Behind the scenes of a professional tester: methodology and expertise of Stéphane Penso

Stéphane I think, hardware tester at Padel Magazine, opens the doors to his daily life and details how he analyzes rackets, shoes and the evolution of equipment, with a precise, confident approach focused on the real needs of players.

How is your work as a tester organized?

Before I even talk about my typical day, you should know that everything happens beforehand. I am in permanent contact with representatives from the various brands to discuss upcoming innovations and anticipate launches. It must be acknowledged that today, all manufacturers are playing their part: they have fully grasped the strategic importance of making the equipment available to me at the first opportunity.

I therefore have the immense privilege of receiving the products in previewwell before their official release. The rule is simple: the earlier I have the material, the more I can push and refine my analysis.

In parallel, I rely heavily on my main partner, Mind Padel Shop (I'll come back to this in more detail later). Thanks to its founder Joffrey GilantI have a almost unlimited access to the catalogueThis logistical freedom is essential: it allows me to cover an extremely wide range of tests throughout the year and to not miss any market trends.

Once received, the first contact is physical: I take the racket in my hand to get an initial feel for the weight et the balanceThen, a somewhat unusual ritual: I hit a few balls against the wall of my room to assess the coreBelieve it or not, this exercise is already giving me a lot of information!

A typical day during field testing

I have two strategic headquarters for my tests: my club, the Cap7Padel in Marseille, and the club of the Peninsula in Cassis, one of the most beautiful spots in France.

It is imperative for me to have these two distinct environments in order to detect the slightest subtleties of the hardware in relation to the climatic variationsOn the one hand, I benefit from the optimal and consistent playing conditions of Cap 7 in indoorOn the other hand, I compare the rackets to the reality of the outdoors in Cassis, 20 meters from the sea, to analyze the impact of humidity and atmospheric pressure on yield.

I use an A4 sheet of paper on which I note all my observations in specific columns, in real time. I have a favorite racket, the Cork Supreme Hybrid, which I know by heart. It serves as my standard “thermometer” to compare all the differences with other models.

Finally, I appeal to my usual “guinea pigs” (Paul, Franck, Naph) to gather their feelings. A valuable asset by my side is Olivier Illianowho has been playing longer than me. His feelings, often different from mine, bring a complementary perspective that helps me make decisions in my analyses.

Why not mention the weight anymore?

I chose not to mention it anymore because it's misleading data. Using the same model, we can observe discrepancies of up to... 15 gramsI now simply indicate whether a pala is “heavy” (> 370 g) ou “light” (< 355 g)It is important not to confuse weight et balanced, a common misconception. Some very heavy rackets can be surprisingly maneuverable thanks to excellent balance, while light but poorly balanced rackets can be more difficult to handle.

Furthermore, I have also decided to no longer mention prices, as they fluctuate too quickly depending on the commercial strategies of the resellers.

The evolution of equipment: stagnation for snowshoes, revolution for shoes

In a padel market saturated with innovations and marketing ploys, the need for a rigorous testing methodology, impartial et transparent has become strategic for players.

The market is not running out of steam, but we are going through a stagnant phase, a sort of glass ceiling. Manufacturers have explored all possible combinations with current materials (carbon, your shape of urethane, fibers…). We're waiting for the next real one technological ruptureI am convinced that within a few years, these terms will be replaced by entirely new concepts and materials. I also have some confidential information on this subject coming soon…

In terms of innovation, one sector is undergoing a major transformation: that of shoesI am impressed by the rapid technological advancements, the materials used, and the energy deployed by manufacturers. These efforts have led to the creation of highly innovative products, particularly in terms of comfort, a crucial variable. Brands have finally understood that shoes are just as important as rackets.

Common mistakes made by amateur players

I see beginners playing with too many... unsuitable “weapons of war”Buying LeBron or Galan's racket when you're starting out is a classic mistake! The consequence is often the same: injury et frustration.

That's why it's essential to respect certain milestones:

Choose one soft core and/or a coating in fiberglass for absorption and comfort
Prioritize a round or teardrop shape with a large sweet spot
Opt for a lowest possible balance (handling)

If all these criteria are met, you can begin your training under good conditions. Only after acquiring a certain level of proficiency will you be able to consider moving on to more technical rackets, with harder rubbers and diamond shapes.

Stéphane's player profile

I'm a Spanish-style player Very patient, playing slowly and preferably on the left, quite technical, not very powerful, but with good vision, some anticipation, and precise movements. Squash has obviously allowed me to become very comfortable playing on glass.

However, I have a particular trait that often unsettles my opponents: on the fly, I systematically use a very flexible wristwhich allows me to impart a lot of spin to the ball.

For the purposes of my tests, I consider myself a average player who has mastered all the shots in padelIt's this versatility that allows me to put myself in the shoes of the vast majority of players, to understand their real needs, and to translate technical specifics into concrete gameplay sensations. I've developed a kind of of very high empathywhich allows me to stay as close as possible to the expectations of people wishing to buy padel equipment.

I play very few tournaments, due to lack of time and perhaps also lack of motivation. My ranking is stuck at 7500, which unfortunately does not prevent me from systematically going through the group stage, thus considerably lengthening the time spent on each competition.

Team Padel Mag

The team Padel Magazine has been trying to offer you the best of padel since 2013, but also surveys and analyses to try to understand the world of padel. From the game to the politics of our sport, Padel Magazine is at your service.