Adidas Metalbone Alternatives: Rackets That Play Like a Metalbone

The adidas Metalbone is one of the best known attacking rackets in padel. It is Ale Galán's frame, it is a diamond shape built for power, and it is famous for its adjustable weight and balance system. It is also a racket we do not carry. So when students ask me for a Metalbone, I usually show them a few frames that play in a similar way. Here is how I think about that.

What makes the Metalbone a Metalbone

• A diamond shape with a high sweet spot for smashes.
• A stiff carbon face and a firm core for a direct, powerful response.
• The weight and balance system, which lets you add weight to the head or handle.
• A level aimed at advanced and competition players.

I explain the model in more detail on the Metalbone page. If you are shopping for a Metalbone, it helps to know which of these you actually care about, because no alternative copies all four.

If you want the power: Bullpadel Hack and XPLO

The Hack 04 is the closest match in feel to a Metalbone. It is a diamond shape with a high balance and a hard response, and it is built for players who finish with the smash. The XPLO line is a slightly more forgiving power option. My Vertex vs Hack comparison explains where the Hack sits.

If you want power with a little more forgiveness: NOX AT10 Attack

The AT10 Attack versions give you a head-heavy, attacking feel with NOX's construction. They are a little easier to live with than a pure diamond, which matters if you play two or three times a week. My AT10 Genius notes cover the teardrop side of the same family.

If you want the diamond shape with comfort: Babolat Technical Veron

Some Metalbone fans love the shape but find the racket stiff. The Technical Veron keeps the diamond and the high balance but uses Babolat's carbon and fiberglass face for a softer feel. It is a sensible step for strong amateur players.

What you give up without the weight system

The honest answer is adjustability. The Metalbone lets you fine tune balance with weights. With the alternatives, you choose your balance when you choose the racket. In practice, most club players never change the weights once they find a setup they like, so this matters less than it sounds. If you want to fine tune anyway, an overgrip and a heavier frame protector change the feel more than people expect.

A quick guide by player

• Competition player who lives on the smash: Bullpadel Hack 04.
• Strong club player who wants power and a bit of forgiveness: NOX AT10 Attack or Bullpadel XPLO.
• Attacking amateur who wants comfort: Babolat Technical Veron.

The adidas alternatives collection groups the frames US players most often pick instead of the Metalbone.

Questions students ask me

Is the Metalbone good for intermediate players? It can be, but a diamond with a high balance punishes late preparation. Many intermediate players play better with a teardrop.

Is there a lighter Metalbone style option? Look at the women's and lighter builds in the attacking lines, or at the Technical Veron in its lighter years.

Shape, balance and level side by side

• Metalbone: diamond, adjustable balance, advanced to competition.
• Bullpadel Hack 04: diamond, high balance, advanced to competition.
• Bullpadel XPLO: hybrid or diamond depending on version, high balance, improver to competition.
• NOX AT10 Attack: attacking teardrop or diamond build, advanced.
• Babolat Technical Veron: diamond, high balance, amateur level with a softer face.

One more thing to consider

A power racket only helps if you are in position to use it. If most of your points are lost on defense, a teardrop such as the AT10 Genius may win you more matches than any diamond, Metalbone included.

My testing notes

I played a borrowed Metalbone for a week and then the Hack 04 and the AT10 Attack for a week each. The Hack felt the most similar on flat smashes. The AT10 Attack was the easiest of the three in long defensive rallies. If I were choosing for a club player rather than a pro, I would take the AT10 Attack.

Tomás Reyes is an FIP-certified padel coach with 14 years on court in Valencia and Madrid, coaching in the US since 2023.