-30%
8.95
Adidas Metalbone HRD+ 3.5 Ale Galán 2026
This padel racket Adidas diamond is an ideal model for a level intermediate and stands out for Power.
R.R.P 390€
273.99€
This padel racket Adidas diamond is an ideal model for a level intermediate and stands out for Power.
R.R.P 390€
273.99€
The Adidas Metalbone HRD 3.5 Ale Galán 2026 is Ale Galán’s signature paddle for this season, and it is clear that it is designed for a padel game with a lot of acceleration, quick exchanges, and initiative. From the first rally, it made it clear that it is a paddle with a lot of power, one that invites you to hit each ball decisively. It is not a defensive paddle; it is a paddle for attacking play, and it is well-defined in that regard from its conception. If we are offensive players looking for power with precision at high speeds, this version fits that profile perfectly.
As soon as we picked it up, we felt a very firm, rigid paddle with a robust structure. The touch is medium-hard leaning towards firm, with a dry and defined impact that transmits a very clear reading of the hit. That raw impact feeling is very appealing when we seek control over the ball because we can feel exactly how it enters and exits. There is no trampoline effect or extra help here: what the hand does, the paddle returns with great fidelity.
It quickly becomes apparent that we are dealing with one of the most offensive versions from Adidas. The balance is customizable and falls within a range of medium-high to high; with all the screws out, the weight clearly shifts to the head, making it the most offensive paddle from the brand within this line. The construction supports this idea, with two-in-one aluminized carbon and an octagonal structure to reinforce the rigidity of the whole. The finishes seemed to us to be of high quality, with a 3D relief on the surface that changes tone depending on the light and a set that conveys a lot of solidity, although care should be taken with hits on fences or glass.
The combination of High Memory hard EVA foam and 16K aluminized carbon completely defines its behavior from the back. It is not a defensive paddle, that is clear, because the ball exit is moderate and it does not give you anything when you have to lift from uncomfortable positions. If we want to get the ball out from the back, we need to accompany the hit, move the arm well, and give it some range. In return, when we hit well, the ball exits straight, clean, and with a very solid feeling.
Where it left us with very good sensations was in controlling lobs and changing directions. The firm touch allows us to place the ball with very high precision, especially in those high mid-court lobs where you want to measure depth without the ball flying away. Compared to softer paddles, there is less help with ball exit here, but much more reading of the impact. That rigidity of the plane makes the hit feel very defined, allowing us to play with intention on every shot.
Wall shots are one of the strokes where this Adidas truly shows its character. The contact is stable, the ball does not sink, and the aluminized carbon transmits a solid response that helps keep it low and deep. Moreover, it forgives a bit better than other very rigid diamond-shaped paddles, which is appreciated when the point accelerates and we do not hit perfectly in the center of the sweet spot. Still, it is a paddle that asks us to play forward and truly starts to shine when the exchanges pick up pace.
As soon as we step to the net, the paddle completely changes the conversation. Volleys come out very tight and with a stable trajectory, even when the ball comes quickly, allowing us to play with a lot of confidence in short exchanges. It works especially well in blocking because the rigid plane prevents the paddle from sinking, and the ball rebounds firmly without needing to be overly prepared. It is not the fastest in hand speed on the market, but it does not feel clumsy either.
With a firm arm, the trays come out deep almost naturally, and the direction of the hit is maintained very well. In viboras, we notice that extra advantage compared to less rigid models: the ball exits tighter and faster, with an aggressive trajectory that helps dominate the point when we take the initiative. The 3D relief is present on the surface and visually resembles that finish that changes tone depending on the light, but what is truly decisive at the net is the rigidity of the plane. For us, it is a paddle that performs extraordinarily well in this area.
If we look for it to close points, here it shows its more serious side. The flat smash has maximum power, with a very efficient energy transfer thanks to the High Memory foam, the aluminized carbon, and a high balance that pushes the head of the paddle a lot. However, it requires skill and timing: we need to control the hits very well, and we cannot be late. It is a paddle for very fast and powerful exchanges, and when the arm truly accelerates, we understand why it is Ale Galán’s choice.
Compared to the regular Metalbone 2026, this HRD feels more demanding due to its harder foam, but also more impactful when we hit hard. The power is at a 10/10, and within Adidas 2026, we are looking at the most offensive reference. The interesting thing is that it does not sacrifice control, as often happens with other aggressive paddles, because it maintains a 9.5/10 in control thanks to the firm touch and the two-in-one aluminized carbon. We can accelerate a lot without feeling that the ball is leaving the face, something that is especially noticeable in blocks, volleys, and quick hits.
The feeling here is what you would expect from an oversized diamond-shaped paddle with an offensive cut: correct sweet spot, but more reduced than in a paddle clearly oriented towards control. Still, it forgives better than other very rigid diamonds, so it does not penalize off-center hits as much when the pace of the point accelerates.
With a weight between 345 and 360 grams, the handling remains at an intermediate point: it is not a light paddle, but neither is it a clumsy one. The issue is not so much in moving it as in its dry and rigid touch, because if we do not hold the grip firmly, it can vibrate. For this reason, we see it as much more logical for players who play from mid-court up than for those who prefer a slower or more comfortable game.
Its official retail price is €390, although at the time of writing this review, we found it for €389.90 in specialized stores. This places it firmly in the professional/top range, where the minimum we expect is premium carbon, balance adjustment technologies, rigid structure, and competition-oriented performance, and this Adidas fits perfectly within that framework. It is a serious investment for those who prioritize pure performance, and as is often the case with this segment, the price is likely to decrease over the months, especially as the next version approaches. That is often when last season’s models end up being the best value for money options on the market.
We see it clearly for an offensive, technical player with a fast arm, at an advanced or professional level, who plays a lot from mid-court up and wants to dominate points through speed and power. It also fits very well for those who enjoy quick exchanges and a paddle with an informative, dry, and precise touch. On the other hand, if our game spends more time at the back, if we seek easy ball exit, or if we prefer a slower and more controlled rhythm, this would not be our choice. There is a lot of reward when we have good technique, but also quite a bit of demand.
The Adidas Metalbone HRD 3.5 Ale Galán 2026 seems to us to be a very serious paddle for those who want pure attack with real control. It has a lot of strength, a lot of firmness, and a response that rewards the technical player who accelerates the arm well. If that is our profile, it is one of those paddles that pushes you to play forward from the very first ball.
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