The Adidas Metalbone HRD+ 3.5 is Ale Galán’s racket for the 2026 Premier Padel season: a head-heavy diamond with a 16K aluminized carbon face, a dense High Memory EVA core and an adjustable Weight & Balance System. It is the most aggressive frame in the Metalbone family, made for advanced players who finish points with power.
It succeeds the Metalbone 3.4 that we reviewed earlier, and it sits at the opposite end of the range from the round Metalbone Ctrl. This review covers the HRD+ 3.5’s build, specs and on-court feel, and who should leave it on the shelf.
See also our best Adidas padel rackets guide, or browse all our padel gear reviews.
Adidas Metalbone HRD+ 3.5 at a glance
Why it wins: A head-heavy diamond built around a dense core and 16K carbon, for advanced players who want maximum attacking power. (~$455)
- Diamond shape, head-heavy balance
- 16K aluminized carbon face
- High Memory EVA core
- 345–360 g plus up to 11.2 g of adjustable weight
Main features of the Adidas Metalbone HRD+ 3.5
The HRD+ is built for one job, which is hitting the ball hard from the net and the back glass:
- Diamond head shape with a high sweet spot for power on overheads and smashes
- Carbon aluminized 16K face for a stiff, fast response
- High Memory EVA core, a dense foam that returns energy quickly and feels dry
- Weight & Balance System with weights on the sides and top, adding up to 11.2 g to tune the balance
- Octagonal Structure, Low Poly design and Power Groove rail to stiffen the frame
- Extra Power Grip, a longer handle that adds inertia, plus a padded wrist cord new for 2026
Specification of the Adidas Metalbone HRD+ 3.5
Here are the full specs of the Adidas Metalbone HRD+ 3.5:
- Shape: Diamond
- Weight: 345–360 g, plus up to 11.2 g of adjustable weight
- Balance: High (head-heavy), adjustable
- Length: 455 mm
- Beam thickness: 38 mm
- Core: High Memory EVA
- Face: Carbon aluminized 16K
- Frame: Octagonal Structure with Power Groove
- Player level: Advanced / pro
- Type of play: Attack
Our review of the Adidas Metalbone HRD+ 3.5
The HRD+ 3.5 is a racket for someone who already hits hard and wants a frame that keeps up. The high balance loads the head, so overheads and smashes come off with speed for a modest swing, and the dense core returns that energy without much give. With weight added to the head, it becomes one of the more punishing rackets you can buy.
The other side of a dry, stiff frame is a small margin for error. Reviewers describe the core as unforgiving on off-center hits, and the balance can leave the racket a step slower than a lighter frame in fast exchanges at the net. The listed weight is low for a diamond, but the head-heavy balance still asks for a strong wrist and arm.
It is an excellent tool in the right hands and an expensive way to hurt your arm in the wrong ones.
Pros
- Very high power on overheads and smashes
- Adjustable weights to tune the balance
- Low listed weight for a diamond
- Stiff, stable frame
Cons
- Dry, unforgiving core
- Head-heavy balance can slow the net game
- Not suitable for arm problems
- High US price
Who is the Adidas Metalbone HRD+ 3.5 for?
It suits advanced and competition players who attack, especially on the left side where overheads decide points. If you already play a power diamond and want to move to the model Ale Galán uses on tour, this is that racket. Players who like to experiment will value the adjustable weights.
Who the Adidas Metalbone HRD+ 3.5 is not for
Skip it if you are an intermediate player, if you have any elbow or shoulder trouble, or if you rely on defense and control. The hard core is unforgiving, and our tennis elbow racket guide lists softer options. Players who want the Metalbone family with more comfort should look at the Team Light.
What to know before you buy the Adidas Metalbone HRD+ 3.5
HRD+ 3.5 or the older HRD+ 3.4?
The 3.5 is the 2026 model. The previous HRD+ 3.4 is still listed in the US for far less than the newer racket, which makes it the value pick if you want the same diamond, carbon and High Memory EVA recipe without the new generation’s premium. If you want the racket Galán uses this season, buy the 3.5.
Adjusting the weight
The kit lets you add up to 11.2 g using pieces on the sides and top of the frame. Weight at the head raises power and lowers maneuverability, so add a little at a time and give it a few sessions. Most players will prefer the racket close to its base configuration for a game with a lot of net play.
US pricing and availability
Adidas lists the HRD+ at around 390 euros in Europe. In the US, the listings we found are from third-party sellers at around $455, with very limited stock. Prices and stock change, so check the current offer.
How the Adidas Metalbone HRD+ 3.5 plays
On overheads and smashes it is the most powerful Metalbone, and the stiff frame makes it easy to hit through the ball.
On the bandeja and vibora the head weight helps you drive through the shot, and the bandeja guide and vibora guide explain how to use it. On volleys and defense it is heavier to maneuver than a control racket, so timing and preparation matter.
Adidas Metalbone HRD+ 3.5 vs the alternatives
Within Adidas, the Metalbone 3.4 is its predecessor and the Metalbone Ctrl is the round, control-first alternative. Among diamonds from other brands, the Wilson Defy Pro V1 and the Head Coello Pro offer comparable attacking profiles, and our advanced racket guide compares them.
Is the Adidas Metalbone HRD+ 3.5 worth it?
It is worth it for an advanced attacker who wants the model played on tour and will use the adjustable weights. At the US price it is hard to justify for anyone else, and the older 3.4 delivers much of the same character for far less.
Conclusion
The Adidas Metalbone HRD+ 3.5 is a stiff, head-heavy diamond with a dense core and an adjustable weight system. Its strengths are power, stability and tunability. Its weaknesses are an unforgiving feel, slower handling in defense and a very high price in the US.
Buy it if you attack, hit cleanly and want Galán’s 2026 racket. If you want the recipe for less money, look at the 3.4, and see our best padel rackets roundup for other levels.
Frequently asked questions about the Adidas Metalbone HRD+ 3.5
It is the racket Ale Galán plays in the 2026 Premier Padel season. It is a diamond-shaped, head-heavy frame with a carbon aluminized 16K face and a High Memory EVA core, built for advanced attackers.
The 3.5 is the current 2026 model, with a Weight & Balance System that adds up to 11.2 g and a padded wrist cord. The 3.4 is the previous generation, and it is often available for less. Both are diamond rackets with a hard, attacking character.
The listed weight is 345 to 360 g before the adjustable weights, which can add up to 11.2 g. That is light for a diamond, but the high balance puts the weight in the head.
Not usually. The core is dense and unforgiving, and the head-heavy balance rewards a fast, clean swing. Intermediate players are better served by a softer diamond or a round racket from our intermediate picks.
He plays the Adidas Metalbone HRD+ 3.5. It is the top model of the Metalbone range, which also includes a control version, a lighter Team Light and a carbon-faced Carbon version.
It can be. A dense core and a stiff carbon face transmit more shock than a soft foam racket, and the head-heavy balance loads the wrist. Players with elbow or shoulder problems should choose a softer racket.
No. The 2026 Metalbone range has several versions, and the HRD+ is the hardest, most attacking one. The standard Metalbone, the Ctrl and the Team Light are separate rackets with a different feel and price.
Only if you are an advanced attacker who wants the current tour model. At around $455 it costs much more than European retail, and the previous-generation HRD+ 3.4 offers a similar recipe for less.
Isabella Torres is originally from Madrid, Spain, and has been playing Padel as a semi-professional for the past five years. After completing her education as a journalist, she discovered her true passion in life was writing about Padel.
She loves staying up late watching intense rallies on YouTube, and is excited to share her knowledge about the sport with SimplePadel’s readers.