Starting padel doesn't need to cost a fortune. Here's exactly what you need and where to get it in New Zealand, all for under $300 total.
You need four things to play padel: a racket, shoes with the right sole, balls, and a grip overgrip. That's it. Everything else is optional.
For beginners, a round-shaped racket is the way to go. Round rackets have the biggest sweet spot, which means fewer mishits while you're learning. They're also more forgiving on off-centre shots.
Our picks at this price point:
Don't spend more than $150 on your first racket. You don't know your playing style yet, and spending big on a racket designed for a specific style you haven't developed is wasting money.
This is where beginners often go wrong. Running shoes, basketball shoes, or casual trainers are not suitable for padel. You need a shoe with a herringbone or omni sole pattern for grip on artificial grass, and lateral support for the side-to-side movement padel demands.
Tennis shoes work perfectly. You don't need padel-specific shoes — any clay court or all-court tennis shoe has the right sole pattern.
Padel balls look like tennis balls but have slightly less internal pressure, giving them a lower bounce suited to the smaller court and glass walls.
A three-pack of Head Padel Pro balls ($12) is the standard. They're used in most tournaments and last 2-3 sessions of casual play.
Rackets come with a base grip, but most players add a thin overgrip on top for better sweat absorption and feel. A three-pack of Wilson Pro Overgrip ($8) lasts months.
Here's the minimum spend to get playing:
That leaves $72 of headroom in the $300 budget for a bag, extra balls, or putting towards a slightly better racket.
Skip the padel bag (a regular sports bag works), skip the wristbands and headbands, skip the premium strings and grip tape. Focus on getting on court and playing. You'll figure out what you actually need after a few sessions.
Prices are approximate NZD and may vary by retailer.