Which Kuikma Pro 2025 is right for you?

Kuikma, Decathlon's padel brand, continues to make waves with its 2025 range, featuring the Power Pro, Hybrid Pro, and Control Pro models. True to its philosophy of offering high-performance equipment at competitive prices, the French brand is refining its rackets to meet the needs of both intermediate and advanced players. Tested and approved by figures such as Maxi Sánchez and Lucía Sainz, these palas combine innovative technology with sleek design.

After the resounding success of the LS and MS, which propelled Kuikma into the elite, followed by the arrival of the formidable PR Carbon, oriented towards attack, and the remarkable Metal series focused on forgiveness and comfort, here is an overview of the three new models that have just been released. One question remains: are these rackets simply a continuation of previous productions, or do they mark a true revolution with revisited designs and innovative technologies?

New logo: A symbol of evolution and ambition

Kuikma's striking logo, unveiled on this new series, marks a significant milestone for the brand based in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, in northern France, near Lille. Adopting a stylized oval shape, it evokes a fluid and dynamic movement, in harmony with the liveliness of padel. In the center, an ascending arrow symbolizes momentum, progression, and energy, reflecting Kuikma's performance focus. This arrow, framed by the oval, also embodies the ambition to aim higher in terms of innovation, while representing unity and community, values dear to the brand to democratize padel for all.

More universal and memorable, it reflects the brand's move upmarket, which aims to compete with the sector leaders while maintaining its accessibility.

Please note that this is the Decathlon logo and the aim is to impose this logo on all sports.

New Kuikma Pro 2025 rackets: a trilogy of affordable excellence

Technologies and performance: focus on the Kuikma Pro 2025

Featuring a double-tube Air Foam Frame reinforced with EVA foam for added rigidity, these rackets feature an outer composition of 3 layers of fiberglass and a layer of TeXtreme Carbon 18K, the latter woven to use less material while maintaining high strength. This helps reduce the racket's weight, improving maneuverability and swing speed. Inside, Dual Foam technology combines high-density Black EVA foam for power and low-density for control, while High Modulus Carbon enhances the rackets' durability while reducing their weight, promoting better maneuverability.
High-Tech Carbon Fiber offers exceptional rigidity, approximately twice that of standard carbon fibers, ensuring optimal power transmission for precise and powerful shots. Integrated into the frame and faces, it minimizes deformation under impact, while reducing the weight of the racket, which improves its stability. Combined with the Shock Block System, which reduces vibrations by up to 38% according to tests, it provides a dry and efficient touch that will delight technical players.

The new sandblasted finish optimizes spin, while the Custom Strap System offers an interchangeable and washable strap in three colors, combining strength and customization, with a new handle cap, 30% more resistant than a standard model.

The Power version's grip is micro-perforated for faster sweat wicking. It's also thicker and softer than the other two versions, which prioritize grip. With the latter, you can feel the edges of the handle more, providing a firmer and more precise hold.

Kuikma Power Pro: brute force

The Power Pro is aimed at offensive players, like Maxi Sánchez, who is putting his signature on this pala for the third season in a row.

With its diamond shape and head balance, it maximizes power, perfect for decisive smashes and hard-hitting volleys. It incorporates 3 layers of fiberglass, reinforced with a layer of carbon fiber TeXtreme 18K and a multi-density Black EVA foam provide a medium-hard feel. This combination ensures a lively ball release, although the reduced sweet spot requires precise technique. Its substantial weight makes it a formidable weapon, but it requires a strong arm to excel in quick exchanges.

With its matte black faces adorned with a silver logo and a heart that stands out in a striking scarlet red, this pala is a real aesthetic success.

Kuikma Hybrid Pro: absolute versatility

The Hybrid Pro, with its teardrop shape, represents a perfect balance between power and control. Slightly lighter than the previous model, it benefits from a mid-range balance that makes transitions between defense and attack more fluid. This is Lucía Sainz's racquet.

The Hybrid Pro is also the choice of Dylan Guichard and Clément Geens.

