With its ranges  Carbon  et  Pro Kuikma continues its rise in the padel market. Developed in collaboration with its professional players, these rackets embody Decathlon's commitment to offering products capable of competing with industry leaders, while maintaining particularly competitive prices. The brand recently unveiled the technologies behind its highest-performing models.

Two product lines designed for the most demanding players

At Kuikma, the development of new rackets doesn't happen solely in the laboratory. The French brand relies on feedback from its professional players, who are directly involved in the product design.

Two families stand out today.

Range  Carbon  It is aimed at expert players looking for an excellent compromise between performance and price. It is notably used by  Sofi Saiz  et  Borja Castro , two players in the world's Top 100. For Kuikma, this collection offers "the best performance-price ratio on the market", with technologies usually reserved for much more expensive models.

Above, the range  Pro  represents the brand's flagship product. It's the one used by  Coki Nieto , current member of the world's Top 10,  Lucia Sainz , former world number 1,  Alvaro Melendez but also the Belgian and French number 1,  Clement Geens  et  Dylan Guichard .

The goal is to incorporate the best available materials in order to meet the expectations of players competing at the highest level.

A reinforced frame for increased stability

The first innovation highlighted by Kuikma: technology  Air Foam Frame .

Unlike a traditional tubular frame, the interior is reinforced with high-density EVA foam. This technical choice limits racket twisting upon impact, improves its durability, and optimizes energy transfer to the ball.

According to the brand, this construction allows for more power without compromising the lightness or aerodynamics of the paddle.

Two foams to meet all situations

Another key technology: the  Dual-Foam .

Rather than a single foam, Kuikma uses a two-layer construction with different densities.

The denser outer part promotes rapid energy return and provides more explosiveness on offensive shots, especially smashes.

Inside, a softer foam acts as a shock absorber. It provides greater comfort, facilitates ball release in defense, and improves feel in the short game.

An architecture that aims to combine power and control without compromise.

Two carbon fibers, two sensations

The choice of carbon is also a central element of this new generation of rackets.

Kuikma offers two types of fibers depending on the desired profile.

Le  12K carbon  It offers a medium feel with a slightly stiffer structure. It prioritizes a balance between control, forgiveness and responsiveness, thanks to a generous sweet spot and rapid ball acceleration.

Conversely, the  18K TeXtreme® carbon  Targeting players seeking maximum performance, it is lighter and more flexible, better adapting to the racket's deformation during high-speed shots to maximize power transfer.

A deliberate move upmarket

For several seasons now, Kuikma has made no secret of its ambitions. The arrival of Coki Nieto, the loyalty of players like Lucía Sainz, Clément Geens and Dylan Guichard, as well as the investments made in research and development, all testify to a desire to establish itself permanently among the major padel brands.

Beyond prestigious brands, Decathlon is now focusing on a simple argument: offering cutting-edge technology at a more accessible price than much of its competition. This strategy reflects the evolution of Kuikma, which in just a few years has gone from being an affordable brand to a credible player in the high-performance segment.

Maceo ZERHAT

Maceo Zerhat discovered padel in 2020 in Savigny-sur-Clairis, Burgundy. He contributed to the club's expansion by bringing his energy and curiosity. Padel Magazinehe transmits his Padel"mania" by skillfully bouncing on all the latest news about your favorite sport!

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