When the world’s top-ranked padel player puts his name on a racket, you know it’s going to be something special. The Adidas Metalbone HRD+ 2026 is Alejandro Galán’s signature weapon — a diamond-shaped powerhouse engineered for aggressive players who want to dominate the court with explosive smashes and blistering viboras. This is not a racket for the faint-hearted. It’s an elite weapon designed for advanced players who want maximum power from every shot.
In this in-depth review, we’ll break down exactly what makes the Metalbone HRD+ 2026 tick — from its Carbon Aluminized 16K construction and High Memory EVA core to its innovative Weight & Balance System. We’ll also tell you honestly who this racket is for, and who should probably look elsewhere.
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Quick Verdict
Adidas Metalbone HRD+ 2026
Ale Galán Signature | Elite Power Weapon
OVERALL
Bottom line: The Metalbone HRD+ 2026 is one of the most powerful padel rackets on the market. If you’re an advanced player with a strong technical base who wants to finish points with authority, this is your weapon. Beginners and intermediate players should look elsewhere.
Check Price on Amazon UK →Who Is This Racket For?
Before we dive deep into the specs, let’s be clear: the Adidas Metalbone HRD+ 2026 is designed for a very specific type of player. This is an elite-level power racket built for tournament-calibre players who already have strong technique and want maximum punch on their smashes, viboras, and bandeja finishing shots.
✓ Great For
- Advanced/elite competitive players
- Attackers who love aggressive overhead play
- Players with strong arm and conditioning
- Those wanting maximum smash power
- Ex-tennis players with strong swings
- Vibora and bandeja specialists
✗ Not For
- Beginners or improvers
- Players prone to arm/elbow issues
- Control-first game styles
- Those new to diamond shapes
- Players who want forgiving sweet spots
- Defensive or all-round players
About Alejandro Galán
You can’t talk about the Metalbone HRD+ without talking about the man behind it. Alejandro Galán is one of the most decorated players in padel history — a multiple-time World Champion and former World Number 1 who has dominated the sport alongside Juan Lebrón as one of the most feared partnerships on the Premier Padel tour.
Galán’s game is built on aggression. He reads the game early, moves forward relentlessly, and finishes points with explosive overhead power. The Metalbone HRD+ 2026 reflects his playing style perfectly — it’s a tool designed to maximise his ability to win points at the net with authority. When Galán has this racket in hand and gets into an overhead position, most rallies end very quickly.
Understanding who uses this racket professionally gives you a clear picture of what it demands from the player. Galán’s physical conditioning, shot consistency, and explosive footwork allow him to exploit every ounce of the racket’s power potential. If you want to get the most from this frame, you’ll need to bring real athleticism and a consistent technique to the court.
Technology Deep-Dive
The Metalbone HRD+ 2026 packs some serious engineering into its frame. Here’s a breakdown of each key technology:
Carbon Aluminized 16K
A premium carbon weave with aluminized reinforcement that delivers exceptional frame rigidity and durability. The 16K thread count means ultra-fine fibres tightly packed together, producing a stiffer, more energy-efficient frame that transfers power directly from swing to ball.
High Memory EVA Core
The heart of the HRD’s aggression. High-density EVA rubber provides greater hardness and faster ball exit speed — critical for players who want to put the ball away on overhead shots. The “memory” aspect means the rubber rapidly returns to shape, giving consistent response across the hitting surface.
Weight and Balance System
A genuinely innovative feature unique to the Metalbone range. The racket ships with additional weight inserts that can be positioned in different zones of the frame to customise balance and swing weight. You can add up to 11.2g to dial in the perfect feel for your game — more head weight for smash power, or distribute evenly for a more balanced feel.
Power Groove Technology
A reinforced structural rail runs along the profile of the racket, significantly increasing frame rigidity and energy return on contact. This channel-like groove acts like a stiffening spine, ensuring that less energy is lost to frame flex during powerful shots.
Spin Blade Decal
A textured surface treatment across the hitting face that creates additional friction at ball contact, generating more spin. For players who rely on heavy topspin viboras or slice shots off the glass, this technology adds a significant weapon to your arsenal.
Octagonal Structure Frame
Rather than a traditional round or square cross-section profile, the Metalbone uses an octagonal frame geometry. This eight-sided shape maximises the surface area in contact with the carbon layers, increasing overall torsional stiffness and reducing unwanted twisting on off-centre hits.
EPG Ergonomic Protective Grip
Adidas’s protective grip system that ships as a structural element of the racket. It’s not just aesthetic — the grip wraps contribute to the overall weight balance and provide a protective layer for the handle section. The Metalbone Protector Tape on the head provides additional impact protection from court scrapes.
Diamond Shape and Head-Heavy Balance
The classic power racket geometry. Diamond shapes concentrate mass in the upper portion of the frame, raising the sweet spot high and amplifying overhead swing momentum. Combined with the head-heavy balance achievable via the Weight and Balance System, you get a multiplier effect on smash power that round or teardrop rackets simply cannot match.
