Cork Padel, a Portuguese company located in Santa Catarina Da Serra (between Porto and Lisbon), stands out for creating rackets that captivate attention.

The company aspires to international recognition as a reputable brand for its high-quality racquets, as well as other related products such as textiles, accessories, and tennis courts. padel.

All products are made in Portugal and the majority are exported worldwide. The main ingredient? The cork !

Indeed, the use of cork as a raw material in the manufacture of rackets is one of the main elements of distinction of Cork Padel. This natural and ecological material is extracted from the bark of the Mediterranean tree Quercus suber.

Cork oak forests cover around 2,5 million hectares mainly in seven countries: Portugal, Algeria, Spain, Morocco, France, Italy and Tunisia.

Cork has both great resistance and remarkable solidity, while offering exceptional comfort.

Elasticity, the great asset of cork

Cork is very resistant to shocks and pressure because it is particularly elastic. It therefore has a great ability to regain its initial shape like a shape memory cushion. Following the exercise of pressure, even strong, it resumes 85% of its initial volume instantly. This elasticity is highly appreciated in the bottling sector, but also in construction.

Cork also gives each Cork racquet a unique and distinctive design.

According to Nicolau Silva, the creator of the Cork brand, the company exercises strict control over the entire production process to ensure optimum quality. The company is proud of its creativity ranging from imagination to the complete realization of its racquets, which combine high quality materials, strategic reinforcements, anti-vibration systems, as well as the expertise and time necessary for their production (7 hours are dedicated to each racket, with a monthly production of around 800 units).

Production in Portugal offers many advantages: strict compliance with specifications, incomparable responsiveness and the creation of jobs in the territory.

Cork Padel makes it a point of honor to guarantee the quality of its products and to innovate constantly.
For example, the company has developed exclusive patented vibration reduction technology in its racquets, and has just released the “Pro Cork Grip“, designed to improve comfort when gripping the racquet and further reduce vibrations transmitted to the arm.

These innovations improve player control while preventing tendonitis and other injuries related to the practice of padel.

All of these models come with a pre-fitted silicone (not rubber) Pro Cork grip as well as a distinctly colored frame protector to differentiate the models.

In the final stage of production, careful attention is paid to the precise weight of the racquet, which is carefully hand-registered, along with a unique, laser-engraved serial number.

Two categories of models

There are two categories of models, each available in three formats (round/Control, water drop/Hybrid and diamond/Power), as well as a version Light.

The first category, called “Premium“, is equipped with a laminated Black Eva core of medium consistency. Its faces incorporate a multitude of Innegra, 24k and 3k carbon, as well as fiberglass and a rough texture.

The second category, named “Supreme“, has the same core and the same rough surface as the Premium category, but the faces are made of only a mixture of 24k and 3k carbon.

The models in the “Supreme” range are significantly stiffer than those in the “Premium” range. Indeed, although they are equipped with the same core, they are devoid of Innegra and fiberglass, which contributes to their less flexible character when striking. It is clear that these models will be favored by advanced level players who are looking for maximum precision with each shot and demonic power when they want to send missiles.

The variations of the “Premium” range will suit a wider audience looking for more comfort with an increased sweet spot.

The round racket formats (called Control) offer incredible power while maintaining excellent balance.

Diamond-shaped racquet formats (designated Power) represent the peak of current power.

The drop-shaped snowshoes (called Hybrid) offer an ideal compromise for those who do not want to compromise between maneuverability and power.

All of these models benefit from unique technology and coating, as well as a half-drilled cross located in the center of the racquet.

This semi-perforation creates a much more contracted area with a wide and controlled sweet-spot, thanks to specific perforations for each area of ​​the racquet. This allows for more stability on the fly, responsiveness in defense, while providing more power and rigidity in attack.

On track !

After testing these technological jewels for more than 30 days, I can now share my feelings.

First, when you take this racquet out of your bag, you won't go unnoticed.

Second, the Supreme range is extremely powerful, maybe even a little too much for me in some specific sequences.

In this reference, I preferred the version Control which allowed me to have a devastating power while benefiting from a remarkable docility.

Third, the Premium range is more accessible, and I opted for the version Hybrid which offers a perfect balance between comfort, maneuverability and power.

Finally, the diamond-shaped models are reserved for the elite, because even if the total weight is not excessive, the balance of the racquet, very oriented towards the head, can require some control.

There is no denying that I have had racquets with unique characteristics that have considerably improved my game and allowed me to play more efficiently. When you play with these racquets, you feel great fluidity, a total absence of vibrations, and increased confidence with each shot struck.

A final addition to the range is the model Light in a round format. Control racquets are ideal for players of padel who prioritize maneuverability over power and who tend to adopt a defensive style of play.

