📋 Table of Contents
Updated February 2026. The StarVie Metheora Pro Touch 2025 represents the latest evolution of one of padel’s most celebrated control racket lines — the Metheora Warrior series. For 2025, StarVie has refined this beloved racket with their innovative Pro Touch rubber technology, upgraded 3K carbon fibre construction, and the acclaimed Noene anti-vibration grip system.
If you’re an advanced player searching for a racket that prioritises surgical precision without sacrificing the ability to punish when opportunities arise, the Metheora Pro Touch 2025 deserves your serious attention. In this comprehensive review, we’ll examine every aspect of this Spanish-engineered masterpiece — from its meticulously crafted materials to its real-world performance on court.
With StarVie’s recent signing of Sanyo Gutiérrez in January 2026, the brand is entering an exciting new era of professional padel competition. The Metheora line has always been at the heart of StarVie’s pro-level offerings, and this latest version proves why the brand continues to compete with the biggest names in the sport.
🏢 StarVie Brand Heritage
StarVie is a proudly Spanish padel brand with over two decades of heritage in racket manufacturing. Based in Azuqueca de Henares, Guadalajara, every StarVie racket is 100% handcrafted in Spain — a distinction that sets them apart from competitors who manufacture overseas.
Now in their 23rd collection, StarVie has built a reputation for meticulous quality control, innovative materials science, and rackets that deliver genuine performance improvements rather than marketing gimmicks. Their commitment to Spanish manufacturing ensures consistency and allows for rapid iteration of their proprietary technologies.
Professional Roster & Tour Presence
StarVie’s biggest news for 2026 is the signing of Daniel “Sanyo” Gutiérrez — one of the most internationally recognised padel players of all time. Born in San Luis, Argentina in 1984, Sanyo has been a fixture at the highest levels of professional padel for over a decade. His arrival marks StarVie’s ambitious return to the professional circuit, backed by their StarVie Labs R&D facility.
Previous notable StarVie players include Matías Díaz (who was closely associated with the original Metheora Warrior), as well as Álex Corretja, the former tennis world No. 2 who returned to competitive racket sports with StarVie in 2025.
The Metheora Legacy
The Metheora line has been StarVie’s flagship control racket series since its inception. Named after the iconic Greek rock formations — suggesting a foundation that is both powerful and enduring — the Metheora has evolved through multiple generations:
- Metheora Warrior (2021): The original, featuring Soft V30 rubber and 3K carbon — instantly became a cult favourite for right-side players
- Metheora Warrior (2022): Refined with a harder touch and lower ball output for improved control at high speeds
- Metheora Dual: An offensive variant with dual-density EVA core and additional carbon layer
- Metheora Pro Touch (2025): The latest evolution, featuring the revolutionary Pro Touch rubber and Noene anti-vibration technology
🎨 Design & Aesthetics
The Metheora Pro Touch 2025 sports an elegant and sporty aesthetic that immediately communicates premium quality. The design features a sophisticated black finish as its primary colour, complemented by the white StarVie logo and subtle green and yellow accent details — a modern colour scheme that’s both understated and eye-catching.
The overall feel is one of refined aggression. Unlike some padel rackets that opt for loud, garish designs, StarVie has taken a more mature approach here. The dark colourway with green highlights gives the racket a serious, purposeful appearance that matches its on-court persona perfectly.
Build Quality
Being handcrafted in Spain, the build quality is exceptional. The 100% carbon composition feels solid in the hand without being unwieldy. The Full Plane Effect surface texture is visible to the naked eye — a roughened finish that’s been moulded directly into the racket face rather than applied as a separate layer. This ensures the texture doesn’t wear away over time, a common issue with some competitors’ textured surfaces.
The Star Balance piece — a proprietary weight distribution system embedded in the racket throat — is seamlessly integrated into the design. It’s a subtle detail that speaks to StarVie’s engineering precision.
⚙️ Technology Deep-Dive
StarVie has packed the Metheora Pro Touch 2025 with their most advanced technologies. Let’s break down each one:
3K Carbon Fibre Face
The racket face features a double layer of 3K carbon fibre — a weave of 3,000 threads per 3mm strip. This provides exceptional rigidity and durability while maintaining a responsive, dry touch that advanced players demand. The 3K carbon is StarVie’s standard for their pro-line rackets, offering the perfect balance between stiffness and feel.
EVA Pro Touch Rubber
New for 2025, the Pro Touch rubber is a medium-hard density core that replaces the older Soft V30. It provides an exceptional combination of control and power with greater sensitivity when hitting the ball. The medium-hard density adapts to different playing styles — firm enough for power players, responsive enough for touch specialists.
