Those of you lucky enough not to be deep in debt due to Christmas, New Year celebrations and the rising cost of… well, everything, may want to lavish your spare cash on a top padel racket to begin the 2024 season.
Our Spanish padel expert, Joaquín Serna Sánchez, offers five suggestions that will make you the envy of the padel club due to the superior quality weapon in your bag.
Before we begin, take a look back at these pieces on the best five rackets for medium and low budgets, and read up on things to consider before purchasing a racket.
Adidas Adipower Multiweight CTRL 3.3 2024
Designed for high performance players like ‘Captain America’ Alex Ruiz, whose signature is etched on the racket, this model represents the control version of the Adipower line. It has a round shape and a sweet spot located in the centre to enhance control in every shot.
It is an elegant medium-balance racket that has the Weight & Balance system located in the head and edge, enabling the user to modify the weight and balance of the racket by up to nine grams.
Being made of the highest quality carbon, this model is characterised by its strength, durability and stiffness, and also features high density rubber to help give you an extra gear of power on your shots.
In short, it is one of the most recommended models for the new season, created for those players looking to dominate their opponents with all kinds of shots, especially trays and transition volleys, but who do not back down when it comes to defining the point.
The Adidas Adipower Multiweight CTRL 3.3 2024 is currently on sale for £346.
Babolat Technical Viper Juan Lebrón 2024
The best Spanish player of all time, Juan Lebron, will once again put his signature on Babolat’s new exclusive padel collection for 2024, a year in which he will try to regain the top position in the ranking he has dominated for the last three seasons.
Babolat describes Lebron as an attacker with enviable technical ability and tactical sense that fits perfectly with the characteristics of the Technical line, whose rackets offer millimetric power.
The Technical Viper is back in renewed form after being one of the best sellers of last season. With a diamond shape and hard touch, it has soft and flexible fibres on the surface that provide a great ball exit without making too much effort when hitting.
In addition, its HPS technology guarantees perfect distribution of holes according to the shape of the racket to increase the precision of each ball, while the rough finish generates a diabolical effect that will make your opponents suffer at the back of the court.
It is a very manageable racket that has, like the rest of the ‘Lobo’ racket line, the Smart Buttcap system that allows the removal of the strap for extra customization.
It is recommended for players looking to dominate the court with shots such as the over-the-fence smash, rulos and vipers to keep opponents at the back of the court. It is currently available for £328.
Bullpadel Vertex 04 2024
This jewel of Bullpadel brand features a diamond shape and balance towards the top, which is undoubtedly an invitation to a powerful and aggressive net game. Its sand-like roughness not only improves spin on the ball, but also facilitates more precise control of shots.
The Vertex 04 introduces two revolutionary systems: CURVAKTIV and AIR POWER. CURVAKTIV, referring to the twisted design of the frame, not only adds an extra dose of strength, but also helps to reduce vibrations, offering a more stable and comfortable playing experience.
Its large sweet spot and adaptability to different playing styles make it a formidable partner both near the net and at the back of the court.
Its CustomWeight weight plate system allows for balance adjustments, and its multieva core helps to effectively adapt to fast balls and harness the power in every shot.
It is undoubtedly a highly recommended option to practice a showy game on the court that requires a careful technique but will respond perfectly to all kinds of situations. Its price is around £260.
Nox AT10 18K by Agustín Tapia
The AT10 18K is the new racket of the world number 1, Agustin Tapia. It’s a model that seeks the perfect balance between control and power thanks to its multilayer core MLD Black Eva for a superior feel.
Its teardrop-shaped construction helps improve the technique and precision of advanced players. It is made of aluminised 18K carbon fibre, ensuring durability and exceptional feel, as well as incorporating the Pulse System grip technology to reduce vibration and joint fatigue.
It features a sand-embossed roughness to enhance the spin on your shots. With the inclusion of the Nox Custom Grip installed in high-end models, to offer a much more comfortable and personalized grip. It also has an unbeatable feel thanks to the core of different Black EVA layers inside.
Undoubtedly a very eye-catching racket for its bright grayish tone, it is recommended for players who dominate all facets of the game and want to impose control and softness in the shots to dominate opponents.
Its current price is around £279.
Star Vie Triton Pro 2024
We finish the list with the new Triton Pro that offers the extra power you were looking for, due to its design with a slightly high balance, making it easy to get the ball out of the court.
It is built with a teardrop mould that generates an optimal sweet spot for off-centre balls, as well as a double layer of 3k carbon in the planes, offering greater rigidity. The medium density rubber in its core provides feelings of a hard racket, allowing an exceptional hit with a great ball output.
It also includes the new Noene Inside technology, which absorbs up to 96% of the negative energy of shocks and vibrations while hitting the ball, as well as ensuring a unique playability, reducing the risk of injury and improving the playing experience.
Next season, it will be used by the Spanish player Javi Garrido. It is recommended for players with a powerful smash that seek to finish the point in every play. Its current price is around £198.
