Padel shoes or tennis shoes: which do you need?
Your running shoes slid on the first lob. What changes between padel and tennis shoes, when tennis shoes do the job, and what padel shoes cost in South Africa.
Your first padel game, in the running shoes you already had. On the first lob your feet kept going one way while you turned the other. Nobody got hurt, but everyone noticed. Now you're looking at padel shoes online and wondering if they're worth it.
Most padel courts in South Africa are artificial grass with sand worked into it, and the game is all short sprints, sudden stops and quick sideways steps. That combination is hard on the wrong shoe. This guide covers what changes between padel and tennis shoes, when tennis shoes do the job, and when padel shoes earn their price. For shoes across other sports, our guide to choosing sports shoes by sport, not by brand covers the rest.
What to decide first
How often you play, and on what. Once a week socially, on a well-kept court, is a different job from three times a week with coaching on a court where the sand moves around. Then check whether you already own a decent pair of all-court tennis shoes. If you do, start there.
Why running shoes are the wrong choice
Running shoes are built to move forwards. They have soft, high cushioning, a narrow base and smooth or lightly patterned soles. On a padel court that means a rolled ankle waiting to happen on a quick sideways step, and very little grip on the sand. They also wear through fast on turf. Of everything in your cupboard, these are the shoes to leave at home.
What changes in the sole
Padel soles usually use a herringbone (zigzag) pattern, or a mix of herringbone and small studs, sometimes called an omni or clay sole. The pattern bites into the sand-filled turf without clogging and lets you slide a little when you want to. Tennis shoes come in all-court soles for hard courts, which are flatter and harder-wearing, and clay soles, which are closer to padel. A clay-court tennis shoe is the nearest thing to a padel shoe.
What changes in the upper
Both are built for side-to-side movement, with reinforced sides and a stable heel. Padel shoes are often a little lighter and lower, with reinforcement at the toe for the dragging that comes with low volleys. Tennis shoes are often a bit more heavily built for hard courts. For most club players, the difference in the upper matters less than the difference in the sole.
Tennis shoes: the verdict
Keep the tennis shoes if you play social padel once a week or less and already own a good all-court or clay pair. They'll give you side support and enough grip on a well-maintained court. When the soles wear smooth, or you find yourself slipping on the turns, it's time for padel shoes.
Padel shoes: the verdict
Buy padel shoes if you play more than once a week, take lessons, play competitively, or the courts you use have loose sand. The grip is better on the turns and the stops, and they wear better on turf than a hard-court shoe. ASICS, Adidas, Babolat, Bullpadel, Nox and Head all make padel-specific shoes.
| Tennis shoe | Padel shoe | |
|---|---|---|
| Sole | All-court or clay | Herringbone or omni-clay |
| Grip on sand-filled turf | Fair to good | Good |
| Best for | Social padel, players who also play tennis | Regular and competitive padel |
| Price band | R1,500 to R4,000 | R1,500 to R3,500 |
Where the deals are
Padel shoes come in new colours every season, and the outgoing colours go on sale while sizes last. Popular sizes go first, so a good padel shoe in your size at a real markdown is worth moving on.
The Padel Shop ranks live padel deals from the shops we track by REALRANK™. It reads six things: how deep the discount is, how much it saves in rand, how the price compares to other shops, whether the brand is one people search for, how recently the price dropped, and whether it's in stock across sizes.
Before you pay
Check the sole description in the listing, because "court shoe" can mean anything. Padel shoes often fit similarly to tennis shoes, so start with your usual size and leave a little room at the toe. Most shops only take shoes back unworn, with tags and packaging, so try them on indoors first. If you still need a racket, our guide to choosing your first padel racket starts with shape and weight.
Before you buy, Check The Deal. Shop great padel deals, verified and ranked by REALRANK™.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play padel in tennis shoes?
Yes, especially all-court or clay tennis shoes, for social padel. Regular players get better grip from a padel-specific sole.
Can I play padel in running shoes?
Best not to. Running shoes lack side support and grip poorly on sand-filled turf, which makes turns and sideways steps risky.
What sole is best for padel?
A herringbone or omni-clay sole. It grips the sand-filled turf without clogging and allows a small, controlled slide.
Are padel shoes worth it for beginners?
If you already own good tennis shoes, start with those. If you play more than once a week, padel shoes are worth it.
Where are the best padel shoe deals in South Africa?
The Padel Shop on THE REAL DEAL ranks live padel deals from the shops we track, shoes included, by REALRANK™.
Sources
- Bash, padel shoes range (price bands), read 21 October 2026
- Bash, tennis shoes range (price bands), read 21 October 2026
- Padel Deals, padel shoes listing (price bands), read 21 October 2026
- PadelGear refund policy, read 21 October 2026
Written by Dean. Reviewed 27 October 2026. Price bands are for a decent option at full price, rounded, and change; the live deals show today's prices. Some links earn THE REAL DEAL a commission. Placement buys visibility, it never touches REALRANK™.