Let's create a duel. A duel between two major brands of padel : Head Padel et Babolat Padel. Nothing too bad but a presentation of their best shoe padel for men, which you will find in stores this winter.

So here is the Head Sprint SF Clay vs. Babolat Jet Premura.

For the duel to be really perfect, we would have had to put on these shoes and put them to the test. Let's just compare the different embedded technologies.

  • Aesthetic

On the one hand we have the Head Sprint SF Clay, black, sober and elegant, with this apple green edging on the heel. On the other side, the Babolat Jet Premura FallWinter is gray, looks light, with neon green at the heel and laces.

  • Comfort

At Head we opted for a shoe that slips on like a boot. In Babolat, it's a slipper. Two different ways to put on these shoes but on both sides, incredible comfort.

  • Outer fabric

At Babolat we prefer to use only one piece of fabric in order to best adapt to the movements of the shoe. Also helps to slow down the wear that we can sometimes find at the seams. In Head, no seams but welds with the TPU, the TPU which is a rigid plastic part that reinforces the heel of the shoe. Also several pieces (SuperFabric) reinforce the hold of the top of the foot.

  • breathability

Head opts for the “Cooling System” which allows air to circulate from the midsole to the top of the foot. Babolat offers this one-piece fabric, used on the top of the foot. This ultra-resistant fabric which allows a great circulation of air.

  • Midsole

Little information on this midsole from Babolat, but we know that it adapts very well to various jumps and pressure recoveries. A midsole that does not overload the back after 2 hours of the game. For Head, in addition to the removable sole with EVA foam, the midsole is slightly lowered at the heel for better contact with the track. Tri NRG by technology Head offers 3 different densities for this part.

  • The point

Drift Defense on the side of the Sprint, so called this technology that allows not to slip during strong starts. In addition, the rubber used resists abrasion for more durable tip protection. The Jet Premura offers the Michelin transparent sole on the tip, added to a reinforcement between this part and the fabric. Ideal for protection during slips with the trailing hind foot.

  • The sole

The Jet Premura from Babolat is a 100% shoe padel and it shows at the level of the sole. Marked by Michelin and developed in the company of Mondo, the carpet supplier of the WPT, Babolat offers the best, sorry for Head. The sole is in several pieces to allow the shoe to adapt to all movements. A mixture of spikes and ears for a perfect grip both on the toe, on the front part of the foot or on the heel. The “Matrix” system allows great flexibility of the sole, especially on the central part.

The Sprint also offers a high quality sole with this special "Abrasion +" rubber. A drawing in ears for shoes thought for the clay first. The cambrillon 3D makes it possible to make the shoe rigid during the movements of rotation.

  • Conclusion

Two exceptional shoes for players of padel demanding with regard to their feet and their support during a match or training padel. These two shoes offer you great benefits, it remains to be seen which ones you will put forward during your next purchase.

Both the Head Sprint SF Clay is elegant, comfortable, breathable, rigid on the top of the foot with several anti-torsion systems, it may be lacking in technology ”padel”At the level of the sole, although it is already very powerful.

The Jet Premura is the best in terms of sole padel, and Babolat has invested a lot in this with Michelin and Mondo. A light shoe, comfortable and which adapts perfectly to various playing conditions. Flat, less elegant than its opponent, more difficulty for the consumer to understand the composition of the other components (midsole, type of fabric or tip of the shoe ) and perhaps less support on the upper part of the foot.

To you to make your choice on 2 very high-end shoes. A perfect shoe with a plus at the level of the sole or a perfect shoe with a plus at the level of the top of the foot.

Julien Bondia

Julien Bondia is a teacher of padel in Tenerife (Spain). Columnist and advisor, he helps you play better through his tutorials and tactical/technical articles padel.

On the same subject