Full Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Adidas |
| Model | Metalbone HRD+ 2026 |
| Player | Alejandro Galán |
| Shape | Diamond |
| Balance | Head Heavy (adjustable via Weight System) |
| Weight | 345 to 360g (plus 0 to 11.2g adjustable) |
| Surface | 485 cm2 |
| Length | 455 mm |
| Thickness | 38 mm |
| Frame | Carbon Aluminized 16K |
| Core | High Memory EVA (High Density) |
| Level | PRO / Elite |
| Game Style | Attack |
| Key Technologies | Weight and Balance System, Power Groove, Spin Blade Decal, Octagonal Structure, EPG |
How the HRD+ Differs from the Standard Metalbone 2026
Adidas offers the Metalbone family in multiple variants for 2026, and it’s important to understand where the HRD+ sits in the range — and why it commands a premium price point.
The standard Metalbone 2026 uses a Soft Performance EVA core, which provides a noticeably more forgiving, comfortable feel. It’s head-heavy and diamond shaped — still a power racket — but accessible to a wider range of advanced players. It suits those who want Metalbone power without the brutally stiff feel of the HRD+.
The HRD+ (Hard+) variant replaces the soft core with High Memory EVA rubber that is significantly firmer. This increases ball exit speed dramatically, but comes with an important trade-off: significantly less dwell time on the string bed, making placement and touch shots much more demanding. You need to be an advanced player to unlock this racket’s potential rather than fight against it.
There’s also the Metalbone CTRL 2026 — a round-shaped, even-balanced option from the same family that sacrifices power for precision and a forgiving sweet spot. That racket suits all-court players who want the Metalbone build quality but prioritise consistency over raw punch.
| Variant | Shape | Core | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metalbone HRD+ 2026 | Diamond | High Memory EVA (Hard) | Elite attackers, smash specialists |
| Metalbone 2026 | Diamond | Soft Performance EVA | Advanced all-round attackers |
| Metalbone CTRL 2026 | Round | Comfort EVA | Precision players, defensive styles |
| Metalbone Team Light 2026 | Round | Soft EVA | Club players wanting Metalbone feel |
On-Court Performance
Power and Smash
This is where the Metalbone HRD+ 2026 absolutely shines. The combination of the diamond shape, head-heavy balance, High Memory EVA core, and Power Groove technology creates one of the most explosive smash experiences in padel. When you get into position over a lob, you can genuinely swing through the ball with confidence that it will go through the court fast and hard.
The vibora is similarly devastating. The Spin Blade Decal creates excellent friction on the ball, and the stiff frame means all that energy transfers into spin and pace rather than being absorbed by frame flex. Advanced players who work the vibora as their primary point-ending shot will immediately feel how well this racket is tuned for that purpose.
Control and Touch
Here’s the honest truth: this is not a particularly forgiving racket for touch shots and soft play. The High Memory EVA core has a very fast ball rebound that requires excellent feel and timing to keep delicate shots from flying long. Drops, floating lobs, and defensive dinks demand real skill with this frame.
Elite players adapt quickly — they understand that the diamond shape and hard core require them to shorten their swing on touch shots and really “feel” the ball rather than letting it ping off. But if you’re the kind of player who depends on the racket forgiving your off-centre hits, this will punish you.
Spin Generation
Excellent. The Spin Blade Decal does a real job here, and the stiff frame ensures spin imparted by your swing isn’t dampened by frame flex. Lob returns from the back of the court with heavy topspin are comfortable, and sliced shots off the glass have a wickedly low bounce when the spin is working. This is one of the better rackets in the 2026 range for pure spin generation.
The Weight and Balance System in Practice
One of the most interesting features to test on court is the Weight and Balance System. The ability to add up to 11.2g and position the weight inserts in different zones gives this racket a genuine customisation dimension that very few competitors offer at any price point.
Loading weight into the head amplifies smash power dramatically — it’s almost like having a different racket. Distributing weight evenly makes the swing feel more natural and helps with net volleys where precision matters more than brute force. Most advanced players will spend a session or two experimenting before landing on their preferred configuration.
Comparison with Top Rivals
How does the Metalbone HRD+ 2026 stack up against the other elite power rackets in its category?
| Feature | Metalbone HRD+ 2026 | NOX AT10 Genius 12K | Bullpadel Hack 04 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shape | Diamond | Diamond | Diamond |
| Core | High Memory EVA (Hard) | HR3 Carbon Foam | Arroba+ EVA |
| Power Rating | 9.5/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.5/10 |
| Customisation | Excellent (Weight System) | Standard | Standard |
| Pro Player | Alejandro Galán | Agustín Tapia | Paquito Navarro |
| Best For | Smash power + customisation | Raw power + precision | Power + touch balance |
The Metalbone HRD+ 2026’s unique selling point in this comparison is clearly the Weight and Balance System — no other top-level power racket in 2026 offers this level of physical customisation. The NOX AT10 Genius and Bullpadel Hack 04 are both exceptional weapons, but they ship with a fixed configuration. The Metalbone gives you a laboratory to experiment with.
