An overgrip is the thin tape wrapped over the handle of your racket. It soaks up sweat, gives you something to hold, and it's the cheapest bit of kit you'll ever change. It's also easy to put on badly.
Here's how to fit one properly, how to tell when it's done, and how to use layers to get the handle size right for your hand.
Grip, base grip, overgrip: what's what
Your racket comes with a base grip already on the handle. Padel retailer Padelshop puts standard grips at around 1.9 to 2.0 mm thick, and describes overgrips as thin layers that slightly add to the grip underneath. You don't touch the base grip when you change an overgrip. You only replace the top layer.
That's the whole point. Swapping an overgrip takes a few minutes and costs a couple of pounds. Total Padel points out the base grip underneath costs more and is harder to change, so the overgrip protects it.
How to fit a padel overgrip in eight steps
You need a new overgrip, scissors and a dry cloth. Find somewhere you can sit with the racket across your lap.
1. Take the old one off. Peel off the tape at the top and unwind the overgrip down to the butt cap. Leave the base grip where it is. PadelPoint's first step is to clear sweat, dust and residue from the handle, so give it a wipe.
2. Move the grip band and wrist cord out of the way. Slide the band at the top of the handle off and keep the cord clear of the handle. Total Padel's guide removes the band and ties the strap up before any wrapping starts, so the cord stays out of your way.
3. Peel off the protective film. PadelPoint says an overgrip usually comes with a thin plastic film that has to come off before you wrap. Forgetting it is on their list of common mistakes.
4. Start at the butt cap. The adhesive end of the overgrip goes at the bottom of the handle, right at the edge of the butt cap. Press it down so it holds.
5. Wrap upwards with a small, even overlap. Turn the racket slowly with one hand and feed the overgrip with the other. PadelPoint suggests an overlap of 2 to 3 mm on each turn. Keep the tape taut but don't stretch it hard. You want neat, parallel lines from bottom to top. PadelPoint warns that uneven overlaps leave bumps and gaps, and that too much or too little tension causes wrinkles or slippage. If a wrinkle appears, unwind back past it and go again.
6. Mark and cut at the top. When the wrap reaches the top of the handle, mark where it lines up. Cut the spare length off so the end finishes neatly at the top. PadelPoint trims at an angle for a clean finish. Total Padel marks a line and cuts along it. Either way, take your time, because an end that isn't trimmed properly comes loose.
7. Tape the end down. Wrap a strip of finishing tape around the cut edge so it covers the end of the overgrip and a little of the racket above it. This stops the end lifting mid-match.
8. Refit the band and check the cord. Slide the grip band back over the finishing tape. While you're there, check the wrist cord. The FIP rules say the cord must be non-elastic, no longer than 35 cm and worn round the wrist, and that using it is obligatory. A frayed cord is worth sorting now, not on court. Our padel racket vs tennis racket guide covers the cord rule in full.
New to the game and still finding your way round the kit? Our beginner's guide to padel covers the basics before your first session.
Signs your overgrip needs replacing
You'll usually feel it before you see it. Total Padel lists these signs:
- The colour has changed
- Dirt or wear marks on the surface
- Scratches or worn patches
- It's lost its tackiness
- It feels slippery in your hand
- It's still wet from last time
On timing, the same guide says intermediate players can keep one for two or three sessions, while professionals sometimes change theirs once or twice during a single tournament match. It also suggests a fresh one before a match that matters to you. If you've got a league game or a tournament on Saturday, change it on Friday night.
Playing through the colder months? Keep a spare in your bag next to the layers from our winter padel guide.
Building grip size by layer count
Here's the part that's easy to overlook. An overgrip doesn't just add feel. It adds thickness. Decathlon's page for its own tacky overgrip says it lets you thicken the handle to match the size of your hand and fingers. Total Padel says putting on more than one makes the grip feel larger, and that even with a single overgrip you can play with the tension to fine-tune the size.
So how do you know if your handle is right? Padelshop's check is simple. Hold the racket the way you normally would. Your thumb and middle finger should meet without much pressure. Padelshop says a grip that's too thin can make the racket feel wobbly, while one that's too thick can restrict your movement.
Here's how the layers stack up, with our packs as the example:
| Set-up | What it does | How far a pack goes |
|---|---|---|
| Base grip only | The thinnest the handle gets. Fine until it turns slick | No overgrips used |
| Base grip + 1 overgrip | The normal set-up. Adjust tension to fine-tune | 3 pack = 3 changes. 6 pack = 6 changes |
| Base grip + 2 overgrips | A fuller handle for bigger hands, or if one still fails the finger test | Each change uses 2. 6 pack = 3 changes |
Start with one. Do the finger test. Only add a second if the handle still feels thin. If two layers still aren't enough, ask a racket shop about a thicker base grip. Padelshop says thicker grips suit players with larger hands.
Don't worry about the rules here. The FIP racket rules cap handle thickness at 50 mm, and overgrips only add a thin layer.
One more point from Padelshop: in humid conditions a slightly fuller grip can help stop it slipping. Worth knowing if you're heading somewhere hot to play. Our padel holiday packing list has the rest of what to take.
Which pack to get
Our padel overgrips are sweat-absorbing and easy to put on. The 3 pack is £7 and the 6 pack is £12. The rest of the small kit is in accessories.
- One layer, playing once or twice a week: the 3 pack gets you going and tells you if you like them.
- Two layers, or playing a lot: the 6 pack. Building with two layers means each change uses two grips, so the bigger pack is the one that lasts.
They're made to order, so allow 7 to 10 working days for UK delivery. UK delivery is free on orders of £75 and over. A pack on its own won't get there, but it's an easy add-on to a tee or a pair of grip socks. Shopping for someone else? They're one size, so there's no guessing, which makes them a solid pick from our stocking fillers under £30.
Padel overgrip FAQ
Do I take the old overgrip off before putting a new one on? Usually, yes. Unwind the old one and wipe the handle first. The only reason to leave it on is if you're deliberately building a thicker handle, since a second layer makes the grip feel larger.
Can I put one overgrip on top of another? Yes. It's the easiest way to make a handle thicker without buying a new base grip. Do the finger test after each layer: your thumb and middle finger should meet without squeezing.
Which end of the handle do I start wrapping from? The bottom. Start at the butt cap with the adhesive end of the overgrip and wrap upwards towards the head. PadelPoint's list of common mistakes says the wrap should begin at the handle base, where the butt cap is.
What's the difference between padel grip tape and an overgrip? People use the terms loosely. The base grip is the thicker layer that comes on the racket. An overgrip, often sold as grip tape, is the thin layer you wrap over it and change regularly.
