Babolat Counter Crest Padel Racket

Padelful's page lists a teardrop with a balanced profile rather than a head-heavy one, a soft EVA core and a weight of 355 with no unit, which we read as grams. It does not say what the face or frame are made of, and it gives no balance rating. The feel is soft, with a trampoline-like response that sends the ball out strongly on slow swings.

We found no weight, shape or construction from Babolat or from any other shop. The Counter Origin is listed at 355 g and round, and the Counter Veron at 365 g and round, so the Counter name usually means a round racket. Check the shape and weight on the listing you buy from.

Padelful's reviewer found effortless depth on defensive lobs, a generous sweet spot on blocks and quick handling in net exchanges. The scores agree: rebound, manoeuvrability and sweet spot are all 9.5, control is 8.5 and power is 7.

The costs are the usual ones for a soft racket. It lacks a firm smash finish, adds extra rebound under fast pace and gives limited bite on the vibora. Padelful places it with developing or intermediate players, especially baseline defenders who build controlled attacks, and says it is less suited to players with a decisive smash.

The Air Crest is the other Crest racket and scores identically on rebound, handling and sweet spot, at 9.5 each. On Padelful's numbers the Counter Crest has more power (7 against 6) and more control (8.5 against 7.5), and is 10 g heavier on paper. If you want the extra control, take the Counter Crest.

If you want a clearly round first racket, the Counter Origin is documented by Babolat. The Air Origin is the forgiving teardrop alternative.

Players with a heavy smash or anyone who wants a documented specification. A soft racket with excess rebound under pace will not reward a big swing, and we cannot tell you the face or frame. The best padel racket for intermediate players page lists rackets with firmer cores, and the best padel racket for beginners page compares others.

A soft racket likes a tacky grip. An overgrip such as the Babolat VS overgrip is the usual first extra, and our padel grips page explains when to replace instead. Frame tape from the racket protector range is worth fitting before the first match.

A racket with excess rebound still needs good balls, so a tube of Babolat Court balls is a sensible start, and the padel balls page explains how fast they fade. The padel bags and padel shoes pages complete the kit, and the full padel racket range and our guide to choosing a padel racket put it in context.