Bullpadel Hack 02 2020

Technologies

Pros

• ✓TriCarbon weaves the carbon tapes in three directions, so the core snaps back faster after contact — the flat smash comes off crisp, no that split-second sag that bleeds off pace Dual-density MultiEva solves two problems at once: the firmer outer layer handles the fast ball on the smash while the softer inner layer gives you touch on volleys and dropshots The round shape widens the sweet spot compared with a diamond frame, so an off-centre bandeja still finds direction instead of dying into the net The CustomWeight system with 3g aluminium plates lets you push the balance up for more pop or bring it down for extra ball exit, all without switching rackets Hesacore spreads pressure across the hand and Vibradrive filters out the sharp carbon kickback that, on a 38mm frame with a hard rubber, is exactly what ends up hammering the elbow

Cons

• ✗Ball exit is short: on a low return or a defensive lob from the back you need a full arm swing — this racket won't gift you extra metres At 380g, the top end of the range, with hard rubber, a quick víbora on the cross-court exchange demands a strong wrist and early prep; arrive late and the ball sails long This is a competition racket with no mercy for mid-level players — without settled technique, you'll feel the loaded arm more than any extra power The compact rubber needs a warm ball — on the first exchanges of a cold match it feels muted and takes time to open up

The Bullpadel Hack 02 2020 is designed for competition or pro-level players who prioritise performance and precision over comfort. Its round shape concentrates the sweet spot in the center of the face, increasing tolerance and favouring control. Its 360-380g weight range places it in the medium-weight group, the most common among amateur players.

Bullpadel Hack 02: The Year Paquito Navarro Left the Diamond Behind

The 2020 Bullpadel Hack 02 is the padel racket that broke Paquito Navarro's own mould. The former world No.1 had built his career on diamond-shaped rackets, but for this entry in the Proline range the shape switched to round, with a 12K TriCarbon carbon face, a dual-density MultiEva core, a 38mm frame and a weight of 360-380g. This isn't a cosmetic tweak — it shifts the entire balance point of the racket.

Why Build a Power Racket in a Round Shape?

Conventional wisdom says power lives in the diamond shape. The Hack 02 argues otherwise. A round frame spreads mass more evenly and enlarges the usable hitting area, giving a livelier response off the face without needing to nail a tiny sweet spot.

The power here isn't coming from geometry — it's coming from the materials: hard rubber, a thick frame and a carbon face that returns almost everything you put into it.

The result is a racket that hits hard but forgives more than its diamond-shaped predecessor did. It's still demanding — it's just that missing the centre no longer costs you the whole point.

TriCarbon and MultiEva: What Each Layer Actually Does

TriCarbon is Bullpadel's answer to speeding up core response. It's made of thinner, lighter carbon tape woven in three directions instead of two. Because the weave is lighter, the core compresses and rebounds faster after impact, and that rebound speed is what translates into extra ball speed off the face.

MultiEva works in layers of differing density. The outer zone is firm and handles a fast incoming ball without deforming too much; the inner layer is softer and is what lets you feel the ball when you're playing it soft.

It's a core that reacts differently depending on impact speed. Hit it soft and you get touch; hit it hard and you get wall.

The rest of the tech package is there in support:

• **Hesacore** — hexagonal grip geometry that spreads pressure and cuts torque in the hand
• **Vibradrive** and **Nerve** — vibration filtering, essential on a carbon-and-hard-rubber racket
• **Metalshield** — frame reinforcement in the ground-impact zone
• **CustomWeight** — 3g aluminium plates for balance tuning
• **NanoPaint** — surface finish

Specs at a Glance

Shot by Shot: How It Plays

Smash. This is where the racket earns its keep. A flat smash down the middle comes off with a taut trajectory, and the 38mm frame holds up on impact without the face caving in. The kick smash needs a touch more wrist work since the hard rubber won't generate extra bounce on its own — you have to supply the height.

Bandeja and víbora. The cut bandeja comes off clean and on-line; the round shape helps when the ball arrives awkwardly and you can't quite centre it. The víbora is more selective — it demands early prep and a firm wrist, because at 380g with balance loaded toward the head, the quick cross-court action isn't something you can improvise.

Defence and wall exit. This is where the trade-off shows. Ball exit is short — the racket won't add distance on its own. A lob from the back needs a full arm swing behind it, and a ball hugging the glass that comes out low demands clean technique, since the compact rubber won't lift it for you.

Volley. Strong feel at the net: the wide sweet spot and heft turn the block volley into a solid shot. The dropshot works if you play it with a relaxed hand, leaning on that softer inner core layer.

Who Should Actually Play the Hack 02?

Straight answer: a competition-level player with a healthy shoulder and elbow, settled smash technique, and an aggressive net game. If your strength is the smash down the middle and you're looking to close points fast, this racket has your back. If your game is built on constructing points from the back and returning deep lobs, this isn't your tool.

As a doubles partner, it pairs well alongside a more control-and-placement-oriented player who can hold the rally while you look for the finish.

CustomWeight leaves room to tune it: add plates up top for even more pop, or keep it stock at 360g to claw back some maneuverability for defence.

Verdict: Honest Power, No Shortcuts

The Bullpadel Hack 02 delivers exactly what it promises. The move from diamond to round made it a bit more liveable without stripping away its character, and pairing TriCarbon with MultiEva gives it a quick response that pays off on the smash.

What it won't do is bail you out when you're in trouble. Short ball exit and hard rubber turn every defensive ball into physical work, and at 380g a long match starts to tell on the forearm.

This is the padel racket for the player who already hits well and wants to hit harder — not for one hoping the racket does half the work.