Adidas Arrow Hit Padel Racket vs Babolat Counter Viper Padel Racket — Padel Rackets Comparison UK 2026

A genuine improver bracket comparison, £50 apart, and one that actually rewards thinking through carefully. The Adidas Arrow Hit at £120 is a round-shape, EVA Soft, forgiving frame aimed squarely at beginners and early improvers, with a 265mm balance and sub-365g weight. The Babolat Counter Viper at £170 is a teardrop with a foam-injected core and a higher 270mm balance, designed for the player who's settled their technique and wants more pop on smashes. Round versus teardrop is the real decision here, not price - if you're still mishitting often in matches, the Arrow's forgiveness saves you embarrassment. Buy the Adidas Arrow Hit if you're in your first year or play under once a week, otherwise go for the Babolat Counter Viper. For UK improvers who've been playing 18 months and feel the Arrow Hit holding them back on smashes and overheads, the Counter Viper is the natural progression - more spin grip on the rough face, more punch on volleys, but you give up some forgiveness on bad days. £50 is the price of confidence in your own technique.