What are the main differences between professional padel rackets and retail models?

Professional padel rackets are often customized with firmer cores, unique carbon fiber weaves, and more aggressive surface textures for better spin and control. Retail models are typically softer, more comfortable, and easier to handle, making them more suitable for recreational players.

Why do brands offer different versions of rackets for professionals and the general public?

Brands design retail rackets to be accessible and comfortable for a wide range of players, prioritizing ease of use and forgiveness. Professional players require rackets with specific customizations to match their playing style and the demands of high-level competition, which are often too demanding for most amateurs.

How do customizations like core density and surface texture affect racket performance?

A firmer core provides more power and control but can be less forgiving, while a softer core offers comfort and a larger sweet spot. Aggressive surface textures, such as 3D roughness, enhance spin and ball grip, giving professionals an edge in shot-making.

Are there any retail rackets that closely match the pro versions used by top players?

While some retail rackets are marketed as 'player models,' they rarely match the exact specifications of pro rackets. Key differences in materials, core density, and surface finish mean that even visually similar rackets can perform very differently from the custom versions used by professionals.

Who should consider using a retail model versus seeking a more customized racket?

Retail models are ideal for recreational and intermediate players who value comfort, ease of use, and a forgiving feel. Custom or pro-level rackets are best suited for advanced players who have specific preferences and can handle the demands of firmer cores and higher balance.

What are some unique customizations seen in rackets used by Sanyo Gutiérrez, Ale Galán, and Juan Lebrón?

These pros use rackets with custom core densities, specialized carbon fiber weaves, full-face rough surfaces for spin, and personalized grip setups. They also adjust weight and balance with lead strips or by modifying grip thickness, tailoring their equipment to their precise needs.

Is it worth paying more for a 'pro' model racket if you are not a professional player?

For most players, a standard retail model offers the best balance of performance and comfort. Pro models or custom rackets may be harder to control and less forgiving, so unless you have advanced skills and specific needs, the extra cost may not provide significant benefits.

Why pro padel players use custom rackets instead of retail models

Why professional padel players use custom rackets instead of retail models

The channel begins by addressing a common belief in the padel community: that the rackets sold in stores are the same as those used by World Padel Tour professionals. The reviewer quickly clarifies that, in most cases, this is not true. Brands often market their retail rackets as “player models,” but the rackets professionals actually use are frequently customized to meet their specific needs. This makes sense, as pro players demand much more from their equipment due to the intensity and frequency of their matches, compared to the average amateur player.

Brands, therefore, tend to release more accessible, less technically demanding versions for the general public. These commercial models are designed to appeal to a wider audience, making them easier to handle and more comfortable for recreational use. The reviewer acknowledges both sides of the debate: while some players appreciate the accessibility of retail models, others wish for a truly “pro-level” experience.

Key differences between pro and retail rackets: aesthetics and materials

The creator focuses on visible differences between professional and retail rackets, going beyond just weight and balance. The analysis centers on three top players: Sanyo Gutiérrez, Ale Galán, and Juan Lebrón. For each, the reviewer highlights how the rackets used on tour differ from those available in stores, especially in terms of surface finish, core density, and face materials.

These differences can include:

Surface texture (matte vs. glossy, presence of 3D roughness)
Core density (firmer or softer foam)
Carbon fiber type and weave (e.g., 18K aluminized carbon vs. standard carbon)
Grip modifications and custom weights

Such changes can significantly alter how the racket feels and performs, even if the retail and pro models look similar at first glance.

Sanyo Gutiérrez and the evolution of his Siux rackets

The reviewer examines the progression of Sanyo’s rackets since joining Siux. The first model, the Siux SG Limited Edition, is described as having a medium-soft feel, a large sweet spot, and excellent maneuverability—attributes that make it ideal for control-oriented, defensive play. However, Sanyo’s actual racket features several notable differences:

The carbon fiber does not extend all the way to the frame, with a distinctive black band intruding into the face area
The finish on Sanyo’s racket is less glossy, with a more matte appearance due to fewer lacquer layers
The core foam is denser and firmer than the retail version

With the release of the Siux Copper, Sanyo’s racket incorporated 18K carbon fiber faces and a slightly harder core, offering more power but a smaller sweet spot. The reviewer notes that, of all Sanyo’s models, the Copper is the least similar to the retail version, primarily due to the custom core density.

