Le  equipment  Padel can be diverse and varied, and can also be  complex  when one takes a close interest in snowshoes.

The ball

Contrary to what one might think, the padel ball is slightly different from the tennis ball. The latter must be of a uniform color, yellow or white. Its diameter must measure between 6,35 and 6,77 cm. Its weight must be between 56 and 59,4 g. Pressure is also a factor to take into account on the difference between these two balls.  The pressure of the balls in padel is less important  which will function as  slow down the game. 

Racket

In padel, there are a multitude of racket brands and technologies that give rise to very diverse playing styles. The main elements to take into account to understand the basis of operation of a racket are:  its shape, weight and foam used. 

The shape of the racket

There are 3 forms of racket: round, teardrop and diamond.

  •  The round shape  is recommended for all players who are primarily looking for handling.  The balance  is mainly found  at the bottom of the racket  which gives a pleasant feeling of  control . Beginners are always advised to start with a round pala.
  •  The teardrop shape  is suitable for players looking for versatility. The  weight distributed more centrally  of the racket offers a mix  between power and control . It is currently the best-selling type of racquet on the market.
  •  The diamond shape  is mainly intended for players who already have a good experience and who do not have joint problems. These are often the snowshoes  the most powerful, the weight being generally distributed in the head.  This type of racket is not recommended when starting padel.

Snowshoe foam

There are two main types of foam for snowshoes. The foam  EVA and FOAM  (or a mix of both)

padel gum

  •  EVA foams  are the densest and most resistant, we can find various varieties  thickness and density . There exists a “Rigidity scale” concerning these foams. They bring more  precision and power for experienced players,  however in terms of ball touch and feel, they can feel a bit stiff and provide less comfort.
  •  FOAM foam  (polyethylene foam) is  more flexible  because it has more air in its composition. If we were to image the functioning of this foam, we would see a deformation of it, like a sponge that will absorb the energy of the ball and then release it. FOAM has more interesting elastic properties than EVA and makes it possible to obtain  extra bale output and vibration absorption . On the other hand, the life of this foam is less important.

The weight, the frame, the sides ...

While foam and the shape of the pala are of great importance, these are not the only two parameters to consider when buying a racquet. The material from which the frame is made will depend on the strength and stability of a pala, today there are many carbon frames. The faces will be responsible for the touch of the racket. The fiberglass will give you flexibility, the carbon more rigidity and therefore power.

Other elements will have their influence, such as the glues used to assemble the materials together, the paint and the finishing varnish, the anti-vibration systems. It is therefore important to pay attention to everything when making your choice, and also to the pala weight. In short, the heavier it is, the more power you have, the lighter it will be, the more maneuverable it will be.

https://padelmagazine.fr/le-guide-pour-bien-choisir-votre-raquette-de-padel/

The shoes

In the same way as balls, padel shoes are very similar to tennis shoes. However, if we analyze the two practices more deeply, we realize that padel is a sport that favors forward and backward movements, while tennis is played more horizontally or laterally. Therefore, the structure of the padel shoe differs from that of tennis. Lateral movements, more frequent in tennis, require having a more solid type of shoe. Padel shoes are therefore generally  lighter and more flexible. 

Apart from the comfort aspects of the width of the shoe, stability and flexibility, grip is surely one of the fundamental points of the quality of a good padel shoe. If the player does not have a sole that adheres and offers good support, it will be impossible for him to be balanced on each of his technical shots.

 

If you want to buy padel equipment from trusted retailers, take a look at our SHOP corner !

Alexandre Cifuentes

Alexandre Cifuentes studies economics. He decided to intervene on the padel business and the sports market in general. He allows us to know about padel in its entirety.

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