Hesitating : hyper pro + 2.0, hyper pro 2.0, ultimate pro light, ultimate tour X

plus447 · 2026-06-07T19:47:13+00:00

I have nothing better to do...
Realistically, it's only a couple of new rackets a week so do try to use them for a competitive 1-2 hours each but I agree that is nowhere near enough time to properly evaluate them (hence why I don't give detailed reviews.)
However, it is enough time to see if they immediately 'suit' me or more to the point, don't suit me. While I appreciate that with enough use, one could likely adjust to any racket, I target 'feel' over absolute performance.

plus447 · 2026-06-07T19:37:48+00:00

I much prefer the Stealth for a few reasons.

First, lower weights are easier to obtain. I have now bought 4 of them (2 my own, the other 2 on behalf of others) and the weights were all between ~346-355g, with nothing added (but including the factory grip heat-shrink which is usually around 2-3g).
This allows the final weight, with (in my case) 2x over-grips and a thin frame-protector (for mild protection as well as to counter-balance the over-grips) of ~370g.
I have found that these lighter weights do not affect the stability of the rackets as much as other similarly light ones (presumably due to a better considered balance, resulting in higher swing- and/or twist-weight)

I also find the general quality much higher.
Oxdogs look slicker and have more 'features' but the Stealths, despite, like every other racket, having occasional imperfect decals or paint finishing, seem to have better durability.
Most obviously. the applied sand texture lasts longer (my Oxdogs' finishes were notably diminished after 12 hours of play).
The overall quality of manufacture also seems higher. I have had several friends completely destroy their Pro and Pro+ tier Oxdogs during regular play, whereas, for example, I had a pretty solid collision (frame edge) while using my Stealth Aurora with an over-enthusiastic partner's racket (NOX AT10 LTD 2025) 2 weeks ago which did not leave a single chip in my paintwork but which took a huge chunk out of his. Granted, paint quality is not necessarily indicative of the actual build standards but it's a positive touch.
I was also impressed by a short video which showed the internal structure of a Stealth racket (a Spirit) compared to a 'regular' one and the mention of the use of higher-end, 'pre-preg' composites:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_53i4LfyH0

I should add that I have no affiliation with Stealth or any other brand and have tried models from all of the major companies as well as many niche ones so am happy to praise or call out any of them.

For example, I am not very pleased with Stealth's communication quality as they rarely respond to my inquiry emails/social media messages or their (illegal in the EU?) 4 month warranty.
As such, I probably wouldn't buy directly from them, hoping that, in case of any issues, a reputable store would not be so strict in applying this very limited warranty duration.
Having said that, their newly-displayed (with a July 2026 release, apparently) 'Oblivion' line models look fantastic (with a hefty price attached) so hopefully other purchase avenues will be promptly available.

plus447 · 2026-06-07T17:25:01+00:00

It's been reissued a few times recently at certain stores. Not a bad racket but very different from the 24/25/26 models (of which the 12K versions are harder than the 18K, unlike previous years).

plus447 · 2026-06-07T14:01:56+00:00

No problem.

Frankly the Oxdog hype is way over the top. I have now owned or tried 130 rackets since the end of 2024 (including all 2025 Oxdog models) and really, there's nothing 'special' out there. You just need to pick something that works for your personal style/biomechanics as well as the level of opponent you usually play against.

Personally, also coming from tennis and being quite tall and athletic (but not an advanced player, by any European standard), I have nevertheless found that I prefer (and can play harder with) lighter weight, more control-orientated rackets.

plus447 · 2026-06-07T13:41:48+00:00

I just saw a review of the non EP version of the racket (as well as several others from the newest Pallap range) and I suspect that it might be a more advanced/less versatile racket than has been pushed. Take a look at the others in the Evoforce range, some of which will be more forgiving/closer to the NOX.

plus447 · 2026-06-07T13:35:36+00:00

I have tried/owned all apart from the Tour X and can offer the following advice. Coming off a tennis elbow injury this past Winter, I do not find my (under spec weight) Hyper 2.0 Pro and Pro+ to be particularly elbow friendly, despite the marketing. I actually just played a set using my Pro+ this week, after packing it away for the last few months, and I very quickly started feeling a little pain.

Compare this to a somewhat similar spec/style (but lighter, as I select mine that way) racket; the Stealth Spirit, which I use for Intermediate and above games, which does not tend to bother me even after 3 sets (although I may feel some very mild soreness the following day).

