Drop Shot Flame Soft

Technologies

Pros

• ✓Soft Low Density EVA sinks around the ball and springs it back on its own: mid-pace shots come off fast without needing arm speed, something hard-EVA rackets never forgive

Cons

• ✗The medium-high balance at 350-370g costs you on rushed wall exits: if you're late to the defensive shot, the racket can't turn in time

The Drop Shot Flame Soft 2026 lands in the catalogue as a completely new model: 350-370g teardrop shape, 12K Textreme carbon face, Soft Low Density EVA core, and a three-dimensional surface texture you can feel from your very first lift shot. The "Soft" in the name refers to the touch, not how hard this racket hits.

This padel racket packs a lot more punch than its name suggests, and it's worth understanding why before you order one.

12K Textreme over low-density EVA: where the power really comes from

A 12K carbon weave gives the hitting surface more elasticity and less stiffness than tighter weaves. Paired with Soft Low Density EVA — a soft, low-density rubber — the face flexes around the ball and releases it, rather than bouncing it off a rigid wall.

That's the core of this racket: power doesn't come from stiffness, it comes from ball exit speed. Mid-intensity shots come off faster than the effort you put in, and that's what separates the Flame Soft from hard-EVA rackets that need real arm strength to wake up.

The Twin Tubular System reinforces the frame structure, while the Smart Holes System spreads frame tension through a curved, progressive hole pattern. On court, that means the face holds up well on off-center hits, without the dead-spot feel of stiffer rackets.

What does the 3D Face System do for topspin and slice?

The 3D Face System is a raised, three-dimensional texture on the face and the most aggressive feature of this Drop Shot model. You can feel the roughness with your fingers before you even feel it in play, and it ranks among the most pronounced textures out there right now.

On topspin shots the ball grips and kicks up: serve kick jumps higher and cross-court topspin drives get extra bounce that forces opponents back half a step.

On slice shots the effect flips, and it's just as useful. The bandeja comes out flatter, bites on the bounce, and stays low off the glass instead of setting up an easy lob.

Drop Shot Flame Soft: full specs

Shot by shot: where it shines and where it falls short

Smash. The teardrop shape puts mass up top and the medium-high balance adds whip to the swing. Off-center hits are forgiven thanks to the soft rubber, but a flat smash aimed at the bounce lacks the sharp punch of a diamond shape with hard EVA.

Vibora. Probably its best shot. Top-heavy weight, textured face, and quick ball exit combine for a low, sliced shot with real directional control toward the back glass.

Bandeja. Comfortable and repeatable, though the soft EVA cushions the impact, so you need to follow through more to send the ball deep.

Wall exits and defense. This is where the trade-off shows up. At 350-370g with a medium-high balance, the racket demands early preparation; on a rushed ball heading to the side glass, it's hard to turn your wrist in time.

Volleys. Long blocks work well thanks to the natural ball exit, but the cushioned feel gives you less feedback than a firmer face during fast exchanges at the net.

What level of player is the Flame Soft built for?

This one's built for intermediate-advanced players with solid technique already in place, who want power without punishing the elbow and who build their game around spin. You'll need enough arm strength to handle the medium-high balance on defense, plus the judgment not to rely on ball exit alone to win the point.

It suits a backhand-side player who attacks through the middle and lives off vibora and topspin. As a doubles partner, it pairs well with a hard-EVA, control-first racket, since the Flame Soft brings the fast ball without demanding the same physical effort.

It's not the right pick for a defensive grinder who plays low balls and needs a racket that turns on its own during wall exits.

Verdict: friendly power with a defensive trade-off

What you're buying is a racket that delivers cheap speed and plenty of spin, with a feel that holds up over long matches.

What you're giving up is maneuverability on defense and some sharpness on flat net shots.

• **Buy it if** you live for topspin, vibora, and want power without going hard-EVA.
• **Skip it if** your game is defensive, you want maximum precision at the net, or you're running low on strength by the end of a match.
• **Watch out for** the weight range: 350g and 370g play very differently in a teardrop shape with this balance, and the pick changes how it feels on defense quite a bit.