When picking your first padel racket, choose something that’s easy to control and beginner-friendly. A round-shaped racket gives you the largest sweet spot and more forgiveness on off-centre hits. Soft or medium foam helps absorb shock and makes each shot feel smoother. A weight between340–360g is usually light enough to handle comfortably as you get used to the game. Avoid power-focused or technical rackets at the start — they can feel heavy and harder to control. At Padel Shift, we’ve got a range of rackets onsite for you to try before you commit. Once you’ve got a feel for the game, you can upgrade to one that matches your playing style.