Differences between hard and soft density, which racket should you choose?

Let’s look at the differences between hard and soft rackets, according to the type of EVA rubber density we use in the StarVie factory and their features in the StarVie collection models. We present a comparative table from the softest racket (soft) to the hardest racket in the collection (pro). It would be a mistake to say that one type of racket is better than another, because racket choice is something very personal and depends not only on your feelings as a player, but also your type of game, your most characteristic strokes and your physical condition.

Hard or medium-density padel racket features

Hard or medium-density padel racket features: this type of racket will give you more control and power when playing your game:

Advantages:

• Control: although the sweet spot is smaller, when holding a medium-density racket your feeling of security when making each shot will increase noticeably.
• Power: it’s important to take into consideration that the technique and strength of the player favours the execution of strokes with greater force. Therefore, a hard or medium-density racket will help you play strokes with less effort, as it doesn’t absorb the impact of the ball as much, giving it more speed and bounce.

It’s a factor to take into account if you like the sweet spot to be small, as a hard racket will give you a better feeling of balance on the court.

In addition, it’s worth mentioning that medium-density or hard rackets have a rubber density of approximately 50kg per m³, a higher density than soft rackets.

In our new StarVie padel racket collection you can find medium-density models (hard rackets) providing us with each and every one of the previously mentioned characteristics. These are our models with hard rubber:

• Tritón Pro, teardrop shape.
• Kraken Pro, new mould that stands out for its 26mm profile.
• Aquila Space Pro, teardrop shape.
• Titania Kepler Pro, round shape.

Soft Padel Rackets features

Soft racket features (soft): this type of racket will offer you, above all, greater ball output, efficiency when playing each stroke, and a correct absorption of the same.

Advantages:

• Efficiency and ball output: it is a soft racket, where the rubber is more flexible, so the output of the ball will be much greater. That’s to say, you’ll be able to execute higher performance shots where the ball output is faster with less effort.
• Correct shot absorption vibrations for greater comfort when playing shots. In addition, with high elasticity rubber, the shots will be cushioned in the racket rather than the elbow, which will help you avoid injuries like epicondylitis, commonly known as ‘tennis elbow’.

It’s important to keep in mind that soft rackets give off less as they absorb shots more easily.

On the other hand, soft rackets have different densities to hard rackets, giving us completely different sensations in play. The density of the rubber in a soft racket varies between 18 to 30kg per m³.

In the StarVie padel racket collection you can find the following soft density rackets:

• Metheora Warrior, round shape.
• Raptor Evolution, round shape.
• Astrum Eris, the official racket of Bea González.
• Tritón 2021, teardrop shape.
• Basalto Osiris, teardrop shape.
• Dronos Galaxy, teardrop shape.
• Aquila Space, teardrop shape without roughness of the plane surface.
• Titania Kepler, round shape without roughness of the plane surface.

IMPORTANT FACTORS WHEN CHOOSING THE PERFECT PADEL RACKET

It’s not that one racket is better than another, but that each of them has certain characteristics that differentiate them. As a player, you’ll have to find the racket that best suits your style of play, the one you feel most confident with and can develop your skills more efficiently.