Full Plane Effect
StarVie’s proprietary surface roughness technology covers the entire hitting face. Unlike competitors who apply textured coatings, Full Plane Effect is moulded directly into the carbon fibre during manufacturing. This provides consistent spin generation across the entire face and won’t degrade over time — even after hundreds of hours of play.
Star Balance System
A proprietary weight distribution piece embedded in the racket’s throat/heart area. This optimises the balance point towards the handle, improving agility and manoeuvre speed. The result is a racket that feels lighter and more responsive than its actual weight suggests — crucial for fast-twitch reactions at the net.
Noene Inside Grip
One of the standout features of the 2025 update. The Noene vibration damping system absorbs up to 96% of impact vibrations before they reach your hand and arm. Originally developed for the aerospace industry, Noene technology is a game-changer for players who suffer from — or want to prevent — tennis elbow and wrist injuries.
100% Carbon Frame
The entire frame structure is constructed from 3K carbon fibre, providing exceptional resistance and durability. Carbon frames offer superior energy transfer compared to fibreglass or mixed constructions, meaning less energy is lost during contact. This contributes to the Pro Touch’s ability to deliver power despite its control-focused design.
Round Mould Shape
The round shape is the foundation of the Metheora’s identity. It provides the largest possible sweet spot of any racket shape, centred directly in the middle of the hitting face. This makes the racket incredibly forgiving on off-centre hits and provides consistent ball output across the entire face — exactly what defensive and all-round players need.
38mm Profile
The standard 38mm frame width provides the optimal balance between power generation and aerodynamic efficiency. This is the most versatile profile thickness — thick enough to house sufficient rubber for power, slim enough to cut through the air during fast swings. It’s the Goldilocks zone of padel racket design.
100% Made in Spain
Every Metheora Pro Touch is handcrafted in StarVie’s Azuqueca de Henares factory. This ensures rigorous quality control at every stage of production — from carbon layup to final finishing. Spanish manufacturing allows StarVie to quickly iterate on their technologies through their StarVie Labs R&D facility, ensuring each racket benefits from the latest engineering insights.
🎬 Video Review
Watch this detailed review of the StarVie Metheora range, covering the upgraded 2025 version with Pro Touch technology:
This comprehensive Spanish-language review from Padel Lovers demonstrates the improved version of the Metheora, highlighting the enhanced balance of power and control that defines this racket.
For a look at the Metheora Dual variant (the more offensive sibling), check out this review:
🎾 On-Court Performance
First Impressions
Picking up the Metheora Pro Touch for the first time, you immediately notice two things: the impeccable balance and the premium feel of the grip. The Star Balance system makes the racket feel lighter than its 360-380g weight suggests, and the Noene grip has a confident, cushioned feel that inspires trust before you even hit a ball.
The round shape gives the hitting face an honest, inviting appearance. There’s no illusion of a massive sweet spot here — it genuinely is large, centred, and forgiving.
Baseline Play
This is where the Metheora Pro Touch truly excels. From the back of the court, the racket delivers exceptional control with a reliable rebound that keeps the ball deep without excessive effort. The medium-hard Pro Touch rubber provides enough firmness for penetrating drives while still offering the cushioned feel needed for delicate lobs and bandeja shots.
What impresses most is the consistency of ball output. Whether you’re stretching for a wide ball or stepping into a forehand, the round shape ensures predictable performance. Off-centre hits that would produce wild results on a diamond-shaped racket simply produce slightly softer shots here — still directed, still controlled.
Net Play
At the net, the Star Balance system earns its keep. The head-light balance point allows for rapid volley exchanges where reaction time is everything. The racket moves through the air cleanly, and the 3K carbon face provides a crisp, responsive touch on volleys that lets you place the ball with precision.
The Pro Touch rubber shows its versatility here — firm enough for punchy block volleys, yet soft enough to absorb pace when you need to play delicate drop volleys. It’s a genuine all-rounder at the net.
Power Shots
Don’t be fooled by the “control” label — the Metheora Pro Touch can pack a punch when needed. The 2025 upgrade to Pro Touch rubber (from the older Soft V30) has added noticeable power to the racket’s repertoire. Overheads and smashes feel solid and penetrating, with the full carbon frame providing excellent energy transfer.
That said, this isn’t a power racket. Players used to diamond-shaped weapons like the top attacking rackets will find the power ceiling lower. The trade-off is that your powerful shots are significantly more accurate — the round shape ensures your smashes land in court more consistently.
