Padel Overgrips: Types, Best Picks and How to Wrap One
Padel overgrip guide: tacky vs absorbent vs perforated, how often to change it, how to wrap it step by step and how it changes your racquet’s weight and feel.
By PadelRadar editorial teamUpdated
Key takeaways
- An overgrip is a thin, replaceable tape wrapped over a padel racquet’s base grip to add tack, absorb sweat and protect the handle.
- Tacky overgrips suit dry conditions, absorbent ones suit sweaty hands and hot days, and perforated ones are a middle ground.
- Players who play once or twice a week usually change their overgrip every two to four weeks, and more often if it turns smooth or shiny.
- Each overgrip adds a few grams and makes the handle slightly thicker, which matters if your racquet is already at the top of your ideal weight.
A padel overgrip is a thin, replaceable wrap that goes over your racquet’s base grip to keep your hand secure, soak up sweat and protect the handle. Choose tacky for dry conditions, absorbent for sweaty hands and hot days, or perforated as a middle ground, and change it as soon as it turns smooth. It is the cheapest upgrade in padel.
Why does your overgrip matter?
The overgrip is your only contact point with the racquet. A worn or unsuitable one leads to:
- Slipping during shots, especially on humid days.
- Blisters from squeezing harder to compensate.
- Less control on volleys and delicate shots.
- Arm fatigue from excessive grip pressure over a whole match.
Changing it regularly costs little and makes a noticeable difference to how confident your hand feels.
Tacky, absorbent or perforated: which overgrip should you choose?
| Type | Feel | Best for | Drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tacky | Slightly sticky, soft | Dry conditions, players who like a locked-in hold | Gets slippery once soaked |
| Absorbent (dry) | Dry, almost chalky | Hot and humid days, sweaty hands | Wears out faster |
| Perforated | Tacky with small holes | Mixed conditions, all-year play | A compromise, not the best at either extreme |
If you are unsure, start with a tacky overgrip, then switch to an absorbent one if it turns slippery during summer matches.
How often should you change a padel overgrip?
| How often you play | Typical change |
|---|---|
| Once or twice a week | Every 2–4 weeks |
| Three or four times a week | Every 1–2 weeks |
| Almost every day or competitive | Every few sessions |
Change it earlier if the surface looks smooth or shiny, you catch yourself gripping harder than usual, it feels thinner than when new, or it starts to tear.
How do you put on a padel overgrip?
- Remove the old overgrip. Peel it off completely without damaging the base grip underneath.
- Start at the butt of the handle. Place the tapered end at the bottom, following the angle of the handle.
- Wrap upwards at a slight angle. Overlap each turn by a few millimetres so the coverage stays even.
- Keep light tension. Pull gently as you go for a snug, bump-free finish.
- Stop below the top of the handle. Cut any excess at a neat angle if needed.
- Fix the end. Use the finishing tape supplied with the overgrip.
Padel handles are short, so you will often have some overgrip left over; trim it rather than overlapping more.
Does an overgrip change the racquet’s weight and grip size?
Yes, slightly. Each overgrip adds a few grams and makes the handle a little thicker. That is why some players with small hands use one overgrip on a thin handle, while others stack two for a bigger, more cushioned grip. If your racquet is already at the top of your ideal range, factor this in: our racquet weight guide explains how weight and balance combine.
Which overgrips are worth trying?
- Wilson Pro Overgrip: a long-standing favourite with a tacky feel, sold in single packs and larger multipacks. See Wilson.
- Tourna Grip: the classic absorbent overgrip, very popular with players whose hands sweat a lot; it wears faster than tacky options.
- Head Xtreme Soft: a soft, thin overgrip often bought in multipacks. See Head.
- Padel brands’ own overgrips: most padel brands sell tacky and perforated overgrips, often in colours matching their racquets.
Tennis overgrips work on padel racquets too: it is the same product, just with a shorter handle to cover.
How to spend less on overgrips
Overgrips are cheap individually and cheaper still in multipacks, and they keep well if you leave them sealed. Buy a larger pack when it is on offer: the deals page on PadelRadar, the padel price comparison site, is refreshed daily. For the rest of your kit, see our guide to essential padel accessories.
Frequently asked questions
How often should you change a padel overgrip?
Most players who play once or twice a week change their padel overgrip every two to four weeks, while players on court three or four times a week change it every one or two weeks. Replace it sooner if it looks smooth or shiny, feels thinner, tears or makes you squeeze harder than usual, because a worn overgrip costs you control.
What is the difference between a grip and an overgrip?
The grip is the thicker, cushioned base wrap fitted to the racquet handle at the factory, while the overgrip is a thin layer wrapped on top of it. The overgrip is the part you replace often to keep tack and absorb sweat. The base grip lasts much longer and only needs changing when it is damaged or flattened.
Should I choose a tacky or absorbent padel overgrip?
Choose a tacky overgrip if you play in dry conditions and like a secure, slightly sticky hold, and an absorbent one if your hands sweat a lot or you play in heat and humidity. Tacky overgrips turn slippery once soaked, while absorbent ones stay dry but wear out faster. Perforated overgrips sit between the two for mixed conditions.
Can I put two overgrips on a padel racquet?
Yes, many players put two overgrips on a padel racquet to get a thicker, more cushioned handle. It suits players with larger hands or those who want extra comfort. Keep in mind that each overgrip adds a few grams near the handle, which lowers the balance slightly and adds to the total weight, so the racquet will feel a little different.
Do tennis overgrips work on padel racquets?
Yes, tennis overgrips work perfectly on padel racquets, and many popular overgrips are sold for both sports. The only difference is length: a padel handle is much shorter than a tennis handle, so you will usually have some overgrip left over at the top. Cut the excess at an angle and secure the end with the finishing tape.
Related guides
- Padel Accessories: What You Actually Need (and What You Don't)Padel accessories explained: what you really need (shoes, overgrips, balls, bag), what's optional, what to skip and what each typically costs in Europe.
- Padel Racket Weight: How Heavy Should Your Racket Be?How heavy should a padel racket be? Weight bands by level and build, why balance matters as much as grams, and how to pick a weight that spares your arm.
- Best Padel Balls: Head vs Bullpadel vs Nox vs WilsonThe best padel balls compared: Head, Bullpadel, Nox and Wilson on feel, speed, durability and price per tube, plus how to make every tube last longer.