Most activewear brands will not acknowledge it, but the vast majority of women's padel clothing on the market these days, the stuff you see from tennis courts to editorial fashion shoots was designed with the gym in mind. It is tested on treadmills and barbells, It is not build for fast paced rallies, lateral lunges for wall shots and those lightning-fast overhead smashes that padel demands.
We started CloudSkin because we find ourselves somewhere other than the gym right after a match, a café, a restaurant, running errands, with nothing in our bag suitable for either. We weren't wearing clothes that transitioned easily from one space to the other because we didn't have any. This is the reality for a lot of us, and it's a part of why we created this guide.
We wish we'd had this resource ourselves when starting out: a straightforward, no-nonsense overview of what to wear on the glass court and how to put it all together. Everything has been considered here from what looks good on the court to what will stand up to the most challenging rallies of the match.
How should I dress for padel?
The best women's padel outfit makes liberal use of fabric with four directional stretch and moisture-wicking properties and considers each piece's performance on the glass court. When playing on an enclosed court in warmer conditions, it's even more important to choose clothes that allow the body to move unrestrictedly in all directions and dry quickly between points. In addition, the pieces should be as unobtrusive and supportive as possible to avoid readjusting during the game.
A court skirt or dress, a medium-to-high support racerback sports bra, and a warm-up jacket are the three main elements to think about when building a women's padel kit. This is by no means an extensive list, but these three pieces will ensure that you can perform at your best throughout the match while taking minimal time to put together.
Court Skirt Foundation of Your Padel Outfit
Any good women's padel wear collection starts with the court skirt. But why?
A good skirt gives you free movement in all directions during a match, built-in coverage that doesn't dig or shift during a serve, and a stylish look to match your match-day attitude. The CloudSkin Court Skirt is made with two different types of fabric to give you absolute comfort and performance. The outer skirt is 90% Nylon and 10% Elastane and offers lightweight, four-way freedom of movement. The inner shorts provide a flattering yet comfortable fit with 87% Nylon and 13% Elastane.
However, it is the silicone grip tabs on the inner shorts that set this skirt apart from the competition. While most skirts rely purely on the stretchy qualities of the fabric to keep their inner shorts from shifting, CloudSkin uses silicone tabs to ensure that the shorts stay put during lateral lunges and other directional movements that padel requires. Available in black and white, the Court Skirt is ideal for most outfits.
Signature Skirt, When You Want Something More
While the Court Skirt is our go-to piece for most occasions, there are times when you want something more. Something that still delivers on function but looks better on the court. That's where the Signature Skirt comes in. Designed with directional stitching on the outer skirt for more shape, a high waisted, extra-compressive waistband, and side pockets that fit a padel ball perfectly, the Signature Skirt hits all the right notes for an upgraded match-day look. It is breathable, sweat-wicking, and quick-drying during long rallies thanks to the moisture-rejecting qualities of the 75% Nylon, 25% Lycra waistband and inner short — exactly what serious women's padel activewear should deliver.
Sports Bra, Support Should Never Be Compromised in Padel
When choosing the right sports bra for padel, most women overlook just how much upper-body support they need during a match. It's easy to underestimate the amount of overhead movement required to execute certain shots in padel, which leads to most women's first choices being unsuitable for the sport. Most often, this becomes apparent only when it's too late - when the third set rolls around, and the bra begins to slide, exposing more skin with every movement.
The Signature Bra is the right place to start when choosing what to wear for padel. It provides medium to high support in a racerback design while keeping you cool thanks to the mesh detailing on the back panel. The lack of adjustable straps means that there isn't much to fiddle with, making it perfect for those who prefer an unobtrusive yet supportive sports bra. Thanks to the 75% Nylon, 25% Lycra fabric, it has a second-skin feel to it without being constrictive in the least. Signature Bra also features removable padding for those who prefer a more subtle look.
For players who require more stability during a match or simply want more all-round support, the Sculpt Bra is the best choice. Made with similar 75% Nylon, 25% Spandex fabric, it has wider straps and built-in, padded cups that offer excellent upper-body support. The Sculpt Bra also has a perforated back panel, which allows for extra airflow to prevent overheating. The racerback design ensures that no matter how high the arm swing is, no part of it will be impeded by the bra strap, which would be especially inconvenient during a crucial point.
Padel Dress - One Piece, Everything Included
Some like to keep it simple. No fuss. One piece. No extra effort needed when rushing out for an early morning match or deciding to hit a few balls with friends at the last minute. That's where the dress comes in.
The Flow Dress by CloudSkin features a sculpting bodice made with 75% Nylon, 25% Lycra stretch fabric that shapes comfortably to the bust and a medium-high waistband that keeps everything in place during lateral movements. The skirt is made with a lightweight, flowing 90% Polyester and 10% Spandex fabric that keeps you cool while moving freely. The breathable, stretchy, racerback mesh panel on the back of the dress keeps the air circulating, especially during long rallies. Also included are bike shorts with side pockets that can hold a padel ball or extra sweat towels. As part of our Founders Edit, the Flow Dress is available in black.
