Babolat Jet Viva Padel Shoes, Men's 2026

Babolat's UK page lists a Michelin rubber outsole with a stud pattern designed for padel, reinforced for grip and durability, with two grooves in the forefoot for flexibility. Under the heel sits the KPRS-X insert, which Babolat describes as EVA for shock protection, and the insole is an OrthoLite die-cut one. The upper is a breathable three-thread mesh that is 100 per cent recycled and adapts to the foot.

What the page does not say is how much support the shoe has at the sides, or how much it weighs. Babolat's other men's padel shoes add belts and reinforcements that the Jet Viva's listing does not mention, so think of it as the straightforward model.

Most UK courts are sand-dressed artificial turf, which punishes a smooth tennis sole. The Jet Viva has a padel-specific Michelin sole with studs, which is the right kind of shoe for that surface, and the two forefoot grooves help it flex when you push off.

A stud sole sits at the omni end of the range. Our padel shoes page explains how it behaves on well-brushed and very sandy courts, and it can feel slidey on very sandy outdoor ones, so test it on your own court.

Babolat lists a standard fit and half sizes from UK 6 to 12.5, and its padel shoes generally stay true to size, so start with your usual size. A mesh upper gives a little with wear, and the listing does not mention a strap or wrap, so check the fit across the midfoot.

Wide feet should try before buying, because Babolat does not publish a width.

Both are Babolat shoes with a Michelin stud sole, a KPRS-X heel insert, a 10 mm drop and UK sizes 6 to 12.5. The Movea 2 adds a STRAP-LOCK belt, a lateral midsole rise and a COMF+ insole, so it is the one for stability and cushioning. The Jet Viva is the simpler shoe, and Babolat points it at beginners and intermediates.

The same shoe is sold in other colours, such as the red Jet Viva. If you want a lighter attacking shoe, the Premura 3 is the step up from there, and the earlier Jet Premura 2 Lebron is the Lebron edition.

Players who need lateral support or want the lightest shoe. The listing mentions neither a support belt nor a published weight, so heavier players or those who play several times a week may prefer the Movea 2, and attackers the Premura. Our padel shoes for men page lists other brands to compare, and K-Swiss's Court Express 2 Clay is another entry shoe sold for padel.

An entry shoe suits an entry racket from our padel racket range, for example the Air Origin or the Counter Vertuo 2.6. Fresh balls from our padel balls page and a tacky overgrip from the padel grips page finish the set.

A bag with a separate shoe compartment keeps sand off the rest of your kit, and our padel bags page lists them. Our guide to choosing a padel racket helps if you are also picking a racket.