Penso takes charge of the 2021 Adidas

Heavy on the side ofAdidas padel in this year 2021. shovels new look with unprecedented on-board technology. And it's Stéphane Penso that sticks to the test.

Adidas, a German company specializing in the manufacture of sporting goods, was founded by Adolf (nicknamed "Adi") Dassler in 1949. Based in Bavaria, Adidas is the leading sports manufacturer in Europe, and the second in the world behind the American company Nike.

As with any apparel business, Adidas' clever marketing and “eye for design” concept have played a monumental role in its success. The company also has a very strong track record with tennis, especially thanks to Ivan Lendl, who dominated the circuit in the 80s.

More than 3 decades have passed, and it is thanks to the padel that the brand with the 3 bands makes a resounding appearance in a racquet sport, and intends to develop its exponential growth by thwarting the hegemony of the competing brands which have negotiated the turn and anticipated the boom in padel long before her.

It was therefore with great pleasure that I was able to test 3 completely different molds for many weeks, including an avant-garde model, the very famous Metalbone.

Adidas Metalbone 2021

Racket notorious in more than one way because it is the current world number 1 Alejandro Galán, chief pyrotechnician at Adidas, who will have the heavy task in 2021 to make this association shine on the tracks of the WPT.

The concept Metalbone is a brand new series based on the model AdiPower SOFT from last year. The series contains a particularly innovative feature. With the help of included mini loads it is possible to adjust the weight and balance up to 12 grams.

This innovation named Weight & Balance, allows to modify the balance and the weight of the racket “on the fly” (according to the current needs of the player). Its bare weight oscillates between 345-360gr, which can therefore be modified with this process. It comes with two red weights weighing 1 gram each and four colored metallic weights weighing 2,5 grams each. With all weights mounted, the pala weighs approximately 360-372 grams.

I was able to test all the possible combinations, and it turned out (concerning me) that it was by putting all the weights “on the cleat” that this racquet offered the best performance.

It is a pala for the attacking player who prioritizes power. It has a diamond shape, high balance (285mm) and, unsurprisingly, a sweet spot located at the top of the frame.

Indeed, the aggressive profile of this pala as well as the technological characteristics employed will deliver all their secrets only if the latter offers an increasing gravity. Overweight is a sign of omnipotent performance (concerning power) and it is completely absurd to buy this kind of machine to play with its minimum mass (and to seek maneuverability at all costs).

All the technologies used tend in the same direction, omnipotence, namely a surface in fibers aluminum reinforced carbon (which we will see later) and a kernel in EVA Soft Performance (like last year) with a tender touch.

Its lower density allows the ball to enter the rubber more intensely and thus provide excellent comfort and superior ball output. For the first time, Adidas implements technology Octagonal Structure, a carbon fiber reinforcement in the upper part of the frame to make it more rigid and responsive. This helps generate a higher swing speed and better response in extreme shots.

For its manufacture, the German brand presents us with a racket made of a robust structure, due to a construction in Carbon Aluminized 24K (carbon and aluminized fabrics) which gives great durability to this pala. A material which, combined with these 2 technologies, makes this racket one of the most powerful models in its category.

These technologies are designed to reinforce the points where the racquet has the most impact.

Another news for 2021 is that Adidas has ditched rough surfaces on the surface and instead uses a sandpaper-like structure (technology Spin Blade gritt). It improves the rotation of the most demanding shots with a tenfold abrasive feel.

Not to mention the Smart Holes Curve, (which is present on all models of the 2021 range). The distribution of the holes and the roughness between them is designed to increase the maneuverability of the blade and facilitate the effect on the shots.

Regarding cosmetics, I had the honor of having been able to play with a Limited Edition racket stamped “Master LTD“, Offering different colors from the original Metalbone rackets.

The mainstream model also benefits from a sober and neat aesthetic. A base predominates in shades of gray “Metal”, as if they were fibers (in the shape of dominoes), combined with black for the image of the logo, in large, in the center of both sides of the frame and of the lower junction of the bridge. Finally, a very empathetic red showing the name of the model on the lower parts of the sieve.

