Wilson X Bela

Meet Our First Signature Padel Shoe

Together with padel legend Fernando “Bela“ Belasteguín, Wilson has developed the first signature shoe for the sport of padel— check out how our innovative new shoe was created!

When it comes to padel, the combination of stability and elasticity can empower you to make the match-changing moves that bring your game to the next level— just ask Bela! Together we have created the new Bela Pro Padel Shoe that combines the freedom of rotation, torsion control, and all-over stability. In the following Interview, Fernando “Bela“ Belasteguín and Wilson Footwear Product Line Manager Clement Monnier discuss the Bela Pro and give some insight on what makes this shoe so special.

MAXIMUM PADEL PERFORMANCE WITH NO COMPROMISE

Wilson: Bela, what comes to your mind first when you think about your creation – the Bela Pro padel shoe?

Bela: The first word that comes to mind when I hear about the Bela Pro is maximum performance.

Clement: Padel players have been using tennis shoes since the sport began. In reality, when you watch them play, you realize that their movements are different, the surface is different, and the requirements of the sport are completely different from tennis.

Wilson: What makes this shoe different from the rest of the padel shoes on the market?

Bela: This shoe is different because after a year and a half of studying all my movements, we have achieved an outsole that adapts to all the movements that the sport requires, and in the back of the shoe we have achieved comfort and great cushioning. Due to a large amount of jumping I do in games, I needed my tendons to not end up so overloaded, and we have achieved this.

Clement: Yes, the main idea behind this shoe is to provide maximum comfort, lightness, and flexibility for padel players.

A PERFECT FIT FOR A PADEL PLAYER‘S NEEDS

Wilson: When it comes to the technical qualities of the Bela Pro, what makes this shoe so outstanding?

Clement: There are several very important things about this sole.

Firstly, in the midsole, our RDST+ system, will give the player a lot of cushioning and rebound.

There are 2 chassis — one internal and one external. The internal one gives a very natural movement for padel movement. The external allows us to improve the shoe’s stability.

In terms of the outsole, you can see that the design is completely innovative. This circular design gives us grip in all playing conditions, with maximum flexibility at the front, as you can see.

Wilson: And what type of player can benefit from the built-in innovation in the shoe?

Bela: The shoe is designed for all types of players, from amateurs to professionals looking for maximum performance in each of our games.

Wilson: Which blind spot of the sport padel and its respective equipment ecosystem does the Bela Pro target?

Clement: As is always the case when designing our products, motion analysis is paramount. We, therefore, identified a typical padel movement in which we analyzed Bela's foot plantar pressure distribution. What we usually do is strengthen the areas of the outsole where maximum pressure is exerted. But this time, we decided to free up the areas where the plantar pressures are the lowest. This translates into a sleek outsole design that caters to the agility required for padel.

FINDINGS FROM AND FOR THE WORLDS BEST PADEL PLAYER

Wilson: Clement, working together with such an ambitious athlete must have been a great source of inspiration and insights. How did he contribute to the final product?

Clement: Bela has been involved in all the key stages of development. We’ve had a lot of interaction with him, both in terms of design and testing. We met often in the course of the project in order to offer him the solution that best suits his game.

Wilson: Bela, have you noticed any changes since using the Bela Pro?

Bela: I have noticed two big differences, one in terms of movements and the other in terms of jumping. Most notably, when I finish matches, my tendons are much more rested.

Wilson: Clement, do you think this has something to do with the evolution of padel court surfaces and how the Wilson footwear team is adjusting to it?

Clement: Padel surfaces have evolved considerably in recent years. The new courts that are being built, such as the World Padel Tour, have very little or no sand. That’s why Wilson has worked on a shoe that allows players to play on these new courts, as well as having good playing conditions on sandy courts.

Wilson: Is there anything else, you guys want to say?

Bela: A padel player looks for a very good grip, great cushioning, and a shoe that is comfortable from the first day. I think we have achieved this, so I invite you to try it.

For more information about the Bela Pro, watch this video: