Adidas Padel Metalbone 3.2

Technologies

Pros

• ✓The Weight & Balance System lets you remove up to 12 g from the bridge screws: leave the weights in and the balance drops for extra control on the volley, take them out and the balance climbs for a deeper smash from position 3 The Soft Performance EVA core cushions just enough to let the ball come off on its own on bandejas and defensive lobs, which is unusual for a high-balance diamond racket The Octagonal Structure running through frame and heart — an eight-sided carbon tube — cuts down torsion on off-centre hits and keeps the ball on line through crossed viboras The Spin Blade texture on the rough carbon face bites into the ball on the pinchada and the kick serve, and it really shows on lifted smashes looking for a high bounce Compared with the stiffer core in the Metalbone HRD 3.2, this standard version opens up the sweet spot and responds quicker on contact without demanding as much arm speed

Cons

• ✗The high balance punishes you in defence if you're late reading the ball off the back wall: you need to prepare the shot early or the racket ends up trailing behind your body The sweet spot is still that of a diamond shape, and hits toward the frame lose pace, especially on low blocked volleys under pressure Maneuverability is limited in fast exchanges at mid-court, where a round-shaped racket buys you reaction time this one doesn't At the minimum 345 g weight with head-heavy balance, players who haven't put in shoulder and elbow conditioning will feel the fatigue over long matches

The Adidas Padel Metalbone 3.2 targets advanced players with consolidated technique who want more performance without yet moving to a pure competition racket. Its diamond shape moves the sweet spot to the top of the face, giving more leverage and power at the cost of some tolerance. The high balance adds weight to the swing and pushes the racket toward an offensive profile. With a weight of 345-360g, it sits among the lighter rackets on the market: easier to swing and less stressful on the elbow.

adidas Padel Metalbone 3.2 review: the diamond racket that reconfigures itself point to point

The adidas Padel Metalbone 3.2 is the flagship of the brand's attacking range. Diamond shape, 345-360 g, an Aluminized Carbon face (12K carbon), Soft Performance EVA core, and a removable weight system that changes the racket's personality without you having to change rackets.

That last part is what sets it apart from every other attacking diamond racket on the market.

How does the Weight & Balance System actually work?

The bridge on the Metalbone 3.2 houses weighted screws that let you pull out up to 12 g. With the weights fitted, the balance drops and the racket gains control and a cleaner ball exit on the volley. Take them out and the weight concentrates up top, turning this padel racket into a pure attacking tool.

In practice that means you can set it up light for a weekend tournament with back-to-back matches, then switch it back to its aggressive setup when you've got a single match and want to punish every high ball.

It's not a gimmick: 12 g on a 345-360 g racket is enough of a swing that you'll feel the difference in your first warm-up.

Octagonal Structure and Spin Blade: what each one brings to your game

The Octagonal Structure runs through frame and heart via an eight-sided carbon tube. That octagonal geometry distributes stress better than a conventional round tube, giving you a stiffer chassis with more resistance to torsion.

On court that translates into something very specific: on a crossed vibora, where contact happens off-centre with the wrist rotating through the shot, the frame doesn't flex and the ball holds the line you gave it.

The Spin Blade is the textured pattern on the hitting surface. Layered onto an already rough face, it adds extra grip for generating spin. It shows up most on two shots: the pinchada, where the cut needs minimal ball slippage, and the lifted smash chasing kick spin for a high bounce off the back glass.

The Aluminized Carbon face delivers the crisp, dry response this range is known for — a fast rebound off contact that demands good timing but rewards you when you hit the spot.

adidas Padel Metalbone 3.2 specs

How it performs shot by shot

Smash. This is its home turf. The head-heavy balance and the stiffness of the octagonal chassis produce a punishing ball exit on a flat smash, and with the Spin Blade, a kick that bounces high and drags your opponent off court. It feels like a heavy ball, not just a fast one.

Bandeja. This is where the Soft Performance EVA core breaks the mould for what you'd expect from a stiff diamond racket. The softer rubber lets the ball settle for a fraction longer before it leaves the face, which means you can cut and control the shot instead of just hoping it lands in.

Vibora. The surface grip and torsion resistance both work in your favour here. Slightly off-centre contacts still come out with direction intact.

Volley. Solid with the weights fitted. Without them, the racket demands more anticipation: in a fast volley exchange at mid-court it comes off second best against a round-shaped racket.

Defence and ball off the back wall. The weak point. With the weight up top you need to prepare earlier than usual. If the ball catches you tight to the glass, the racket arrives late and your lob falls short.

Lob. Better than you'd expect thanks to the soft EVA, which adds depth without forcing your arm.

Metalbone 3.2 or Metalbone HRD 3.2 — which one should you buy?

The difference comes down to the core. The Metalbone HRD 3.2 runs a stiffer rubber that delivers more power and more control, but it's noticeably more demanding: it needs a very precise contact point and an arm that can generate its own racket speed.

The standard 3.2, with its slightly softer core, opens up the sweet spot and reacts quicker on contact. It's the sensible pick for most players, even those with a solid level of play.

Who is this padel racket for?

Advanced or intermediate-advanced players with an offensive game: players who close in on the net hunting the high ball, smash from position 3, and build the point with viboras and cut bandejas before finishing it off.

This isn't a racket for someone whose game is built on defending from the back of the court, nor for players still grooving their contact point. The high balance and the naturally smaller sweet spot of a diamond shape punish anyone who doesn't strike the ball centrally on a consistent basis.

As a doubles pairing, it works well alongside a more control-oriented partner who can sustain the long rallies while this racket closes out the points.

Verdict

The Metalbone 3.2 is an attacking diamond racket with two features that make it less extreme than its spec sheet suggests: the soft EVA core, which widens the sweet spot and softens the bandeja, and the Weight & Balance System, which lets you lower the balance when your body asks for it.

What it can't make up for is defence. No weight configuration turns a high-balance diamond into a comfortable racket off the back wall, and anyone playing a lot of points from deep court is going to feel it.

If your game lives at the net and you want a racket that punishes, this adidas option delivers. If you're torn between attack and defence, there are more balanced rackets out there that will ask less of you.