Two rackets can weigh the same and feel completely different. That is balance at work, and it matters at least as much as the number on the scale.
Weight
Adult padel rackets weigh roughly 340 to 390 g. Around 350 to 365 g suits most women and lighter players; 360 to 375 g suits most men; heavier than that is for strong, experienced players. All the rackets we sell are quoted at 350 to 370 g, the middle of the range, which is why they suit club players of most sizes.
Balance
Balance is where the weight sits along the racket. A low balance (weight towards the handle) makes the racket quick to move and easy on the arm. A high balance (weight towards the head) adds leverage, so smashes and volleys carry more, but the racket feels heavier than it is and asks more of the elbow. Even balance is the compromise most players are happiest with.
How they work together
A 365 g racket with a low balance can feel lighter in play than a 350 g racket with a high balance. If you are choosing between two rackets, hold each by the grip and waggle it: the one that feels head heavy has the higher balance. Our teardrop is even balanced; our diamonds are head heavy by design.
Choosing for your arm
- Elbow or shoulder history: lighter and lower balance, so the teardrop.
- You attack and your arm is happy: a diamond such as the 12K.
- You want more power without changing racket: add a few grams of lead tape at the top of the frame, and take it off if your arm complains.
Weights vary a little from racket to racket because of hand finishing, which is why every brand quotes a range rather than a single figure.