Spin Generation
The Full Plane Effect surface texture provides good but not exceptional spin generation. The textured surface grabs the ball adequately for side-spin serves and sliced approaches, and the full-face coverage means you can generate spin from any contact point. However, compared to rackets with more aggressive texturing (like some HEAD models with their Auxetic surfaces), the spin ceiling is moderate.
Where the Metheora excels is consistency of spin. Because the texture is uniform and moulded into the face, you get the same grip on every shot, every time. There’s no degradation, no patchy areas — just reliable, repeatable spin application.
Comfort & Vibration
This is arguably the Metheora Pro Touch’s greatest strength. The Noene Inside grip is a revelation. After a two-hour session, your arm feels noticeably fresher than with most competitor rackets. The 96% vibration absorption is not marketing hyperbole — you can genuinely feel the difference, particularly on mishits and defensive blocks where impact forces are highest.
For players who’ve struggled with elbow or wrist pain, this racket should be at the very top of your shortlist. It’s one of the most comfortable advanced rackets we’ve tested.
📊 Metheora Range Comparison
StarVie offers several variants in the Metheora family. Here’s how they compare:
| Feature | Metheora Pro Touch 2025 | Metheora Dual | Metheora Warrior (2022) | Metheora Soft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core | EVA Pro Touch | Dual-Density EVA | Soft V30 | EVA Soft |
| Density | Medium-Hard | Medium-Hard (dual layer) | Soft | Soft |
| Carbon Face | 3K Double Layer | 3K Triple Layer | 3K Double Layer | 3K Single Layer |
| Noene Grip | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Best For | All-round control | Aggressive control | Defensive control | Comfort-first |
| Level | Advanced | Advanced | Advanced | Intermediate |
| Approx Price | £145-234 | £180-250 | £200-340 | £120-170 |
👤 Who Should Buy This Racket?
✅ Perfect For
- Right-side players who build points with precision
- All-rounders wanting versatility from baseline to net
- Players with arm issues needing vibration protection
- Upgraders from intermediate moving to advanced rackets
- Defensive specialists who counter-attack when opportunities arise
- Touch players who value feel and ball placement
⚠️ Consider Alternatives If
- You’re a pure power player who smashes first, asks questions later
- You need maximum spin generation for aggressive topspin play
- You’re a complete beginner — start with a softer, lighter option
- You prefer a head-heavy balance for extra punch
- You want a diamond or teardrop shape for targeted sweet spot
🏷️ Player Profile Tags
Right-Side Specialist
All-Court Player
Control-First
Arm-Friendly
Defensive Counter-Attacker
Ages 25-55
Unisex
⚔️ vs The Competition
vs HEAD Evo Extreme 2025
The Evo Extreme offers similar control characteristics with HEAD’s Auxetic technology for comfort. The Metheora Pro Touch has a larger sweet spot due to its round shape (vs the Evo Extreme’s rounder-teardrop), and the Noene grip provides superior vibration damping. The HEAD has marginally more power potential. Choose Metheora for maximum comfort and consistency; choose HEAD for a touch more versatility.
vs Babolat Air Viper 2025
The Air Viper is Babolat’s comfort-focused option with their Air technology. While both prioritise arm protection, the approaches differ — Babolat uses weight reduction while StarVie focuses on vibration absorption. The Metheora Pro Touch offers better control and a larger sweet spot, while the Air Viper delivers more power for its weight class. Choose Metheora for precision; choose Babolat for power with comfort.
vs NOX AT10 Genius 2025
The AT10 is NOX’s flagship and a more aggressive option. With its 12K Alum carbon face and harder EVA HR3 Black core, the AT10 delivers significantly more power but less forgiveness. The Metheora Pro Touch is the safer choice for players who make errors under pressure; the AT10 rewards players who rarely mishit. Choose Metheora for consistency; choose AT10 for explosive potential.
vs Wilson Optix V1
Wilson’s round-shaped control option targets a similar player profile. The Optix V1 is generally more beginner-friendly with a softer feel, while the Metheora Pro Touch has a firmer, more responsive touch suited to advanced players. The StarVie’s Full Plane Effect surface offers better spin than Wilson’s smoother face. Choose Metheora for advanced play; choose Wilson for comfortable progression.
🏋️ Court Drills to Maximise This Racket
The Metheora Pro Touch’s strengths lend themselves to specific practice routines. Here are four drills designed to unlock its full potential:
🎯 Drill 1: The Precision Target Game
Focus: Control & Placement | Duration: 15 minutes
Place four targets (cones or towels) in each corner of the opponent’s court. Rally crosscourt with a partner, aiming to hit each target zone in sequence. The Metheora’s large sweet spot and consistent output make this drill highly rewarding — you’ll see your accuracy improve rapidly as you learn to trust the racket’s control.