In short, it's a racquet that will allow “plenty” of customization possibilities, focused on pure power, for left-wing strikers who are keen supporters of par 3.

Note that this series is also available in Control and Junior version.

Engime

Technology OCTAGONAL STRUCTURE, the composition in ALUMINIZED CARBON and its shape ensure maximum power.

Comfort

Geometry and rubber EVA SOFT PERFORMANCE reinforce the feeling of comfort during the strikes.
Low density EVA that provides good ball release and playing comfort.

maneuverability

With the System Weight & Balance, you can adjust the weight and balance, which makes the racket extremely maneuverable.

Black cap at the bottom of the grip identifies racquets with rubber SOFT-PERFORMANCE.

Adipower Light 3.0

Completely the opposite of the Metalbone, now place the Adipower Light 3.0, the lightest racquet in the AdiPower series. A popular model that is the signature pala of WPT player Martita Ortega, number 6 in the WPT rankings.

It is a pala for people who favor the control and comfort.

The racquet has a round shape, low balance (265mm), a sweet spot located in the center of the hitting surface, and weighs between 345-360 grams.

The frame is made of carbon fiber with the highly regarded Dual Exoskeletontechnology, which provides stability for maximum control, and the impact surface is made of carbon fibers reinforced with aluminum.

Again is included (as in all Adipower series) the Power Embossed Ridge. This technology follows the same basis as theeXoskeleton, providing the blade with ribs in the frame and reinforcement at the deck level to provide greater structural rigidity in these localized areas.

Adidas Octagonal Structure | Padel Magazine

It is a technology that helps to keep the structure firm when hitting, and to achieve explosive power with perfect stability in the game.

So in the Adipower range we have technologies in both areas to increase structural strength and make the most of blade stiffness in high intensity strikes.

The rubber Eva Soft Energy is incorporated into the core providing increased flexibility and better ball output. It has a medium density in order to obtain an intermediate performance between power and comfort, which makes it possible to offer the best of each.

With rubber Soft Energy coupled with Carbon Aluminized 15K, we have a pretty tender feeling nonetheless, and with that little extra boost needed in the low speed shots, we will achieve a lower performance in the powerful shots. This core gives the racquet a pleasant feel and exceptional comfort.

Another additional reinforcement, Adidas uses technology Spin Blade In Mold to create a raised structure on the surface, which makes it easier to create effects, and I can assure you that it is very effective! This type of relief requires density (height) higher. Roughness is applied in the molding process by etching the blade mold with a special resin that makes it 3D, making it easier to apply effects most important.

AdiPower Light 3.0 is an easy-to-play racquet that is suitable for a broad spectrum of players, beginners, intermediates or advanced. It offers excellent comfort and is ideal for players who want to avoid injuries such as tennis elbow. The vibrations are absorbed efficiently and the comfort is “al dente” thanks to the intermediate core.

Performance obtained thanks to a perfect combination of materials and technologies that will improve the efficiency of this pala that I adored.

Note a very precious 3M protector on the top of the frame to avoid friction.

Regarding the dressing, the pala is adorned with a fresh and elegant aesthetic with white lacquer in both planes for a clear and breathable design. I also had the chance to receive a stamped model Master LTD, or only the cosmetics change compared to the consumer versions (and the price too)!

The colors used are gray, which dominates, white for the logo and blue for the name of the model, all enriched with very pleasant geometric graphics reminiscent of checkered flags.

This pala is a real success, a racquet created and recommended for players of all stripes, who want a versatile, powerful and highly controllable tool. A light weight racquet with the appropriate geometry makes it one of the most manoeuvrable in the collection.

Frame: Carbon frame
Area: 15K ALUMINIZED Carbon
Rubber: EVA SOFT ENERGY
Improved mid-density rubber provides exceptional ball release without loss of power.
The blue cap at the bottom of the grip identifies racquets with SOFT ENERGY rubber.