If you're looking for a new padel racket and are unsure whether to choose the Vertex 04 2025 or the Hack 04 2025 you're in the right place. Both rackets are top-tier models designed for advanced or professional players but they have subtle and sometimes significant differences that can influence your playing experience. In this blog we’ll dive deep into the technologies, features and playing styles that make each racket unique so you can make the best choice.

1. Shape and balance: What’s the difference?

Both rackets have a diamond shape and a high balance point meaning they are designed for players who want to generate a lot of power in their shots. However the way this power is expressed differs considerably.

Vertex 04 2025: Pure power

  • Shape: Diamond
  • Balance: High
  • Purpose: Maximum power

The Vertex 04 is a power machine. Thanks to its diamond shape and high balance point this racket is perfect for players who want to deliver heavy, powerful smashes. The Xtend Carbon 12K construction and CURVAKTIV technology provide a rigid structure that allows for maximum power transfer. This makes it ideal for aggressive players who want to overwhelm their opponents with brute force.

Hack 04 2025: Dynamic power

  • Shape: Diamond
  • Balance: High
  • Purpose: Dynamic power

The Hack 04 on the other hand, focuses on converting speed into power. This racket is designed for players who use quick, precise shots and turn their body movements into dynamic power. Thanks to the TOTAL CHANNEL aerodynamics and TRICORE construction, you’ll experience less air resistance with this racket, allowing you to swing faster and generate more power with smooth movement.

Conclusion: Choose the Vertex 04 if you want to maximize pure power and enjoy heavy smashes. Choose the Hack 04 if you seek dynamic power generated by fast, fluid movements.

2. Innovation and technology

Both rackets are packed with technologies that enhance performance but the focus of these technologies differs significantly. Let’s take a look at the key innovations of both rackets.

Vertex 04 2025: Innovation for stability and power

  • CURVAKTIV: This system provides extra resistance to torsion. It ensures better distribution of forces and vibrations through the frame, leading to a more stable and uniform hit. This gives the Vertex 04 a stiffer feel, resulting in a more powerful impact.
  • AIR POWER: A hollow structure at the bottom of the blade reduces the risk of deformation, increasing the racket's durability and stability.
  • Xtend Carbon 12K: The outer layer is made of Xtend Carbon 12K, which provides greater stiffness and power.

Hack 04 2025: Innovation for speed and precision

  • TOTAL CHANNEL: The aerodynamics of the Hack 04 have been optimized with a channel around the entire frame, reducing air resistance. This means you can swing faster, resulting in more powerful and precise shots.
  • TRICORE: This new structure increases the racket’s stability and reduces unwanted vibrations, giving you more control with every shot. It also makes the racket more comfortable for players seeking precision.
  • SMART HOLES: The redesigned hole pattern creates a larger sweet spot, giving you more room to make powerful, yet precise shots.

Conclusion: The Vertex 04 focuses on stability and power through torsion resistance and a hollow structure for greater stiffness. The Hack 04 emphasizes speed and precision with improved aerodynamics and a larger sweet spot. This makes the Hack 04 ideal for players who are quick and agile.

3. Material and construction: What do you feel in your hands?

Although both rackets use high-quality materials, there is a difference in the composition of the outer and inner layers, which directly affects the feel of the racket.

Vertex 04 2025: Xtend carbon for maximum stiffness

  • Outer core: Xtend Carbon 12K
  • Inner core: MultiEva

The Xtend Carbon 12K technology in the outer core of the Vertex 04 ensures extra stiffness, giving you the power to hit the ball with maximum force. The MultiEva core provides variable shock absorption depending on how hard you hit the ball, offering more versatility in your game.

Hack 04 2025: TriCarbon for flexibility and control

  • Outer core: TriCarbon 3D
  • Inner core: MultiEva

The TriCarbon 3D construction of the Hack 04 offers a more flexible response compared to the Xtend Carbon 12K of the Vertex 04. This means the Hack 04 is slightly more forgiving and offers better control, especially during fast rallies and technical shots.

