Review, comparison, and guide of this year's rackets from leading padel racket maker, Bullpadel.
History
Bullpadel is a padel-only brand that was started in 1995 by several padel professionals in Spain. The “bull” in Bullpadel doesn’t refer to an actual bull, but to a bull terrier named Naska, the dog of one of the founders. Bullpadel rackets made in the 90s carried an illustration of this dog.
A Spanish sporting goods provider, Aguirre y Cía, acquired the company in 2015 and professionalized the brand. Their racquets are some of the most technologically advanced, so many of the top professionals, such as Gemma Triay, Alejandra Salazar, Paquito Navarro, Martín Di Nenno, Juan Tello, and Federico Chingotto use them.
They have a wide array of rackets covering all types of players at different price points. They have just released their 2023 line of racquets with updated features. Also, as a result, the 2022 line is now being sold at deep discount, so let’s dive into their best rackets.
Bullpadel racket naming
Most padel brands are guilty of choosing confusing syntax to name their padel rackets. Where helpful, we have tried to explain that as much as possible. We have listed out the names below with their full words instead of the acronyms used in official Bullpadel marketing collateral, e.g. W = Women’s or lighter versions of the racquet targeted towards women or smaller players and CMF = Comfort or slightly lighter, softer versions of the racquets.
Bullpadel’s 2023 racket lineup
Bullpadel’s 2023 racquet line is comprised of 18 racquets in 5 lines (limited edition models are excluded).
Bullpadel racket lines
Bullpadel racket list
Bullpadel’s Pro Line
The Pro line is composed of Bullpadel’s flagship racquets, the Vertex and the Hack, Vertex and Hack variations, and 2 lightweight racquets targeted at female and/or lightweight players, the Elite and the Flow.
Vertex models
bullpadel
Vertex 03
Players seeking an easy to use medium balance diamond with premium features
bullpadel
Vertex 03 CTR
Intermediate and advanced players seeking max control
bullpadel
Vertex 03 Comfort
Intermediate or advanced players seeking a comfortable, playable diamond
About the Vertex line
With 7 years on the market, Bullpadel’s flagship Vertex is a Diamond-shaped racket is its best-seller and hosts all of Bullpadel’s patented features: MultiEVA core, XT Carbon 12K, Vertex, “Vibradrive” vibration reducing handle system, “Air React Channel” to reduce air resistance, “Custom Weight” system on top and bottom of racquet, “Carbon Tube” frame, “Hesacore” vibration-reducing undergrip, “Metalshield” aluminum frame, “Nerve” frame channels, “Topspin” sandblasted rough surface.
Bullpadel offers 3 variations of this model: Vertex 3 Woman, Vertex 3 Comfort, Vertex 3 Control.
Vertex 03
The standard Vertex 03 is a diamond with a medium balance and a medium touch. Its medium touch results in a medium-sized sweet spot and an easy to use ball output compared to other professional level diamond format rackets.
Vertex 03 CTR
The round-shaped CTR or “control” model adopts all the features of the Vertex 03 in a round shape. This widens the sweet spot and lowers the balance. Recommended for precise players seeking a medium touch. Easier to use than the standard Vertex with less power.
Vertex 03 Comfort
The diamond format Vertex 03 Comfort has most of the characteristics on the court as the standard Vertex 03 with mostly fiberglass surface that results in a medium-soft touch and a wider sweet spot. It has a relatively high ball output for a diamond, which makes it easy to defend with.
Hack models
bullpadel
Hack 03
Advanced attackers looking for an agile racket for their aerial game
bullpadel
Hack 03 Comfort
Intermediate players seeking a high balance racket with a comfortable touch
Bullpadel’s flagship Hack is a Diamond-shaped racket. It also hosts all of Bullpadel’s flagship features present in the Vertex 03.
Bullpadel offers 2 variations of this model: the Hack 3 Comfort and the Hack 3 Control.
Hack 03
The Hack 03 is Bullpadel’s second diamond format flagship racket, created jointly with Sevillan hero, Paquito Navarro. The Differences with the Vertex 03 are its rigid heart, slightly wider face at the bottom, and less rough surface.
Hack 03 Comfort
The Hack 03 Comfort is a similar makeup as the Hack 03 with the same mostly fiberglass surface of the Vertex 03 Comfort. This gives it a softer, more forgiving surface than the standard Hack 03, which makes it easier to defend with.
Next line: Ionic and Axym models
bullpadel
Ionic Power
Intermediate players seeking power and comfort
bullpadel
Ionic Control
Intermediate control or defense oriented players
bullpadel
Axym
Intermediate players seeking a comfortable, versatile, lightweight racket
Targeted at recreational players, Bullpadel added the Next line in 2022. This line is composed of medium-soft maneuverable rackets for the intermediate level. It is made up of 4 racquets: Elite Light, Axym, Ionic Power, and Ionic Control.
Bullpadel’s Performance Line
Bullpadel’s Performance Line is composed of 3 rackets designed for beginner and/or intermediate players: BP10 Evo, Flow Light, and the K2 Power.
Bullpadel’s Tour Line
Bullpadel’s Tour Line is composed of 3 versions of the Indigo racket, which is designed for beginner players: Indiga Power, Indiga Control, and Indiga Womens’.
Bullpadel’s Junior Line
Bullpadel’s Junior Line is composed of 3 rackets designed for juniors or kids. It includes junior versions of the flagships, Vertex and Hack, as well as smaller rackets for young kids.
Women’s, light-weight models
bullpadel
Elite
bullpadel
Flow
Players seeking a lightweight diamond racket
The Bullpadel Elite and Bullpadel flow are similar rackets with medium-soft touches and low weights at around 345-360 grams.
Where they differ is in their shapes: Alejandra Salazar’s Elite has a diamond shape with a narrower shape at the neck, which concentrates the sweet spot higher, whereas Gemma Triay’s Flow has a teardrop format which brings the balance and sweet spot lower.
Both are versatile lightweight rackets, with the Elite having a higher sweet spot, which will make it slightly more aggressive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What padel racket does Paquito Navarro play with?
Paquito Navarro plays with the Bullpadel Hack 03.
What does the name Bullpadel come from?
The “bull” in Bullpadel doesn’t refer to an actual bull, but to a bull terrier named “Naska”, the dog of one of the founders. Bullpadel rackets made in the 1990s carried an illustration of this dog.
Frequently Asked Questions
What padel racket does Paquito Navarro play with?
Paquito Navarro plays with the Bullpadel Hack 03.
What does the name Bullpadel come from?
The "bull" in Bullpadel doesn't refer to an actual bull, but to a bull terrier named "Naska", the dog of one of the founders. Bullpadel rackets made in the 1990s carried an illustration of this dog.