The Adidas Cross It is one of Adidas’s most aggressive rackets — an oversized diamond with Dynamic Air Flow aerodynamics, built for advanced players who want fast, spin-heavy power and a quick swing through the air.
Don’t let the recreational name fool you — the standard Cross It is a power racket. An oversized diamond head loads weight up top for put-away pace, while Adidas’s Dynamic Air Flow channels speed the frame through the air, and the 11Thirteen hole pattern stiffens the head for energy return. It’s built for an aggressive, attacking game.
This review covers its build, specs and on-court feel, and who it’s for. See also our best Adidas padel rackets guide, or browse all our padel gear reviews.
Adidas Cross It at a glance
Why it wins: An oversized aerodynamic power diamond — Dynamic Air Flow speeds the swing and the diamond head delivers fast, spin-heavy put-aways for advanced attackers. (~$390)
- Oversized diamond — top-end power
- Dynamic Air Flow — fast through the air
- 11Thirteen hole pattern for stiffness
- Built for advanced aggressive play
Main features of the Adidas Cross It
The Cross It is Adidas’s aerodynamic attacking frame:
- Oversized diamond shape for maximum power
- Dynamic Air Flow (DAF) aerodynamic channels for swing speed
- 11Thirteen hole pattern stiffens the head for energy return
- Head-heavy balance for put-away pace
- Spin-friendly surface for an aggressive game
Specification of the Adidas Cross It
Here are the full specs of the Adidas Cross It:
- Shape: Oversized diamond
- Weight: ~365–370 g
- Balance: High
- Core: EVA
- Faces: Carbon
- Player level: Advanced
- Type of play: Power
- Pro: —
The Adidas Cross It range: Ctrl, Light and Team Light
The review above covers the diamond-shaped Cross It from the 3.3 and 3.4 generation. For 2026 Adidas changed direction. The current Cross It rackets are round, control-focused frames rather than diamonds, and they keep the Dynamic Air Flow bridge and the 11 Thirteen hole pattern. Here is how retailers and independent reviewers describe the three you will see most often:
- Cross It Ctrl: round shape, a 15K aluminized carbon face and a High Memory EVA core. It is the heavier, steadier and more demanding of the three.
- Cross It Light: round shape, a 24K aluminized carbon face and a Soft Energy EVA core, at 345 to 360 g with a low balance. It gives a crisper, more precise response.
- Cross It Team Light: round shape, a fiberglass face and a Soft Performance EVA core, at 345 to 360 g with a low balance. It is the comfortable, forgiving option aimed at intermediate players.
In the US these are listed by third-party sellers. The Cross It Ctrl 3.4 (the previous generation of the Ctrl), the Cross It Light 2026 and the Cross It Team Light 2026 were all in stock at the time of writing, at roughly $220, $350 and $210. Prices and stock change, so check the current offer.
Our review of the Adidas Cross It
The Cross It is built to attack. The oversized diamond head and high balance load the top of the frame for serious smashing power, and the Dynamic Air Flow channels genuinely help it move faster through the air — useful for getting the racket head around quickly on the volley and the smash. The 11Thirteen hole pattern keeps the head stiff for a sharp energy return.
Like any oversized diamond it’s demanding — the sweet spot is high and mishits punish you — so it’s firmly an advanced racket for aggressive players who finish at the net rather than a recreational pick despite the name.
Pros
- Strong, aerodynamic smashing power
- Fast swing through the air
- Good spin for an attacking game
- Stiff, responsive head
Cons
- Demanding diamond sweet spot
- Advanced players only
- Head-heavy on defence
Who is the Adidas Cross It for?
The Cross It is for advanced, aggressive players who want fast, aerodynamic power and live at the net. Beginners and control players should look at the Adidas Drive or RX instead.
Who the Adidas Cross It is not for
The diamond Cross It reviewed here is not a control racket, so players who want a forgiving, steady frame should look at the round Ctrl or Team Light instead. It is also not a first racket: beginners will learn faster on a round, softer frame such as the Adidas Drive, and players with arm trouble should avoid stiff diamonds.
