Why Your Overgrip Matters More Than You Think
Here’s a padel truth that doesn’t get enough attention: your overgrip is the only point of contact between you and your racket. You can spend £300 on the finest carbon racket on the market, but if your overgrip is worn, slippery, or the wrong type for your game, you’re leaving performance on the table.
A good overgrip gives you confidence. It lets you swing freely without worrying about the racket twisting in your hand. It absorbs sweat, provides cushioning, and can genuinely transform how a racket feels. And the best part? They cost a fraction of any other padel accessory.
In this roundup, we’ve tested the most popular overgrips on the market to help you find the perfect match for your playing style and conditions.
What to Look For in a Padel Overgrip
Before diving into the reviews, here’s what separates a great overgrip from a mediocre one:
- Tackiness: How “sticky” the grip feels — crucial for maintaining control during powerful shots
- Absorption: How well it handles sweat — particularly important in warm conditions or for players with sweaty hands
- Durability: How long it maintains its performance before needing replacement
- Thickness: Affects handle feel — thicker grips add cushioning but increase handle circumference
- Feel: The overall texture and comfort in your hand
The Best Padel Overgrips for 2026
1. Wilson Pro Overgrip — Best Overall
The Wilson Pro Overgrip is the gold standard in racket sports, and for good reason. Used by more professional padel and tennis players than any other overgrip, it delivers a near-perfect combination of tackiness, absorption, and feel.
The Pro Overgrip has a smooth, slightly tacky surface that feels excellent in the hand. It absorbs moisture well without becoming slimy, and maintains its performance impressively over multiple sessions. The 0.6mm thickness adds just enough cushioning without noticeably changing the handle size.
Key Features:
- Felt material with tacky finish
- 0.6mm thickness
- Excellent moisture absorption
- Available in multiple colours
- Typically comes in packs of 3 or 12
Pros: Superb all-round performance, excellent tackiness, widely available, great value in bulk packs
Cons: Can lose tackiness in very humid conditions; not the most durable option for heavy sweaters
Best for: Most players — it’s the default choice for a reason
2. HEAD Padel Pro Overgrip — Best for Durability
HEAD’s padel-specific overgrip is designed with the unique demands of the sport in mind. It’s slightly thicker than the Wilson Pro and features a textured surface that provides excellent grip security during the twisting, turning movements that padel requires.
What sets the HEAD Padel Pro apart is its durability. Where some overgrips start deteriorating after two or three sessions, the HEAD maintains its tackiness and structure for noticeably longer. If you don’t want to change your grip after every match, this is a strong choice.
Key Features:
- Padel-specific design
- Textured surface for enhanced grip
- Excellent durability
- Available in white, black, and assorted colours
- Pack of 3 or 12
Pros: Outstanding durability, good tackiness, designed specifically for padel
Cons: Slightly less tacky initially than the Wilson Pro; thicker feel may not suit all players
Best for: Players who want a long-lasting grip and play frequently
3. Bullpadel Hesacore Tour Grip — Best for Comfort
The Bullpadel Hesacore is something different entirely. Rather than a traditional overgrip wrap, it’s a hexagonal-patterned grip that sits underneath your overgrip (or can be used alone). The unique honeycomb structure allows air to circulate around your hand whilst providing ergonomic finger placement.
Many pro players use the Hesacore as a base grip with a thin overgrip on top. The result is a handle that’s more comfortable, better ventilated, and provides a more natural grip shape. If you suffer from hand cramps or discomfort during long matches, the Hesacore can be a game-changer.
Key Features:
- Hexagonal honeycomb structure
- Ergonomic finger positioning
- Air circulation channels
- Can be used alone or with an overgrip on top
- Long-lasting (doesn’t wear like traditional grips)
Pros: Exceptional comfort, innovative design, great ventilation, incredibly durable
Cons: Significantly increases handle size; takes getting used to; more expensive than traditional overgrips
Best for: Players who prioritise comfort and suffer from hand fatigue
4. Babolat Pro Tour Overgrip — Best for Tackiness
The Babolat Pro Tour is one of the tackiest overgrips on the market, providing an incredibly secure grip that inspires confidence on every shot. If you’ve ever felt your racket slip during a crucial point, the Pro Tour will put that worry to bed.
The downside of the extreme tackiness is that it doesn’t last quite as long as less sticky options. You’ll likely need to replace the Pro Tour more frequently than the Wilson Pro or HEAD Padel Pro. But for the sessions it’s fresh, the grip feel is outstanding.
