoes?

Padel is a sport with fast movements, sharp turns, and jumps. Having shoes that are designed to do this improves your results on the court and reduces the risk of injury. A running shoe is designed to provide comfort and stability when moving in one direction. An indoor shoe has a flat sole to provide maximum grip on a floor. You need different types of shoes for different sports. If you invest in a pair of good padel shoes, you can also use them as pickleball shoes outdoors. Trying out padel for the first time, you can get away with a pair of standard training shoes. However, if you decide to play regularly, you should invest in padel shoes.

What’s the difference between tennis shoes and padel shoes?

Tennis shoes have been the first choice for padel players for many years, but as the sport grows and becomes more technical, manufacturers have started to develop models that are specific to padel. Some tennis shoes can be used as padel shoes, but there are important differences to keep in mind. The two biggest differences are the sole and the mobility. A clay tennis shoe with a herringbone pattern in the sole gives the right grip on sandy padel courts. On the other hand, a tennis shoe with a so-called “all-court” sole does not provide enough grip on the same court. If, on the other hand, you play on a course without visible sand, the “all-court” variant can be an alternative. The pattern of movement differs between padel and tennis, which also affects the choice of shoe. In padel, you move more vertically and rotate more. In tennis, you move more horizontally along the baseline. That’s why shoes designed for padel normally have a slightly stiffer sole to facilitate rotation and a softer upper for increased flexibility.

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To choose padel shoes in 5 steps

Besides your personal preferences when it comes to brand, color, and design, there are other things to keep in mind before you buy padel shoes. We present five things to keep in mind when finding the best padel shoes for you.

1. Grip

Having the right grip is crucial to be able to play properly and to avoid injuries. The optimal grip means that you have neither too much nor too little grip. Too much grip limits mobility and wears on the knees and joints. Too little grip means that you lose time during fast movements and increase the risk of injury. If you can’t find the optimal grip, too much grip is preferable. To be able to find the optimal grip, you need to choose the sole according to the surface. Apart from all variants of artificial turf, you can roughly divide the padel courts into two categories. More or less sandy courts and courts without any visible sand.

Different types of soles

A sole with a herringbone pattern for maximum grip on sandy courts. Also works on tracks without any visible sand, although some people think they give too much grip.

2. Stability

There is a big difference in the stability of different models. Some models are lower and lighter with less support for the ankle while other models are more robust. The advantage of padel shoes is that they are designed to provide stability in the paddle’s vertical movements and rotations. How much stability you need depends on your preferences and your physique. A heavier player normally need a more stable shoe to avoid injury.

3. Comfort

Many of us spend many hours on the padel court. Having shoes with good comfort makes the overall experience more pleasant and reduces feet fatigue. It’s important to have a shoe that’s comfortable in all types of movements such as quick stops, turns, and jumps.

4. Cushioning

Cushioning is related to comfort. Wearing a pair of padel shoes with the right cushioning makes your feet less tired and reduces the risk of injury. Manufacturers use different types of materials and technologies to provide the right cushioning. Many models have a replaceable sole if you want to exchange it.

5. Durability

How quickly the shoes wear out depends on how often you play and how you handle them. A good starting point, however, is to choose a pair of quality shoes that are durable and retain their properties over time. Even shoes that look intact may have lost their cushioning. This increases the risk of injury, so focus on quality.

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Best padel shoes 2022

As described above, there isn’t a perfect padel shoe for all types of players and occasions. The optimal padel shoes for you depend on the surface of the court, fit, and properties you prioritize. We recommend some popular models below, but they may not suit your needs. Therefore, take our recommendations as a starting point to find the best padel shoes for you. We recommend that you try out different brands and models until you find the right one. CATEGORY: PREMIUM

Babolat Jet Premura

Do as Juan Lebron – choose Jet Premura. This is a shoe developed 100% for padel. This model gives you maximum lightness and agility without compromising stability. It uses a special sole developed together with Mondo, the manufacturer of artificial grass for the WPT courts.

CATEGORY: MID-PRICE

Bullpadel Hack Hybrid Fly

A new edition of a popular padel shoe. Bullpadel Hack Hydrid Fly is developed together with WPT player Paquito Navarro. They offer a nice combination of stability and agility. A proven quality shoe for professional and advanced players.

CATEGORY: LOW-BUDGET

Adidas Gamecourt

The Adidas Gamecourt 2 is an affordable shoe from Adidas that works well for both paddle and tennis. It is comfortable and has an airy upper for adequate ventilation. Also, it offers good cushioning and has a durable outsole.