Like its siblings, it features a fiberglass/carbon cover and Black EVA Dual Density foam, but its optimized drilling slightly widens the sweet spot compared to the Power Pro. It excels in bandejas and viboras, thanks to its impressive responsiveness and maneuverability. Its understated design, also enhanced with a silver logo on a matte black background and a touch of navy blue, reflects its versatile character. A perfect choice for players looking for a versatile pala with an offensive touch.

Kuikma Control Pro: precision at its peak

Designed for strategists, the Control Pro stands out with its round shape and low balance, prioritizing control and stability. The only racket without a glossy logo, it is significantly heavier than standard round formats, giving it exceptional stability on the volley and impressive maneuverability thanks to its carefully calibrated balance. This makes it ideal for right-hand players focused on defense or attackers looking for a model with a lower balance than the Power version. The racket is notably used by Alvaro Melendez.

The specific drilling pattern, which is still different from the other two models, slightly widens the sweet spot, while the rough finish adds extra spin on slice shots. Less powerful due to its balance in the handle, it compensates with tolerance and comfort that will appeal to precision lovers.

In-depth testing

In game situations, I was particularly struck by the offensive capacity of the Power version. Its name leaves no doubt as to its vocation: it is an attacking weapon. The power it delivers is impressive, with explosive strikes that are felt on each aggressive shot. Smash hits gain in velocity, while volleys stand out for their liveliness. This racket allows for precise, almost surgical ball placement, ideal for imposing your rhythm. The dominant impression is one of inexhaustible energy, propelling the ball with constant intensity. However, this optimal performance depends on an impact in the ideal central zone, which is relatively restricted. For defense, against all odds, the diamond shape does not prove troublesome under pressure. Although less fluid than with more flexible models, it remains effective for getting out of tricky situations and restarting the rally if you have the right technique.

The Control version adopts a different philosophy with its round shape, emphasizing maneuverability. Its low center of gravity, close to the handle, gives it surprising agility, especially in fast rallies. The ideal hitting zone, positioned in the center, reduces the effectiveness of kicked smashes while optimizing defensive phases, where its ease of handling shines. Equipped with the largest sweet spot of the three models, it tolerates off-center hits better than the offensive version. Despite being significantly heavier for a round shape, it guarantees appreciable stability and retains unexpected offensive potential. Surprisingly, with identical technologies, it stands out as the most rigid pala in the series.

The Hybrid version represents the culmination of the two previous versions, blending their qualities with finesse. Its intermediate teardrop geometry offers remarkable versatility, combining power and maneuverability. The weight distribution, slightly tilted toward the head, ensures optimal control while maintaining a marked offensive touch.

The overriding impression is one of disconcerting ease, reinforced by a constantly available acceleration reserve. Its unexpected maneuverability and generous sweet spot make it the ideal embodiment of the balance between the other two models. This hybrid version proves to be the perfect synthesis for players looking for an uncompromising racket that performs well in all phases of the game.

Verdict

Kuikma positions itself as a brand that democratizes padel by offering quality products at affordable prices, while meeting the expectations of the most demanding players. Thanks to Decathlon's support, the Kuikma satellite enjoys strong visibility in stores and online, as well as international distribution.

As usual, the range is segmented into 3 categories in order to satisfy a wide variety of players.

The Power Pro will appeal to attackers, the Hybrid Pro will charm all-rounders, and the Control Pro will delight fans of... control, while standing out as the stiffest and therefore most precise of the three!
If they don't revolutionize the sector, they refine a winning recipe: quality, price and performance.

Congratulations to Kuikma for this new trilogy, which once again demonstrates that excellence can be attainable. At €180 each, these rackets hold their own against models twice as expensive. However, some might complain about the sometimes pronounced stiffness, particularly for players learning to play or those who prefer more forgiveness and comfort. In this case, this category of players will naturally gravitate towards the Metal range, specifically designed with features focused on softness and ease.

I also had the opportunity to try out the new PS Stab shoes, which will soon be the subject of an exclusive review.

A huge thank you, once again, to Baptiste Savary, for the express provision of the material and his valuable information.

For more information, it's happening HERE.

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!