ASICS Gel-Dedicate 9 Padel Shoes

ASICS has used the Gel-Dedicate name for years on its all-court tennis shoes, which is why searches for it throw up a mix of tennis and padel results. The one you want for padel has Padel in the name, and the difference is underneath: a padel-specific tread built for sand-filled artificial turf, where a smooth hard-court sole skates about.

Our padel shoes page explains why the outsole matters more than anything else on a padel shoe, and what herringbone and omni patterns do on a sandy court.

More than you might expect. ASICS gives the Gel-Dedicate 9 Padel a GEL insert in an EVA midsole for cushioning, and a TPU Trusstic piece under the arch to stop the shoe twisting when you move sideways. The upper mixes synthetic leather with breathable mesh, and synthetic leather overlays at the toe protect it from dragging, which happens a lot more in padel than first-timers expect.

At 354 g a shoe at US 10.5 on Tennis Warehouse Europe's figures, it's a little heavier than the Game FF and well under the Gel-Challenger 15. For two sessions a week it's plenty of shoe.

Tennis Warehouse Europe lists it as true to length, medium width and low arch, and ASICS's chart puts a 28 cm foot in a UK 9 (EU 44). Measure your foot from heel to longest toe and go by the centimetres; it's quicker than guessing from your trainers, which may be a different brand's last. Our listing covers sizes 3 to 13.5.

Low arch matters if you have high arches. The shoe won't push back into the middle of your foot much, so a supportive insole is worth considering.

ASICS's two entry shoes split by foot shape. The Game FF Padel is lighter at 322 g but narrow, with FlyteFoam instead of GEL; the women's Game FF Padel weighs 261 g at US 8.5. The Gel-Dedicate 9 is the roomier, more cushioned of the two. Step up to the Gel-Challenger 15 Padel and you get more support and a medium arch, though it's narrow again; the Gel-Resolution X Padel is the premium shoe for heavy movers.

The 9 is the current shoe and the 8 is being cleared. We still list some Dedicate 8 stock, such as the women's Gel-Dedicate 8 Padel and the clay-soled Gel-Dedicate 8 Clay. ASICS hasn't published a side-by-side of what changed, so we won't invent one; if a Dedicate 8 fits you well and comes in your size, it's a perfectly good shoe.

If you play three or more times a week, move heavily, or have had ankle trouble, the extra support in the Gel-Resolution X is worth having; outside ASICS, the HEAD Motion Pro padel shoes are a mid-range step up with a TPU midfoot shank, and the adidas Crazyquick Boost adds a Boost midsole. The adidas Courtquick is the closest entry-level rival. And if your club's courts are worn with little sand left, an omni-style sole from the men's padel shoes range may slide more predictably. Going the other way, for mostly outdoor play on gritty turf, Salming's unisex Rebel padel shoe is a herringbone alternative at a similar entry level.

If you have high arches, a Karakal Performance Insole adds support the low-arch shoe doesn't. Knock the sand out after every session and let them dry naturally.

If the shoes are your first piece of kit, the best padel racket for beginners page and our guide on how to choose a padel racket are the next stops. Then a tube from padel balls, a bag from padel bags with a ventilated shoe pocket, and every model under padel rackets.