You’ve just played your third session of the week, and your racket is slipping in your hand every time you go for a smash. The original grip feels smooth, almost greasy, and you’re gripping harder to compensate — which is wrecking your wrist. You know you need to sort out your grip situation, but the options are confusing. Overgrip? Replacement grip? Tacky? Dry? And why are there about forty different brands all claiming to be the best?
The grip on your padel racket is the only point of contact between you and the racket. Get it wrong and everything suffers — your control, your comfort, and eventually your joints. Get it right and you’ll wonder why you didn’t sort it out sooner.
What Is a Replacement Grip?
A replacement grip (sometimes called a base grip or original grip) is the thick, cushioned layer that wraps directly around the handle of your racket. It’s the one that came fitted when you bought it, and it’s designed to provide the primary cushioning and shape of the handle.
Replacement grips are typically between 1.5mm and 2mm thick. They’re made from a combination of polyurethane foam and a textured outer surface, giving you both shock absorption and a degree of tackiness. The most common brands you’ll see in the UK are Wilson, Head, and Bullpadel, though plenty of players swear by Hesacore — which is a completely different animal with its hexagonal honeycomb structure.
Here’s the thing most players don’t realise: the factory grip on a £150 racket is often the same quality as the one on a £50 racket. Manufacturers don’t spend much on the stock grip because they know serious players will replace it anyway. If your racket handle feels a bit cheap, that’s probably why.
When to replace it:
- The grip has gone hard and smooth — all the original texture has worn away
- You can see the handle underneath — the grip has worn through in spots
- It smells — there’s no polite way to say this, but sweat-soaked grips develop an odour
- You’ve been playing 3+ times a week for more than 3-4 months — that’s roughly the lifespan of a decent replacement grip under heavy use
A replacement grip from Wilson or Head will cost about £5-8 from any padel shop or Amazon UK. Hesacore grips are pricier at around £12-15, but they last notably longer and the honeycomb texture gives a completely different feel that many players prefer — particularly those coming from tennis who want more cushioning.
What Is an Overgrip?
An overgrip is a thin layer (usually 0.4-0.7mm) that wraps over the top of your replacement grip. Think of it as a disposable outer skin. It’s thinner, cheaper, and designed to be replaced frequently — sometimes every session if you sweat heavily.
The main purpose of an overgrip is to provide a fresh, tacky surface that stops the racket slipping in your hand. Because they’re thin, they don’t noticeably change the handle size, though stacking multiple overgrips does build up thickness over time (more on that later).
Overgrips come in two main types:
- Tacky overgrips — these feel slightly sticky to the touch and provide maximum grip in dry conditions. Wilson Pro Overgrip and Bullpadel are the big names here. They’re brilliant when your hands are dry but can become slippery when very wet.
- Dry/absorbent overgrips — these feel almost chalky or cloth-like and are designed to absorb moisture. Tourna Grip is the classic example. They actually get grippier when wet, which makes them ideal for players who sweat a lot. The trade-off is they feel less secure when your hands are completely dry.
A pack of three overgrips costs about £4-7 from Decathlon, Amazon UK, or specialist padel retailers like Padel Nuestro. That works out at roughly £1.50-2.50 per grip change, which is why most regular players keep a few in their padel bag at all times.
Overgrip vs Replacement Grip: The Key Differences
Let’s cut through the confusion. These are fundamentally different products that serve different purposes, and you’ll likely use both.
Thickness and cushioning: The replacement grip does the heavy lifting for cushioning. At 1.5-2mm thick, it absorbs vibration and protects your hand from the hard octagonal handle underneath. An overgrip at 0.4-0.7mm provides almost no cushioning — it’s purely about surface feel and tackiness.
Lifespan: A replacement grip should last 3-6 months with regular play. An overgrip might last anywhere from one session (if you’re a heavy sweater playing in summer) to 2-3 weeks of moderate use. This is why overgrips are sold in bulk packs.
Cost over time: Here’s where the maths gets interesting. If you play three times a week and change your overgrip weekly, that’s roughly £6-10 per month on overgrips. A replacement grip costs £5-8 every 4-5 months. Over a year, you’re looking at about £75-120 on overgrips versus £15-20 on replacement grips. It adds up, but most players consider it worthwhile for the consistent feel.
Handle size impact: Every layer you add increases the handle circumference. A replacement grip adds about 3-4mm to the circumference. An overgrip adds another 1-2mm. If you stack two overgrips (which some players do), you’re adding 5-7mm total, which can push a size 2 handle into size 3 territory. This matters more than most people think — too thick a grip forces you to squeeze harder, which causes fatigue and can lead to wrist and elbow issues.
