Padel balls: pressure, durability, storage and replacement.

What makes a padel ball

FIP specifies mass, size, rebound and deformation. Standard balls may be pressurized or pressureless; official competitions use approved models. A high-altitude type is designed to control the faster conditions at significant elevation.

Babolat explains practical differences from tennis balls through compression and felt. Longer felt slows flight, so manufacturers offer slower control-oriented and faster options.

Pressure and felt age differently

An opened pressurized ball gradually loses response while play, friction and moisture alter its felt. A ball may still look round but rebound flat, or retain pressure while heavily fluffed felt makes it much slower.

HEAD describes different cores and felts for pressure retention, pace and control. Those claims help compare a product range but do not replace testing all three balls together on court.

Storage without false promises

Keep unopened balls sealed in their original can until use and store them dry, away from direct sunlight and extreme heat. After play, keep dry balls together in a closed tube; allow damp balls to air-dry first.

A ball pressurizer may slow pressure loss after opening. It cannot repair worn felt, deformation or damage. Claims of a fixed extra lifetime depend heavily on the device and usage.

A fair replacement check

Compare every ball in the set from the same drop height on the same surface and compress each gently with both thumbs. Large differences in rebound, sound or softness disrupt a consistent match. Mark older training sets and do not silently mix them with fresh match balls.

• Agree the set before an important match
• Check venue or event guidance at altitude
• Retire wet or damaged balls
• Keep even older sets separately for gentle drills