You’ve just played three sets and your racket feels like it’s trying to escape your hand. Every bandeja is a white-knuckle lottery. You look down at the grip and it’s shiny, compressed, and about as tacky as a sheet of glass. Sound familiar? That worn-out overgrip is quietly wrecking your game — and the fix costs less than a coffee.
In This Article
- Why Your Overgrip Matters More Than You Think
- Tacky vs Dry Overgrips: Which Type Suits You
- Our Top Pick: Wilson Padel Pro Overgrip
- Best Tacky Overgrips for Padel
- Best Dry Overgrips for Padel
- How to Choose the Right Overgrip
- How to Wrap an Overgrip Properly
- How Often Should You Change Your Overgrip
- Overgrip vs Replacement Grip: Quick Reminder
- Where to Buy Padel Overgrips in the UK
- Common Overgrip Mistakes
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Your Overgrip Matters More Than You Think
Most padel players obsess over racket shape, weight, and balance — then completely ignore the one part of the racket they actually touch. Your overgrip is the only contact point between your hand and about £150 worth of carbon fibre. When it’s fresh, you barely notice it. When it’s gone, you notice every single shot.
Grip Security and Shot Control
A worn overgrip forces you to squeeze harder. That extra tension travels straight up your forearm and kills your wrist snap on volleys. I’ve seen players blame their racket for “feeling dead” when the real problem was a grip that hadn’t been changed in two months.
Comfort and Vibration
Fresh overgrips add a thin cushioning layer between your palm and the handle. It’s not much — typically 0.5mm to 0.7mm — but it makes a noticeable difference over a two-hour session. Players who get palm blisters or calluses are almost always overdue for a grip change.
Sweat Management
This is where overgrips earn their keep. The UK’s indoor padel courts get warm under those lights, and outdoor sessions from May onwards mean sweaty palms within ten minutes. A good overgrip either absorbs that moisture (tacky grips) or channels it away from the surface (dry grips). Either way, it stops the racket rotating in your hand mid-rally.
Tacky vs Dry Overgrips: Which Type Suits You
This is the fundamental choice, and it comes down to how much your hands sweat and what feel you prefer.
Tacky (PU) Overgrips
Tacky overgrips use a polyurethane surface that feels slightly sticky to the touch. They’re the most popular choice in padel because they let you hold the racket with a relaxed grip while still maintaining control.
- Best for: Light to moderate sweaters, players who prefer a cushioned feel, anyone who plays 2-3 times per week
- Drawback: They lose tackiness faster than dry grips lose their function — especially in humid conditions
- Feel: Soft, slightly cushioned, almost velvety when new
- Typical lifespan: 3-6 sessions depending on sweat levels
Dry Overgrips
Dry overgrips have a rougher, more textured surface. Instead of sticking to your hand, they create friction. The more you sweat, the grippier they get — which sounds counterintuitive but works brilliantly.
- Best for: Heavy sweaters, players who compete regularly, summer outdoor sessions
- Drawback: They can feel abrasive at first, and some players find them uncomfortable during long sessions
- Feel: Chalky, papery, almost like gripping fine sandpaper
- Typical lifespan: 4-8 sessions, sometimes longer because they don’t degrade the same way
If you’ve never tried a dry grip, buy a single pack and test it during your sweatiest session. You might convert.
Our Top Pick: Wilson Padel Pro Overgrip
If you want one recommendation and nothing else, it’s the Wilson Padel Pro Overgrip. About £5-7 for a three-pack from Amazon UK or Decathlon, it hits every mark: good initial tack, reasonable durability, thin enough not to bulk up the handle, and available everywhere.
I’ve used these on four different rackets over the past year. They feel slightly sticky out of the packet, settle into a comfortable grip after ten minutes of play, and hold up for roughly four sessions before the tackiness starts to fade. For the price, nothing else comes close to that consistency.
Wilson specifically designed the padel version with a slightly different surface texture to the tennis Pro Overgrip — it’s marginally thinner (0.55mm vs 0.6mm) because padel handles are already slimmer. It’s a small detail but one that matters if you’re sensitive to handle diameter.
Best Tacky Overgrips for Padel
Wilson Padel Pro Overgrip
- Price: About £5-7 for 3
- Thickness: 0.55mm
- Feel: Classic tacky PU, smooth and cushioned
- Where to buy: Amazon UK, Decathlon, EverythingPadel
- Verdict: The benchmark. Everyone should try these first.
Babolat VS Original Overgrip
- Price: About £6-8 for 3
- Thickness: 0.43mm
- Feel: Thinner and firmer than Wilson, very high initial tack
- Where to buy: Amazon UK, PadelNuestro, Tennis Point
- Verdict: The best for players who want maximum feel without added bulk. At 0.43mm it’s one of the thinnest options available, which suits anyone who finds their handle too thick after wrapping. Loses tackiness slightly faster than the Wilson.
