Footwork · 5 minute read
Court shoes are not tennis shoes with new colours
The traction pattern, lateral support, and fit details that matter on sanded artificial grass.
Traction without getting stuck
Padel demands short accelerations, open-stance turns, and controlled slides. A deep herringbone outsole clears sand and gives predictable grip across those movements.
Too much grip can be as disruptive as too little. The goal is controlled release, not a shoe glued to the court.
Hold the foot laterally
Running shoes are designed around forward movement. Padel shoes add structure at the sidewall and heel so the foot stays centred when you cut or recover from the glass.
Fit should be secure through the midfoot with a thumb-width of room in front of the longest toe.