adidas Metalbone HRD+ 2026 Padel Racket

Padelful's testers describe explosive smashes and volleys, stable blocks against pace and clean bandejas and víboras. A Spanish review puts it neatly: with technique and a fast arm it gives very high power. A tester with more than thirty sessions reported excellent power but reduced manoeuvrability, and a trampoline effect that undermined confidence on volleys and slices.

That last comment is worth reading twice. A hard core and a stiff face return energy in a hurry, and if you are not ready for it the ball goes long. Padelful lists defence as demanding extra effort, handling as average and contact off the centre as harsh. Another review says it punishes players who want help or comfort.

If you are the kind of player who finishes at the net and wants the racket to do exactly what you told it, this one is a lovely thing. If you sometimes arrive late, it will let you know.

The two share a face, a shape and a weight band. The difference is the core. The All For Padel sheet lists the HRD+ with an EVA High Memory core that replaces the Soft Performance core of the standard Metalbone, and the Padelful numbers show what that does: power 9.9 against 9.1, control 9.4 against 8.7, rebound 8.0 against 9.4. Sweet spot and manoeuvrability barely move.

In other words, you swap some bounce for firmness and precision. Players who like to place the ball with force, and who find the standard Metalbone a touch lively, choose the HRD+. Everyone else is better on the standard.

Four diamonds make up the range. The HRD+ is at the top for firmness; the standard Metalbone is the one most advanced players start with; the 6K Metalbone Carbon is a softer step; and the fibreglass Metalbone Team is the gentlest. If you are unsure, start one step softer than you think you need. A racket that is too hard teaches nothing and tires the arm.

A weight system with up to 11.2 g of removable weight is printed on the 2026 sheet, so you can add mass to the 345 to 360 g frame. Do it slowly.

Anyone who wants comfort or forgiveness, anyone whose elbow already complains, and defenders. Padelful says it is for players who build points around the net, and community comments describe it as suited to advanced or tournament players. A stiff, head-heavy diamond will punish a game that is still developing, and our diamond padel rackets page shows gentler options.

Fit a racket protector first, because a hard-hitting diamond takes knocks. An adidas overgrip pack keeps a firm handle from slipping, and the padel grips page has others. Fresh adidas Speed RX balls help you judge a stiff racket, and our padel balls guide explains how long they last.

Carry it in a padel bag and play in padel shoes built for the turf. For the advanced end of the range see advanced padel rackets, and for the shapes use our guide to choosing a padel racket. The full padel racket range covers the rest.