The Varlion LW Hexagon 8.8 is Varlion’s starter racket in the LW control line: a round shape, a low-hardness 38 mm Hypersoft EVA core laminated with fiberglass, a carbon-reinforced heart and a hole layout the brand calls Aerodynamic Drilling. The listing pitches it at players taking their first steps in padel, and it costs about $85.
It is the entry point below the LW Carbon Ti and the LW Summum, and the US listing was down to a single unit at the time of writing. This review covers the build, the specs, how it should play, who should buy it and what to buy if it sells out.
See also our best Varlion padel rackets guide, or browse all our padel gear reviews.
Varlion LW Hexagon 8.8 at a glance
Why it wins: Varlion’s starter control racket: a round shape, a soft 38 mm Hypersoft EVA core, a fiberglass face and Aerodynamic Drilling, for about $85. (~$85)
- Round shape built for control
- Soft Hypersoft EVA core, 38 mm
- Fiberglass face with a carbon-reinforced heart
- Aerodynamic Drilling to widen the sweet spot
Main features of the Varlion LW Hexagon 8.8
The LW Hexagon 8.8 is built to be easy to control:
- Round shape, which keeps the sweet spot low and central and favors control over power
- Hypersoft EVA core, a low-hardness 38 mm foam for comfort and feel
- Fiberglass layers over the core, reinforced at the heart with carbon fiber fabric
- VAR-FLEX epoxy resin and a titanium dioxide coating, which Varlion says add strength and durability
- Aerodynamic Drilling, a hole layout that the listing says adds resistance in the core and a bigger sweet spot
- Hexagon branding on the frame, and the word control printed on the face
Specification of the Varlion LW Hexagon 8.8
Here are the full specs of the Varlion LW Hexagon 8.8:
- Shape: Round
- Weight: Not given in the listing
- Balance: Not given in the listing
- Core: Hypersoft EVA, 38 mm, low hardness
- Face: Fiberglass, carbon-reinforced heart
- Finish: VAR-FLEX epoxy resin, titanium dioxide layer
- Drilling: Aerodynamic Drilling
- Player level: Beginner (listing)
- Type of play: Control
- Line: LW
Our review of the Varlion LW Hexagon 8.8
The LW Hexagon 8.8 follows the standard recipe for a first racket: a round head, a soft core and a fiberglass face. The listing describes high rebound and great ball output for its level, and the soft Hypersoft core should keep the feel comfortable for players who are still learning to time the ball.
The interesting part is the drilling. Varlion says its studies showed that drilling the center of the blade creates turbulence, so it uses a different layout to get more resistance in the core and more even hits, which it says widens the sweet spot. We cannot verify the claim, but the face does look different from a standard grid in the product photo.
We have not played it ourselves, so this is an assessment of the listing. It gives no weight or balance, so check the handle or the brand’s own data before you buy. On paper it is a low-cost, soft, forgiving racket for a first season.
Pros
- Round, soft and built for control
- Hypersoft EVA core for comfort
- Carbon-reinforced heart in a fiberglass racket
- About $85
Cons
- The listing gives no weight or balance
- Only one unit on the US listing at the time of writing
- A fiberglass face has limited power and feedback
- You will outgrow it as you improve
Who is the Varlion LW Hexagon 8.8 for?
The LW Hexagon 8.8 suits beginners and casual players who want a soft, round racket at a low price, and players returning to padel who want a comfortable second racket.
Who the Varlion LW Hexagon 8.8 is not for
Skip it if you want power or you already play at an intermediate level. The LW Carbon Ti is the step up in the same line, and our intermediate racket guide lists rackets with more response. Do not confuse it with the Bourne Hexagon, a hybrid racket that our review aims at advanced players and that showed the same US price.
What to know before you buy the Varlion LW Hexagon 8.8
Weight and balance
The listing gives neither. Our LW Summum and LW Carbon Ti reviews list a low balance for the rest of the LW control line, so expect something similar, but confirm before you buy.
