Babolat padel rackets: understanding Viper, Veron and Vertuo

A Babolat padel racket’s name works like a key. The first word tells you the playing style: Technical for attacking, Air for an aerial game, Counter for counter-attacking. The second tells you the material and therefore the level: Viper in carbon, Veron in carbon and fibreglass, Vertuo in fibreglass. Babolat sponsors Juan Lebrón, a former world No. 1. Selection updated in November 2026.

How do you read the name of a Babolat racket?

Babolat was founded in Lyon in 1875 and invented natural gut strings for tennis. It has made padel rackets since 2001 and built its range around two simple principles. Once you understand the system, you can tell what a racket does just by reading its name.

The prefix indicates the shape and balance. Technical means a head-heavy diamond shape for a technical attacker who hits hard on the smash. Air means a teardrop shape with neutral balance for a player who attacks in the air, on the volée and bandeja. Counter means a round racket for the counter-attacker who defends and waits for a ball to punish.

The name indicates the face material and therefore the stiffness. The carbon Viper is the most powerful and demanding. The Veron uses Carbon Flex, a more forgiving weave of carbon and fibreglass. The fibreglass Vertuo offers easy power and comfort. The Origin, with a fibreglass face and hybrid frame, is designed for beginners.

Two more details help you read the name. Soft indicates a more flexible carbon face and medium-density foam, retaining power while adding comfort. The number indicates the generation: 2.6 for the current Air and Counter models, 3.0 for the redesigned Technical range, and 3.1 for the latest Lebrón range.

Good to know: the Contact, Reflex and Storm, long-standing bestsellers for Babolat beginners, are no longer in the official catalogue. The Origin range replaces them, with a large sweet spot and a marking at the throat that helps you position the racket correctly.

Which Babolat racket suits your level?

You’re discovering padel

The Counter Origin, round and balanced towards the handle, is designed as a first racket, even if you’ve never played tennis. The teardrop-shaped Air Origin suits someone who has already played a few matches or comes from tennis. The diamond-shaped Technical Origin +, with soft foam, helps you move towards a more attacking game.

You’re improving

The fibreglass Vertuo rackets deliver effortless power and are easier on the arm: the teardrop-shaped Air Vertuo and the round Counter Vertuo. The Veron models take things up a notch with Carbon Flex: more responsiveness, while still offering forgiveness. The Air Veron is the ideal balance for improving, the Counter Veron prioritises control, and the Technical Veron favours attack.

You play at a high level

The Air Viper is Babolat’s most versatile racket: a 355 g teardrop shape with a 16K carbon face and a rough finish for spin. The round, 3K carbon Counter Viper is a benchmark for control among patient baseline players. The Technical Viper Soft retains the diamond shape and head-heavy balance but softens the impact with flexible carbon.

You play competitively

The Technical Viper is the brand’s most demanding attacking racket: a 370 g diamond shape with a 3K carbon face, hard Hard EVA foam and a carbon layer integrated into the foam. It delivers enormous power on bandejas and víboras, but has a small sweet spot and offers little forgiveness in defence.

Female players have a dedicated range, the lightest Babolat has ever made: 330 to 335 g and 36 mm thick. The teardrop-shaped Dyna is versatile; the round Stima is built for control. Spirit indicates a fibreglass face, Energy indicates Carbon Flex, and the Stima Vita is designed for beginners. The Alioth JR and Alioth Pro JR complete the range for 8- to 12-year-olds.

Which racket does Juan Lebrón play with?

Juan Lebrón, nicknamed ‘El Lobo’, plays with the Viper Juan Lebrón: a 370 g diamond-shaped racket with a 3K carbon face, Hard EVA foam and a head-heavy balance. On paper, it shares the Technical Viper’s construction, but in his colours. His range includes three rackets, all with a diamond shape and head-heavy balance. Compared with the 3.0, the 3.1 mainly changes the colours.

Lebrón was world No. 1 from 2019 to 2022, first with Paquito Navarro and then with Ale Galán. He was the first Spaniard to reach that ranking. He first connected with Babolat in 2016 and has been under contract since 2017. In 2023, he became the brand’s first athlete to have his own line of shoes and clothing. Partnered with Leo Augsburger since late 2025, he won the Brussels P2 in 2026 and was in the world top five in November 2026.

Shoes, balls, bags: what does Babolat offer beyond the racket?

All Babolat padel shoes have Michelin rubber soles, following a partnership dating back to 2003, and a 10 mm drop. The Premura 3 is the premium model, with a Juan Lebrón signature version. The Movea 2 prioritises support and stability. The Jet Viva is aimed at beginners and intermediate players, while the Sensa was designed for women.

For balls, the Ace is the brand’s FIP-approved competition ball. The fast, durable Court is approved by the FIP and FFT. The water-repellent RH Pro bags, including a 62-litre Juan Lebrón version for four rackets, are made from recycled polyester. The VS Original overgrip takes its name from the legendary string launched in 1925.

Babolat also supplies the 4PADEL club network and is a technical partner of Playtomic. Its premium limited editions are developed at the Babolat Padel Studio near Barcelona.

Explore our padel shoes, padel balls and padel bags. To choose your racket, compare two models rating by rating with El Comparator or find yours in three questions with El Selector. Also read our guide to racket shapes and our advice on padel tennis elbow.

Esprit Padel Shop grew out of the Esprit Padel club, a leading padel venue in the Lyon area. Our specialists have advised club players for over four years: if you’re torn between two Babolat models, get in touch. Delivery within 48 hours and protected purchases.

FAQ

What’s the best Babolat racket?

The best Babolat racket depends on your level and playing style. For attacking in competition, choose the Technical Viper or Viper Juan Lebrón. For an all-round game at a high level, the Air Viper is the most versatile. For control, choose the Counter Viper. To improve, choose the Air Veron. For beginners, the fibreglass Counter Origin and Air Origin are the easiest to play with.

What’s the difference between Viper, Veron and Vertuo?

Viper, Veron and Vertuo indicate the face material. The carbon Viper is the stiffest and most powerful, for advanced players. The Veron uses Carbon Flex, a more forgiving blend of carbon and fibreglass, ideal for intermediate players. The fibreglass Vertuo offers easy power and comfort for recreational players.

What do Technical, Air and Counter mean at Babolat?

These prefixes indicate playing style and shape. Technical means a head-heavy diamond shape for hard-hitting attackers. Air means a teardrop shape with neutral balance for agile, versatile players. Counter means a round racket for counter-attackers who defend and control the game. Each prefix combines with Viper, Veron or Vertuo.

Which Babolat racket is best for a beginner?

To get started, choose a racket from the Origin range. The round Counter Origin, balanced towards the handle, is the easiest first racket. The teardrop-shaped Air Origin suits you if you’ve already played a few matches or come from tennis. Both have a fibreglass face and a large sweet spot.

Is the Juan Lebrón racket right for me?

The Viper Juan Lebrón is for advanced and expert players only: a 370 g diamond-shaped racket with a 3K carbon face and hard foam. If you want to play with Lebrón’s racket but prefer more comfort, choose the Viper Soft Juan Lebrón. If you’re an intermediate player, the Veron Juan Lebrón, made with Carbon Flex, offers his style with much more forgiveness.

Which Babolat racket is best for a sensitive arm?

If you have a sensitive arm, choose a Vertuo with a fibreglass face or a Veron with Carbon Flex: they are the least rigid in the range. If you want to keep a diamond shape, the Technical Viper Soft softens the impact. Avoid the Technical Viper and Viper Juan Lebrón, with their hard foam and 370 g weight. If the pain persists, consult a healthcare professional before playing again.