Court Drills to Maximise the Metalbone HRD+
Getting the most from this racket requires deliberate practice with specific shot types. Here are four drills that help advanced players unlock its full potential:
Drill 1: Smash Ladder
Partner feeds high lobs to varying depths. Progress from defensive smashes when tight on time to attacking smashes with full swing. Focus on consistent contact at the sweet spot — the hard EVA will penalise late hits immediately.
Drill 2: Vibora Wall Reps
Viboras to the left wall, right wall, and back glass alternately. The Spin Blade Decal shines here. Count how many consecutive viboras you can execute without the ball escaping. Focus on brush contact rather than flat hitting.
Drill 3: Touch Recovery
From the back of the court, play alternate defensive lobs and drop shots. This forces you to adapt your swing length constantly with a firm-core racket. The discipline of shortening swing on touch shots is essential to get the full picture of this racket’s demands.
Drill 4: Weight System A/B Test
Spend one full session with weight concentrated in the head, then one with weight distributed evenly. Note specific scenarios where each configuration helps or hinders. Most players find head-heavy optimal for baseline play and even balance better for net exchanges.
Where to Buy the Adidas Metalbone HRD+ 2026 in the UK
The Metalbone HRD+ 2026 is available from several UK retailers. We recommend checking Amazon UK for the latest pricing and stock availability:
Elite power weapon | Carbon Aluminized 16K | Weight and Balance System
More forgiving core | Same elite build | Great for advanced players stepping up
Round shape | Forgiving sweet spot | Precision-focused control
If you’re not sure which Metalbone variant suits your game, our complete padel equipment reviews section has detailed comparisons across all skill levels. We also have a full roundup of the best padel rackets 2026 for every type of player, including options for beginners right through to elite competitors.
Final Verdict
Final Verdict: Adidas Metalbone HRD+ 2026
The Adidas Metalbone HRD+ 2026 is an outstanding achievement in padel racket engineering. The combination of Carbon Aluminized 16K construction, High Memory EVA core, and the innovative Weight and Balance System creates a power platform that is genuinely class-leading.
Its strengths are undeniable: explosive smash power, excellent vibora spin, and a customisation system that no competitor matches. Its limitations are equally clear: this is a demanding racket that rewards excellent technique and punishes poor timing.
If you are an advanced player with a solid technical foundation who wants to add a genuine weapon to your overhead game, the Metalbone HRD+ 2026 deserves serious consideration. It’s Ale Galán’s choice for a reason — and if your game has reached the level where you can unlock its potential, it will reward you handsomely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Adidas Metalbone HRD+ 2026 suitable for intermediate players?
Honestly, no. The High Memory EVA core is very firm and unforgiving, with a high sweet spot typical of diamond-shaped rackets. Intermediate players will struggle to get consistent results and may find it fatiguing on the arm. The standard Metalbone 2026 or Metalbone CTRL 2026 would be better choices for players not yet at advanced level.
What does the Weight and Balance System actually do?
The Weight and Balance System includes additional weight inserts that can be placed in different zones of the frame to alter the racket’s swing weight and balance point. You can add up to 11.2g total. Position inserts in the head for maximum smash power with a head-heavy balance, or distribute them evenly around the frame for a more neutral all-court feel.
How does the HRD+ differ from the standard Metalbone 2026?
The key difference is the core. The HRD+ uses High Memory EVA which is high density and firm, while the standard Metalbone uses Soft Performance EVA which is softer and more forgiving. The HRD+ generates more power and faster ball exit speed but demands better technique. The standard version is more accessible while still being very powerful.
Can I use the Metalbone HRD+ if I have a history of tennis elbow?
We would not recommend it. The firm EVA core and stiff carbon frame transmit significant vibration on off-centre hits, which puts additional stress on the elbow and wrist. Players with a history of arm problems should choose a round-shaped racket with a softer core, such as the Metalbone CTRL 2026 or a comfort-focused option like the Adidas Drive range.
What grip accessories work best with the Metalbone HRD+?
The racket ships with the EPG Ergonomic Protective Grip pre-installed. For overgrip, players often prefer a thinner overgrip to maintain feel with such a demanding racket. Options like the Wilson Pro Overgrip or HEAD Xtreme Soft are popular choices among advanced players. See our full Best Padel Overgrips 2026 guide at padelmad.co.uk for more options.
How does the Metalbone HRD+ compare to Galán’s previous rackets?
The 2026 Metalbone HRD+ continues the evolution of the Metalbone line with refined carbon layup, the updated Weight and Balance System, and improved Spin Blade Decal texture. The core philosophy remains unchanged — maximum power for aggressive play — but the 2026 version delivers that power with greater consistency and better frame stability than its predecessors.