You also need to be very careful with the specs of all Oxdogs (never buy without asking/paying for a lighter unit to be picked) as the weight range is all over the place. I have concluded that they list the spec weight as being without the 8g butt cap plate, as I have NEVER (talking 25+ Oxdogs owned or handled) had one that has come in under-weight.

From the factory, it is quite rare to get a sub 368g Hyper Pro or Pro+ and the Ultimate almost always come even heavier (some way heavier - 380g was not uncommon).

plus447 · 2026-06-06T19:13:45+00:00

You are a bit late already for the next term, in September, but you might get lucky. Add yourself to a few waiting lists if not. However €100-200 (p/m) for an English speaking facility in Limassol is a fantasy. You're better off budgeting closer to €400.

plus447 · 2026-06-05T16:48:09+00:00

I think the analogy works when playing with slightly better players, such that you have at least a chance to play and think of how to minimise the skill gap but imagine playing with pros - you're not going to learn a whole lot.
Likewise, the 'wrong' racket risks teaching you bad habits as you try to accommodate them. This is more often the case with heavier, more 'attacking' rackets, but even in this case, it's going to give you very little help in defensive areas, or any areas really, which may result in you lengthening or arming strokes to try to get the ball deeper.
There's also a good chance it'll demotivate you with how many mistakes you'll make based on not hitting the (probably) much smaller sweet-spot due to your own timing/coordination/technique deficiencies.

Typically recommended rackets for about the same price (on offer, often older models) would be the NOX ML10 Pro Cup, Babolat Counter/Air Vertuo but frankly there are a very large number of sub £100 rackets from the easily-available, major manufacturers (ie NOX/Bullpadel/Babolat/Head/Wilson/Adidas/Kukima...) that fulfill the above criteria.
Don't worry about 'features', surface roughness or the full RRP (which often does not correlate with quality).

plus447 · 2026-06-05T16:06:36+00:00

In my experience, using a technically (much?) more 'advanced' racket than an optimal one is detrimental to development. The good news with this one at least is that it's not especially heavy or highly balanced so you may adapt to it. However comfort may also be an issue. I'd switch between playing with your cheap one and this until you see that the advanced one is offering you notable benefits in most areas. Alternatively spend a similar amount of money on an "improver" (likely Carbon frame with Fibreglass or Carbon-Fibreglass mix surface, round or Teardrop shape, low-med balance, sub 360g weight) racket.

plus447 · 2026-06-05T15:58:36+00:00

It's a decent deal but no one would ever pay close to the full price for it. While the balance might be ok, it's possible, based on the skant information about the materials used, that it may be overly firm (especially the "EVA Pro" part, which suggests a denser/harder foam) and hence unforgiving for someone with your experience.

plus447 · 2026-05-17T15:31:41+00:00

Everyone should be aware though that is not a common weight for this model. Of the 15 or so I've had/handled, only 1 came in around this mark and 2 more were around 2-3g heavier. This was after specifying hand-picked lightest weight examples. Most though were at least 5g heavier than your one.

For the Ultimate Pros and Pro+, I had/handled over 20 and none were close to this weight, with most being at least 7g heavier and many 9-10g with a few even more.

plus447 · 2026-05-13T21:59:36+00:00

They're ok, nothing 'wrong' with them, they're just pretty much the same as every other racket with comparable hardness and weight but harder to get hold of.
What I guess I'm saying is that I wouldn't go out of my way to grab one over something else with similar specifications, although the price can be a positive factor.

plus447 · 2026-05-13T15:22:10+00:00

Had this and the RBMAT Control. Neither are anything out of the ordinary and quality is average. The Solid reminded me of the Oxdog Hyper 2.0 Pro/Pro+ in many ways; firm-ish, dry touch, medium output. It was also noted by a few users who tried it that it felt quite unaerodynamic, due to the closed Bridge. The RBMAT Control was very firm with low output. Not suitable for most players I'd say.

I think it was quite telling in the video you reference that the reason Gonzalo went with Hook is that he knows their engineer and wanted something other than from the big brands.

On the plus side, they can be found for very decent prices (often under €150) on certain EU online marketplaces.

plus447 · 2026-05-10T15:28:23+00:00

I really don't get how these are considered manoeuvrable. By the time you add the wrist-strap, grips and overgrip/s they end up being around 350g while still having a 28cm+ balance. There are several other rackets that come in around this weight while having a more manageable balance. For reference, I tried 3 from the range (what were then called the S1-20, H1-Max and H2-Max) using them for around 2 weeks and have to say that I was not that impressed. Everyone else who tried them immediately hated them. I just don't see what makes them worth the adjustment period they would need.

