StarVie Basalto 2019

Technologies

Pros

• ✓The sweet spot is massive for a round-shaped racket: shots that catch the upper edge off-centre still fly with direction, a real safety net when you're scrambling to defend off a wall exit. The Soft 30 EVA core stretches the contact time, so a deep lob comes off with barely any arm even when you're pinned to the back of the court. The rough, star-textured surface really bites on cut shots: sliced bandejas and touch dejadas stay low after the bounce. The low balance speeds up your reaction at net: you can decide between a flat bandeja and a cut bandeja later than usual without ever being rushed into the shot. The basalt-and-3K-carbon blend soaks up vibration without killing feel, a comfortable combo for sensitive arms that still want control.

Cons

• ✗With a low balance and restrained power, the smash by 3 leans almost entirely on your technique — the racket doesn't add extra head-inertia speed on its own. Units closer to the 380 g mark demand shoulder strength; over long sessions your arm feels it more than with a lighter build. The vibora needs its own whip: without mass in the head it's hard to generate the acceleration that shot needs to really trouble your opponents. This is an advanced-level, technical racket; without a well-grooved swing, the comfortable ball exit doesn't make up for the lack of built-in power.

The StarVie Basalto 2019 targets advanced players with consolidated technique who want more performance without yet moving to a pure competition racket. Its round shape concentrates the sweet spot in the center of the face, increasing tolerance and favouring control. With a low balance, it gains maneuverability and quick response at the net. Its 360-380g weight range places it in the medium-weight group, the most common among amateur players.

The mixed basalt fibre and 3K carbon face is the signature move of the StarVie Basalto 2019: a round-shaped padel racket weighing 360-380 g, low balance, a 38 mm frame and a Soft 30 core, backed by Star Balance and S2 Technology.

Basalt vs 3K carbon: two fibres, two very different jobs

Basalt is a volcanic-origin fibre known for damping. It soaks up impact vibration and stretches the contact time with the ball — exactly what a control player wants when they'd rather place the ball than blast it.

3K carbon does the opposite job: it adds the stiffness and response that stop the face from feeling too soft. It's an open-weave fabric, more flexible than dense carbons, and that flexibility translates straight into ball exit.

That combination sums up the character of this padel racket: it releases the ball quickly, gives you fair warning before it does, and forgives a lot more than you'd expect from a racket aimed at this level.

How does the StarVie Basalto 2019 play, shot by shot?

On the bandeja, this racket speaks for itself. The round shape and low balance keep the centre of gravity close to your hand, so adjusting the face on the ball is instant and you can delay the call between a flat bandeja and a cut bandeja.

The vibora is there, but it's not this racket's natural shot. With no weight in the head, you have to generate the whip yourself; anyone expecting the racket to accelerate on its own will find it comes up short.

Off a wall exit, the Soft 30 core works in your favour: the ball sinks deep into the face, pops back up with barely any effort, and a deep lob reaches the back wall with minimal arm. That's where this racket really pulls away from a stiffer option in the same shape.

The rough, star-textured surface bites hard on cut shots. On sliced bandejas and touch dejadas with spin, you'll notice the extra friction keeping the ball low after the bounce.

On the smash, the ceiling is clear: there's enough pop to close out a well-set-up flat smash or an angled shot by 3, but this isn't a racket that wins the point on impact alone.

Is the Basalto 2019 a power racket?

No. The StarVie Basalto 2019 is a control racket: the round shape, low balance and Soft 30 core all point towards precision, comfortable ball exit and a wide sweet spot. There's enough punch to finish points with good technique, but it won't generate pace on its own the way an offensive-profile racket does.

StarVie Basalto 2019 specs

The 380-gram question: where opinions split

The 360-380 g weight range is wide, and not every unit plays the same. The ones at the top end take their toll in long sessions and get demanding on the shoulder.

With a low balance, that weight handles better than the number suggests, since the mass sits towards the handle rather than the head. Even so, it's still a racket that asks for physical condition — weighing your specific unit before buying changes the whole experience.

Player profile: grooved technique before muscle

This is a technical racket built for advanced players, ones with a structured swing who generate racket speed from their body rather than the material.

1. Net players who build the point: bandeja, bandeja, vibora, and only smash when the ball actually invites it.
2. Players managing elbow or shoulder niggles who need a cushioned core without giving up control.
3. Backhand-heavy defenders who need long, effortless lobs.

Who it won't suit: the natural smasher who lives for the shot by 3 and expects the racket to do half the work. That's where the low balance and restrained power fall short.

As a pairing, it works well alongside a partner with a head-heavy, attacking racket: one of you sustains the point, the other closes it out.

Verdict: fine control for a well-schooled arm

The Basalto 2019 does three things very well: it forgives off-centre hits, releases the ball fast, and gives you touch on cut shots. It does one thing only averagely: finish points on pure power.

If your game leans on placement, deep lobs and varying the height of your bandeja, this StarVie racket gives you more margin than you'd expect from something labelled advanced. If your game is vertical and explosive, a head-heavy profile will serve you better.