LW Hexagon 8.8 versus the rest of the LW line
The LW Hexagon 8.8 is the starter model at about $85. The LW Carbon Ti is the intermediate step at about $110 and the LW Summum is the premium control racket at about $160.
Stock
The US listing was down to a single unit at the time of writing, so the similar rackets below are worth a look.
How the Varlion LW Hexagon 8.8 plays
Volleys and blocks: A round head and a soft core give a forgiving response at the net.
Defense and lobs: A round racket is the easiest shape to place the ball with from the back of the court.
Smashes: Power is limited, so technique matters more than the racket. Our guide to the kick smash covers a shot that beginners can learn on any frame.
Spin: Expect modest spin from a fiberglass face.
Varlion LW Hexagon 8.8 vs the alternatives
Inside Varlion, the LW Carbon Ti is the intermediate round racket and the LW Summum is the premium one. Outside Varlion, the Joma Game and the Bullpadel Indiga W (~$110) are round beginner rackets. Our best rackets for beginners guide compares the wider field.
Similar rackets if the Varlion LW Hexagon 8.8 sells out
The US listing was down to a single unit at the time of writing, so here are the closest alternatives:
- Joma Game: a round, soft beginner racket
- Bullpadel Indiga W: a round SoftEVA racket with a low balance at about $110
- ACA Roqueta 2: a round fibreglass control racket at about $140
- Varlion LW Carbon Ti: the step up in the same line at about $110
Is the Varlion LW Hexagon 8.8 worth it?
At about $85, the LW Hexagon 8.8 is a fair price for a soft, round beginner racket with a carbon-reinforced heart. It costs a little less than the Indiga W, so it is worth it if you like the Varlion design and the single remaining unit is in good shape.
Conclusion
The Varlion LW Hexagon 8.8 is a soft, round starter racket with a Hypersoft core and a distinctive hole layout. Its strengths are comfort, control and the price. Its weaknesses are missing weight and balance data and thin stock.
Choose it if you are starting out and like the Varlion line. If it sells out, use the similar rackets above, and browse our best padel rackets roundup for every level.
Frequently asked questions about the Varlion LW Hexagon 8.8
Is the Varlion LW Hexagon 8.8 a good racket for beginners?
Yes. The listing describes a starter blade built for control, with a round shape, a soft Hypersoft EVA core and a fiberglass face, for players taking their first steps in padel.
How heavy is the Varlion LW Hexagon 8.8?
The US listing gives no weight or balance. Our LW Summum review describes the LW line as lightweight, but confirm the figure before you buy.
What is Aerodynamic Drilling?
It is Varlion’s name for its hole layout. The listing says drilling the center of the blade creates turbulence, so the layout is designed to add core resistance, more even hits and a bigger sweet spot.
What is a Hypersoft core?
Hypersoft is Varlion’s name for a low-hardness EVA foam. The listing describes a 38 mm Hypersoft core laminated with fiberglass for comfort and feel.
Is the Varlion LW Hexagon 8.8 the same as the Varlion Bourne Hexagon?
No. The Bourne Hexagon is a hybrid racket that our review aims at advanced players, and the LW Hexagon 8.8 is a round, soft starter racket, although both showed about $85 on the US listings. See our Bourne Hexagon review.
What does LW mean on a Varlion racket?
Our LW Summum review describes the LW line as Varlion’s lightweight control range. It groups rounded, low-balance rackets such as the LW Hexagon 8.8, the LW Carbon Ti and the LW Summum.
Can an intermediate player use the Varlion LW Hexagon 8.8?
It is built for beginners, so an intermediate will want more response. The LW Carbon Ti is the step up in the same line.
Is the Varlion LW Hexagon 8.8 worth about $85?
Yes for a first racket, if you like the Varlion design and the remaining unit is in good condition. The Indiga W costs about $25 more.
Kevin Anderson is a Content Writer for SimplePadel. He joined the company during summer 2022. For SimplePadel, he spealizes in testing rackets and writes a lot of our padel racket reviews.
Kevin loves to own the net position and considers himself an attacking-minded player. He often claims that he has the reach of a monkey – thanks to his 6’5″ stature. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking and following the USPA closely.