Indoor vs. outdoor padel
If you look closely, the difference between indoor and outdoor padel courts is minimal. The most notable difference between playing indoor padel and outdoor padel is the non-distraction of external factors. Wind, heat, or snow, for that matter, are of no concern if you are playing padel indoors.
Well, that’s not the case for outdoor courts, which is one of the drawbacks of playing outdoors. Outdoor padel courts are not covered by a roof, hence exposing the court to external factors. This, however, is a minor setback, nothing that would stop you from swinging a padel racket outdoors.
Is there a difference between indoor and outdoor padel?
As mentioned above, the differences between playing indoor and outdoor padel are minor. The differences lie in the preference of a player.
In order to understand the dichotomy between these two court types, it’s essential to look at the characteristics of these courts individually.
Indoor padel court
Indoor padel courts have the exact dimensions and features of an outdoor padel court. The only difference in dimension is that indoor courts must have roofs at least 7 meters above the playing surface.
Indoor courts have no effects of external weather conditions. They are suitable to play around the year during all kinds of seasons. Let your padel game never stop.
Outdoor padel court
When it comes to outdoor padel courts, the lack of a roof and the impact of external weather are the differentiating factors. Playing padel during harsh weather conditions, like peak winter or during the monsoon season, is not recommended outdoors.
Subsequently, the weather conditions may also affect the durability of the court’s surface depending on its material. Apart from this, no other significant differences in these courts could impact your style of playing the sport.
Indoor or outdoor, where you should play
Having discussed the minor differences between indoor and outdoor courts. Here are the two factors to consider while deciding your court type.
- Weather – Depending on where you are located and what kind of seasonal weather you are experiencing, decide your court of choice. For people in the Middle East, indoor courts would be ideal for playing during peak summers starting from April to October.
On the other hand, people in other parts of the world, like Europe or the United States, can utilize outdoor courts to enhance their playing experience. The weather conditions during these months are relatively moderate, making it suitable for outdoor playing.
Similarly, European countries witness snowfall during peak winter, making outdoor playing a hassle. However, that’s not the case for people in the Middle East, as winter makes for a perfect time to sweat it out on the outdoor courts.
- Lighting – The setup of lighting is quite similar in both courts. But there are some minor differences. Both indoor and outdoor courts have adequate flood lights providing maximum illumination and visibility for players.
While outdoor courts require lighting at night, indoor courts are most illuminated throughout the day. If you prefer to play under natural light, then an outdoor court during the day is perfect.
However, some players have shared their experiences of facing sunlight glare during outdoor sessions and prefer playing indoors for that reason.
Therefore, the choice of the court depending on the lighting conditions is solely based on your preference.
Basic padel court dimensions and features
Now that we have a clear picture of the variations between indoor and outdoor courts let’s look at the standard dimensions and features of these two court types.
- The area of a padel court, standard to both indoors and outdoors, is 10 meters wide and 20 meters long.
- The minimum unobstructed height above the playing surface in outdoor courts is 6 meters. This space is provided to install floodlights into the structure. On the other hand, the indoor court roof must be at least 7 meters above the playing area.
- At the two ends of the court, rebound walls measuring a height of 4 meters each are placed. The first 3 meters from the bottom can include a solid surface or a transparent material. The last meter is made using a metal fence or mesh.
- The net must have a maximum height of 0.88 meters in the middle and 0.92 meters at both ends. Another point to note is that the net will span the entire width of the court at 10 meters wide.
- The padel court surface consists of artificial turf. Thus turf is covered with fine quartz sand. Some padel courts come with synthetic surfaces, cement, or porous concrete.
Those mentioned above are the standard dimensions that are implemented across all types of padel courts. There are cases where the designs of padel courts vary while still maintaining the exact dimensions. For instance, some outdoor courts feature a roof-mounted way above the playing surface areas, at least 8 meters above.
Indoor vs. outdoor padel courts: Play where you wish
The choice of indoor or outdoor padel court depends on a player’s preference. Weather and lighting are the main factors you must consider while playing padel to extract your full potential during the game. Now that we have provided you with a detailed guide on the difference between indoor and outdoor padel courts, we wish you a good game.
