In our household, padel is a shared passion (but not a shared level). My husband plays with the kind of quiet precision that occasionally earns him an invitation to partner with his coach. I play with enthusiasm, improving consistency and a genuine love for the social side of the game.
Our rackets reflect that difference entirely. Here is an honest guide to what we actually use and what I would recommend depending on where you are in your padel journey.
My First Racket : For the Complete Beginner
When I started playing, a good frien gifted me an entry-level racket and it was exactly right. Light, forgiving, and completely unpretentious. As a beginner, you don’t need power or precision : you need something that won’t tire your arm and will get the ball over the net.
If you are just starting out, don’t overthink it. Borrow one at the club or buy the lightest, most affordable option you can find. Your game will evolve quickly and your needs will change.
What to look for: lightweight, round head shape, soft core. Budget: under €50.
My Current Racket — The Kuikma Hybrid Metal (€80 Decathlon)
Yes, it’s from Decathlon. And yes, I am slightly evangelical about it.
I upgraded to the Kuikma Hybrid Metal earlier this year and the difference was immediate — particularly at the back of the court. My baseline shots are deeper, more controlled, and more consistent. The carbon frame gives it a solidity that my first racket didn’t have, without making it heavy or difficult to manoeuvre.
At €80, it is one of the best value padel rackets I have played with. It won’t win awards for glamour, but it will genuinely improve your game — and for an intermediate player, that is exactly what matters.
What to look for: carbon frame, balanced weight, medium-hard core. Budget: €60-100. My racket here
My Husband’s Rackets : For the Serious Player
My husband plays at a level where his coach occasionally invites him to partner for competitive matches. His rackets reflect that.
He plays with the Head Radical Pro and the Head Calibre — both serious performance rackets designed for players who have developed a technical game and want equipment that matches it. More power, more precision, less forgiveness.
These are not beginner rackets. In the hands of someone still developing their technique, they can actually make the game harder. The smaller sweet spot punishes imprecision. But for an advanced player, they are exceptional.
What to look for: diamond or teardrop head shape, hard core, carbon fibre face. Budget: €150-300+. His racket here
So Which Racket Should You Buy?
The honest answer: the one that matches where you are right now, not where you want to be.
A beginner with a professional racket will struggle. An improving player with an entry-level racket will plateau. Match your equipment to your current game and upgrade when you genuinely feel you have outgrown it.
My personal recommendation for anyone starting out or at an intermediate level: the Kuikma range at Decathlon. Genuinely excellent quality, fraction of the price, and you won’t feel the need to upgrade for a long time.
What About the Rest of the Kit?
Beyond the racket, a few things make a real difference:
- Good padel shoes are non-negotiable. The lateral movement in padel is intense and regular trainers won’t support your ankles properly. I play in shoes specifically designed for padel and the difference in comfort and stability is significant.
- Overgrips are worth having : they absorb sweat and give you a better hold on the racket, particularly in warm weather. We go through them regularly.
The Bottom Line
Padel equipment doesn’t need to be expensive to be good. My €80 Decathlon racket has genuinely transformed my baseline game. What matters is finding the right racket for your level and then showing up, playing consistently and enjoying every minute of it.
Save this post for when you are ready to buy your first (or next) racket, and follow The Wild Softness on Pinterest for more padel and active lifestyle content from Barcelona.
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