Adidas Metalbone Carbon 3.3 2024

Technologies

Pros

• ✓The low-density Soft Performance EVA core delivers explosive ball exit on the smash by 3: the rebound comes through fast without forcing your arm to get the ball over the glass The Octagonal Structure stiffens the 38 mm frame and kills twist on off-centre hits toward the tip, exactly where the diamond shape concentrates mass and where most overhead smashes land The sandy-finish Spin Blade Decal really bites into the ball on viboras and cut bandejas: the spin genuinely grips and the ball kicks away toward the back glass instead of skidding flat The 485 cm² hitting surface offsets some of the diamond's demanding nature, giving a touch more margin than you'd expect from a racket of this profile on blocked volleys The Metalbone Protector Tape guards the top edge, the first area to take wall scrapes on a racket built to play this tight to the glass

Cons

• ✗The head-heavy balance demands early preparation: in deep defence and tight wall exits, the racket arrives late if you don't anticipate the weight shift At 375 g, toward the top of the range, long mid-court volley exchanges take a toll on the forearm sooner than with a rounder shape The diamond's sweet spot is narrow and shifted toward the tip: shots that land near the throat come out muted, without the ball exit the rest of the racket promises This is a 45.5 cm racket that demands solid technique; without a consolidated smash and good footwork, the extra power turns into long balls

Adidas Metalbone Carbon 3.3 2024 Review: Pablo Cardona's Point-Finishing Diamond

The Adidas Metalbone Carbon 3.3 2024 is a diamond-shaped competition padel racket with a 6K carbon face, a Soft Performance EVA core and a 38 mm frame, weighing 360 to 375 grams with a 485 cm² hitting surface. It's the signature racket of Premier Padel player Pablo Cardona, and the intent is obvious from the first shot: this is a 100% offensive racket.

There's no comfort trade-off here. Everything is built so the ball exits fast and high when your arm gets there on time.

What Does the Octagonal Structure Add to a 38 mm Frame?

The Octagonal Structure is a tubular, octagon-section build integrated into the frame profile. Its job is straightforward: boost frame stiffness without adding bulk.

On a 38 mm diamond, that extra rigidity means the frame doesn't flex or twist when contact drifts toward the tip or the edge. The racket responds the same way on a clean smash as on one that lands half a centimetre off-centre — something less reinforced diamond shapes will punish with a noticeable loss of direction.

Structural Reinforcement backs that up at the highest-stress points, and the Metalbone Protector Tape shields the top edge — the area that takes the brunt of wall contact on a racket played this close to the glass.

6K Carbon Over Soft Performance EVA: Stiffness Without Harsh Feedback

This is the most interesting engineering call on this padel racket. The face is 6K carbon, a tightly woven layup that transmits firm feedback on contact, while the core is a low-density Soft Performance EVA.

That combination defines how the racket actually plays. The EVA compresses just enough to store and release energy, so ball exit feels lively — you don't need a perfect swing for the smash to clear the glass.

The 6K carbon face, meanwhile, stops that softness from feeling dead. The result is a racket that hits hard without the harsh, dry sensation typical of a stiff EVA core — something your elbow will appreciate over long sessions.

The Smart Holes Curve round things out by redistributing the hole pattern, while the Spin Blade Decal brings the sandy texture responsible for the bite on the ball.

Adidas Metalbone Carbon 3.3 Specs

Shot by Shot: Where It Shines and Where It Punishes

Smash by 3 and flat smash. This is its home turf. The head-heavy balance and 485 cm² hitting surface stack mass up top, and the low-density EVA sends the ball back with pace that doesn't require forcing the shot. It clears 3 with enough height that you don't need to find the perfect strike every time.

Vibora and cut bandeja. The sandy Spin Blade Decal finish genuinely bites. On the vibora the ball comes off with pronounced side spin and kicks away toward the back glass; on the cut bandeja, the kick is real and the ball dies low after the bounce.

Volleys. This is where the first trade-off shows up. Blocking works fine when contact lands high on the face, but the finishing volley at mid-height loses precision compared with a more evenly balanced racket. Long volley exchanges tire out the forearm, especially on the 375 g builds.

Defence and wall exits. The bigger trade-off. The head-heavy balance forces earlier preparation. On a fast ball hugging the glass, the racket arrives late if you're not anticipating. The defensive lob works fine when you have time, but comes up short when you're rushed.

Who Is This Racket For?

Built for competition-level players with established technique and an aggressive style. Specifically:

1. **A consolidated smash.** If you're not closing points overhead consistently, the extra power just turns into long balls.
2. **Solid footwork.** The head-heavy balance is only an advantage if you're well positioned on defensive shots.
3. **The finisher's role in an offensive pair.** Suits a player who steps up to close points while their partner builds the play.
4. **Physical durability.** A 45.5 cm diamond racket up to 375 g is unforgiving of wrist-only technique without shoulder support.

Right-side players with a builder's style, or those stepping up from intermediate level, will find it demanding. This isn't a racket to learn to smash with — it's a racket to smash better with, once you already can.

Verdict: Real Power in Exchange for Real Demands

This Adidas model delivers exactly what it promises. The 6K carbon plus Soft Performance EVA combo is what sets it apart from other pure diamond shapes: it brings the power without the harsh feel that usually comes standard with this profile.

In exchange, the sweet spot is narrow and shifted toward the tip, defence requires anticipation, and the weight is felt by the third set.

If you play to finish points at the net and your technique is already dialled in, this racket delivers. If you're after a racket that helps you defend or forgives off-centre contact, a head-heavy diamond shape isn't the answer — no amount of frame technology will change that.