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Buy the Metalbone CTRL only if you're a tournament-level player; the Counter Viper is the smarter pick for the rest of us.
Big spec gap, big price gap. The Metalbone CTRL 3.4 at £270-330 is tour-spec: 18K carbon, EVA Hard Performance core, diamond shape, high balance, Smart Holes. Surgical at speed, brutal on mishits.
The Babolat Counter Viper at £170 is the all-levels Viper variant, friendlier than the Technical Viper, with enough Viper character to feel competitive but without the unforgiving edge of a flagship diamond.
My take: - Metalbone CTRL if you're playing tournaments and chasing the absolute top of the control category, the 18K carbon is a real, felt difference. - Counter Viper if you want a properly capable racket at half the money and you're realistic about your level.
For most UK players this is straightforward. The Metalbone is a luxury that only reveals itself at high standard. The Counter Viper is the racket you'll actually play your best padel with, because you won't be tense about £300 of kit and you won't be punished every time your technique slips. Spend the £100+ saved on lessons.
Hand-written editorial — not auto-generated. By Gary, RacketRise.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Padel Rackets | Padel Rackets |
| Sport | Padel | Padel |
| Skill Level | Advanced | Advanced |
| Weight | 360-375g | 365-380g |
| Shape | Diamond | Diamond |
| Balance | High | High |
| Core | EVA Hard Performance | Hard EVA |
| Surface | 18K Carbon fibre | Carbon fibre |
| Thickness | 38mm | 38mm |
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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The main differences are: Weight: Adidas Metalbone has 360-375g vs 365-380g. Core: Adidas Metalbone has EVA Hard Performance vs Hard EVA. Surface: Adidas Metalbone has 18K Carbon fibre vs Carbon fibre. Overall, the Adidas Metalbone CTRL 3.4 Padel Racket is best for advanced players while the Babolat Counter Viper Padel Racket suits advanced players.
Neither is specifically designed for beginners — the Adidas Metalbone CTRL 3.4 Padel Racket suits advanced players and the Babolat Counter Viper Padel Racket suits advanced players. Beginners may find both challenging.
The Adidas Metalbone CTRL 3.4 Padel Racket (£270-330) costs more than the Babolat Counter Viper Padel Racket (£170). Whether the premium is worth it depends on your skill level — if you are advanced players, the extra investment in the Adidas Metalbone CTRL 3.4 Padel Racket can pay off.