Stéphane Penso's ultimate guide to choosing your tennis racket padel (1/4)

Stéphane Penso has established itself as a key figure in the field of padel, earning a reputation that extends far beyond our borders. His in-depth expertise in the racket and various equipment sectors led him to join the team of French Padel Shop in 2019.

The reputation of the official tester Padel Magazine extends internationally thanks to its neutrality and sense of objectivity.

Benefiting from unanimous recognition for its know-how, it has embarked on an ambitious project aimed at guiding you in the informed purchase of your next racket, as well as all the accessories that could accompany it.

This file will be divided into three sections : one dedicated to understanding phase, another intended forexplication (in two stages), and finally a last one dedicated to the conclusion so as to provide complete guidance. Here we go for the first part.

Not always easy to make your choice

With nearly 400 companies listed around the world, the padel far surpasses all other racquet sports combined. This proliferation of brands is largely due to the youth of this sport, which generates enthusiasm and constant development.

In addition, snowshoes padel present more marked and complex characteristics, such as balance, shape, rigidity, multiplicity of components, and other terms specific to this sport, such as “punto dulce” (or sweet point in French and sweet spot in English).

As a result, making your choice during the purchasing process can become very restrictive!

Therefore, in anticipation of the arrival of the next 2024 vintage models, traditionally unveiled at the end of the year by most manufacturers, we will undertake a careful examination of the rackets, their technical characteristics and all the small specificities specific to each model.

High-end rackets for experienced players

Owning a high-quality racket is like being a fighter on the battlefield. Just as a soldier adjusts his weapon with precision, the player of padel must adjust their equipment, maintain it and adjust it according to their expectations. These principles correspond well to the familiar criteria of the followers of Padel Magazine : handling, performance, power (or control) and reliability.

Steohane-Penso-Bullpadel-Vertex 03 vs Hack 03

It is crucial to understand that the quality and high cost of a racquet does not automatically guarantee better performance for a player. It is therefore best to start with a light and forgiving fiberglass model, which you can get for around a hundred euros. Opting for a high-end option when learning can prove ineffective if it does not forgive the slightest deviation in precision.

High-end racquets are often designed with balance and hardness features suitable for experienced players, but they could cause problems such as tendinitis or recurring pain for those new to the sport.

Several criteria to take into account

A player's career generally follows a typical trajectory, passing through phases of discovery, initiation, progression, achievement and competitiveness, and then regression. At each stage, it is essential to have equipment adapted to your current level and your specific needs.

For example, at the start of your journey padelistically and during the decline phase, it is equally important to use a light and comfortable racket, which makes it easier to hold. This avoids getting discouraged with a product that is difficult to handle.

Additionally, as you near the end of your career, you may experience arm and shoulder issues, making a better-balanced racquet even more necessary.

If you want to improve your performance and progress in the padel, it's time to seriously consider purchasing a pala that's right for you. To start the padel, it is best to choose a racket that offers specific features for an optimal experience.

stephane penso osiris basalto test palas starvie

You may have already experimented with a few rental palas or those used by your friends, and are now inclined to invest in the one that will ideally suit your requirements. To make the right choice, it is essential to take into account several criteria, such as your level of play, weight, shape, balance, type of foam, etc.

Special palas for beginners

This choice will help minimize the risk of injury, ensure a comfortable and optimal strike, reduce apprehension and improve the overall maneuverability of the racket. Indeed, when we start at padel, the power that a pala will allow you to develop in your smashes is not as important as the capacity of the racket to accompany the strike (thanks to the trampoline effect of fiberglass), to dampen vibrations (via a soft rubber), to be easily held in the hand (thanks to its light weight) and to offer extensive maneuverability (with a balance located near the handle).

A model with a round format, forgiving rubber, reduced weight, low balance and a fiberglass surface would be ideal for a novice.

In the next discussion, we will dive deeper into the technical characteristics that encompass the specifics of a tennis racket. padel, as well as in all the accessories that can be associated with it.

Stéphane Penso

Fan of padel, Stéphane has become the official tester of the planet padel in Europe. Everything goes through his expert hands. Thanks to his extensive experience in the snowshoeing world, he is able to scan your gear from head to toe!