Conclusion: If you're looking for maximum stiffness and power, the Vertex 04 is the right choice. For more flexibility and a bit more forgiveness during fast shots, go for the Hack 04.

4. Playing style and experience: Which fits your game?

Choosing the right padel racket goes beyond technical specifications. Your playing style and experience level are crucial factors in determining which racket suits you best. In this section, we’ll explore how the Vertex 04 2025 and Hack 04 2025 fit different playing styles, so you can choose the racket that maximizes your game.

Vertex 04 2025: For the powerful and aggressive player

The Vertex 04 2025 is specifically designed for players who want to put their opponents under pressure with brute force. This racket delivers maximum power thanks to its diamond shape and high balance point, meaning most of the weight is towards the head of the racket. This allows you to generate more momentum during your shots, resulting in powerful attacks and devastating smashes.

Hack 04 2025: For the dynamic and technical player

The Hack 04 2025 is aimed at players seeking speed, agility, and precision. Unlike the brute force of the Vertex, the Hack revolves around converting speed into dynamic power. The racket offers the same powerful capabilities, but the key difference is how this power is generated: through speed and technique.

Conclusion: If you’re a powerful, attacking player, the Vertex 04 2025 will suit you perfectly. If you’re a dynamic, technical player who thrives on speed and precision, the Hack 04 2025 is the better fit.

5. Comfort and injury prevention: How do these rackets feel during extended play?

Players also want to know how comfortable the rackets are during extended play, especially advanced players who engage in intense matches. Players are often sensitive to vibrations that can lead to injuries like tennis elbow or wrist strain.

Vertex 04 2025: Vibradrive for shock absorption

The Vertex 04 features the Vibradrive system, a technology designed specifically to absorb the shocks and vibrations that occur with powerful shots. This makes the racket not only powerful but also kinder to your joints.

Hack 04 2025: Tricore stability and less vibration

The Hack 04 provides greater stability and reduces unwanted vibrations thanks to the Tricore system, resulting in a more comfortable feel during play. This helps players who seek precision and speed without worrying about vibrations disrupting their game or causing injuries.

6. Customization: How can you personalize your racket?

For many players, it’s important to be able to adjust their racket to their specific needs. The ability to customize a racket, such as its balance or weight, can make a crucial difference.

Vertex 04 2025: CustomWeight system

One unique feature of the Vertex 04 is the CustomWeight system. This system allows you to adjust the weight and balance of the racket by adding or removing weight plates. This lets you shift the balance towards the head for more power or closer to the handle for better control.

Hack 04 2025: Standard settings

The Hack 04 doesn’t offer specific customization options like the Vertex. This racket is designed to deliver maximum performance in its standard configuration, which can be an advantage for players who don’t want to experiment with adjustments and prefer to rely on factory settings.

Which racket Is best for you?

Now that we’ve explored the key differences between the Vertex 04 2025 and Hack 04 2025 in detail, it’s time to weigh up the options. Both rackets are top-tier models, but the right racket for you depends on your playing style, preferences, and needs.

  • Vertex 04 2025: This racket is ideal for players who want to maximize power, especially in an attacking game. With its customizable CustomWeight feature and advanced technologies like Vibradrive, you get a powerful and robust racket that allows you to deliver the most aggressive shots.
  • Hack 04 2025: If you’re a more dynamic player who values precision and speed, the Hack 04 offers excellent control and agility. Thanks to its lightweight feel and improved aerodynamics, you can handle fast rallies and tactical shots with ease.

Whichever racket you choose, both the Vertex 04 and Hack 04 will elevate your game to the next level. It all comes down to what you expect from a racket: maximum brute power or dynamic flexibility. Think carefully about your playing style, try both rackets if possible, and make the choice that best suits you.

Good luck with your decision, and enjoy your time on the court!

September 16, 2024 — Jorn van t Klooster