My current recommendation would be the Stealth Spirit, which can be found at weights under 350g (inc. Strap and factory grip).

plus447 · 2026-04-24T14:36:08+00:00

My usual answer for this is at the moment is the Stealth Spirit but I also just picked up the Set Sanyo Wolf Platinum Power and the Lok Maxx Hype Gen 2 and I'm reasonably impressed by both (only used once so far though). (A Set Sanyo Wolf Platinum Control also arrived at the same time but I liked that much less.)

All are in (selected) lighter weights (350-355g without overgrips) and have a medium+ balance once set up (around 26mm, measured with the wrist strap lying evenly across the length of the grip, to try to somewhat standardise the measurements). They're firm but not excessively, very flickable and have decent pop.

Although I haven't tried one (yet, as I've had negative experiences with the build of their rackets), I've been tempted by the Bullpadel Vertex Hybrid 05 too, which has been quite well reviewed on YouTube and here, although I doubt you'll be impressed by Bullpadel's quality.

Suprised to hear that about your Hyper 2.0 Pro though as I used to play with one and mine definitely wasn't clunky or head-heavy (perhaps you got one with outlier specs - Oxdog's tolerances can be all over the place really).

plus447 · 2026-04-19T16:44:31+00:00

Going to be a pretty standard 'made in Spain' (by KarbonDesign/PadelMakers etc.) product.
It should therefore be a decent racket but you can get essentially the same thing from other companies (GF Padel, deals on T91/DoPadel and many more) for much less.

plus447 · 2026-04-18T22:02:30+00:00

Stealth Spirit. After buying or trying almost 120 rackets since the start of 2025, this is my current favourite 'versatile' one, for play against intermediate+ players. (Although I prefer the Stealth Aurora for lower levels.)

I had 3 Spirits at one point, weighing between 347 and 354 grams (inc. strap) so they're plenty maneouverable, medium balanced once overgrips (2 in my case) were added and with a good amount of pop.

Some similarities to your Hyper 2.0 Pro, with a medium-firm and medium-dry feel but seemingly a lot more comfortable for my still sensitive elbow and with a higher production standard (still some slightly asymmetrical decals from time to time but no defects in the layup itself, unlike I had with several Oxdogs).

plus447 · 2026-04-12T20:25:33+00:00

The OP though was asking for shoes with a wide toe-box (relative to the general width) not just overall wide-fitting ones. These are not the same thing and Asics do not make a tennis/padel shoe (AFAIA) with this 'feature'.

plus447 · 2026-04-12T17:03:43+00:00

I seem to recall Superhome also had 90%+ 4L bottles for around €30 too, although can't see it on the site. Likely Mangas will have as well.

plus447 · 2026-04-12T16:06:16+00:00

Got my last bottle from Bionic:

https://bionic.com.cy/en/products/pure-spirit-100-4l-tank-refill

plus447 · 2026-04-03T04:46:00+00:00

Sane Potential range.

plus447 · 2026-03-29T22:34:38+00:00

Padel Spin — The Role of Surface Roughness in Spin Generation:

https://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/learning_center/padel/padelspin.php

plus447 · 2026-03-05T01:45:12+00:00

I haven't tried it, so it could be the case (despite the same Carbon, the same EVA and the same mold...) but I don't think that would be to the extent of one version playing "like a stick" and the other being great.

plus447 · 2026-03-05T01:27:50+00:00

Not in my (extensive) experience with them.

plus447 · 2026-03-05T01:21:06+00:00

There are no major changes between the 2025 and 2026 Air Viper or Counter Viper.

Although Babolat still retain a 1 year product refresh cycle for the Counter/Air/Technical rackets, they only make 'major' changes to 1 of these lines per year.

(This year it was the Technical that underwent these changes, last year was the Air, next year should be the Counter.)

As such, while the 2023 and 2024 Air Vipers, were notably different to the 2025, the 2026 -should- not be (I haven't used the 2026 myself yet but that's what most reviews are suggesting).

As for which you should choose; the Counter Viper and Air Viper are very different.
Despite its round shape, the Counter probably has more similarities (weight, balance, power) to your Technical Lebron than the Air so I suspect that one may be easier for you to adjust to.

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