Head Padel Pro Overgrip
- Price: About £5-7 for 3
- Thickness: 0.55mm
- Feel: Very similar to Wilson but fractionally firmer
- Where to buy: Amazon UK, Decathlon, PadelNuestro
- Verdict: Solid all-rounder. If your local shop stocks Head but not Wilson, you’re not missing out — the performance gap is negligible.
Palbea Padel Overgrip
- Price: About £7-9 for 3
- Thickness: 0.6mm
- Feel: Extra tacky, slightly thicker, good cushioning
- Where to buy: Amazon UK
- Verdict: A newer UK brand making padel-specific grips. The extra thickness adds cushion but will increase your handle size noticeably. Worth trying if you prefer a chunkier feel or your racket has a particularly slim handle.
Best Dry Overgrips for Padel
Tourna Grip Original
- Price: About £7-10 for 3
- Thickness: 0.5mm
- Feel: Dry, chalky, gets grippier when wet
- Where to buy: Amazon UK, Tennis Point
- Verdict: The gold standard for dry overgrips. Used by tennis pros for decades and works identically on padel rackets. If you sweat heavily, this is the one to try first. The blue dye can stain light-coloured handles — use a base layer of electrical tape or wrap the replacement grip first.
Wilson Pro Overgrip Perforated
- Price: About £6-8 for 3
- Thickness: 0.55mm
- Feel: Perforated surface for airflow, semi-dry
- Where to buy: Amazon UK, Decathlon
- Verdict: A hybrid option. It’s not as aggressively dry as Tourna Grip but channels air better than standard tacky grips. Good for players who find full dry grips too abrasive but need more sweat management than a standard PU overgrip provides.
Yonex Super Grap Dry
- Price: About £6-8 for 3
- Thickness: 0.53mm
- Feel: Smooth dry surface, very durable
- Where to buy: Amazon UK, PadelNuestro
- Verdict: Outlasts most dry overgrips — I’ve had one last 10 sessions before it needed replacing. The surface doesn’t degrade the way Tourna Grip does. Less aggressive tack when wet though, so it’s better suited to moderate sweaters who want longevity.
How to Choose the Right Overgrip
Sweat Level
This is the single biggest factor.
- Light sweater (hands stay mostly dry): Any tacky PU grip — Wilson Padel Pro, Babolat VS, Head Pro
- Moderate sweater (damp palms after 20 minutes): Thicker tacky grip like Palbea, or perforated Wilson
- Heavy sweater (dripping within 10 minutes): Go straight to Tourna Grip or Yonex Dry. Don’t bother with tacky — they’ll be useless within one set
Playing Frequency
- Once a week: Tacky grips are fine. Change every 3-4 weeks.
- 2-3 times per week: Tacky grips need changing weekly. Consider dry for better value.
- 4+ times per week: Dry grips last longer and cost less per session. Stock up with 10-packs.
Handle Sensitivity
Some players are very particular about handle diameter. If that’s you, go with the thinnest option — Babolat VS Original at 0.43mm barely changes the feel. Avoid doubling up overgrips (wrapping one on top of another) — it creates an uneven surface and deadens the feel.
Budget
At £2-3 per grip, overgrips are cheap. But if you’re playing three times a week and changing weekly, that’s around £10 per month. Buying in bulk helps — most brands sell 12 or 30 packs at a lower per-unit cost. Decathlon’s own-brand Kuikma overgrips at about £3.49 for three are solid budget picks too.
How to Wrap an Overgrip Properly
Getting the wrap right makes a real difference to how the grip feels and how long it lasts.
- Peel the protective film off the overgrip and find the tapered end — that’s where you start
- Begin at the butt cap of the racket, angling the grip slightly so the first wrap overlaps the handle edge
- Pull the grip taut — not stretched to its limit, but firm enough to remove any slack
- Wrap upward with consistent overlap of about 3-5mm per turn — too much overlap creates a bulky grip, too little leaves gaps
- Keep the tension even throughout — if you relax halfway up, you’ll feel the transition during play
- When you reach the top of the handle, cut any excess at an angle and secure with the finishing tape that comes in the packet
- Press the tape down firmly and run your thumb along the edges to seal it
Common Wrapping Mistakes
- Starting from the top: Always start from the butt cap upward. Starting from the top creates loose layers near the bottom where you grip hardest.
- Twisting the grip: The overgrip should lie flat against the handle. If it spirals or bunches, start again.
- Not enough tension: A loosely wrapped grip shifts during play and wears out faster.