What to know before you buy the Adidas Cross It
Check the model year and the shape
The name is used for several different rackets. Cross It 3.3 and 3.4 are diamonds with a high balance, while the 2026 Cross It Ctrl, Light and Team Light are round. Look for the shape and the year in the listing title before you buy, because a diamond and a round frame play very differently.
Dynamic Air Flow and 11 Thirteen explained
Dynamic Air Flow is a set of vents in the center of the frame that reduces air resistance and helps the head move faster. 11 Thirteen is a hole layout with 11 smaller holes in the center and 13 larger holes around the edge, designed to add stiffness and durability. Both appear across the range.
Price and availability
The diamond Cross It listing sometimes shows no featured seller, and the 2026 models cost noticeably more than Adidas’s beginner rackets. If the racket you want is unavailable, the Ctrl and Team Light listings above are the closest alternatives in stock.
How the Adidas Cross It plays
On smashes and volleys it’s a weapon — the aerodynamic diamond delivers fast, heavy put-aways.
On defence the high balance and demanding sweet spot ask for clean contact under pressure.
Adidas Cross It vs the alternatives
It’s a more aerodynamic, speed-focused power diamond than the flagship Adidas Metalbone, and far more aggressive than the round, beginner-friendly Drive and RX. For control players the Metalbone Ctrl is the opposite end of the range.
Is the Adidas Cross It worth it?
For an advanced attacker who wants a fast, aerodynamic power diamond, the Cross It is a strong pick, although the listing price moves a lot and it sometimes shows no featured seller. The swing speed and put-away pace are genuinely strong. It’s wasted on anyone still developing their technique.
Conclusion
The Adidas Cross It is a proper aerodynamic power diamond — the oversized head and Dynamic Air Flow deliver fast, heavy smashes and quick hands at the net. The recreational name undersells it: this is an advanced, aggressive racket that demands clean technique, but rewards attackers with serious speed and pace.
An aerodynamic power diamond. Compare it with the flagships in our advanced padel rackets guide and the full best padel rackets roundup.
Frequently asked questions about the Adidas Cross It
Is the Adidas Cross It a diamond or a round racket?
It depends on the generation. The Cross It 3.3 and 3.4 are diamond rackets with a high balance, and the 2026 Cross It Ctrl, Light and Team Light are round. Check the title before buying.
What is the difference between the Adidas Cross It and the Cross It Ctrl?
The standard Cross It reviewed above is a power diamond for advanced attackers. The Ctrl is a round control racket with a High Memory EVA core, so it is steadier and easier to place but gives up some of the diamond’s pace.
What is the Adidas Cross It Ctrl made of?
A round frame with a 15K aluminized carbon face and an EVA High Memory core, plus Adidas’s Dynamic Air Flow bridge and the 11 Thirteen hole pattern.
Is the Adidas Cross It Team Light good for intermediate players?
Yes. It has a round shape, a fiberglass face and a Soft Performance EVA core, with a light 345 to 360 g weight and a low balance. That combination is comfortable and forgiving for improving players.
What does Dynamic Air Flow do on the Adidas Cross It?
It is a group of vents in the center of the frame that cuts air resistance, so the head moves faster through the swing. It is meant to help with quick volleys and smashes.
What is the 11 Thirteen hole pattern?
A hole layout with 11 smaller holes in the center and 13 larger holes around the outside. Adidas designed it to increase stiffness, power and durability in the hitting surface.
How heavy is the Adidas Cross It?
The diamond Cross It is listed at around 360 to 375 g. The 2026 Light and Team Light are lighter, at 345 to 360 g, and the Ctrl is heavier.
Which Adidas Cross It should I buy?
Choose the diamond Cross It for power, the Ctrl for control and stability, the Light for a sharper carbon feel and the Team Light for comfort and value. Beginners should start with a softer round racket instead.
Lucas Sánchez is the founder of SimplePadel. Born and raised in Spain, Lucas has been living in the US and UK for the last 20 years and currently calls Miami his home. While he’s never played professionally, the dream is still alive.
Lucas loves nothing more than playing (and talking) about padel, and he considers himself lucky to have a wife and family that share his love for the game.