Progression: Add a time limit (hit all 4 targets in under 60 seconds), then reduce target size.
🏐 Drill 2: The Net Reaction Challenge
Focus: Volley Speed & Touch | Duration: 10 minutes
Stand at the net with a partner feeding balls alternately to your forehand and backhand. Focus on directing volleys to specific zones using the racket’s head-light balance for quick adjustments. Start with gentle feeds, progressively increasing pace. The Star Balance system will help you find that effortless volley motion.
Progression: Have the feeder add random lobs — practice the overhead transition using the racket’s surprising power.
🔄 Drill 3: The Defensive Wall
Focus: Lob Quality & Counter-Attack | Duration: 15 minutes
Your partner smashes while you defend, focusing exclusively on lobbing deep with control. The Pro Touch rubber’s medium-hard density absorbs incoming pace beautifully, allowing you to redirect the ball with precision. Count how many consecutive quality lobs you can produce — aim for 10+ in a row.
Progression: Add counter-attacking — when your opponent hits a weak smash, punish it with a passing shot instead of lobbing.
🌀 Drill 4: Spin Serve Mastery
Focus: Spin Generation & Placement | Duration: 10 minutes
Practice serves using the Full Plane Effect surface to generate different types of spin — flat, slice, and kick. Place targets at the T-line and the wall. The Metheora’s consistent surface texture means your spin will be reproducible once you find the right technique.
Progression: Combine with partner returns — practice the serve-and-volley pattern, exploiting the racket’s quick net transition.
🛒 UK Buying Guide
💰 UK Pricing & Availability
The StarVie Metheora Pro Touch 2025 is available from several UK and European retailers. Pricing in the UK typically ranges from £145 to £234, with discounts available at specialist padel retailers.
Where to Find the Best Deals:
- PadelShack (UK) — Often has the best UK pricing with fast domestic delivery. Currently offering significant discounts on the 2025 collection.
- Time2Padel (EU) — Competitive pricing with international shipping to the UK.
- Amazon UK — Check for marketplace sellers offering competitive prices.
- Zona de Padel (Spain) — Direct from Spain, often the cheapest but with international shipping costs.
💡 Pro Tip: StarVie rackets are often discounted when new collections launch. With the 2025 collection now established, look for end-of-season deals before the 2026 line drops later this year.
What to Look For When Buying
- Authenticity: Ensure you’re buying from an authorised retailer. Genuine StarVie rackets come with a holographic authenticity sticker and are “100% Made in Spain.”
- Weight selection: The racket comes in a weight range of 360-380g. If possible, ask the retailer for the specific weight — most specialist shops will weigh rackets on request.
- Overgrip: Many players find the handle slightly narrow. Budget for a quality overgrip to customise the handle thickness.
- Protector: Invest in a frame protector from day one — the 3K carbon is tough but a protector extends racket life significantly, especially if you play near the walls.
🔧 Care & Maintenance Guide
Protect your investment with these StarVie-specific maintenance tips:
🛡️ Frame Protection
Apply a quality frame protector immediately after purchase. The 3K carbon frame is robust but wall contact will cause chips over time. Replace the protector every 2-3 months or when visibly worn.
🧹 Surface Cleaning
Clean the Full Plane Effect surface after each session with a slightly damp cloth. Dirt and dust can fill the textured surface and reduce spin generation. Never use harsh chemicals — warm water and a microfibre cloth is all you need.
🌡️ Temperature Storage
Never leave the racket in a hot car or direct sunlight. The EVA Pro Touch rubber is temperature-sensitive — extreme heat can permanently alter its density and playing characteristics. Store in a padel bag at room temperature.
🤝 Grip Replacement
The Noene Inside base grip should last 6-12 months with regular play. Replace the overgrip every 5-10 sessions depending on sweat levels. The Noene grip’s vibration absorption properties diminish slightly over time, so don’t neglect it.
💧 Moisture Management
If you play outdoors in the UK (hello, British weather), wipe the racket dry immediately after playing in damp conditions. Moisture can seep into micro-cracks in the frame over time, potentially compromising the carbon structure.
📦 Travel Protection
Always use the included racket cover when transporting. For air travel, pack in a hard padel racket case — the round shape is actually slightly more resistant to impact damage than diamond shapes, but prevention is always better than cure.