How Often Should You Change Your Overgrip
There’s no universal answer, but here’s what I’ve found works:
- Tacky grips: Run your thumb across the surface. If it doesn’t feel sticky, it’s done. For most players that’s every 3-6 sessions.
- Dry grips: They last longer because their function comes from texture, not adhesion. Replace when the surface feels smooth rather than textured — usually every 6-10 sessions.
- The sniff test: This sounds odd but works. If the grip smells musty or stale, bacteria have set in and it’s time for a change regardless of how it feels.
Tournament players often put on a fresh grip before every match. That’s overkill for club play, but if you’ve got a league match coming up, a fresh grip is cheap insurance.
Overgrip vs Replacement Grip: Quick Reminder
Since we’ve covered this in depth in our overgrip vs replacement grip guide, here’s the short version:
- Replacement grip (base grip): The thicker grip that comes pre-installed on your racket. Provides the main cushioning layer. Changed every few months.
- Overgrip: A thin layer wrapped on top. Provides the playing surface your hand actually touches. Changed regularly — every few sessions to every couple of weeks.
You need both. The replacement grip sets the foundation. The overgrip is the sacrificial layer you change frequently. Think of it like socks inside shoes — the shoe fits you, the sock keeps things comfortable and hygienic.
Most padel rackets come with a decent factory replacement grip. Unless it’s deteriorated, you don’t need to change it — just keep wrapping fresh overgrips on top. If you’re looking for the full accessories rundown, our padel accessories checklist covers everything you should have in your bag.
Where to Buy Padel Overgrips in the UK
The UK padel market has grown massively since the LTA started investing in padel infrastructure, and availability has improved with it.
Online Retailers
- Amazon UK — Widest selection, next-day delivery on most grips, easy to buy bulk packs
- Decathlon — Good range of Wilson and Kuikma (own brand) at competitive prices, plus click-and-collect
- EverythingPadel — UK specialist with curated selection and knowledgeable customer service
- PadelNuestro — Spanish retailer that ships to the UK, biggest range of padel-specific products
- Tennis Point — Good for Yonex and Head overgrips, regular sales
In-Store Options
- Decathlon — Most stores now stock padel grips alongside tennis accessories
- Your local padel club pro shop — Often stocks Wilson and Head, and you can ask for recommendations based on what other members use
- JD Sports / Sports Direct — Limited padel selection but occasionally stock basics
Buying in Bulk
If you know which grip you like, buy the 12 or 30 pack. Wilson Pro Overgrip 12-packs run about £15-18 on Amazon UK — roughly £1.25-1.50 per grip versus £2+ buying in threes. Over a year of regular play, that saving adds up.
Common Overgrip Mistakes
Even experienced players get tripped up by these.
- Wrapping too loosely: The grip shifts during play, wears unevenly, and feels spongy. Keep tension consistent from bottom to top.
- Not changing often enough: A worn grip forces you to squeeze harder. That extra tension causes fatigue and can contribute to elbow and wrist issues over time.
- Stacking multiple overgrips: Some players wrap two overgrips to increase handle size. This creates an unstable surface — if you need a bigger handle, use a thicker replacement grip instead.
- Storing rackets in hot cars: Heat destroys overgrip adhesive. Your grip will slide off in sheets after a few hours in a hot boot. Keep your racket in the shade or bring it inside.
- Ignoring the replacement grip underneath: If the base grip has deteriorated, no overgrip will feel right on top. Check it every few months and replace when it’s compressed or crumbling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use tennis overgrips on a padel racket? Yes, and most players do. Wilson Pro Overgrip, Tourna Grip, and Babolat VS are all tennis products that work identically on padel rackets. Some brands now make padel-specific versions with slightly thinner profiles, but the difference is marginal.
How many overgrips should I keep in my bag? At least two spare overgrips plus a roll of finishing tape. Grips can tear mid-session, especially in cold weather when the material is less flexible. Having a spare means you don’t have to play with a compromised grip for the rest of the match.
Do overgrips come in different colours? Most overgrips come in white as the default, but brands like Wilson and Babolat offer black, blue, pink, and other colours. Colour doesn’t affect performance — it’s purely cosmetic. White grips show dirt faster, which some players actually prefer because it’s a visible reminder to change the grip.
Should I remove the old overgrip before wrapping a new one? Always. Wrapping a new overgrip over an old one increases handle size, creates an uneven surface, and traps moisture and bacteria between the layers. Peel the old one off completely, check the replacement grip underneath, then wrap fresh.
What thickness overgrip should a beginner choose? Start with a standard 0.5-0.6mm tacky overgrip like the Wilson Padel Pro. It’s the most forgiving — good tack, reasonable sweat absorption, and enough cushion to be comfortable. Once you know your preferences, you can experiment with thinner or dry alternatives.