Why Use an Overgrip? Insights from VIBEPADEL

Overgrips can look like a small detail, but in padel they make a big difference. Your hand is the only point of contact with your racket, and when it starts to slip, everything from volleys to smashes gets harder to control.

What does an overgrip do in padel?

An overgrip is a thin strip of material wrapped over your racket's original handle. It does three jobs:

Grip – it stops the racket twisting or slipping in your hand, especially once you start to sweat.

Feel – a fresh, tacky surface gives you better feedback from the ball and more confidence on touch shots.

Consistency – it keeps the handle feeling the same from the first point to the last.

Base grip vs overgrip: what's the difference?

The base grip is the layer that comes fitted to your racket. It provides the initial comfort and shape of the handle, but it isn't designed to be changed often. Replacing one is fiddly and usually means a trip to a shop and an extra cost.

An overgrip sits on top of the base grip. It's cheap, quick to change and protects the base grip underneath from sweat and wear, which helps your racket last longer. It's also an easy way to make the handle slightly thicker if it feels too thin in your hand.

When should you change your overgrip?

A good rule of thumb: change your overgrip as many times a month as you play a week.

• Play once a week → change it once a month
• Play twice a week → change it twice a month
• Play three or more times a week → change it weekly

Don't wait for it to fall apart. Signs it's time for a new one: it looks shiny or smooth, it's lost its tackiness, it's frayed at the edges, or your racket starts moving in your hand on hard shots.

How to put an overgrip on a padel racket

1. Remove the old overgrip and its finishing tape.
2. Peel the backing off the new overgrip and start at the bottom of the handle, just above the butt cap, with the tapered end.
3. Wrap upwards at a slight angle, overlapping each turn by a few millimetres and keeping the tension even.
4. When you reach the top of the handle, secure the end with the finishing tape.

With a padel-length overgrip like Grip 'n' Rip there's nothing to trim – the length is made for a padel handle, so you just wrap and tape.

VIBEPADEL's Grip 'n' Rip overgrip

The Grip 'n' Rip is built specifically for padel with a 3-layer design: a tacky PU top layer for grip, a microfibre middle layer to absorb sweat, and a PU base layer that keeps it locked onto the handle. It gets tackier as you play, which is ideal for shots like the vibora where the racket can't move in your hand.

Because you'll be changing overgrips regularly, they come in 3-packs – from classic All White and All Black to Sky Blue, Pink and our mixed designs.

Shop Grip 'n' Rip overgrips → Buy any 3 packs and get £5 off plus free UK delivery.

Want to go deeper on materials, thickness and tacky vs dry grips? Read our essential guide to padel overgrips, or see how the popular options stack up in our honest guide to the best padel overgrips.

FAQs

How long does a padel overgrip last?

It depends on how often and how hard you play, and how much you sweat. For most club players, somewhere between two and six sessions before it starts losing its tackiness.

Should I put an overgrip on a new padel racket?

Yes. Putting one on from day one protects the base grip and keeps your racket's handle in good condition for longer.

Can I put more than one overgrip on?

You can, if you want a thicker handle. Many players use two overgrips instead of changing the base grip size.