What You Actually Need
For your first few sessions: court shoes and water. That's it. Hire a racket from the club. Don't buy gear until you've played at least 5 times.
Rackets
Padel rackets are solid (no strings) with a perforated face. They come in three shapes:
- Round: Biggest sweet spot, most forgiveness. Best for beginners.
- Teardrop: Balance of power and control. Good for intermediates.
- Diamond: Maximum power, smallest sweet spot. For advanced players.
| Level | Price (NZD) | Recommended Shape |
|---|
| Beginner | $80 — $150 | Round |
| Intermediate | $150 — $300 | Teardrop |
| Advanced | $300 — $500+ | Any (preference-based) |
Shoes
Court shoes or tennis shoes with non-marking herringbone soles. Padel involves constant lateral movement — running shoes don't provide the sideways support you need. Brands like Asics, Head, and Nike all make suitable options. Budget $100-200.
Where to Buy in NZ
In Person
Most NZ padel clubs stock a small range of rackets and accessories. The advantage: you can hold the racket and sometimes demo it before buying.
Online — New Zealand
- PadelShop.co.nz — NZ-based dedicated padel retailer. Rackets, shoes, bags, balls and accessories with local stock, NZ shipping, and genuine NZ returns. The best option for most NZ players.
Online — International
- Padel Nuestro (padelnuestro.com) — World's largest padel retailer. Ships from Spain (10-14 days to NZ).
- Tennis Warehouse Australia (tenniswarehouse.com.au) — Growing padel range. Faster shipping from AU (5-7 days).
- PadelUSA (padelusa.com) — Wide range, all major brands. Ships to NZ ($20-40 shipping).
NZ tip: For most players,
PadelShop.co.nz is the right first call — local stock, no customs delays, and support from people who play the sport. International retailers make sense for specific models not available locally.
Wellington players: see the Wellington padel gear guide for local options at Padel House NZ in Kilbirnie.