Sanyo’s current model, the Siux Revolution 2, uses 18K aluminized carbon and a core that is softer than the Copper but firmer than the SG Limited. Sanyo initially struggled to adapt to this model, preferring a firmer core, and was seen returning to previous versions until further customizations were made. The final version now features:

3D rough surface for enhanced spin
Matte finish (no lacquered gloss)
Firmer core than the retail model (retail density: 28, which is relatively soft)

These changes help Sanyo achieve the feel and performance he prefers, especially in terms of spin and ball control.

Ale Galán’s Adidas Metalbone: custom textures and core adjustments

Ale Galán plays with the Adidas Metalbone 3.2 and its “HRD” (hard) variant. The reviewer points out several differences between Galán’s rackets and those sold to the public:

The rough surface on Galán’s racket is much more pronounced and extends across the entire face, unlike the retail version
Galán’s core foam appears darker and firmer than the standard “soft” core found in the store-bought Metalbone
He does not use the adjustable weight screws, resulting in the highest possible balance
The carbon fiber on his racket has a unique square (1:1) weave, possibly 18K aluminized carbon, rather than the standard 21K aluminized carbon of the retail model

These modifications are even more visible in the Metalbone Master edition, where the carbon weave and surface finish differ significantly from the commercial model. The reviewer suspects Galán’s racket is closer to last year’s limited edition or a custom 18K carbon version, rather than the standard retail offering.

In summary, Galán’s rackets feature:

Custom core density (firmer than retail)
Distinct carbon fiber weave
Full-face, aggressive rough surface for spin
Highest balance setting (no screws)

Juan Lebrón and the evolution of his Babolat Viper

Juan Lebrón’s journey with the Babolat Viper series highlights how pro rackets can change year to year. In 2020, Lebrón used the Viper Carbon with a medium-hard feel. The following year, Babolat released the Technical Viper with a new mold, but Lebrón continued to use a customized version of the previous year’s model, featuring a much rougher surface that was never released commercially.

By 2022, Lebrón adopted the new Technical Viper mold but added lead strips to the head for extra weight and balance. Later, Babolat modified the racket by drilling holes at the bottom of the face, reducing weight in that area and raising the balance, allowing Lebrón to remove the lead strips.

The 2023 Juan Lebrón Edition is marketed as the hardest racket available in stores, but the reviewer notes several differences from Lebrón’s actual racket:

Lebrón uses a custom grip setup: half an overgrip on the wood, then a full overgrip, resulting in a thicker lower grip and thinner upper grip
The wrist cord is from last year’s model, not the current edition
The grip is now thicker, possibly for comfort or injury prevention
The face features a triangular, deeply textured roughness, unlike the subtle or sandy finish of the retail model
Lebrón has returned to using lead strips on the head, possibly to adjust for a lighter base weight or to compensate for a thicker grip lowering the balance

There is also speculation that Lebrón may be using a previous year’s model with updated aesthetics, given the similarities in surface and cord.

Summary of key customizations among World Padel Tour player rackets

The channel’s analysis reveals several recurring themes in how professional padel players modify their rackets compared to retail versions:

Surface finish: Pros often use matte finishes and aggressive 3D roughness for better spin, while retail models are usually glossier and smoother.
Core density: Professional rackets tend to have firmer, denser cores for more power and control, versus the softer, more forgiving cores in commercial models.
Carbon fiber: Custom weaves and higher-grade materials are common in pro rackets, sometimes differing from the advertised retail specs.
Weight and balance: Players adjust balance with lead strips, grip modifications, or by removing adjustable weights.
Grip customization: Unique grip builds and cords are tailored for comfort, injury prevention, or personal preference.

These differences mean that, while retail “player” models are inspired by the rackets seen on the World Padel Tour, the actual equipment used by top professionals is often significantly customized for their performance needs.

Why pro padel players use custom rackets, not store models