Racket Guide
"Your first racket. Your best start."
The racket doesn't make the player. But it makes the difference.
You're holding a padel racket for the first time – or you're figuring out which one is right for you. No worries. We wrote this guide because we've been there: curious, slightly overwhelmed, and with zero patience for technical jargon.
So: everything you actually need to know. Nothing you don't.
The two racket shapes
At solkài, there are two shapes. Each has its own personality – and each speaks to a different kind of player.
Teardrop
The middle ground.
The sweetspot sits in the middle of the racket – neither at the top nor the bottom. Forgiving enough for beginners, powerful enough for those progressing. More control than a diamond, more power than a round racket. The ideal balance.
For you if: You're starting out and want to get it right from day one. You want control without sacrificing power.
Sol & Luna — Teardrop, Fiberglass, made for entering the game with style.
Diamond
For those who want full power.
The sweetspot sits at the top of the racket. Maximum power on smashes – but you need to be more precise. Mishits let you know immediately. Master this racket and you've mastered the game.
For you if: You have experience. You want to dominate, not just participate. You know what you're doing.
Sol Supremo & Luna Eclipse — Diamond, Carbon, for the next level.
Materials & Technology
No lab report. Just what you actually need to understand.
EVA Foam Core — the core is everything
The core of your racket determines how it feels. All four solkài rackets use the same EVA Foam Core with a hardness of 17 degrees – that's medium. Not too soft, not too hard. Enough feel for control, enough resistance for power.
A deliberate choice: we didn't want a core optimised for just one playing style. 17 degrees works for beginners as well as advanced players – the difference lies in the shape and surface, not the core.
All solkài rackets are tuned so you feel the game – not just hear it.
12K Carbon Fiber
Sol Supremo & Luna Eclipse
Stiffer, more precise, more direct feedback. You feel every hit exactly – that's not a flaw, that's information.
Full Fiberglass
Sol & Luna
Slightly more flexible, more trampoline effect, more forgiving on mishits. Ideal for beginners.
Weight & Balance
Both racket lines weigh 360g (±10g) – a balanced weight that neither fatigues nor feels too light.
- •Sol & Luna: Balance at 265mm (±5mm) — slightly handle-heavy, more control
- •Sol Supremo & Luna Eclipse: Balance at 270mm (±5mm) — slightly head-heavy, more power on smashes
We have four rackets. Not by accident – each has its own soul.
Sol
Warm. Controlled. Your first racket.
Teardrop · Full Fiberglass · EVA Foam 17° · 360g · Balance 265mm · Cream/Beige
Sol is for those who want to start – but not with just anything. The teardrop shape and fiberglass face give you enough control to find your feet and enough power to grow. It forgives, and looks like you've always played. Because your first racket can also be your most beautiful one.
Luna
Elegant. Controlled. For quiet strength.
Teardrop · Full Fiberglass · EVA Foam 17° · 360g · Balance 265mm · Midnight Black
Same soul as Sol, different energy. Luna is for those who prefer to dominate with elegance rather than noise. Teardrop, fiberglass, black – understated in your hand, anything but on court.
Sol Supremo
More power. More ambition.
Diamond · 12K Carbon Fiber · EVA Foam 17° · 360g · Balance 270mm · Cream/Beige
You've got the basics. You want more. The diamond shape pushes the sweetspot upwards – harder smashes, more pressure, more game. Carbon makes it more precise and direct than anything below it. A racket that grows with you – and challenges you at the same time.
Luna Eclipse
Dark. Precise. Relentless.
Diamond · 12K Carbon Fiber · EVA Foam 17° · 360g · Balance 270mm · Midnight Black
Luna Eclipse isn't a beginner's racket – it's a statement. Diamond shape, carbon surface, maximum power at the top. For those who understand what padel can be, and want to get everything out of it. Black. Diamond. Carbon. You know what you're doing.
Quick Overview
| Sol | Luna | Sol Supremo | Luna Eclipse | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shape | Teardrop | Teardrop | Diamond | Diamond |
| Surface | Full Fiberglass | Full Fiberglass | 12K Carbon | 12K Carbon |
| Core | EVA Foam 17° | EVA Foam 17° | EVA Foam 17° | EVA Foam 17° |
| Weight | 360g ±10g | 360g ±10g | 360g ±10g | 360g ±10g |
| Balance | 265mm | 265mm | 270mm | 270mm |
| Level | Beginner | Beginner | Advanced | Advanced |
| Strength | Control + Feel | Control + Elegance | Power + Precision | Power + Dominance |
| Price | 99 CHF | 99 CHF | 139 CHF | 139 CHF |
Care & Longevity
A well-cared-for racket lasts years. A neglected one: months.
Do's
- Wipe dry after every session — sweat attacks the surface.
- Transport in a protective cover — edge damage is the most common cause of racket death.
- Store at room temperature — not in the car boot in summer (heat deforms the core).
- Replace grip tape regularly — every 10–15 hours of play, depending on intensity.
Don'ts
- Never hit your racket against the wall or floor – even when you're losing.
- Don't play in the rain without protecting the racket afterwards.
- Never clean with solvents.
Still unsure? We've got you.
No guide in the world replaces a conversation. Write to us – we're padel nerds, not salespeople.
hello@solkaisports.comFrom players. For players. With style.
Stephano & Jessica