What grip size do I need for padel? A simple way to get it right

Grip size gets almost no attention when people buy a padel racket, and it is one of the few adjustments that changes how a racket feels within a single game. It also has a direct bearing on whether your forearm survives the season.

The short version

Padel rackets are not sold in a range of grip sizes the way tennis rackets are. Almost every racket, ours included, ships with one standard handle, and you adjust it with overgrips. So the real question is not which size to order, it is how many overgrips to build up.

How to check whether your grip fits

Hold the racket in a normal forehand grip, as if you were about to shake hands with the handle. Look at the gap between your fingertips and the base of your thumb.

• About one finger's width of gap: the grip is right.
• Fingertips digging into your palm, no gap: the grip is too small.
• A gap wider than a finger, fingers stretched: the grip is too big.

The second test is simpler still. Hold the racket loosely and have someone try to twist the head. If it turns easily in your hand without you having to clamp down, the grip is too small for you.

Why too small is worse than too big

A handle that is too thin makes the racket rotate on off-centre contact. Your instinct is to grip harder to stop it, and a permanently clenched forearm is one of the most reliable routes to tennis elbow. A handle that is slightly too thick is less efficient but far less likely to hurt you.

The exception is at the net. Padel involves a lot of quick grip changes for volleys, bandejas and the occasional backhand, and an over-thick handle makes those changes slow and clumsy. So build up until it is comfortable, not until it is fat.

How much an overgrip adds

Each overgrip adds roughly 1 to 1.5mm to the handle diameter and a few grams to the total weight. In practice:

• Smaller hands: the base grip alone, or the base grip with one thin overgrip for tack.
• Average hands: one overgrip over the base grip. This is what most players end up on.
• Larger hands: two overgrips, or one thicker one.

Most players fit at least one overgrip regardless of size, simply because a fresh overgrip is tackier and more absorbent than the factory grip, and because it is cheaper to replace than the handle.

When to replace it

An overgrip is finished when it stops absorbing sweat and goes slick, not when it visibly falls apart. If you are playing twice a week, expect to change it every four to six weeks. If your hand slips during a rally, it was overdue.

The wrist strap is not optional

Every padel racket has a wrist cord, and on most courts you are required to use it. It is not a comfort feature. A racket that leaves your hand at speed in an enclosed glass court is dangerous. Loop it every time.

Getting a grip sorted at the same time as the racket

Our starter kits include an extra overgrip alongside the racket, cover bag and three pro balls, which covers this from day one. If you are buying a racket on its own, add an overgrip to the order rather than discovering the handle feels thin on court.

Still deciding on the racket itself?

The Racket Finder asks about your hand size along with how you play, and factors it into the recommendation. Find my racket, or browse the full range.