How to Apply a Replacement Grip
Changing a replacement grip is simple, but there’s a right way to do it that avoids lumps, gaps, and a handle that looks like it was wrapped by a toddler.
What you’ll need:
- New replacement grip
- Scissors (for trimming)
- The finishing tape that comes in the grip packet
Step by step:
1. Remove the old grip completely. Peel it off starting from the top of the handle, unwinding downwards. You might find adhesive residue underneath — a quick wipe with a damp cloth sorts this out. 2. Find the tapered end of the new grip. Most replacement grips have one end cut at an angle — this is where you start, at the base (butt) of the handle. 3. Peel off the adhesive backing strip at the tapered end and press it firmly against the bottom of the handle. 4. Wind upwards with a slight overlap of about 3-5mm per turn. Keep consistent tension — tight enough that there are no wrinkles, but not so tight that you stretch the grip thin. 5. When you reach the top, trim the excess at an angle and secure with the finishing tape provided.
The whole process takes about 3-4 minutes once you’ve done it a couple of times. If you’re unsure about the technique, most padel clubs in the UK will do it for you for free or a small fee.
How to Apply an Overgrip
Overgrips are easier to apply than replacement grips, but there are still a few things that trip people up.
The key difference is that overgrips start from the top of the handle and wind downwards (the opposite direction to a replacement grip). This isn’t just tradition — it means the overlap direction matches the way your hand naturally twists during play, keeping the edges from peeling up.
Start with the narrow tapered end at the top of the handle. Some overgrips have a small adhesive strip at this end; if yours doesn’t, just hold it firmly in place with your thumb while you make the first couple of wraps. Overlap by about 2-3mm per turn and maintain even tension all the way down. At the bottom, trim and secure with the finishing tape.
Common mistakes:
- Wrapping too tightly — stretches the grip thinner than intended, reducing tackiness and lifespan
- Too much overlap — creates a bumpy surface that feels uneven in the hand
- Not enough overlap — leaves gaps where the underlayer shows through, creating hard spots
- Starting from the wrong end — the grip will peel during play
Which Type of Overgrip Should You Choose?
This comes down to one question: how much do your hands sweat?
If you play indoors, your hands stay relatively dry, and you mainly play in the evening when it’s cooler — go tacky. Wilson Pro Overgrip is the default recommendation for good reason. It provides excellent grip in dry conditions, feels comfortable immediately, and is available everywhere. A three-pack costs about £5 from Amazon UK or Decathlon.
If you sweat heavily, play outdoors in summer, or find that tacky grips become slippery after 20 minutes — go dry/absorbent. Tourna Grip Original is the gold standard. It feels odd at first (almost like wrapping a bandage around your handle), but once it absorbs a bit of moisture it provides incredible grip. The texture takes a session to get used to, though. Some players find it too rough initially.
There’s also a middle ground: semi-tacky overgrips that offer moderate absorption and moderate tackiness. Yonex Super Grap falls into this category and is a solid all-rounder if you’re not sure which direction to go.
Quick recommendation:
- Dry hands, indoor play: Wilson Pro Overgrip (tacky) — about £5 for three
- Sweaty hands, outdoor play: Tourna Grip Original (dry) — about £7 for three
- Not sure: Yonex Super Grap (semi-tacky) — about £6 for three
The Hesacore Question
You’ll see Hesacore grips mentioned constantly in padel forums and recommended by players who’ve switched from traditional grips. It’s worth covering separately because it’s genuinely different from anything else on the market.
Hesacore is a replacement grip with a hexagonal honeycomb structure on the inside that sits against the racket handle. This creates small air pockets that provide exceptional cushioning and vibration dampening. The outer surface is smooth polyurethane.
The benefits are real:
- Considerably better vibration absorption — players with tennis elbow or wrist pain often report improvement
- You don’t need to grip as tightly — the honeycomb structure naturally moulds around your fingers
- Longer lasting than traditional replacement grips — the structure doesn’t compress flat like foam does
- Slightly larger feel — which some players prefer, others don’t
The downsides are also real:
- £12-15 per grip — roughly double the cost of a standard replacement
- Adds more bulk than a standard grip — if you already have large hands or prefer a thin handle, this might be too much
- Not available at every retailer — you’ll likely order online from specialist padel shops
- You’ll probably still want an overgrip on top — the smooth outer surface isn’t particularly tacky
My take: if you play three or more times a week and have any hint of elbow or wrist discomfort, try Hesacore. The price premium pays for itself in comfort. If you’re playing once a week casually, a standard Wilson or Head replacement grip with a tacky overgrip is perfectly fine.
