Black Crown Gladius Force

Technologies

Pros

• ✓Pairing AluCarbono 18K up top with 3K carbon through the rest of the face gives the smash a crisp, sharply defined impact — none of the uncontrolled bounce you get from a purely soft face Hard Eva Black sends the ball exactly where you aim it: víboras and cut bandejas come out flat and predictable, perfect for closing out points at the net The teardrop shape with medium balance keeps it manageable on fast volleys and grip changes, which isn't common in rackets this stiff The rough, sandy finish combined with 5D Extraespín bites into the ball on slice shots and kick serves, adding spin without straining your arm Gladius Core Balance keeps the weight distributed so it never feels like a sledgehammer, even at the top end of the 370 g range

Cons

• ✗Ball exit is short: defending from the back, on a high lob without leg support, it's hard to clear the ball from your side of the court unless you generate your own pace The sweet spot is small and sits high on the face; an off-centre wall exit dies on impact and sends vibration straight into your forearm Hard Eva Black takes its toll over long matches: without solid technique and a firm grip, that hard touch works its way into your elbow At 355-370 g with a stiff core, this isn't a racket for beginners or for players who rely on the trampoline effect of soft rubber

The Black Crown Gladius Force targets advanced players with consolidated technique who want more performance without yet moving to a pure competition racket. Its teardrop shape shifts the sweet spot slightly upwards, striking a balance between control and power. The medium balance keeps a balanced behaviour between baseline shots and volleys. Its 355-370g weight range places it in the medium-weight group, the most common among amateur players.

Black Crown Gladius Force review: the 355-370 g teardrop racket built purely for attack

The Black Crown Gladius Force is the stiffest version in the Gladius lineup: teardrop shape, mixed AluCarbono 18K + 3K Carbono face, Hard Eva Black core and a weight range of 355 to 370 grams. This is not a forgiving padel racket, and it was never meant to be.

Black Crown pitches it as 60% power / 40% control, and on court that translates into a dry, explosive strike built for smashers. The medium balance and Gladius Core Balance stop it from turning into an unwieldy hammer, but the overall stiffness sets the tone from the first ball to the last.

Black Crown Gladius Force specs at a glance

What does the AluCarbono 18K + 3K Carbono face actually change?

AluCarbono 18K is a very tight weave: it barely flexes and returns energy almost instantly. That's what gives this padel racket its dry touch and immediate response.

3K Carbono, with a more open weave, adds a bit of give where the racket needs to breathe. The blend isn't chasing comfort — it's chasing consistency, so the impact feels the same shot after shot and you can dial in power with your own arm rather than leaning on the material.

Hard Eva Black doubles down on that philosophy. It's a rubber that barely compresses, so there's no trampoline effect: the ball leaves at whatever speed you put into it, no more, no less. That's exactly why this model shines on flat smashes and struggles a bit more in passive defence.

Aero Carbon is worked into the frame profile to cut drag through the swing, while 5D Extraespín leans on the rough, sandy finish to grip the ball on sliced shots.

Shot-by-shot feel: where it shines and where it costs you

Smash and flat overhead. This is the whole sales pitch. The teardrop shape stacks mass above the geometric centre and, paired with the stiff core, delivers a short, crisp, well-defined impact. The ball comes out on a direct line, without that split-second of rubber compressing that slows down the exit.

Víbora and bandeja. The sandy finish grips nicely on sliced shots. On the víbora, the trajectory comes out taut with enough spin to open up the angle. The bandeja demands technique: without full shoulder follow-through, the lack of ball exit leaves the shot short.

Volley. It's a pleasant surprise. Despite the stiffness, the medium balance keeps it agile in fast net exchanges, and blocks come out precise because the face doesn't deform.

Defence and wall exits. This is where it struggles. A lob from the back of the court demands legwork and arm speed, because the racket won't hand you extra metres for free. And with the sweet spot concentrated high on the face, off-centre hits get punished — the ball dies and the vibration travels straight into your forearm.

Gladius Force vs. the standard Gladius: it's all in the core

If you're coming from the Black Crown Gladius 2026 and wanted more bite on your smash, the Force is the logical upgrade. If what you actually missed was comfort in defence, the Force takes you the other way entirely.

Who is this Black Crown padel racket really for?

Straight answer: the advanced, attacking player who lives at the net and finishes points with the smash. It demands solid technique, sharp timing and your own arm speed, because Hard Eva Black won't generate power on its own. This is neither a beginner's racket nor a defensive one.

The ideal profile ticks three boxes:

1. **Net-based game.** If your pattern is move up, volley, close it out, the mixed face's instant response gives you control over the moment of truth.
2. **Fast arm.** Without your own racket-head speed, the lack of ball exit shows up on every long shot.
3. **Tolerance for a hard touch.** Without clean technique and a firm grip, the stiffness will catch up with you over long matches.

As a doubles pairing, it works well alongside a partner using a more forgiving, control-oriented racket who can hold down the long rallies while you go hunting for the kill shot.

Verdict: defined power that demands a lot in return

The Black Crown Gladius Force delivers exactly what it promises: a rigid, highly reactive structure built for an aggressive game. The trade-off is weaker defence and a smaller sweet spot.

If you play up at the net, pick your smashes with intent, and dislike the feel of rubber working under your shots, this Black Crown racket stays true to itself from the first point to the last. If your matches involve a lot of walls and defensive lobs, the standard Gladius with Medium Black EVA will give you more margin for error.