Babolat's Premura range has always been built for speed rather than stability, and the third generation keeps that promise. With a new Matryx Micro upper, a redesigned Michelin outsole and a lighter, ultra-thin tongue, the Premura 3 targets players who want quick feet on court rather than a heavy, planted platform underfoot during long matches.
This is now the third full redesign of the Premura, and Babolat took its time over it. The gap between this version and the previous Jet Premura 2 stretches back to 2022, which is a long wait in a category that usually refreshes every year or two. That patience shows in the detail. Rather than a cosmetic update, Babolat has reworked the upper material, the heel construction and the outsole compound, while keeping the toothed forefoot panel that has defined this shoe since the original.
Design and materials
The headline change is the switch to Matryx Micro, a technical fabric developed with the French textile specialist Chamatex. It replaces the older Matryx Evo weave and is built to flex with the foot rather than around it. The upper feels closer to a running shoe than a court shoe in hand, which is the point. Babolat wants players thinking about their next step, not their footwear.
Underneath, the 3D heel design adds structure without much extra bulk, and the tongue has been slimmed down again. Some players may notice the lighter tongue reduces that snug, wrapped feeling you get from bulkier padel shoes. That's a trade some will happily make for the weight saving.
Fit and comfort
The famous "teeth" running across the forefoot are still there, and they still do their job of locking the foot in place during sharp direction changes. Babolat has added lateral reinforcements this time, paired with extra EVA foam under the forefoot, in what it calls the Blast Pad system. The idea is better rebound off the toes without sacrificing the support that keeps the foot from sliding inside the shoe.
Fit runs true to size for most players, though the last is narrower than shoes like the ASICS Gel Resolution X Padel, and anyone with a wider foot should try a pair on before committing. The removable Ortholite HybridPlus insole, made from 57 per cent recycled material, adds a soft top layer without feeling spongy underfoot.
Traction and outsole
Babolat's continued partnership with Michelin pays off here. The outsole uses a padel-specific tread with flex grooves cut through it, part of what the brand calls its 360° Flex system. Grip on synthetic turf is confident rather than grabby, allowing controlled slide into a stop instead of a sudden stick that jars the knees. That balance matters more than raw grip figures in a sport built on repeated sprints and sudden direction changes.
Weight and responsiveness
Independent weighing puts the Premura 3 at around 359 grams in a UK size 9.5, roughly 12 grams heavier than the previous generation. That's a curious result for a shoe marketed on lightness, though the difference is small enough that most players won't feel it on court. The extra grams appear to have gone into the reinforced forefoot and heel, which is a sensible place to spend them.
What that added structure buys is measurable. Babolat commissioned testing from Human Fab, a sports innovation consultancy, which recorded a 7 per cent improvement in support over the previous Premura. Whether 7 per cent translates into anything you'd notice mid-rally is harder to say, but the shoe does feel more composed under load than its reputation for lightness might suggest.
Who is it for on court
This is not a shoe for players who want maximum lateral lockdown. Compared with stability-focused rivals, the Premura 3 gives up some rigidity in exchange for a livelier, quicker feel. Aggressive attackers and players who cover the court through footwork rather than positioning will get the most from it. Anyone who plays a slower, more anchored game, or who has struggled with ankle stability in the past, might be better served by a stiffer option.
Price
Babolat lists the Premura 3 at £145 through its UK site, putting it at the top of the brand's own padel footwear range, above the Movea and standard Jet models. That's a premium price bracket, and it puts the Premura 3 up against flagship shoes from ASICS, Adidas and Head. Several UK padel retailers currently stock it below RRP, so it's worth shopping around before paying full price.
