Head Radical Motion 2024

Technologies

Pros

• ✓That 355 g spread across a 461 cm² hitting area with a medium balance means you get to low volleys and cross-court counters in time, without shortening the swing or rushing the hand The rough surface really bites on vibora and cut bandeja: the sidespin shows up in the bounce and opens up angles toward the back glass from mid-court Auxetic working over the Control Foam core delivers an informed, crisp feel on volleys, with enough ball exit to dig balls off the wall without needing to swing all-out The Soft Butt Cap soaks up a good chunk of the shock from forced shots, which the wrist appreciates on scrambling defensive gets and balls that jam in close to the frame

Cons

• ✗The sweet spot isn't as forgiving as you'd expect from a control racket: balls that catch near the tip lose depth, and the bandeja por 3 smash comes up short At 355 g and medium balance, the smash lacks punch, so closing out points relies more on placement and spin than on raw power The 38 mm profile paired with the control foam calls for a trained arm; players who can't generate their own racket speed will find it doesn't do the work for them from the back of the court It only comes in one weight, 355 g: if you're after more inertia for smashing, there's no heavier version of this model to fall back on

The Head Radical Motion 2024 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. With a weight of 355g, it sits among the lighter rackets on the market: easier to swing and less stressful on the elbow.

Head Radical Motion 2024: exactly 355 g, a 3K carbon face, Control Foam core, 38 mm frame and Auxetic technology in the bridge. It's the lightest teardrop in the Radical line, and that weight figure shapes pretty much everything this racket does on court.

Head Radical Motion 2024: what this 355 g teardrop is built for

The Radical range lives in that space for players who want control without giving up on the smash. This version is the lightest take on that idea: teardrop shape, medium balance and a 461 cm² hitting surface.

That combo isn't accidental. The teardrop shape puts a bit more mass up top — just enough to give the smash some backing — while the medium balance brings the racket back to a neutral feel in the hand after every shot.

The result is a padel racket that handles almost like a round-shaped frame but doesn't fall short when it's time to send the ball deep.

Auxetic, Control Foam and 3K carbon: what each piece brings to the Radical Motion

The 3K weave on the face is the most flexible of the common carbon grades. Softer than a 12K or 18K, it gives a longer feel on contact: the ball sits on the surface a fraction longer, and that buys real time to direct it.

Beneath it sits the Control Foam core. It responds evenly across the whole face, without the dead zones you get near the frame edge on stiffer builds, and it holds its response steady even two hours into a hot match.

Auxetic sits at the bridge-to-frame junction: on impact it expands under deformation instead of compressing. That widens the effective contact area and adds the extra punch that makes up for the lack of grams.

Graphite Inside reinforces the internal structure so the frame doesn't flex open despite the 38 mm profile. Smart Bridge and Tailored Frame work on the bridge geometry and outline to spread out stress, while Optimized Sweet Spot centres the sweet spot and the Soft Butt Cap dampens vibration from the base of the handle.

Head Radical Motion 2024 specs

How does the Radical Motion play, shot by shot?

At the net is where this racket shows its best side. Volleys come off crisp, with the ball staying on the face just long enough to pick your depth; at 355 g, the low backhand volley — the one that arrives fast and has to be flicked out with the wrist — doesn't demand an early prep.

The bandeja is comfortable and repeatable. The manageable weight lets you follow through fully without loading up the arm deep into a third set, and the rough surface cuts the ball enough to keep the bounce low off the side glass.

The vibora is probably the standout shot. Pronounced texture plus the teardrop shape combine for an aggressive lift that opens up angles toward the back glass from mid-court.

The flat smash is a different story. It lacks the mass to put balls away, and anyone chasing points on raw power alone will end up forcing the arm. The bandeja por 3 works when the contact is clean and centred; catch it off-centre near the tip and the ball loses depth and sits up for the opponent.

On defence, the maneuverability lets you adjust late off the back wall and drop precise lobs from awkward positions.

Who is the Head Radical Motion 2024 for?

It's built for advanced players with a trained swing who put control and placement ahead of raw power. Its 355 g weight, Control Foam core and 3K carbon face demand that the player supply the racket speed; in exchange, they deliver instant maneuverability, plenty of spin and an informed touch at net.

Three trade-offs to weigh up with this Head

1. **A sweet spot that asks for precision.** Despite Optimized Sweet Spot, high contact near the tip isn't forgiving — it costs you depth and feel.
2. **A real ceiling on power.** There's no extra weight to lean on. Against pairs who defend well and get everything back, closing out points takes more shots.
3. **Only one weight on offer.** With no heavier version available, anyone wanting more inertia will need to compensate with protector tape and overgrips.

Verdict: control with ball exit, not a power racket

This Head model suits the backhand player who builds the point off vibora and cross-court bandeja, and just as well the forehand of a positional player who needs to cover everything at net.

Anyone hoping for a racket that smashes on its own, or that papers over an underdeveloped arm, is buying the wrong model. Players with the technique who want a fast-moving teardrop with spin that won't punish the elbow will find a rare kind of balance here.

As a doubles pairing, it works well alongside a partner who brings the firepower from the other side: the Radical Motion supplies the order and the spin, not the hammer.