CATEGORY: WOMEN

Bullpadel Flow Hybrid Fly

The shoe was developed in collaboration with professional player Alejandra Salazar. Designed for professionals and advanced players who seek a lightweight shoe that promotes quick reactions and guarantees grip and stability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does quality padel shoes cost?

There are cheap paddle shoes for a few hundred bucks that are enough for you to play a few times. If, on the other hand, you are going to play regularly, you should invest in a pair of quality shoes. Expect to pay from 100 Euros and up. You can find top models that are discounted online, so keep your eyes open for offers.

What brand is best?

Many brands manufacture quality padel shoes, and all have their advantages and disadvantages. Some brands are more popular than others. We list some of them below. ADIDAS PADEL SHOES Adidas is a brand that does not need any further introduction. They have been manufacturing quality shoes for various sports since 1949. Adidas started its investment in padel only a few years ago. Adidas does not yet have specific models for padel. Their models are adapted for both tennis and padel. ASICS PADEL SHOES Asics has extensive experience in manufacturing shoes and has several models designed for padel. Many of their models use gel for cushioning, and they are continually developing their shoe technology. It’s a famous brand on the padel courts for good reasons. BABOLAT PADEL SHOES Babolat is at the forefront of the development of padel shoes and has, among other things, been the official brand for the World Padel Tour. They have developed a sole specifically for the Mondo artificial grass used on many padel courts. Characteristic of many of their shoes is agility and lightness. BULLPADEL PADEL SHOES Unlike many other brands on the list, Bullpadel is a pure padel brand. They offer a wide range of shoes that are designed explicitly for padel. These shoes can be seen on top players like Paquito Navarro and Maxi Sanchez at WPT. K-SWISS PADEL SHOES K-Swiss was started in the USA by two brothers from Switzerland in 1966. They have since been one of the leading brands in tennis shoes, worn by many top players in tennis. Like Adidas, their models are primarily made for tennis but work great for padel as well. NIKE PADEL SHOES Nike is a brand with a long tradition of making quality shoes for various sports. They are perhaps best known for running shoes but have a large assortment of tennis shoes as well. Their models are designed to work for both tennis and padel.

When should I replace my padel shoes?

It is difficult to say how often you need to change your padel shoes because it depends on how often you play and how you care for the shoes. Usually, the sole wears out first, mostly if you play on courses with a lot of sand. You should replace the shoes as soon as the sole’s pattern has worn down so much that they have started to lose grip. Another important thing that is more difficult to detect is the quality of the cushioning. Make sure it does not get too bad, in which case replace the shoes.

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Tips for buying padel shoes

Frequency

If you only play sporadically sometimes, you do not need to buy a top model. Prioritize the right sole and good comfort in the first place, and you will do well. If, on the other hand, you play several times a week, you should invest in a better shoe. Quality shoes have more extended durability and tend to be more economical in the long run. Also, a top shoe will help you perform better on the course.

Choose the right size

Avoid sore feet and damaged nails by choosing the right size. A padel shoe should not sit too tight, considering all the quick stops and turns. Feel free to buy a half size larger if you are unsure, but ensure that the shoe does not come loose. If you feel that the shoe is a little too big, replace the standard inner sole with a thicker. Today there are many good inner soles to choose from.

Consider a pair of extra shoes

If you play a lot of padel, it may be worth buying two pairs of shoes, preferably two different models. By switching between two pairs of shoes with a slightly different fit, you let your feet rest. If you play on various courses where some are sandy, and others do not have visible sand, it may be an idea to buy two pairs of shoes with different soles. In this way, you ensure optimal grip regardless of the course.

Try different insoles

The insole of the shoes makes a big difference for both fit and comfort. Most models have a removable inner sole, which allows you to change it. Today there is a plethora of sports insoles of various kinds, such as gel or silicone. If you want an optimal fit, some clinics produce tailored soles based on your feet’ shape.

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Best padel shoes 2022 – Summary

Since padel is a sport with fast movements and sharp turns, it is essential to have shoes adapted for this. It reduces the risk of injury and helps you deliver the best results on the court. The difference between tennis shoes and padel shoes is, above all, the sole and mobility. Padel shoes have a unique sole adapted for artificial grass and which is slightly stiffer to facilitate movement. When choosing padel shoes, you need to consider grip, stability, comfort, cushioning, and durability. There are no padel shoes perfect for all players and occasions. You need to try yourself to find the best padel shoes for you.