Transparency
How Padel Chapter scores
The Padel Chapter Score assesses rackets and padel shoes through their technical characteristics. It is never based on marketing claims or brand relationships.
How we build the Padel Chapter Score
A consistent method ensures every racket is assessed across the same dimensions and on the same scale.
Technical foundation
Shape, balance, weight, materials and construction provide the consistent technical foundation for every Padel Chapter Score.
Playing profile
The score translates technical characteristics into what they mean for power, control, comfort, manoeuvrability and forgiveness on court.
Ongoing calibration
The scoring model is recalibrated when new product information or playing experience refines our understanding of a racket.
More about Padel Chapter's background and who assesses the products: about Padel Chapter.
The seven dimensions
Each dimension is scored from 1 to 10 independently. There is no automatic trade-off: a racket can score highly for both power and control.
Example radar chart
Head
Extreme Motion 2025
8.4
Padel Chapter
Padel shoes
The Padel Chapter Score for padel shoes
We assess padel shoes for grip, stability, cushioning, comfort, durability and ventilation. The technical construction always comes first: tread and rubber, stabilising elements, cushioning, upper, protection, weight and last. Price, brand relationships and popularity do not contribute.
Grip
Traction, controlled sliding and agility on court.
Stability
Support when pushing off, braking and moving sideways.
Cushioning
Absorption of repeated impact during longer sessions.
Comfort
Fit, pressure distribution and comfort while moving.
Durability
Resistance to outsole and upper wear during regular use.
Ventilation
Airflow and heat release through the upper.
Scale and refinement
The scale runs from 5.5 to 9.0+. A high score requires several independent, demonstrable technical strengths. A model does not automatically receive a higher score because of its price or position in a range. When Padel Chapter tests a model on court, that experience can refine the technical score within a limited margin. The same rules apply to every model, and the displayed score always uses one decimal place.
Padel Chapter score
The Padel Chapter score is not an average of the seven dimensions. A racket is assessed on how well it serves its intended players. Specialists are not penalised for specialising: a power racket with low comfort is assessed on the power it delivers, rather than what it sacrifices. Price, market position and popularity never contribute to the score. Two or more dimensions rated 5 or below represent a measurable limitation that reduces the overall score.
| Score | Playing level | What this means |
|---|---|---|
| 8.5–9.0 | Exceptional | A category leader. Offers qualities comparable rackets cannot. |
| 8.0–8.4 | Top tier | A strong choice for its intended players. Clear strengths and acceptable limitations. |
| 7.5–7.9 | Strong recommendation | A good racket with a few limitations. Worth buying if its strengths suit your game. |
| 7.0–7.4 | Good choice | Solid, with clear trade-offs. Needs a specific context to be the best choice. |
| 6.5–6.9 | Clear trade-offs | For niche use or a limited budget. Noticeable limitations during play. |
| 6.0–6.4 | Severely limited | Measurable limitations across several dimensions. Only suitable at a substantially different price or for a specific use. |
| 5.5–5.9 | Not recommended | Several dimensions rated 5 or below. No identifiable player group that would prefer it to alternatives. |
The three pillars
The Padel Chapter score remains our editorial overall assessment and takes precedence. Below it, three pillars provide context: they explain why a racket receives its score. The pillars are derived from the existing dimensions. They never feed into the Padel Chapter score and are never an average of it. Price plays no part in either assessment.
- Performance potential
- The racket's maximum performance potential. The average of power, control and smash.
- Playability
- How easily you can play good padel with this racket. The average of comfort, forgiveness, sweet spot, manoeuvrability and defence.
- Character
- The racket's playing character, derived from its player profile: Power, Attacking, All-round, Control or Defensive. A description, not a number.
Why a top model sometimes scores lower
The pillars reveal what a single number cannot. A technically demanding racket can have greater performance potential yet a lower Padel Chapter score than a more accessible racket, because it is harder to play well with it.
Babolat Technical Viper 2.5
A demanding power model: maximum performance, but harder to play consistently with.
Babolat Counter Veron 2.6 2026
More accessible: lower peak performance, but much easier to play well with.
The Counter Veron has a higher Padel Chapter score, while the Technical Viper has greater performance potential. This is not a contradiction: the pillars explain the difference.
Now you know how it works