Stéphane PENSO vs PALLAP: X-ray of an innovative and premium padel brand

PALLAP has established itself as one of the most promising European padel brands, driven by a clear vision: to offer all players, from enthusiasts to competitors, a unique gaming experience where performance and pleasure are inseparable. From its name, a contraction of "padel" and "slap", the brand asserts its identity: evoking the lively and recognizable sound of the ball hitting the racket and then the walls, PALLAP embodies the energy, friendliness and passion that drive every exchange on the court.

Behind PALLAP, we find Christophe DESSALLES, a visionary entrepreneur with a rich background in the sports industry, notably at AdidasHis immersion in the culture of technical excellence and proximity to athletes has forged his requirement and his attention to detail. It was during a stay in Spain, the true cradle of padel, that'he discovered this sport and fell in love with it. Seduced by the intensity of the exchanges, the technicality of the game and the community spirit, he decided to put his expertise and international network at the service of a project ambitious : create a brand of premium snowshoes that are innovative, accessible and eco-responsible.

To guarantee the excellence of its products, PALLAP surrounds itself with an international team of engineers, coaches and champions such as Paula Eyheraguibel (8 times world champion), Hugo Cases (coach and former world top 31) and Tonet Sans (Premier Padel top 50) actively participate in the development, testing and validation of the rackets. This collaboration ensures models suitable for both professionals and demanding amateurs, each racket being designed from European materials of punchline : Italian carbon, Spanish and English technical foams, innovative composites.

In this article, I offer you a dive into the universe PALLAP with a focus on the series Power, ideal for offensive players looking for power and precision. In a second part, we will discuss the references taken from the series Velocity, before concluding on the models which particularly appealed to me, notably the Power Star, a real gem for its handling and responsiveness.

A sleek and modern design for the Power series

The series Power, as its name suggests, is all about power and features a diamond shape and a minimalist, contemporary design, favoring clean lines and two-tone palettes in neutral tones, without unnecessary artifice.

The models Pro et Elite share a similar aesthetic, combining a light or dark gray base with exposed carbon, for a discreet but refined look. The iridescent blue logo of the Power Elite contrasts with the minimalist and more sober one of the PowerPro.
These palas integrate technology HyperSpin, a 3D coating based on quartz crystals covering the majority of the faces, which strengthens grip for spin-rich shots while accentuating the lacquered effect of non-textured areas.

La Power Star stands out with its striking aesthetic, with a vibrant blood red and an ultra-reflective steel gray logo under the sun, enhanced by technology SpinDriver, a subtle 3D coating incorporating miniature brand logos for a unique visual effect.
The rest of the faces are equipped with technology HyperSpin, this time using silica sand for an optimal scraped effect, reinforcing grip and maximizing effects when hitting.

La Power team, my aesthetic favorite, shines with its elegance with a chalk white base contrasted by a dark frame and a bright sky blue logo in outline, although more sensitive to dirt. This time it benefits from a treatment HyperSpin intégral faces with a particularly pronounced rough texture, thus optimizing grip and effects.

Each model integrates theinnovation Super Rotation Hole Layout, a specific drilling pattern that amplifies ball spin and widens the sweet spot. They are also equipped with a adjustable padded wrist strap and exceptionally long handle, a major asset for optimal handling, the real icing on the cake!

Technological feats in the frame and bridge

The main technological innovations of the frame and bridge of the models PowerPro et Power Elite reside in the advanced use of composite materials and in specific devices for vibration absorption and structural rigidity.

At the frame level, PALLAP integrated :

Carbon Kevlar Frame : a structure reinforced with Kevlar fibers, which increases tensile strength and limits unwanted twisting upon impact with the ball. This ensures optimal stability and increased durability, even during powerful strikes.

Dual Carbon Frame : a 3K carbon inner tube surrounded by an additional outer layer of carbon. This double structure gives the frame exceptional rigidity while maintaining minimal weight, thus maximizing power and control without sacrificing handling.

On the bridge side, the flagship technology is:

Rocksolid Bridge Stabilizer : layers of basalt and carbon fibers strategically placed in the racquet's bridge area. This innovation increases rigidity in a high-stress region, improves durability, and provides advanced vibration dampening. The result: direct feedback on every shot, perfect control, while reducing fatigue and the risk of injury.

Rocksolid Basalt-Carbon Technology: performance and comfort

Technology Rocksolid Basalt-Carbon perfectly exemplifies excellence by offering higher specific energy absorption than carbon-epoxy or carbon-glass-epoxy laminates. This hybrid fiber, prized in the automotive and aerospace industries for its exceptional properties, optimizes the playing feel by effectively absorbing unwanted vibrations, thus ensuring high-level comfort with every stroke.

