ABOUT THE RACKETS
Different types of materials are used for different parts of a padel racket, such as the frame, core, hitting surface and grip. And while there are numerous options on the market, it is important to seriously consider the materials used for the frame, core and hitting surface. If you are someone just starting out and don't really want to invest in an expensive padel racket, you can always opt for fiberglass. But beware, although rackets made of fiberglass are cheap, they are not really durable. On the other hand, advanced padel rackets are made of carbon fiber, which not only ensure durability but also improve your performance.
Material frame
This is the part of the padel racket that surrounds the hitting surface - therefore, both high-strength and high-density materials are used for this part. Some of the most common frame materials are:
Carbon frame
Fiberglass frame
Kevlar frame
Carbon frame (Choice of Skull Padel)
Because carbon offers an excellent balance between hardness, lightness and resistance, most padel rackets today are built from carbon frames. Not only are padel rackets made of carbon frames hard-wearing, but they can also help you achieve better performance on the court because these rackets are light and easy to use.
Fiberglass frame
Fiberglass frames are mainly used in beginner-level padel rackets, and compared to a carbon frame, they are a lot cheaper. Fiberglass is known for its elastic properties, making it much softer than carbon frames, but the big problem is that it is heavier than carbon frames.
Kevlar frames
Kevlar frames are stronger than carbon fiber, but the only problem is - rackets made from Kevlar frames are insanely expensive. These frames are used in high-end professional padel rackets. So, unless you have a huge budget or are a professional tennis player, we recommend you stick with the other two frame materials.
Core material
Let's talk about the core - another important part of padel rackets. Since all control over the power of a padel racket comes from the inner part (core), it is important to choose the right material for the core. The core of a racket usually consists of two types of materials:
EVA
Foam
EVA (Choice of Skull Padel)
EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) is a soft, flexible plastic that resists stress cracks and can withstand low temperatures. EVA can be further divided into:
EVA Ultra Soft Rubber - With an elastic and spongy touch, EVA Ultra Soft Rubber is the softest of all available options. Racket cores made of EVA Ultra Soft rubber are comfortable and vibration-free - with the BIG advantage that such rackets have greater rebound. However, a big disadvantage is that the power of these padel rackets is limited. So if you are looking for a powerful racket, then a racket made of EVA Ultra Soft Rubber may not be the right choice.
EVA Soft Rubber - This is the most popular material for the core of padel rackets. Padel rackets made of EVA Soft Rubber are not only known for the perfect balance of power and control, but are also praised for their soft touch.
EVA Medium Rubber - Racket cores made of EVA Medium Rubber give you a firm feel in addition to good power and control.
EVA Hard Rubber - Advanced players prefer racquet cores made of EVA hard rubber - because they prefer power. And since advanced players are not looking for a softer feel, it is a great option. An important point to consider, however, is that although the material is hard, it doesn't really take away from the absorbent feel.
Besides EVA, another common and popular padel racket material is Foam.
FOAM
If you are looking for a soft touch or feel and minimal vibration along with plenty of bounce or rebound, then rackets made of foam may be the perfect fit for you. We only recommend it for players just starting out. However, one of the biggest downsides to choosing foam over EVA is durability.
If you're looking for something durable, we recommend avoiding padel rackets made of foam. Instead, you can always go for EVA - but which EVA material to choose depends on your level and playing style.
Finally, let's talk about the racket blade material.
Stroke surface material
Generally, padel rackets are made of Fiberglass or carbon. And although Fiberglass has traditionally been used for padel rackets, we see more and more players switching to rackets made of Carbon.
At the same time, it is important to note that although the popularity of carbon fiber rackets is increasing, there are different subdivisions based on quality and hardness:
3K
6K
9K
12K
18K