Guide · facts checked 15 Oct 2026
EVA vs foam core: soft, medium, hard padel rackets
Soft cores give more ball output and comfort; hard cores deliver more power and control, says Playtomic and Stock Padel. The catalogue on 15 October 2026 shows most adult rackets use EVA, not foam.
Catalogue Facts
207 adult rackets with full makeup
- Surface
- 122 carbon · 52 fibreglass · 32 mixed
- Core
- 165 EVA · 37 foam · 5 other
- Shop ratings: 72 soft · 70 medium · 65 hard
- Weight
- 300–375 g
- median 365 g · up to 355 g: 55 · 356–365 g: 94 · over 365 g: 58
- Balance
- 235–275 mm
- median 265 mm · thirds split at 260 and 265 mm
checked 16 Oct 2026 · 9 sources, 590 product pages read
Cores in the catalogue
Catalogue of 16 Oct 2026, 207 rackets with full makeup
Core feel by shop rating
Ratings from Tennis-Point and Padel-Point product pages
| Surface × core feel | Soft | Medium | Hard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon face | 31 | 44 | 47 |
| Fibreglass face | 26 | 12 | 14 |
| Mixed face | 15 | 13 | 4 |
EVA or foam: what they are
EVA is a rubber-like, firmer core offered in Soft, Medium and Hard densities; Stock Padel says EVA gives more control, power and durability. Foam — also called polyethylene by shops — is softer and spongier and gives greater ball exit with less effort, according to Stock Padel.
On 15 October 2026 the catalogue listed 487 adult and junior models in total, and the shops named core material for many of them: 160 rackets use EVA, 37 use foam and 5 use another name. Of those, 202 adult rackets have full makeup (shape, weight, balance) and appear in the finder.
- EVA: firmer, better for control and power (Stock Padel).
- Foam / polyethylene: softer, more ball exit and comfort (Stock Padel).
- Try both types; Playtomic explicitly recommends on-court comparison.
Soft, medium, hard: what shops rate
Tennis-Point and Padel-Point split core hardness into Soft, Medium and Hard. Their product pages show 70 rated Soft, 69 Medium and 63 Hard in the catalogue sample read on 15 October 2026.
Playtomic summarises the trade-off: hard cores transfer more energy for power and add precision, but feel less comfortable and increase vibration; soft cores give higher ball output and reduce vibration, but lose some raw power and may wear faster.
- Soft: more ball exit, less vibration, suited to beginners and defensive players (Playtomic, Stock Padel).
- Medium: balance of comfort and control, often chosen by allround players.
- Hard: more power and precision, recommended for advanced or attacking players (Playtomic).
- Count by shop: 70 Soft, 69 Medium, 63 Hard (Tennis-Point, Padel-Point).
How core and face combine
Shops list the face material too: among the 202 rackets with full makeup, 118 have carbon faces, 52 have fibreglass and 31 use a carbon/fibreglass mix. A carbon face over a hard core typically increases stiffness and power; fibreglass over a soft core usually increases comfort and responsiveness.
Stock Padel and Playtomic describe suitability by combination: a hard EVA core with carbon favours attacking, advanced players; a foam core with fibreglass suits comfort-seeking or injury-prone players. For shape and balance advice see the guides on racket shape and weight — start with the racket finder and then check weight and balance.
- Hard EVA + carbon: power and control for advanced players.
- Soft foam + fibreglass: ball output and comfort for beginners or those with arm issues.
- Mixed faces and medium cores: an allround compromise for intermediate players.
- If you prefer a forgiving head shape, compare round and teardrop options in the catalogue: round or teardrop.
Questions
Which core suits a beginner?
Shops and guides recommend a soft foam core for beginners because it increases ball exit and comfort, making rallies easier (Playtomic, Stock Padel). Soft cores also reduce vibration, which helps players who are new to the sport.
Will a hard core give me more power?
Yes. Playtomic says harder cores transfer more energy to the ball and give more power and precision. Shops rate many rackets as hard for players seeking an attacking style, but harder cores can feel less comfortable and increase vibration.
Is foam better in cold weather?
Stock Padel notes that foam (polyethylene) maintains elasticity well in cold climates, so it can keep ball exit predictable when temperatures fall. EVA can feel firmer in cold conditions.
How many rackets in the catalogue use EVA?
On 15 October 2026 the shops named EVA as the core for 160 rackets, while 37 used foam and 5 used another name; 202 adult rackets had full makeup and appear in the finder.
Where the facts come from
Every number on this page comes from these pages, read on the date shown.
- Tennis-Point UKchecked 15 Oct 2026https://www.tennis-point.co.uk/collections/padel
- Playtomicchecked 15 Oct 2026https://playtomic.com/blog/soft-hard-padel-racket
- Stock Padelchecked 15 Oct 2026https://www.stockpadel.com/blog/en/differences-between-foam-and-eva-rubber-2/