Kombat Osorno 2026 By Manu Martin

Pros

• ✓The 3D-textured 18K carbon faces bite the ball on contact: the crosscourt vibora grips and spins, and the cut bandeja stays low off the side wall Medium balance and 360-370g let you come off the wall, turn and get to the volley without the head dragging your arm through long exchanges The dry Multi-EVA core returns the ball with zero lag, translating into firm block volleys and drop shots placed to the millimetre The teardrop shape gives a more forgiving hitting zone than a diamond while keeping some heft up top for the overhead smash by 3

Cons

• ✗The high-density Multi-EVA rubber punishes off-centre contact and half-hearted swings: with old balls or in cold weather you need to put your arm into it Ball exit is controlled rather than explosive: on the deep return and counter-attack you gain direction, not free depth The dry feel and demanding weight range call for solid technique; this isn't a racket for sensitive arms or players chasing cushioning The sweet spot is decent but not huge for a teardrop shape: outside it, the flat smash loses a fair amount of depth

Manu Martín puts his name on the Kombat Osorno 2026, a teardrop-shaped padel racket with textured 3D 18K carbon, a Multi-EVA core and 360-370g of weight, built for the advanced player who wins points through placement rather than raw power.

The teardrop racket Manu Martín uses to control the point from the back

This padel racket launches with an intention rarely seen in an advanced-tier model: it isn't chasing raw firepower, it's built to sustain long rallies and smooth transitions from the back of the court.

The teardrop shape carries a touch of mass above the geometric centre, but the medium balance pulls it back into maneuverability territory. You come off the wall, turn and reach the volley without feeling the head drag your hand.

At 360-370g, the Osorno sits in a contained range — heavy enough that a deep return doesn't fly off wild, light enough to allow two or three grip changes within the same point.

What do the 18K carbon and Multi-EVA core actually bring?

18K carbon is a very tight weave: lots of filaments per bundle and minimal flex on impact. On court that means the ball exits the hitting surface fast, with clean feedback straight to your hand.

The 3D texture isn't just cosmetic. It's a raised surface pattern that bites the ball during that split-second of contact, and that's where this racket makes its real case: the vibora grips and spins, the cut bandeja dies quicker, and the kick rises more than the racket's punch would suggest.

The Multi-EVA core supplies the other half of the equation. It's a high-density rubber, among the driest you'll find on the market today, which explains the instant response — but it demands centred contact.

That firmness is also the price you pay. With worn balls or on a cold afternoon, you need to put arm into it: the racket won't give you what you don't put in.

Tech specs

Shot by shot: where it excels and where it makes you work

• **Coming off the wall and defence:** its best terrain. Medium balance and contained mass leave room to adjust the high, deep lob without running out of swing.
• **Bandeja and vibora:** the 3D texture takes over. Crisp cuts, trajectories that open up, and a ball that stays low after clipping the side wall.
• **Volley:** zero-lag response and a firm block. The dry feel helps you place drop volleys with surgical precision.
• **Smash:** time to be honest here. It backs up the flat smash and the overhead by 3, but it won't multiply your power — it needs real acceleration and doesn't forgive a half-hit swing.
• **Return and counter-attack:** controlled rather than explosive exit. You gain direction and height over the net, not free metres.

Is the Kombat Osorno 2026 a stiff racket?

Yes. The Multi-EVA core sits at the high end of density and the 18K carbon barely flexes, so the feel is dry and highly informative. It delivers instant precision on volley and bandeja, but demands centred contact and solid technique so your forearm doesn't take the vibration.

What's different from the previous Kombat Osorno

The previous Kombat Osorno leaned harder into raw punch. The 2026 reading swings the pendulum the other way.

Players coming from head-heavy or especially stiff rackets will feel the change as a relief: the ball runs without fighting your arm, and unforced errors drop.

Player profile that gets the most out of it

1. Advanced players who build the point and finish only once the ball is ripe, not before.
2. The pair's backhand side who lives off the bandeja, the vibora and the deep lob to reclaim the net.
3. Players chasing spin and bite through texture rather than raw punch from a soft core.
4. Players coming from a hard diamond shape who want to keep that dry feel while gaining maneuverability.

It's not a great fit for the pure power hitter who wants the racket to do the work on the smash, nor for anyone needing extra cushioning due to elbow or shoulder issues.

Verdict: textured precision with a toll on the arm

This Kombat racket delivers exactly what it promises: order, direction and a ball that spins. The 3D texture over 18K carbon is what sets it apart from other control-oriented teardrop rackets, turning every cut shot into a genuine tactical weapon.

The price is the demand it places on you. A hard core, controlled ball exit and a decent-but-not-generous sweet spot mean that if your technique isn't dialled in, the racket will tell you on the very first off-centre ball.

For the advanced player who'd rather win on precision than on decibels, the trade-off pays off.