Interactive 3D available

adidas · Drive line · 2026

Drive Black

A reliable round racket for beginners.

Platform-created modelBeginnerControlAll-roundSpecs unverified

Shape: Round
Weight: 360–375 g
Balance: Medium-low
Feel: Soft

Best price

€63.90

Platform score 7.5/10

The Drive is adidas's beginner round. A centred sweet spot and a comfortable core make it predictable and forgiving while you learn the basic strokes.

Who is this racket for?

Best for: Beginners learning the fundamentals.
Playing style: Control / All-round
Level: Beginner
Recommended for: New players who want a forgiving racket from a major brand.
Not ideal for: Intermediate players looking for more power or precision.

The round head is clearest in the front view: the widest point sits in the middle.

The balance point is shown in the edge view with the balance overlay.

Platform evaluation: our interpretation of the specs, not a manufacturer claim.

What reviewers say

2 sources summarisedChecked 7 Oct 2026

A control-oriented racket for beginners and occasional players. Reviewers find it comfortable, light and forgiving, with good ball output from the soft EVA core.

What testers like

Comfortable and forgiving
Easy ball output
Reinforced against twisting

Watch out for

Little raw power; smashes take effort

Suits: Beginners up to intermediate players.
Tech: Structural Reinforcement, Smart Holes Lineal pattern

Paladex’s read

A dependable starter racket from a big brand. Spend more only once you know your style.

Our opinion, drawn from the sources below. We haven’t play-tested this racket.

Sources

Platform scores

Overall platform score

7.5/10

Sample evaluation

Power5.0

Control7.3

Maneuverability7.9

Forgiveness8.9

Sweet spot8.8

Defence8.1

Attack5.3

These are Paladex's own evaluation scores (methodology v0.2 (sample)), not manufacturer-certified measurements. Scores are on the same 1–10 scale across the site.

Specifications

UnverifiedCompiled from public retailer and manufacturer listings on 5 Oct 2026. Not yet verified against the manufacturer. Frame material added from retailer and review listings (Padelful, Padel Kiwi), 7 Oct 2026; not checked against the brand.

Brand: adidas
Model: Drive Black
Collection: Drive
Year: 2026
Shape: RoundThe head is almost circular and widest in the middle, so the sweet spot sits low and central, close to your hand. The most forgiving and controllable shape. Off-centre hits still go where you aim, but smashes get less free power.
Weight: 360–375 gA mid-range weight that most adult players handle comfortably, balancing stability and speed.
Balance: Medium-low · ≈ 260 mm (estimated)Where the weight is concentrated. Easy to handle at the net, with a little more stability than a head-light racket. Higher balance generally favours power, lower balance usually improves maneuverability.
Thickness: 38 mmA full 38 mm profile (the regulation maximum) gives more stability and power.
Frame material: Fibreglass
Face material: Fibreglass
Core: EVAEasy ball exit on slow shots and comfortable on the arm, but less precise when you swing hard.
Surface: SmoothClean, predictable contact on flat shots. Less grip on the ball for heavy spin.
Hardness: SoftA soft core that the ball sinks into.
Sweet spot: Low and centralDerived from the shape class. The 3D zone is an illustration, not a measurement.
Grip & handle: Standard handle with overgrip

Where to buy

Best current price

€63.90

at Padel Proshop

Buy

Padel ProshopPartner
In stock · checked 17 Oct 2026
€63.90
Buy
Padel Market
In stock · checked 17 Oct 2026
€80.00
Buy
Padel NuestroPartner
Out of stock · checked 17 Oct 2026
€63.95
Sold out
Ofertas de PadelPartner
Out of stock · checked 17 Oct 2026
€63.95
Sold out

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Our take

Sample editorialPaladex editorial (sample)

Predictable and forgiving

A solid, no-surprises beginner round.

The Drive keeps the sweet spot central and the feel soft, so early mishits are less punishing. It is not lively or powerful, but it lets beginners focus on technique.

Pros

Forgiving
Comfortable
Good starter price

Cons

Little power
Basic materials

Verdict

A sensible first racket.

3D inspection notes

In the front view, note the round head with the widest point in the middle.

Photos

About this 3D model

Platform-created model

3D model built by Paladex to represent this racket. Not supplied by the manufacturer.

Source: Paladex 3D: modelled from the brand's product photos, supplied by the site owner
Model version: 1.0.0-7b1c
Download size: 333 KB
Model notes: Platform-created model: geometry traced from the front photo, print projected from it; edge details approximated.

How our 3D models are made and labelled