Key Features:
- Extra-tacky surface finish
- 0.6mm thickness
- Smooth feel with excellent grip
- Available in white, black, and colours
- Pack of 3 or 12
Pros: Exceptional tackiness, excellent feel, great for players who want maximum grip security
Cons: Loses tackiness faster than competitors; not the best for heavy sweaters
Best for: Players who prioritise grip security and replace overgrips regularly
5. Tourna Grip Original — Best for Sweaty Hands
If you have sweaty hands, stop reading and buy Tourna Grip. Seriously. This dry-feel overgrip is specifically designed to get tackier as you sweat — the complete opposite of most overgrips, which get slippery when wet.
The secret is Tourna’s unique dry-feel material that absorbs moisture and converts it into enhanced grip. In hot, humid conditions or for players who naturally sweat heavily, the Tourna Grip is unrivalled. It’s the go-to choice for countless professional tennis players in Grand Slam conditions and works equally well for padel.
The trade-off is that it starts off feeling quite dry and slightly rough. If you prefer a smooth, tacky feel from the start, it might not be for you. But once you start sweating, it transforms.
Key Features:
- Dry-feel material that gets tackier with moisture
- 0.5mm thickness (thinner profile)
- Exceptional sweat absorption
- Blue colour (its trademark look)
- Available in packs of 3, 10, or 30
Pros: Unbeatable for sweaty hands, improves with moisture, good value in bulk
Cons: Dry, rough feel when new; less tacky in cool/dry conditions; wears out relatively quickly
Best for: Players with sweaty hands or those who play in hot, humid conditions
6. Yonex Super Grap — Best Budget Option
The Yonex Super Grap is a brilliant overgrip that punches well above its price point. It offers excellent tackiness, decent absorption, and a comfortable feel — all at a lower price than the Wilson or Babolat alternatives.
The Super Grap is slightly thinner than some competitors, which is ideal if you don’t want to add bulk to your handle. It wraps smoothly and evenly, and the tackiness holds up reasonably well over multiple sessions.
Key Features:
- Tacky polyurethane surface
- 0.6mm thickness
- Good moisture absorption
- Available in 15 and 30 packs
- Wide colour range
Pros: Excellent value for money, good all-round performance, great in bulk packs
Cons: Not quite as tacky as the Wilson Pro or Babolat Pro Tour; durability is average
Best for: Budget-conscious players who want reliable performance without the premium price
Quick Comparison Table
| Overgrip | Tackiness | Absorption | Durability | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson Pro | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Most players |
| HEAD Padel Pro | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Durability |
| Hesacore Tour | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Comfort |
| Babolat Pro Tour | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | Maximum grip |
| Tourna Grip | ⭐⭐⭐ (dry) / ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (wet) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | Sweaty hands |
| Yonex Super Grap | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | Budget pick |
How Often Should You Change Your Overgrip?
This depends on how much you play and how much you sweat, but here are some general guidelines:
- Casual players (1-2 times/week): Every 2-3 weeks
- Regular players (3-4 times/week): Every 1-2 weeks
- Frequent players (5+ times/week): Every 3-5 sessions
- Heavy sweaters: After every session or two
A simple test: if your overgrip feels slick, shiny, or has lost its texture, it’s time for a change. Don’t be stingy with overgrips — they’re the cheapest way to maintain consistent performance.
How to Apply a Padel Overgrip
Applying an overgrip is straightforward, but a few tips will help you get a perfect finish:
- Remove the backing film from the tapered end of the overgrip
- Start at the base of the handle (the butt end), wrapping the tapered end around first
- Wrap upward with a slight overlap (about 3-5mm) between each revolution
- Maintain consistent tension — firm but not stretched to breaking point
- Secure at the top with the finishing tape provided
Pro tip: Some players prefer to start from the top and wrap downward, which can give a slightly different feel. Experiment with both methods to see which you prefer.
The Verdict
For most players, the Wilson Pro Overgrip remains the best all-round choice — it’s the most popular overgrip in the world for a reason. If durability is your priority, the HEAD Padel Pro is excellent. For sweaty hands, nothing beats Tourna Grip. And if you want to transform your grip comfort entirely, try the Hesacore Tour underneath your preferred overgrip.
Quick Links: Buy on Amazon UK
Whatever you choose, remember: a fresh overgrip is one of the easiest and cheapest upgrades you can make to your game. Don’t neglect it.
