EVA
EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) is the foam core inside every modern padel racket, sitting between the two carbon or fibreglass panel faces. EVA density determines how the racket feels on impact - soft EVA is forgiving and arm-friendly, hard EVA is responsive and powerful. Most premium rackets specify EVA hardness on the spec sheet.
What is EVA?
EVA stands for ethylene-vinyl acetate, a closed-cell foam used as the core of nearly every padel racket. It sits between the two carbon or fibreglass panels and provides the rebound that gives the racket its bounce-back feel. EVA replaced earlier foam materials because it holds its shape over many impacts without compressing permanently.
Hardness grades
EVA comes in different hardness grades - soft (sometimes called “soft EVA” or “restorative”), medium and hard. Soft EVA absorbs more impact and is gentler on the arm but produces less power. Hard EVA returns more energy to the ball, giving the racket more power, but at the cost of higher vibration to the arm.
How to choose
Beginners and players with elbow concerns should choose soft EVA. Intermediate all-rounders suit medium EVA. Advanced players who can absorb the extra vibration choose hard EVA. The spec is usually listed on the racket’s product page alongside head shape and weight.
Coach tip: If you have ever had tennis elbow or wrist pain, soft EVA is non-negotiable. Hard EVA cores produce significantly more vibration transfer on miss-hits, and the cumulative load over months is what triggers flare-ups. Soft EVA is genuinely arm-friendly without being a beginner-only spec.
Common mistakes
Buying hard EVA because pros use it is the dominant amateur mistake with this spec. Pro players have professional-grade timing that minimises miss-hits, so the vibration cost is small. Amateur miss-hits are more frequent, and the cumulative vibration on a hard core causes arm strain over time.