Featuring the same technologies as the Premium series, but weighing approximately 15 grams less, the Light is suitable for people with elbow problems and is also suitable for female audiences, but will lose power slightly. The lightness of this racket padel and its low swing immediately attract attention, offering exceptional comfort and mobility.

Recommended for beginners and advanced levels, it is ideal for those who prefer a light, controllable and comfortable racket. It is particularly interesting for players in a learning period, who wish to benefit from increased maneuverability.

In addition, this racquet is also perfect for experienced players who are looking for constant balance and comfort, while still benefiting from a very substantial power reserve.

Conclusion

Today, the Cork brand Padel is known for its unique design and unique texture, but above all for the quality and resistance of the products used in its manufacture.

Indeed, cork has two essential characteristics that are of particular interest to us in the design of snowshoes. padel : its exceptional durability and its pronounced anti-vibration properties.

I won't claim that Cork racquets are indestructible, but there's no denying that they're extremely strong, which will keep you playing in the best condition for many years to come, even after suffering countless scrapes against those pesky grids or various shocks against the racket of your partners.

The brand also holds the exclusivity of a patented vibration reduction system which is both essential and effective.

In addition, each pala is unique and handmade with meticulous attention, thanks to the combination of craftsmanship and cutting-edge technical precision that make all the difference in the field.

All these models look similar at first glance, but when used, they turn out to be totally different.

It's important to keep in mind that these products embody the very essence of sophistication, precision craftsmanship and use of technology, resulting in outstanding performance in the field. Their aesthetics are unique, the sound they produce is characteristic, the vibrations are almost non-existent and the quality of striking divine.

However, there is still room to improve handling, especially on diamond formats, and the straps offered are quite basic (but in the near future, the company plans to present interchangeable straps in different colors, which will be also equipped with an antibacterial treatment.)

Another great advantage is that you have the possibility to ask the factory (paid service) to laser engrave a sentence, an image or your signature on the racket. Customization, more than just a name, gives your racket its own identity and transforms it into an exclusive and surprising product.

The price of the rackets varies between 300 and 430 €, but this represents the price to pay to have the possibility of playing with a truly unique product, both aesthetically and in terms of its overall performance.

I would particularly like to thank Stéphane Schoofs, a passionate Stéphane like me, distributor of the Cork brand in various countries, without whom nothing would have been possible.

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INNEGRA

In addition to cork, carbon fiber and fiberglass, some models use a material called Innegra, which is known to be very elastic and resistant.

Innegra carbon is a combination of carbon fiber and Innegra fiber. The two types of fibers are combined to form a composite fabric. By combining carbon fibers and Innegra fibers, this material offers a unique combination of lightness and impact resistance.

The addition of Innegra fibers to the carbon fibers improves certain properties of the composite material.

Carbon fibers are known for their lightness, strength and stiffness, but they tend to be brittle.

Innegra fibers, on the other hand, are more soft and flexible, which gives the composite material better resistance to shock, vibration and impact. When combined with carbon fiber, it improves the energy absorption and impact resistance properties of the composite material.

In summary, Innegra carbon has several advantages:

  • It offers low density, high impact resistance, high energy absorption, wear resistance and vibration reduction.
  • Its characteristics make it an attractive material for sports requiring both lightness and resistance, while offering a certain flexibility to absorb shocks.

The 10 properties of cork to know

– Low density and lightness: 90% of cork cells are occupied by air.

– Impermeability. The suberin and waxes present in the cell wall make cork virtually impermeable to liquids and gases. The hexagonal-shaped pores of its wall make it inaccessible to other compounds.

– Low heat transmission and good thermal insulation. These properties are due to the high gas content, cell size and low absorption power.

– Acoustic insulation and low sound transmission. The low density and high porosity cause the majority of sound waves to be absorbed and turn into heat energy. Cork is an acoustic corrector, as it absorbs more than 60% of the sound waves that reach its surface.

– High resistance to movement or high coefficient of friction. The suction effect caused by the surface of the cells makes it a very important property when using cork as a sealing material.

– Damping capacity. It is due to the deformation by the bending of the cell walls and it is a very important property for some applications such as caps or shoe soles.

– Compressibility, elasticity and flexibility. The high air content of its cells allows it to be compressed up to almost half without losing flexibility and recovering its shape and volume when it ceases to be pressed. It is the only solid which, compressed on one side, does not increase in volume on the other.

– Durability, stability and rigidity. The lignin and polysaccharides of its wall provide it with its rigidity and make it resistant over time.

– Hygroscopic. It hydrates depending on the environmental conditions.

– 100% natural, recyclable and renewable. It is a material of natural origin which can be extracted from the tree without harming it and which regenerates over time. It allows a sustainable balance between agroforestry management and human action. It is in line with current trends in natural and building materials. It is a clear example of circular economy.

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!

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