Frame protectors: which type fits your racket?

A padel racket can hit the walls and the floor. A frame protector guards the frame against those knocks. They come in three kinds here:

• Tape: the Dunlop Padel Protection Tape, 45 mm wide and 50 cm long, in black or clear. Dunlop says it is usable for 3 padel rackets.
• Ready-shaped strips: the Bonelli Padel Racket Protector in clear, and the Zigzag version with a zigzag cut for more coverage.
• Branded frame protectors: the NOX Padel Protector covers the whole contour of the frame with 3M adhesive tape. The Bullpadel HI FRAME protector has a rough finish, in black or clear.

Bonelli also makes a Tennis Racket Protector sized for tennis heads, so pick the padel version for a padel racket.

Overgrip or replacement grip?

Check the thickness on the listing. The Dunlop Gecko-Tac overgrip is listed at 0.55 mm and the Bullpadel Overgrip at 0.6 mm. The Babolat Syntec Uptake is sold as a replacement grip and is listed at 1.90 mm, much thicker than either. The Bonelli and Babolat grips are polyurethane, and the Bonelli Perforated adds tiny holes for airflow in high heat.

Buying for a group or a club

If you coach or play often, bulk packs save restocking. The Bonelli Racket Overgrips Assorted come in a box of 60, and the Babolat Uptake comes in a jar of 30. Occasional players can start with a Bonelli or Dunlop 3 pack.

If you have just bought a racket, start with a frame protector and one 3 pack of overgrips. See every padel racket, the padel bags, or the full overgrip range.