AN INTRODUCTION TO PADEL BALLS

Padel is a fast-growing racket sport which originated in Acapulco, Mexico. Dating back to 1969, it didn’t initially see a surge in popularity up state like it did in other countries such as Spain. Although its growth was slow to begin with it is a sport that is currently gaining popularity rapidly. You’ll now find padel courts in most major cities, whether you are on the west coast in Los Angeles or the east coast in New York. 

Our padel ball guide aims to provide you with all the information you need, covering padel ball sizes, types, materials and much more. 

What is Padel?

Padel is a fast-paced doubles racket sport that loosely uses the rules of tennis but is played on a smaller court that is enclosed by a glass wall. In padel, players can use the surrounding wall to their advantage to try and score points. Success in padel requires quick reflexes, strategy and teamwork. 

In comparison to tennis balls, padel balls are smaller and usually have a lower pressure which ensures they have a lower bounce than the balls used in tennis. Balls are made with an internal rubber core and an outer felt composed of cotton, wool and nylon fibers. The International Padel Federation (FIP) which is the sport's governing body have set size, weight and color requirements for padel balls which we have outlined below: 

• Padel ball dimensions – FIP guidelines state that regulation size padel balls should have a diameter of 2.5 to 2.6 inches, meaning the circumference of the ball should be between 7.85 and 8.28 inches. 

• Padel ball weight – for a padel ball to be FIP certified it must weigh between 0.12lb and 0.13lb, which equates to between 1.98 and 2.10 ounces. 

• Padel ball colors – according to FIP guidelines padel balls should either be yellow or white. 

PADEL BALL PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

For padel balls to be used in competitive games/tournaments the FIP has requirements that padel balls must meet. The first requirement relates to the ball pressure; to adhere to FIP regulations padel balls must have an internal pressure of between 10.1lb and 11.4lb per square inch (PSI) which ensures the balls performance characteristics are in line with FIP expectations. The ball's internal pressure, around 10-11 PSI, means the total ball pressure should be 24.7-25.7 PSI when atmospheric pressure (14.7 PSI) is considered. 

Ball pressure plays an integral role in performance which explains why most tournament padel balls are delivered in pressurized cans to help them retain their pressure. Once a can has been opened the balls will gradually lose pressure over time which will affect their performance capabilities. This reduction in performance and bounce is often very subtle, and most recreational players may not notice the difference, but at advanced/elite level the drop in pressure can negatively affect ball and player performance. 

Not all padel balls experience this drop in pressure though, as some padel training balls are pressureless to expand their lifespan. These balls are only used for training and recreational play as they do not meet FIP regulations. Despite not meeting FIP requirements they still have a consistent bounce and last longer than tournament balls, meaning they are a great option for many padel players.  

As well as having ball pressure related requirements, the FIP also have bounce requirements that balls must meet. For a padel ball to comply with FIP guidelines, a padel ball must bounce between 4ft 5in and 4ft 9in (1.35m and 1.45m) when dropped onto a hard surface from a height of 8ft 4in (2.54m).  

TYPES OF PADEL BALLS

When it comes to buying padel balls there are two main types of padel ball to choose from; training balls and game/tournament balls.  

Training padel balls are often pressureless, have a thicker felt, and a lower bounce. These balls are perfect for regular use over longer periods as they are incredibly durable, meaning they have a longer lifespan than their game ball counterparts. They don’t, however, meet FIP requirements and aren’t suitable for competitive use. 

On the other hand, you have tournament balls. Pressurized tournament padel balls have a thinner felt which gives them a higher and more consistent bounce that advanced padel players favor and have become accustomed to. As we’ve already covered in this guide, pressurized balls are typically less durable and have a shorter lifespan, but they deliver the best overall performance. 

So, which ball is best to use? This all depends on how you intend to use them. Training balls are more durable and budget friendly, but they lack the performance characteristics needed for competitive games. If you are a beginner or recreational player who wants a ball that will last, then training padel balls could be good option for you. 

For competitive matches and tournaments, you'll need to use tournament-approved balls, which are officially sanctioned by the FIP. Practicing with these balls, even if you're an amateur, can be very beneficial but ultimately it all depends on factors such as budget, intended use and your aspirations as a padel player. 

How can you tell the difference between training and tournament padel balls?

If you were to hold a training and tournament padel ball in your hands you could be forgiven for not instantly being able to tell which was which. Both types of balls would be almost identical in color, size, weight and feel which makes differentiating between the two difficult. With that said, there are ways to tell the difference between them. Usually, retailers will make it clear on the packaging and often on the ball too what type of padel ball it is. If you’re still unsure there are other checks you can do, including bounce tests and firmness checks. 

What is the difference between padel and tennis balls?

One of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to padel balls is ‘are padel and tennis balls the same?’. 

Although at first glance the balls look the same, there are small, subtle differences that differentiate the two balls and make them unsuitable for use in the other sport. 

One of the main reasons for this is that padel balls have a lower pressure and bounce than tennis balls. The 3-4 PSI difference in pressure sounds quite small, but the reduced PSI means that a padel ball wouldn’t bounce enough to use in tennis, whilst a tennis ball would be too bouncy to use in padel. The felt on a padel ball is also thicker making the ball a lot slower, whilst padel balls are also smaller than tennis balls. 

Trying to play padel with a tennis ball would be difficult, as the extra bounce of the ball would make it more difficult to control your shots and get any momentum with rallies. Tennis racket strings work well with high pressure tennis balls, whilst padel rackets are thicker and have a harder hitting zone which means the ball needs thicker felt to withstand the high impact from rackets and walls. 

Now that you have all the information you need you can purchase padel balls with complete confidence knowing you’re aware of all the key aspects to consider. 

Our Vermont brand offers a variety of padel balls including our range of pressureless training balls which come in a tube of 3 or a bucket of 60. These balls are perfect for training or recreational play. We also offer pro tournament balls which come in a pressurized tubes of 3 balls and are available in packs of 1 (3 balls), 4 (12 balls), 24 (72 balls), 48 (144 balls) and 96 (288 balls). 

As well as balls we also have other padel equipment including padel rackets, nets, posts, training equipment and much more so you’re sure to find everything you need to play padel here!