For those who want more structure, the Ace Dress offers an alternative to the Flow Dress. Featuring contrast stitching, a high neckline with a front zip opening, and a built-in, removable-padded-bra with compression shorts, the Ace Dress is ready to transition from the glass court to the restaurant after the match. Made with stretchy, four-directional 80% Polyester, 20% Elastane fabric, it has all the essentials without any unnecessary frills. The breathable yet supportive racerback mesh detailing on the back of the dress ensures a steady flow of air during long rallies, keeping you cool and comfortable throughout the match.
The Layering Question - It's Not Always Warm on the Court
If there is one thing that most women learn the hard way about playing padel, it's that the courts tend to be much cooler in the mornings and evenings than they are during the day, especially during the spring and autumn seasons. That's why a warm-up jacket or a t-shirt with breathable fabric is an essential addition to any women's padel outfit. It keeps you warm before the match and allows you to move freely during the warm-up. It also makes for an easy transition to the changing room after the game.
The Drift Cropped Jacket is the warm-up jacket that checks all the right boxes. With a full-front zip opening, it offers a convenient way to put it on and take it off between points while keeping you warm during the critical moments of the match. The adjustable drawcords at the bottom allow for a more tailored fit, and the side pockets are perfect for storing valuables such as phones, keys, and other personal belongings. The Drift Cropped Jacket is made with stretchy yet lightweight 75% Nylon, 25% Spandex fabric, which is breathable enough to prevent overheating while keeping you comfortable during the warm-up and warm-down. As a cropped jacket, it also eliminates the need to tie it around the waist between points since it won't add much bulk in the first place.
The Elevate Cropped Jacket, on the other hand, offers a less structured look and more relaxed fit. Made with similar 87% Nylon, 13% Elastane fabric, it features batwing-style sleeves and an adjustable drawcord collar for a more laid-back alternative to the Drift Cropped Jacket. It also has breathable mesh panels on the sides to facilitate airflow and keep the body cool during extended play. Both jackets are quick-drying and made with the same four-directional stretch fabric, ready to accommodate a wide range of movements on and around the court.
Speaking of Colors - What's Better, Black or White?
While some prefer colors, black and white are always a safe choice since they tend to photograph well, complement most settings, and look good in virtually every type of light. They are also appropriate in most dress codes, including those that apply specifically to padel courts. In short, black and white are an essential part of any serious women's padel clothing collection.
The Founders Edit is all about black and white. It's the go-to choice when you want to minimize the number of decisions that need to be made before rushing out for an early morning match. It also looks good in most settings, from the restaurant where you're going to watch the game to the changing room at the sports club. That's not to say that other color options aren't available, as they are. The rest of the women's padel sportswear that CloudSkin has to offer can be found in the Lime Soda and Blue Horizon collections.
Lime Soda features the Oasis Skirt, the Oasis Polo, the Coast Bra, and the Coast Tank, all in one vibrant, attention-grabbing shade of lime green. The same goes for the Blue Horizon collection, with the exception that the colors are more subdued. Featuring the Sky Skirt, Sky Tank, Nova Skirt, and Nova Bra in shades of navy and baby blue, it offers a more versatile alternative to Lime Soda. However, the Ace Dress in navy from the Blue Horizon collection is worth consideration due to the contrast piping and structured front zip detail, as it is one of the most versatile pieces in terms of transitioning from one setting to another.
How to Care For Your Clothes
Caring for performance women's padel activewear usually entails a few simple guidelines concerning the washing and drying process. Nylon/Lycra and Nylon/Spandex fabrics, in particular, require special care to maintain their stretch and moisture-wicking properties. Washing them in hot water with regular detergents tends to ruin them, as does throwing them in a tumble dryer. The effects are usually gradual and barely noticeable at first, but eventually, the clothes stop stretching back to their original shape or losing moisture-wicking abilities altogether. These effects happen because of the heat, which causes the fibers to tighten.
To avoid this from happening, cold water extraction or hand washing is the preferred method, as is laying the garments flat to dry rather than hanging them. It is also best to avoid perfumes, bleaching agents, and ironing. Detergents with built-in softening agents can also adversely affect the fabric, so it is best to err on the side of caution.
Following these simple instructions will prolong the life of your clothes significantly, as the fabric's integrity will remain intact after each wash. It also means that the performance properties, namely breathability and stretch, will be unaffected from one wash to the next.
If you are ready to build your padel kit, the full women's padel clothing collection — court skirts, sports bras, padel dresses, and layering pieces — is available now at cloudskin.com with delivery across Europe including Greece.