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HEAD Radical Tour for casual or backup duty; Hyperion CFS 16mm if you're a weekly intermediate chasing spin.
A budget-friendly all-rounder against a serious mid-range performer. The HEAD Radical Tour is £50 and pitched at all levels. The JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16mm is £75-100, 215-230g, elongated, Reactive Honeycomb polymer core, Carbon Friction Surface, 4 1/4 inch grip.
The Hyperion is the paddle most coaches in UK clubs point intermediate players towards, and there's a reason. The Carbon Friction Surface generates the spin you need for serves and third-shot drops, and the elongated shape extends your reach without feeling unwieldy. The 16mm core does feel stiff to some players coming off softer paddles, and the price is properly mid-range.
The Radical Tour at £50 is hard to fault as a starter or a knock-around. It won't do what the Hyperion does on spin, but it gets you on court without any commitment.
Hand-written editorial — not auto-generated. By Gary, RacketRise.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Pickleball Paddles | Pickleball Paddles |
| Sport | Pickleball | Pickleball |
| Skill Level | Beginner | Intermediate |
| Weight | — | 215-230g |
| Shape | Standard | Elongated |
| Core | Polymer honeycomb | Reactive Honeycomb polymer |
| Surface | Fibreglass | Carbon Friction Surface |
| Grip Size | — | 4 1/4" |
| Core Thickness | — | 16mm |
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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The main differences are: Shape: HEAD Radical has Standard vs Elongated. Core: HEAD Radical has Polymer honeycomb vs Reactive Honeycomb polymer. Surface: HEAD Radical has Fibreglass vs Carbon Friction Surface. Overall, the HEAD Radical Tour Pickleball Paddle is best for beginners while the JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16mm Pickleball Paddle suits intermediate players.
The HEAD Radical Tour Pickleball Paddle is the better choice for beginners thanks to its forgiving design and accessible price point. The JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16mm Pickleball Paddle is aimed at intermediate players and may be more demanding to use effectively.
The JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16mm Pickleball Paddle (£75-100) costs more than the HEAD Radical Tour Pickleball Paddle (£50). Whether the premium is worth it depends on your skill level — if you are intermediate players, the extra investment in the JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16mm Pickleball Paddle can pay off.