Head Radical Pro 2026
Master tactical padel with the Head Radical Pro 2026, a carbon tear-shaped racket built for precision, comfort and total point control.
Padelful Rating
| Rating Metric | Our Rating |
|---|---|
| Power | 7.9 |
| Control | 9.5 |
| Rebound | 7.9 |
| Maneuverability | 8.3 |
| Sweet spot | 8.9 |
Shape
Tear
Weight
370 gr
Touch
Hard
Core
Control FOAM
Faces
3K Carbon
Frame
Carbon fiber
The Head Radical Pro 2026 is a racket clearly aimed at advanced, tactical players who build points with patience and then accelerate with intent. It focuses strongly on control and placement, but still offers enough punch to finish when you step forward and attack.
Technical Analysis
Shape and Balance
The racket comes in a tear-drop shape, which places the sweet spot slightly above the center but still feels very manageable. That geometry helps to combine precision from the back with good acceleration at the net.
The balance is low, and that is one of the key elements of this model. The head does not feel heavy, so the racket swings fast, making it easier to react in quick exchanges, block hard balls, and adjust in tight situations. You do sacrifice a bit of raw power on flat smashes compared with more head-heavy, diamond-shaped models, but you gain a very consistent tactical control profile.
Frame and Surface
The frame is built in carbon fiber, giving the racket a solid, rigid structure. On the faces, you have 3K carbon, which reinforces that firm, stable feeling on impact.
This double carbon construction, combined with Head’s HS Carbon concept, gives a dry, crisp contact. The ball leaves the face quickly, with very little deformation, which advanced players usually appreciate for clean, accurate shots and sharp volleys.
Core
The core uses Control FOAM, a foam focused on precision and ball security rather than trampoline effect. The rebound is moderate. At slow and medium speeds the ball does not fly away, which helps a lot with depth control and lobs.
At higher swing speeds, the foam responds better and the racket wakes up. You still need a decisive swing to get depth and weight on the ball. Players who rely heavily on the racket to do the work for them in defense may find it a bit demanding at times.
Technologies
Some key technologies stand out:
- Auxetic 2.0: improves the feel on off-center hits, giving a more homogeneous response across the surface. It also helps absorb part of the impact, softening the vibrations you would usually feel with such a firm face.
- Optimized Sweet Spot: the effective hitting zone is quite generous for a control-oriented racket. Mishits near the top or towards the sides still keep decent output and direction.
- Smart Bridge: the bridge area is reinforced to provide extra stability on impact, reducing twisting on blocks and volleys.
- Tailored Frame: the frame profile is adjusted along the perimeter to offer consistent performance across the entire head. It makes the racket feel “complete” and predictable, without dead zones.
- Soft Cap +: the soft insert at the end of the grip improves comfort, slightly filters vibrations, and adds a more pleasant feel on the wrist and forearm.
- Graphene Inside: increases structural resistance and contributes to a solid, very controlled sensation in each stroke.
Grip and Handling
The grip length is standard. There is enough space to adjust your hand, and players who like heavier wrist action will feel at ease.
The handle teams very well with the low balance. Quick changes from forehand to backhand, last-second blocks, and aggressive chiquitas are easier because the racket turns fast in the hand. Players with elbow issues will also appreciate the stable but filtered sensation, especially thanks to the Soft Cap +.
Sensations en el Juego
Fondo de pista
From the back of the court, the Head Radical Pro 2026 feels firm and very precise. The touch leans clearly to the hard side, with a compact sensation both in the frame and the face. Defensive players who like to “park” the ball deep with short, lazy swings may struggle at first. The racket asks you to work the stroke and finish the motion.
In exchange, you get exceptional control. Placement on cross-court lobs, deep drives, and lifted shots down the line is very accurate. The Control FOAM core helps keep the ball from sailing long, which is particularly valuable when you are under pressure and need to play with margin but still stay inside the lines.
The Auxetic 2.0 and the enlarged sweet spot are noticeable on uncomfortable hits. Balls taken late or slightly off-center still retain direction and a minimum of depth. That gives confidence in long rallies, where you are constantly adjusting feet and timing.
On high-speed swings from the back, the racket answers better than you might expect from a pure control model. If you accelerate decisively, the carbon construction returns good ball speed. However, players used to “explosive” rackets with soft cores might feel that the output is a touch flatter and more linear. You have to earn the power with your technique.
En la red
At the net, the racket shows most of its strengths. The low balance and fast handling stand out immediately. Volleys feel quick and compact, and it is very easy to close the head to keep the ball low and aggressive.
On standard volleys, the combination of hard touch and stable bridge produces a very clean impact. You can direct the ball with precision, open angles, and vary speeds without losing control. Blocking hard balls is also effective, although here you again need to offer a firm, committed hand. Passive blocks can come out a bit short if you do not accompany the shot.
On bandejas and víboras, the racket performs at a high level. The sweet spot gives confidence when you hit slightly off-center, and the face allows you to apply spin efficiently, even though the feel is dry. The ball leaves with a penetrating trajectory, more flat-aggressive than loopy.
Fast net play is where this model shines. In quick exchanges, the maneuverability lets you react late and still get the racket into position. The hard face makes short, stabbing volleys very effective, and you can finish the point on half-chances by simply accelerating through the ball.
En el remate
On the smash, the Head Radical Pro 2026 behaves well, but with nuances. The frame and 3K carbon faces give enough rigidity to transfer power when you hit cleanly and with good technique. Overheads with proper body rotation and full extension reward you with strong, consistent output.
Flat smashes to bring the ball back to your side of the court are within reach for advanced players who generate their own power. However, this is not a cannon built for pure power hitters. Compared with diamond-shaped, high-balance, softer-core models, you may notice less free power when striking from very deep positions.
On topspin smashes and tactical overheads, the racket behaves better. The control-oriented profile allows you to manage direction, angle, and height with a high success rate. For players who prefer to finish by placing rather than brute forcing every smash, this racket is a great ally.
In short, if your technique is solid and you enjoy constructing the smash instead of simply hitting as hard as possible, the racket will respond. If you rely heavily on the racket to generate easy power on every overhead, you might miss a bit more liveliness.
Conclusion
The Head Radical Pro 2026 positions itself as a reference option for advanced, tactical players who give priority to control, stability, and precise placement over extreme power. It stands out in:
- Back-court control with excellent depth management and shot direction.
- Net play, where maneuverability and firmness provide sharp, aggressive volleys and very reliable bandejas.
- Comfortable, filtered sensation for a hard racket, thanks to Auxetic 2.0 and Soft Cap +, which help reduce harsh vibrations.
On the negative side, it is demanding in defense at low swing speeds, and some players might miss extra punch in smashes, especially those who are used to very lively, soft-core rackets with higher balance.
For players with a strategic, control-first style, who enjoy building the point, attacking with intention, and deciding where each ball goes, the Head Radical Pro 2026 is a very strong candidate to become a main competition racket. If your priority is absolute power above all else, another, more offensive-focused model may suit you better.