How Grip Choice Affects Your Game
This might sound like overthinking it, but the grip on your racket really affects how you play — not just comfort, but actual shot quality.
Control shots: A tacky grip with slight cushioning helps with touch shots like the bandeja and lob. You can hold the racket loosely and still feel confident it won’t slip, which lets you play with a relaxed wrist — exactly what you need for finesse shots at the net.
Power shots: For smashes and aggressive play, you need absolute confidence that the racket won’t rotate in your hand on impact. This is where grip thickness matters most. Too thin and the racket can twist; too thick and you can’t generate wrist snap. Most power players prefer a medium-thickness setup: standard replacement grip plus one overgrip.
Spin: If you’re working on adding spin to your game — especially the vibora or the slice — a fresh, tacky overgrip helps because you can adjust your grip position between shots without the racket sticking in one position. This sounds counterintuitive, but a slightly tacky grip lets you micro-adjust, while a very sticky grip locks your hand in place.
The racket shape matters too — a round racket designed for control paired with the right grip gives you a noticeably different feel compared to a diamond shape.
Looking After Your Grips
Getting the most out of your grips means looking after them properly between sessions.
After every session:
- Wipe the grip down with a dry cloth or towel
- Leave the racket out of the bag for 30 minutes to air dry — stuffing a sweaty racket straight into a sealed bag is the fastest way to destroy a grip
Storage:
- Keep your racket at room temperature. Extreme cold (a car boot in winter) makes grips go hard and brittle. Extreme heat (a car boot in summer) makes them go soft and gooey.
- If you play regularly, keep spare overgrips in your bag. Opening a fresh overgrip courtside takes 60 seconds and can save a session.
Grip cleaner: Some players use grip-specific cleaners or a damp cloth with a tiny amount of washing-up liquid to restore tackiness to an ageing overgrip. by the time a grip needs cleaning, it’s usually time to replace it. The cost of a new overgrip (about £1.50-2.50) doesn’t justify the effort of cleaning.
How Often Should You Change Your Grip?
There’s no universal answer, but here’s a practical guide based on how much you play:
Casual player (once a week):
- Overgrip: Every 3-4 weeks
- Replacement grip: Every 6-8 months
Regular player (2-3 times per week):
- Overgrip: Every 1-2 weeks
- Replacement grip: Every 3-4 months
Competitive player (4+ times per week):
- Overgrip: Every 2-4 sessions (some change every session)
- Replacement grip: Every 2-3 months
The tell-tale sign that any grip needs changing is when it feels smooth or shiny under your thumb. Once the texture is gone, so is the grip. Don’t wait until you’re losing points because of racket slip — a fresh grip is one of the cheapest performance upgrades in padel.
If you’re also considering upgrading the wristband you wear during matches, that can help with moisture management too — a good wristband stops sweat running down your forearm and onto the grip.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between an overgrip and a replacement grip in padel? A replacement grip is the thick, cushioned layer fitted directly onto the handle. It provides the main shock absorption and handle shape. An overgrip is a thin layer applied over the top for a fresh, tacky surface. Think of the replacement grip as structural and the overgrip as the disposable outer skin you change regularly.
How often should I change my padel overgrip? It depends on how much you play and how much you sweat. Casual players playing once a week can get 3-4 weeks from an overgrip. Regular players going 2-3 times a week should change every 1-2 weeks. Heavy sweaters or competitive players often change every session or two.
Can I use a tennis overgrip on a padel racket? Yes. Overgrips are universal — a Wilson Pro Overgrip works identically on a tennis racket and a padel racket. The handle shape is slightly different (padel handles tend to be shorter and more octagonal), but the grip itself wraps on the same way. Most UK sports shops stock tennis overgrips more readily than padel-specific ones, and they’re the same product.
Is a Hesacore grip worth the extra money? For regular players who play three or more times a week, particularly those with any wrist or elbow discomfort, Hesacore is a worthwhile upgrade. The honeycomb structure provides noticeably better vibration dampening than standard grips. For casual players, a standard Wilson or Head replacement grip at £5-8 does the job perfectly well.
Does grip thickness affect my racket’s performance? Yes. A thicker grip increases the handle circumference, which can reduce wrist snap speed on power shots but improve comfort and stability on control shots. Every layer you add (replacement grip plus overgrips) increases the circumference by 1-2mm. If you stack too many overgrips, the handle can feel sluggish and you’ll grip harder to compensate, causing fatigue.