Feedback: the Power series in action

After more than 45 days of intensive testing, I was able to precisely measure the character of each model in the series Power.

La Pro stands out as the ultimate tool for offensive players looking for intense sensations. Its exceptional balance for a diamond-shaped racket, combined with impressive hitting comfort and stability, completely won me over. Its coating in RockSolid 24K Ultra Carbon Fiber, featuring an ultra-flat, basalt-reinforced bi-directional weave, guarantees impressive lightness and rock-solid durability, for optimal performance on the court.
With this racquet, the power seems limitless, as if no breaking point is reachable. Equipped with the core EVA 30 the densest of the series Power, it offers surprising comfort and a smooth ball release, far from any penalizing rigidity, with remarkable tolerance. Its generous sweet spot and impeccable stability make it the ideal ally for dominating on the volley or delivering precise and impactful smashes with complete confidence.

La Elite, very close technologically, is distinguished mainly by the rubber EVA 28 more flexible than theEVA 30 of the PowerPro, which gives it a softer character and a slightly better ball release. Lighter and even better balanced, it will appeal to technical attackers who want to maintain firepower while enjoying increased maneuverability and a more forgiving touch.

La Power team, for its part, is aimed at improving players with an offensive temperament. With its faces in 12K Ultra Carbon Fiber made in Italy, and its core ZetaTec 28, produced in Spain, it is a racket that combines maneuverability, dynamism and comfort, perfect for those who want to progress without losing their aggressive style.

La Power Star remains my favorite, the ideal racket for an all-around game. Its core Zetatec 28, combined with a surface in 15K Ultra Carbon Alu fiber, gives it a touch unique, exceptional lightness, explosive responsiveness and remarkable energy restitution, despite a slightly reduced sweet spot.
What makes it so captivating, it is the alchemy between the relative tenderness of its rubber and the reactive firmness of its aluminized carbon fiber. This explosive duo, a true shock of extremes in terms of sensations, forges this feeling so recognizable.
Also made in Italy, this flat carbon fiber 80 g / m² incorporates a special coating in aluminum material, providing a drier contact when hitting for punchy volleys with a particularly pleasant sound. Minimal use of resin ensures reduced weight while ensuring high strength and optimal rigidity, for a robust and dynamic racket.
Lightning-fast in attack and solid in defense, the Power Star excels by its maneuverability, although it is slightly less comfortable and offers a less pronounced ball exit than its sisters. For me, it represents excellence, the ultimate reference of the series for a varied and incisive game.

Focus on ZetaTec foam

Technology Zetatec, used as a core in some palas, is based on a closed-cell polyolefin foam, manufactured in Europe, often in Spain or the United Kingdom. This foam is distinguished by its exceptional properties: thanks to its structure, it effectively absorbs vibes with each strike, reducing fatigue and the risk of injury, particularly to the elbow, thus contributing to playing comfort optimal. Compared to foams EVA classics, Zetatec offers a touch softer and more natural, particularly appreciated in defense or for a set play, while guaranteeing a good ball exit.
Its high resistance to wear and deformation guarantees a remarkable durability, even under intensive use. This versatile foam is suitable for both intermediate players and demanding competitors, combining performance, comfort and longevity for a playing experience that is both enjoyable and safe.

Conclusion

This first test of the series Power was a real revelation, a love at first sight that I fully accept! In just one year, PALLAP demonstrates technological mastery and raw performance that impressed me. We can guess that Christophe DESSALLES has surrounded itself with experts to design successful rackets, integrating high-end components at ultra-competitive prices. The proof: the PowerPro is displayed at € 299, his alter ego, the Power Eliteor a € 269, my favorite, the Power Star, just € 189, And the Power team à € 159 !
The models Pro et Elite are manufactured in Spain, guaranteeing rigorous quality control and an impeccable finish. The references Star et Team are assembled in Asia with its European components high quality, imported and conforming to strict specifications, guaranteeing exemplary precision and reliability.

Without a doubt, PALLAP is a brand with a bright future, which demonstrates its respect for its customers by offering quality products remarkable, allying materials punchline, price barrel and design neat, the whole without any compromise.

Very soon, I will deliver to you an in-depth analysis of the models in the series Velocity, comparing them to the series Power, while integrating my impressions on the balls PALLAP which I have also tested. A buying guide will accompany this analysis to help you make the ideal choice.

Stéphane Penso

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