The shape of the padel racket depends on the type of player and your level. We know 3 standard shapes in padel rackets

• Round shape padel racket
• Drop shape padel racket
• Diamond shape padel racket

The shape mainly determines the place where the sweet spot is located in the racket, but also the balance in the racket. A round padel racket has the sweet spot in the middle of the racket head and is therefore the most forgiving, gives the most control and plays the easiest.

With a drop-shaped racket, the sweet spot is just above the middle and is therefore the intermediate step to a diamond-shaped racket where the sweet spot is high in the racket, the balance is higher and therefore you can give more speed to the ball with a smash that you hit high in the racket head. Also tight along the walls and low to the ground you have no loss in speed due to the location of the ultimate point of contact. There are now also some brands that have created their own shape with which the brand wants to distinguish itself, but in the base we can place each racket in 1 of the 3 boxes (or in between with the hybrid shapes) 

This racket is most suitable for the more advanced and competition players because control and maneuverability are sacrificed for power. As with many things, it is the same with padel; control is most important in the beginning – power and speed comes later.

Who is the round padel racket suitable for?

Because the sweet spot is in the middle of the racket blade and is larger than with the drop and diamond rackets, the rackets with a round shape are ideal for players who are looking for more control. The often more defensive player chooses a round racket.

Who is the drop-shaped padel racket suitable for?

The teardrop-shaped rackets give you more power because the sweet spot is just above the middle of the racket head, but you sacrifice relatively little in terms of control. For the more experienced players this is often a good choice.

Pade lracket weight

Padel rackets generally weigh between 350 and 375 grams. There are now some brands that market lighter rackets for women and for men who are prone to injury. 

The frame of the padel racket

The frame of the padel racket is usually made of fiberglass or carbon. The difference lies in the durability, sturdiness and thus the price of the product. The frame is sometimes protected at the top by a kevlar strip, a plastic/rubber tape or an aluminum bumper. This protects the racket extra against the impact of the glass, grass and fencing. 

Tip: buy one protect strip to stick over the top of your racket. This way your racket will last longer and your racket is protected against scratches and (light) impact on the padel field.

Fiberglass is used for the basic/cheaper rackets. The next step is a few layers of carbon with a fiberglass finish. Then we go to full carbon in the racket head. Full carbon is again subdivided into density as 3K 12K 18K carbon. The higher the K value, the stiffer the blade and the less chance of expansion at higher temperatures on highland runways, for example.

Different types of foam.

On the inside of the racket is a softer (often white) foam. This is often used in the somewhat cheaper rackets. With the more expensive/better rackets, people often opt for EVA rubber, where there are several types in a number of degrees that the rubber can compress as much as possible. For example, a range of 12-17 degrees EVA rubber is often used.

 

Conclusion:

Get good advice based on your wishes, game type and budget.

It also depends on your personal preferences and your unique situation. For example, if you have problems with your elbow or shoulder, it might be better to choose a lighter racket with a softer foam in the racket. If you want more power and if you play with a lot of slice, choose a drop shape with a 3D spin finish on the blade. You can also adjust the racket with an extra grip or a Hesacore grip that reduces the grip strength and thus the risk of injuries.