📋 Full Specifications
| Brand | StarVie |
| Model | Metheora Pro Touch 2025 |
| Collection | 2025 (23rd Collection) |
| Shape | Round |
| Weight | 360-380g |
| Balance | Medium (head-light tendency) |
| Profile | 38mm |
| Frame | 3K Carbon Fibre |
| Face | 3K Carbon Fibre (Double Layer) |
| Core | EVA Pro Touch (Medium-Hard Density) |
| Surface | Full Plane Effect (3D Roughness) |
| Grip | Noene Inside (96% Vibration Absorption) |
| Balance Tech | Star Balance System |
| Play Style | Control / Polyvalent |
| Level | Advanced |
| Gender | Unisex |
| Made In | Spain 🇪🇸 |
| RRP | £234 (UK) / €269 (EU) |
| EAN | 8436612940632 |
✅ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Exceptional control — one of the best control rackets on the market
- Outstanding comfort — Noene grip absorbs 96% of vibrations
- Large sweet spot — round shape is incredibly forgiving
- Premium build quality — handcrafted in Spain, 100% carbon
- Durable surface texture — Full Plane Effect won’t wear away
- Versatile Pro Touch rubber — adapts to multiple playing styles
- Star Balance system — feels lighter and quicker than weight suggests
- Excellent value — competitive pricing vs comparable premium rackets
- Arm-friendly — ideal for players with elbow or wrist concerns
❌ Cons
- Limited power ceiling — not for dedicated smash-first players
- Moderate spin generation — Full Plane Effect is good, not exceptional
- Narrow handle — many players will need an overgrip for comfort
- Limited UK availability — fewer stockists than HEAD, Bullpadel, or Babolat
- May feel too firm for players used to the original Warrior’s softer touch
- Weight range variation — 360-380g is a wide range; specify when ordering
🏆 Final Verdict
/ 5
“A masterclass in control-focused racket design, refined to near-perfection for 2025”
The StarVie Metheora Pro Touch 2025 is a genuinely excellent padel racket that deserves far more attention in the UK market. StarVie may not have the marketing budget of HEAD or Babolat, but they’re producing rackets that compete at the very highest level of quality and performance.
The upgrade from the original Metheora Warrior to the Pro Touch version is meaningful and thoughtful. The new rubber adds power potential without sacrificing the control DNA that made this racket famous. The addition of Noene anti-vibration technology elevates the comfort level to class-leading. And the 100% Spanish handcrafted construction ensures you’re getting a premium product, not a mass-produced afterthought.
If you’re an advanced player who values precision, consistency, and arm protection above raw power, the Metheora Pro Touch 2025 should be very near the top of your shortlist. It’s particularly compelling for right-side players who build points with patience and punish with accuracy when the moment arrives.
The Metheora Pro Touch 2025 earns our strong recommendation — it’s the thinking player’s racket, and it’s exceptionally good at what it does.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is the StarVie Metheora Pro Touch 2025 good for beginners?
The Metheora Pro Touch 2025 is primarily designed for advanced and intermediate-advanced players. While its large sweet spot and forgiving round shape are beginner-friendly characteristics, the medium-hard Pro Touch rubber requires proper technique to access its full potential. Beginners may be better served by the Metheora Soft version or the StarVie Brava Soft 30.
What is the difference between the Metheora Warrior and the Metheora Pro Touch?
The Metheora Pro Touch 2025 is the evolution of the Metheora Warrior line. Key upgrades include the new EVA Pro Touch rubber (medium-hard density replacing the older Soft V30), improved 3K carbon fibre layup, and the addition of the Noene anti-vibration grip system. The Pro Touch version offers a firmer touch with better power transfer while maintaining the Metheora’s signature control characteristics.
How does the StarVie Metheora Pro Touch compare to the Metheora Dual?
The Metheora Dual features a dual-density EVA core and an additional layer of 3K carbon on the surface, making it harder and more powerful than the Pro Touch. The Pro Touch is the more control-oriented option with a medium-hard feel, while the Dual is aimed at players wanting more offensive capability. Both share the round shape and Metheora DNA.
Is the StarVie Metheora Pro Touch 2025 suitable for players with arm problems?
Yes, the Metheora Pro Touch 2025 is one of the better options for players concerned about arm health. The Noene Inside grip absorbs up to 96% of vibrations, significantly reducing strain on the elbow and wrist. Combined with the round shape’s naturally larger sweet spot and the medium-hard Pro Touch rubber, it offers a comfortable playing experience that protects joints during extended play.
Where can I buy the StarVie Metheora Pro Touch 2025 in the UK?
The StarVie Metheora Pro Touch 2025 is available from specialist padel retailers in the UK including PadelShack, as well as international retailers like Time2Padel and Zona de Padel who ship to the UK. You can also find it on Amazon UK. Prices typically range from £145 to £234 depending on the retailer and any available discounts.
🛍️ Where to Buy
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