STARVIE ETERNAL 2027

Technologies

Pros

• ✓The 18K Carbon Hybrid face with 3D texture really bites into the ball — cut bandejas and viboras come off with genuine spin, not just surface roughness. The Power Balance system, with its 4g and 8g weight plugs, effectively turns one diamond-shaped racket into two: load the head for smashing power or lighten it up for quick volleys at net. Smash and kick-serve power are high for a diamond shape without the usual extreme head-heavy feel, thanks to the centred mass of the hybrid mould. The firm, medium-hard touch of the M-EVA Balance core delivers solid, predictable block volleys, without the springy bounce you get from a softer rubber.

Cons

• ✗Ball exit is only average — in low, slow-paced defensive situations you need to add your own arm speed or the ball dies mid-court. The sweet spot is decent but not forgiving; a hit near the top edge of the diamond head is noticeable in both direction and vibration, even with A-Shock doing its job. With the 8g plugs fitted up top, maneuverability drops noticeably during fast net exchanges.

Sanyo Gutiérrez has his own racket again, and the StarVie Eternal 2027 is the result: a hybrid diamond-shaped mould with an 18K Carbon Hybrid face, an M-EVA Balance core, a 38mm profile and a 350-370g weight range governed by the interchangeable-weight Power Balance system. The name is no accident — "Eternal" pays tribute to the Argentine's career and marks the return of StarVie's signature rackets, with the brand bringing back historic names for 2027 alongside Tamara Icardo.

Why the Eternal 2027 doesn't play like a typical diamond racket

The first thing that throws you off with this padel racket is pairing a diamond shape with a medium balance. On a wide-head racket, weight usually sits high and hurts your volley; here StarVie has centred the mass and left the final call up to the player.

Power Balance lets you shift the weight distribution using 4g or 8g plugs. Go heavy and the Eternal edges closer to a classic diamond-shaped smashing racket; go light and you gain hand speed at net and in defence. This isn't a cosmetic tweak — on a 350-370g frame, an 8-gram swing at the head is noticeable from the very first smash.

That adaptability is the model's whole pitch. The hybrid mould was engineered for a wide sweet spot and a versatile response, built with pro and semi-pro players in mind who shift roles depending on their partner and opponent.

18K Carbon Hybrid and M-EVA Balance: where that medium-hard feel comes from

The 18K Hybrid carbon face with 3D texture does two jobs at once. It adds stiffness so impact energy isn't lost to surface flex, and it delivers high ball grip that really shows up on a cut bandeja or a heavily spun vibora.

Underneath, the M-EVA Balance core is a medium-density rubber that, paired with the 18K face, produces a medium-hard touch. It's not as stark as a hard competition EVA, but it doesn't have the springy bounce of a soft rubber either. The ball comes off firm and predictable.

The rest of the chassis rounds things out with a 38mm frame, the V-Force Bridge, Hexacell structure and Aero Drive, aimed at cutting air resistance as your arm accelerates through the swing. The A-Shock system handles vibration absorption, which matters on a racket this rough and this powerful — off-centre hits transmit more to the elbow than you'd expect.

How does the StarVie Eternal 2027 play, shot by shot?

Smash and kick serve. This is where it shines. Power is high for a racket sold as all-round, and the roughness of the 18K face lets you load the ball with spin so the kick serve clears the back fence or a flat smash dies in the opponent's court. With the heavier Power Balance plugs fitted, the smash hits even harder.

Bandeja and vibora. The 3D texture bites into the ball and makes for short, cutting bandejas that die in the opponent's court. The vibora comes off with strong spin and a low bounce. The medium balance helps you get set quickly on high, rushed balls.

Volley. Solid control for this type of racket. The M-EVA's firm response makes block volleys reliable, and maneuverability holds up fine as long as you don't overload it with the heavier plug configuration.

Defence and wall exit. Here's the honest part: ball exit is average, not generous. On low, slow balls against an opponent who just blocks, the Eternal won't do the work for you. You need to back the shot with arm and leg drive. Do that and your chiquita and lobs land precisely; skip it and the ball stalls mid-court.

Sweet spot. Decent for a diamond shape thanks to the hybrid mould, but this isn't a forgiving rubber. A hit near the top edge shows up in both feel and direction.

Who is the StarVie Eternal 2027 built for?

The StarVie Eternal 2027 is designed for competitive, semi-pro and advanced players with solid technique who want an all-round racket with an attacking edge. It demands active hitting and good ball-reading; it's not the choice if you need the racket to generate power for you or paper over a small sweet spot.

Style-wise, it suits a drive-heavy player who closes out points at net and smashes, but who still wants control when it's their turn to defend. Paired with a partner running a soft control racket with high ball exit, the team balance works well: one builds the point, the other finishes it.

StarVie Eternal 2027 specs

What the Eternal won't give you for free

Before you commit, it's worth knowing the demanding side of this StarVie release:

1. Average ball exit means you need to hit with intent on defence; if your game leans on blocking, you'll want more pop from the rubber.
2. The medium-hard touch and high face roughness punish off-centre hits, even though A-Shock takes the edge off some of the vibration.
3. Power Balance adds another variable — if you don't want to experiment with plug weights, dialling in your setup can take a while.
4. With the 8g plugs fitted up top, maneuverability on fast net volleys drops noticeably.

The verdict is clear. The StarVie Eternal 2027 is built for a player who already commands the smash and wants a padel racket that can adapt mid-match without losing bite. If Sanyo Gutiérrez is your benchmark for game-reading and changing tempo, this model makes sense. If what you need is a racket that bails you out when you're a step late, look toward something softer.