Choosing a padel racket
I appreciate this might ruffle feathers of those padel racket producers, but expensive rackets can be a barrier of entry for those taking up the sport. Already in most countries the court rental is expensive, coaching is not cheap and so the idea of paying a lot for a padel racket can be daunting! It is also likely that you would be able to find a perfectly suitable racket at a lower price point!
High Level Padel Players
Before getting into the meat of this article, I do want to say that at the higher levels racket selection can be important and can enhance parts of your game. But even at that top level, where the players would notice minor differences between very similar models, they would be able to adapt very quickly. As long as the balance, hardness, weight etc are relatively close to their preference they would most likely be able to play at the same level.
Even among professional players there is a huge variety in racket weight, balance and hardness. That is a useful reminder that there is no single specification that works for every player.
Starting Padel
When you are starting to play, it can be intimidating the number of padel rackets available. There are literally thousands of different models and brands, with new ranges appearing regularly. So as a purchaser you are also often given the option to buy previous seasons’ models. A sea of padel rackets!
So many players become wrapped up in searching for… “a 378g tear-drop shaped racket, with 46% graphite, with heady heavy balance and an oval sweetspot”…but in truth there are excellent padel rackets outside of what you are currently using or have probably even tried. And particularly if you are relatively new to padel you do not need to be so specific when looking for the model.
Experiment with different padel rackets
While the recommendations of other players can be useful, you need to gain your own experience to know what suits you physically and your game. We always recommend players new to the game starting with something quite light and quite soft, but that does not mean you shouldn’t try other padel rackets.
Each brand has premium and more affordable ranges, and a lower-priced racket may be perfectly adequate for your needs. Previous-season models can also offer good value where the specification suits you.
If you have access to a shop or demo programme, test several rackets. If not, ask other players whether you can briefly try theirs. Focus on how the racket feels rather than the marketing around the model.
Summary
If you are in your first couple of years of playing padel, do not get too fixed on finding “the perfect racket”. Each time you need a new one, experiment with a few options before making your choice. As your level improves you may also start looking for different qualities in the racket.
Give yourself time to adapt to a new racket. Even when the weight, balance and materials suit you, it can take several sessions before it starts to feel natural.
