For your first one or two sessions, any trainers will do. After that, yes: padel shoes are the first piece of gear worth buying, before a racket. The reason is the court surface, not the brand on the shoe.
The problem is the sand
Most courts in India are artificial grass with a layer of sand on top. Padel is also a sideways sport: short sprints, sudden stops, steps to the side. Running shoes are built for the opposite, smooth forward strides on roads and treadmills, with a high, soft heel. On sand they slide, and the high cushioning makes the foot less stable when you change direction.
| Padel shoe | Running shoe | Tennis shoe | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built for | Sideways steps on sand and turf | Forward strides on roads | Depends on the court type |
| Sole | Herringbone, omni or hybrid | Smooth or deep lugs | Herringbone (clay) or smoother (hard court) |
| Side support | Strong | Weak | Strong |
| Height | Low, close to the court | High, soft heel | Low |
| On a padel court | Right tool | Slips, less stable | Clay versions work; hard-court versions slip |
Tennis shoes: a reasonable stopgap
If you already own clay-court tennis shoes, use them. The herringbone sole grips on sand and the side support is similar. Hard-court tennis shoes have a flatter pattern meant for concrete and acrylic, and slide more on a sandy padel court. Our shoe comparison only lists shoes the shops sell as padel shoes, for that reason.
Herringbone, omni or hybrid?
Herringbone is the zigzag pattern found on most padel shoes. Omni soles use small rubber nubs. Hybrid soles mix the two, usually herringbone in the middle and nubs at the edges. All three are made for sand-filled artificial grass, and shoe brands don't agree on which works best on which court. If you play at several clubs, a hybrid or herringbone sole is the safe choice. What to avoid is a flat or smooth sole.
What to look for
- A sole the shop sells as padel or clay, not running or hard-court.
- Firm support on the sides of the foot.
- A snug heel: your foot should not slide inside the shoe when you stop.
- Your size in stock. Indian shops often have only a few sizes of a model, so check sizes before you fall for one.
Budget padel shoes start around ₹4,000 at Decathlon. Brand models from Asics and Babolat cost roughly ₹7,000 to ₹13,000 in Indian shops.