Padel Racket Review - Pallap Evoforce Dark Star 2026

What the reviewers say

Most testers agree on two things: the Dark Star is quick in the hand, and it gives its best when you commit to the shot. The UK retailer pdhsports liked the volleys most and put it plainly: "You have to work a little harder to get into the ball, but when you do, it comes off faster and crisper." They also praised the big sweet spot and the even balance.

The French shop Extreme Padel measured the racket in its lab before playing it. It found a stiffness of 64 RA and the highest swingweight of the three Evoforce models it tested. On court, the tester described the contact as firm with a soft foam behind it. Extreme Padel was also the most critical: "It lacks a bit of consistency. With a little more foam, it would have been really good." In the shop's scoring the Dark Star came out best on control but last on comfort.

Joffrey Gilant of Esprit Padel Shop heard it differently: "Already on the first shot you can hear it: it's more comfortable, a bit softer on impact." He also felt he could miss the centre a little more than with the other models.

On Léo MS's channel, racket tester Stéphane Penso warned that the two foam densities take time to learn, then called it "good everywhere and bad nowhere, a purchase where you won't go wrong." Léo himself noticed he had to add a bit more movement than with the lighter Evoforce models, and scored it 8.5 out of 10.

So the split is about feel. Extreme Padel found it dry and a little inconsistent, while Esprit Padel Shop and Penso found it comfortable. Everyone agrees it rewards a full swing.

Our take: Kaj's summary

The Dark Star is easy to move and forgiving enough on the volley, but the layered foam asks for a clear decision on every overhead. A half-committed smash stays in the soft outer layer and comes off flat, and that is the shot a developing player hits most. Improving players who already swing through the ball will get plenty back. Those still finding their overhead timing, or who want the gentlest feel on the arm, are better served by the Bright Star.

From the back of the court the Dark Star is quick to bring round, and the soft outer foam helps lift lobs and resets without much effort. Extreme Padel found it steadier than the Bright Star in fast exchanges, but less forgiving when you miss the centre. Léo MS needed slightly more movement to get depth from the baseline than with the lighter Evoforce models.

Power comes when you commit. pdhsports found the ball "goes miles" once you add speed, and Penso describes the firmer middle layer taking over on big swings. The weak spot is the middle ground. On a medium-paced smash the soft outer foam absorbs part of the energy before the firm layer engages, so the ball can come off flatter than you expect. Extreme Padel also noted that overheads need more leg drive to make use of the firmer face.

The net is where most testers liked it best. pdhsports called the volleys crisp and fast, and Léo MS rated the block and the rebound it gives. Extreme Padel liked the punch but lost control on off-centre volleys. The 3D Lightning texture gives a fair amount of spin: Extreme Padel scored it 77 for spin, against 87 for the sanded Evoforce Pro.

How it compares

• Pallap Evoforce Brightstar 2026: same mould, but lighter and softer, with an aluminised carbon face and an even bigger sweet spot. Pick the Bright Star for comfort and easy defense. Pick the Dark Star if you want more punch at the net and overhead.
• Pallap Evoforce Pro 2026: a denser foam, a sanded face and a Kevlar layer to cut vibration. Extreme Padel found it more precise, with more spin, but it costs more and Léo MS found it less tolerant off-centre.