For a good performance in our paddle training or matches with friends, the shoes are a fundamental piece. Just as you wouldn't wear jeans to go for a run, the same thing happens with shoes. Not all paddle tennis shoes are valid for any athlete, nor do they all show the same performance on different floors.
If you also want to avoid injuries, falls, overloads and endless muscle pain, we teach you to choose the best paddle tennis shoe that suits your needs.
10 tips to choose the best paddle tennis shoe
The shoes are not tennis or running
As we said before, not just any footwear is valid. It has to be special for this sport, so forget about reusing tennis or running ones. The shoes of other sports are quite different, both for the material of the tracks, the movements and the wear of the sole.
They must be comfortable
Comfort, as in any sport, is essential. In paddle tennis it is common to change rhythm, make sudden braking or even suffer slips. The normal thing is that the foot is well supported inside, that it does not move to avoid chafing or injuries.
Choose the right size
It seems like pretty obvious advice, but make sure you have the right size, no more number, no less number. Otherwise, you may have injuries and you will not play with the comfort you should if your foot dances inside the shoe or comes off in a jump.
They have to have some damping system
It is becoming more and more common for brands to manufacture paddle tennis shoes with built-in cushioning systems, in order to facilitate the movements of our body when we bend down to pick up a paddle ball or when we push ourselves for a hit. Starting in 2015, many brands began introducing systems with gel or inner tubes .
The sole can be herringbone, omni or mixed
When you start in this sport you do not know that paddle tennis shoes can have several different soles but there are three variations and each of them has a different function. The omni sole shoes are more suitable for artificial grass floors, those with spikes have better grip while the mixed shoes, which combine both patterns, are becoming fashionable and facilitate grip and movement.
They must be fixed to the ground
The stability or the ability to fix the shoe to the ground is essential in this sport. It is important to have reinforcements in the heel and instep so that there is good cohesion between the foot and the shoe.
Look at the discounts
Price is another factor to take into account when choosing your shoes. If you are a professional player and you are clear about the brand you want to cover your feet, then it is best to look among the high-end shoes and there the price does not usually vary much. If you prefer to start with cheaper footwear, it is best to look for offers in online stores.
Bet on quality materials
Ideally, they should be made of leather, although it is true that many paddle tennis shoes are made of synthetic materials, which is enough for many players.
They must be waterproof and breathable
It is normal for the foot to sweat during play and during training. That is why it is important that the heat of the foot has an outlet through the footwear. Hence, the material, the aspect of the previous point, also affects this aspect. The material must be breathable. If you also play on closed paddle tennis courts, it is very important that it is.
How much do you play a week?
One factor to take into account is the number of matches or training sessions you do per week. Depending on the frequency you will need a more durable and better quality shoe. Here the price enters again and what you are willing to spend.
Types of sole in paddle tennis shoes
Spike
The herringbone sole is designed to be able to resist the abrasion of this sport with constant rapid and sudden movements, in addition it favors the grip on carpet surfaces, being the type of sole with the highest grip on the market. However, it is also used on clay surfaces or outdoors, as many players like to slip (as in clay tennis).
Something remarkable is also that it offers great cushioning thanks to the type of sole and depth of the spikes. So the game will feel comfortable and you won't feel a big impact when you jump down, regardless of the type of technology the shoe has.
This grated sole is easily recognizable by its parallel lines in the shape of a Zig-Zag pattern . You may be familiar with tennis, since it is one of the most used on clay.
It is important to have a good grip, in addition to being durable so that our pocket does not suffer. As for adherence, this type of sole will allow us not to suffer excessive slippage when starting to move towards the ball. However, it is recommended for experienced or advanced players, although they are known as "all-terrain".
Omni
Anyone who plays paddle tennis knows the importance of a good grip to provide traction when in motion, as well as a certain degree of slippage when stretching and allowing sharp turns with ease and avoiding damaging our knee joints.
The Omni sole is known for having points that favor maximum grip on artificial grass surfaces . They are not recommended on concrete courts, since use could wear them down and lose their main function. Possibly the one that provides the best grip on grass, avoiding slipping. However, it is less durable than herringbone soles today, although several brands are working to balance good grip performance with their durability.
Remember that although the price is more affordable, it will also be less durable. You will have to analyze if it is worth it depending on the number of days you play or train.
Mixed or hybrid
As you can well imagine, the mixed or hybrid sole is the fusion of the previous two. Normally, the front part of the sole has the Omni type to provide greater grip as you start running. The rest of the sole will have the herringbone pattern to facilitate movement towards the faster balls.
It is common to see that they have "rotation zones", which are those circles that favor turning.
This type of soles is the least known by the general public, but it is usually a great option for its guarantees. Every year new innovative models are manufactured, such as the latest Bullpadel Hybrid.
