Babolat Dyna Spirit Padel Racket

Babolat puts the Dyna Spirit in what it calls the lightest range of rackets it has ever developed, and the typology it gives is versatile. MicroPerf micro-perforations take weight out of the face and enlarge the sweet spot, the thin profile is there to make shots easier to control, and the soft materials are meant to cut arm fatigue. The grip it recommends is XCEL Gel.

Sources differ a little on weight and level. Babolat lists 330 g give or take 10, and Padelful gives 320 to 340. Padelful's page says both 'perfect for advanced players' and 'all levels', which contradict each other, and a database of Babolat's range lists it for beginners and intermediates. We'd put it at improving club players.

Light and easy to put where you want it. A medium-soft feel, rebound of 8.4 and handling of 8.3 make the racket quick at the net and comfortable over a long session, and Padelful describes a stable, precise feel with a good balance between control and power.

The weak point is a ceiling, not a flaw. At 7 for power it will not hand you winners, and a fibreglass face has little bite for spin. The teardrop shape moves the sweet spot slightly higher than a round racket's, so you get a little more attacking reach in exchange for some forgiveness.

The Stima Spirit is the same recipe in a round head: Padelful scores it higher for rebound and sweet spot (9 and 8.9) and lower for power (5.9), so it is the easier of the two. The Dyna Spirit gives up a little forgiveness for more punch and a teardrop shape.

The Dyna Energy is the same teardrop with a Carbon Flex face, which makes it firmer and more attacking. If you want to grow into the racket, the Energy is the step up. A retailer-listed Acrab Pro shows the same 330 g weight and 36 mm profile.

Heavy hitters and anyone who wants a firm, precise carbon feel. A 7 for power and a soft fibreglass face reward smooth swings, not big ones. If you like to attack, the teardrop padel rackets page has firmer options, and our best padel racket for intermediate players list suits players who have outgrown a light, soft racket.

Babolat recommends XCEL Gel, and an overgrip such as the Babolat VS overgrip adds tack for sweaty hands; our padel grips page explains the choice. Frame tape from the racket protector range is worth fitting, since a light racket gets clipped on the floor.

A soft racket likes lively balls, so a tube of Babolat Court balls is a sensible start, and the padel balls page covers how fast they fade. The padel bags and padel shoes pages complete the kit, and our guide to choosing a padel racket explains shape and balance.