Tag: Diamond-shaped

Adidas Metalbone HRD+ 3.5 Review (Ale Galán)

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.

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Franklin Aurora Padel Racket Review

The Franklin Aurora padel racket is Franklin Sports’ diamond-shaped model: 365 g, a fiberglass face over a soft foam core, a carbon fiber frame and a textured Max Grit surface. It costs a fraction of what most diamonds cost, which makes it one of the few ways to try a power shape without spending flagship money.

Franklin is best known in the US for pickleball paddles and youth sports gear, and its padel range is aimed at players who found the game through those sports. This review covers the Aurora’s build, specs and likely on-court feel, and who should pick it. If you are new to padel, read the honest warning in the section on who it is not for.

See also our best budget padel rackets guide, or browse all our padel gear reviews.

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Wilson Defy Pro V1 Review

The Wilson Defy Pro V1 is the heaviest and hardest-hitting racket in Wilson’s Defy range: a 370 g diamond with a 15K carbon face, a Power Foam core and a frame built to resist twisting on off-center hits. It is made for advanced players who win points with overheads and volleys, and it asks for a fast arm in return.

The Defy line launched in 2025 with three frames. The Pro V1 sits at the top, the standard Defy V1 has a softer 3K carbon face at 365 g, and the Defy LS is the lighter 355 g option for intermediate players. This review covers the Pro’s build, specs and on-court feel, and who should look elsewhere.

See also our best Wilson padel rackets guide, or browse all our padel gear reviews.

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