Is your racket showing some wear and tear? Do you need to think about replacing it or is it just cosmetic damage? Learn about that in our ultimate guide to how long a padel racket lasts.
How long do padel rackets last?
Padel rackets last up to 100 sessions for recreational players, so 6-12 months for players at the court 2-3x per week. This lifetime scales up or down depending on the amount used, the style of play, as well as the materials used in, and the quality of the racket’s construction.
The reduced absorption of the foam of an old racket will send strong vibrations to your arm, so players with a history of tennis elbow, or epicondylitis, in particular, should replace their rackets regularly. Players should switch their rackets immediately when possible as rackets with cracked frames will have unpredictable behavior.
The padel racket core’s foam is compressed
The last sign a racket should be replaced is when the foam has compressed too much. This happens gradually over a lot of shots, so it is difficult to perceive. If you have access to an unused model, push into the racket face to compare the compression in the old racket versus the new one. If that’s not possible, check the compression in different areas of both sides of the racket face. Compressed cores lose their “spring” and will compress but feel harder. If that doesn’t give you clarity, go with your gut, your hand will perceive the additional vibrations resulting from a compressed core.
How to make your padel racket last longer?
The simplest and most effective ways to increase the lifespan of your racket are not difficult, so we recommend doing the following in order to make your racket last as long as possible.
Store your racket away from the sun, temperature swings, humidity, and heavy objects
The padel racket’s rubber foam core is the most delicate part of the padel racket and it is sensitive to its environment. Storing your racket in a dry place at room temperature will prevent your foam core from deteriorating prematurely.
Do not leave your racket in the sun or in low temperatures below -15° or high temperatures above 40°C. Cars are greenhouses, so avoid keeping your racket in the car.
Temperature swings and being left in the sun result in the racket materials, especially the foam core, expanding and contracting. This shifting causes the foam to age quickly. The foam absorbs water present in its environment, which causes it to swell up, and then when it dries and contracts, it has again aged significantly.
Store your racket vertically away from heavy objects that can compress the face. A padel racket bag will deliver ease of packing for padel while extending the lifetime of your gear. A racket cover with thermal insulation can be found for roughly €10, this one for example.
Play with conscientiousness
Players should behave on the court as they feel most comfortable, of course, but there are two important considerations regarding the lifespan of your racket.
One, the easiest way to destroy your racket is by slamming it into your partner’s on a shot in the middle. After breaking a racket this way, I am careful on ambiguous balls in the middle of the court when I don’t know where my partner is. Proceeding with caution in these situations and maybe missing a point or two here or there may be better for your game in the long term.
Second, taking your frustration out on your racket on off days in addition to prematurely aging your racket likely makes the people you are playing with uncomfortable. So consider another way to blow off the steam in a competitive match. Be a fun player to invite to matches!
Stopgap supergluing
Players cracking their racket surfaces may be able to extend the useful lifespan of their rackets somewhat by supergluing the surface together.
Results from Testfakta-Testea’s study on racket durability
Mentioned rackets
kuikma
PR990 Hybrid Soft
All levels of players seeking a versatile medium touch racket
head
Alpha Pro
Intermediate players seeking a versatile, control racket
nox
Equation World Padel Tour
Players looking for comfort and maneuverability
People also ask
Do expensive rackets last longer than cheap rackets?
In short, no. Some inexpensive rackets have been tested to be more durable than more expensive ones. The most important considerations are the rackets materials and the quality of construction, which are not directly correlated with price.
Harder materials, such as low thread count carbon fiber and high density foam cores lead to more durable rackets, but these rackets are also harder to play with so we do not urge all players to play with them.
Can padel rackets be repaired?
Padel rackets can be repaired by a specialist or at home with a DIY repair kit, such as this one on Amazon. These repairs won’t have the racket working as new, but it can extend the racket’s lifespan for the mid-term.
Will a padel racket protector extend the life of my racket?
Padel racket protectors are thin pieces of plastic stuck to the top of the racket frame.
Their use is more controversial than one would think. Not all protectors are made the same, some do provide significant protection, while some seem merely decorative.
Additionally, some players use them only to increase the balance of their racket. Some change the texture of the racket on the glass and fence, which can reduce the player’s ability to dig balls out of the corners. Many are so thin and delicate that they provide slightly more protection than a paint job. They can help prevent a racket’s surface from falling apart along the top of the frame for a short time.
Will upgrading my padel racket improve my game?
Upgrading your padel racket will only help you improve your game if you are currently playing with a damaged padel racket that responds in unpredictable ways, or otherwise feel uncomfortable with your padel racket. If you would like help in finding the right padel racket for your style of play and level, email us at hello@padel.fyi, or check out How to Choose a Padel Racket or our List of Best Padel Rackets in 2023.
What is the most durable padel racket?
As a result of the destructive nature of testing durability, unfortunately, there is very little objective data regarding the durability of padel rackets. Nevertheless, the aforementioned Testfakta study, wherein racket response was measured before and after being hammered with balls and metal weights, is the best study of padel racket durability. Their study determined that the Kuikma PR990 Hybrid Soft was the most durable racket of the 8 intermediate rackets selected.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do padel rackets last?
Padel rackets last 6-12 months for recreational players playing twice a week - shorter for smashers with soft rackets and vice versa.
How do I know when to replace my padel racket?
You should replace your racket if the face has cracks through the carbon fiber (or fiberglass) surface, if there are cracks in the frame, or if the foam is significantly compressed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do padel rackets last?
Padel rackets last 6-12 months for recreational players playing twice a week - shorter for smashers with soft rackets and vice versa.
How do I know when to replace my padel racket?
You should replace your racket if the face has cracks through the carbon fiber (or fiberglass) surface, if there are cracks in the frame, or if the foam is significantly compressed.