Adidas Drive Light 2026 Racket

Adidas Drive Light 2026, a light and comfortable racket for beginners

The Adidas Drive Light 2026 is the lightweight version (345-360 g) of the entry-level Drive range. It targets beginners who want a racket that is easy to wield, with a very soft feel and generous ball exit.

Who is this racket for?

Players new to padel who put comfort first. The round shape centres the sweet spot and forgives off-centre hits. One key point: Adidas lists it as even-balanced, but our lab measurement puts it clearly head-heavy. The low weight is therefore partly offset by that mass towards the head, which helps add depth without forcing the swing.

The technologies explained

• Fiberglass face: a soft touch and easy rebound that send the ball deep with a short swing.
• EVA Soft Performance core: a soft rubber that filters vibrations and makes the racket forgiving.
• Structural Reinforcement: perimeter reinforcements that reduce frame torsion on off-centre impacts.
• Smart Holes Lineal: an even drilling pattern in groups of three that strengthens the hitting zone and durability.

The Extreme Tennis team's verdict

Adidas files it under control rackets, but our test bench places it on the comfort and ball-exit side rather than pure precision. For a beginner who still lacks racket-head speed, that is a real advantage. Players after a more stable, controlled racket should look at the Drive Blue 2026, the same shape at 360-375 g.