Babolat padel rackets

Before we talk rackets, how about we talk Babolat?

Babolat is one of the few French brands in padel worldwide, if not the only one. Founded in Lyon in 1875, the brand made its name with its tennis rackets and strings, one of its specialities when tennis had only just been invented. Since then, it has become one of the best-known brands in world tennis, sponsoring top athletes such as Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz and major events such as Roland Garros. Now a leader in several racket sports, including badminton, Babolat has entered the padel market and intends to establish the same dominance it has in tennis. 

What sets Babolat padel rackets apart?  

Innovation is also an important part of the French brand’s development, especially in padel: it’s a new sport with plenty of room to push the boundaries. Babolat’s main innovations have been developed to help players feel as few constraints as possible in their game. For the brand, the goal is to keep its players happy! 

Babolat padel rackets: quality, pure and simple

At Babolat, one watchword is prime above all else: quality. All Babolat padel rackets undergo exemplary quality control, guaranteeing their authenticity and compliance. Made at the brand’s main factory in Corbas, near Lyon, these rackets rank among the best on the padel market while offering innovations unique to Babolat.  

Partnerships that stand for quality 

In padel, Babolat is also known for its partnerships. Thanks to its reputation in tennis and its quality products, several sponsorship deals have been signed with influential figures and organisations in the padel world. First, Juan Lebron, world number 1, uses a Babolat racket on the tour, along with a complete outfit from the brand, from T-shirt and socks to shoes. As well as giving the brand international exposure, Babolat benefits from the insights of one of the best padel players of all time. 

As well as working with players, the brand has had an agreement since 2003 with another French company: Michelin. Through this partnership, the 2 giants in their respective fields offer shoes with cushioning and support that are hard to beat. That’s why Babolat padel shoes are among the most sought-after by players, experienced or otherwise. 

Another successful partnership for the brand is with the APT circuit. The American Padel Tour, a rival circuit to the World Padel Tour, is an international circuit in which some professional players compete because their level does not allow them to succeed on the WPT. Babolat therefore decided to sponsor this Tour, leading to several related products, a number of commercial successes and, above all, a brand image that stays in the minds of padel fans. 

How do you choose your Babolat racket? 

As with any racket brand, it’s important to consider all the features when choosing the racket that best suits your game. 

Shape: a Babolat speciality 

First, choose the shape of your racket to suit your playing style. If your game is built around attacking, powerful smashes and sharp volleys, then a diamond-shaped racket is what you need. With its weight concentrated in the racket head, you can deliver powerful shots. The Technical range, available in several rackets at different prices, is made for you. 

If control is your thing and you love counterattacking and forcing your opponents into mistakes, the Counter range could be for you. But these rackets don’t have a conventional round shape. Babolat uses moulds specific to the brand, and Counter rackets sit between a round shape and a teardrop shape for greater versatility. 

Between the two is the Air range, which is highly versatile. With their hybrid shape, somewhere between a teardrop and a diamond, these rackets let you control your opponents’ balls while putting them under pressure with precise attacks. This well-balanced range will help you improve every aspect of your game. 

The faces: carbon or fibreglass? 

The racket faces are made from 2 different materials, depending on the range. Fibreglass, a more flexible material, is smoother and easier to control. It is used for rackets aimed at beginner and intermediate players. Babolat uses this material in its beginner ranges and the Vertuo range. By contrast, carbon is a stiffer material that is harder to master. Recommended for players with at least some padel experience, it is also rarer and therefore more expensive. The Veron and Viper ranges are made from carbon and are among the most sought-after rackets with players. 

With carbon, density also affects how a racket feels. You’ve probably seen descriptions such as "3k carbon", for example. This means the face contains 3000 carbon filaments, making it low-density carbon. Some rackets can have up to 24000 filaments, making them very stiff and harder to control, but particularly devastating for smashes. 

The foam: soft or firm? 

Between the faces is the foam, also known as the core. There are 2 main types: Soft foam and Hard foam. Soft foams are flexible and feel cushioned when the ball hits the racket, helping players feel as little vibration as possible. This gives you greater control and makes the racket easier to handle.

Hard foam, on the other hand, is firmer and less forgiving but gives the racket a harder feel, ideal for attacking players. Be careful, though, of vibrations which can often cause injuries, particularly to the elbow. 

Choosing the right Babolat padel racket for your playing level 

Babolat has a clever system of ranges that makes it easy to tell where its rackets sit, from entry-level to high-end. First up are the Vertuo rackets, the brand’s entry-level models. Made from fibreglass, these rackets are often recommended for beginners because they’re easy to use and feel forgiving on impact. 

Next up, the Veron range is a little stiffer thanks to its fibreglass/carbon blend, developed by Babolat. The Veron faces are harder than those of the Vertuo, letting you put more power into your shots while retaining some of the comfort of fibreglass. We recommend these rackets for intermediate players who already have some padel experience. 

Finally, the Viper range is the most demanding, with carbon faces of varying densities depending on the model. Make the most of carbon’s power and precision to perform at your best on court. This type of racket is generally recommended for experienced padel players, as it can sometimes be difficult to control. 

How can you care for your Babolat racket and make it last longer? 

To extend the life of your Babolat rackets, you’ll need to take good care of them. Use accessories such as Babolat frame protectors or overgrips to protect vulnerable parts of the racket. Adding a Babolat bag to your kit will help protect your racket from knocks and temperature changes that could damage it. 

What advantages do Babolat rackets have over other brands? 

Among all the padel rackets already on the market, Babolat stands out for several features, particularly the way it distinguishes its models. Having outlined the ranges above, we can now explain that the French brand divides its models into 3 categories: Technical, Air and Counter. 

The Technical is the powerful model in the range, with its diamond shape. Players who love to smash, especially with a par 3, choose this model for maximum power. The Counter model, by contrast, focuses much more on control, with its weight concentrated towards the racket handle. It’s better suited to players who favour precision. Finally, the Air model is described as well-balanced, with a teardrop shape and the added advantage of being lighter than the other 2. 

These 3 models are available across the 3 ranges, giving you 9 Babolat rackets to choose from at Esprit Padel Shop! 

Show your Babolat colours from head to toe 

Beyond quality rackets, Babolat also offers plenty of useful products for every padel player. From Babolat padel clothing and Babolat accessories to Babolat padel shoes, discover all of Babolat’s standout products in one click at Esprit Padel Shop. Feel free to browse the detailed product pages or contact us with any questions. 

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Our teams are committed to getting your products to you as quickly as possible, so you can become the ultimate padel player in no time. Enjoy delivery within 48 hours and get your hands on the best products before anyone else!