The VARLION BOURNE HEXAGON 8.8 is an excellent entry-level racket that offers a balanced approach to the game with a slight advantage in power. Its comfortable grip, forgiving sweet spot, and arm-friendly construction make it ideal for beginners progressing to the intermediate level who want to develop their all-around game without compromising on quality.
Power
7.6/10
Control
7.0/10
Defense
7.2/10
Offense
7.8/10
Maneuverability
7.6/10
Padel Racket Review - Varlion Bourne Hexagon 8.8 2022
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Our mission is to help you choose the right padel racket with clear, in-depth reviews that make it easy to level up your game.
We start with official specs, then break down each racket's key properties. Finally, we bring together trusted video and written reviews—summarised into one consistent, easy-to-read overview.
The Varlion Bourne Hexagon 8.8 stands out with its innovative hexagonal frame design, offering beginner and progressing players a perfect introduction to more powerful play. This racket combines Varlion's signature EVA Hypersoft medium core with a fiberglass-titanium dioxide surface, creating a forgiving yet responsive feel. Unlike pure control rackets, the Bourne shape (a hybrid teardrop design) shifts the balance to 60% power and 40% control, making it an ideal stepping stone for players developing their offensive capabilities without sacrificing reliability.
How it plays..
Balanced Performance With Power Edge
On court, the Bourne Hexagon 8.8 immediately feels accessible and forgiving. The medium-soft EVA core cushions impact while the head-heavy balance helps generate power with minimal effort—perfect for players still refining their swing mechanics. The sweet spot is generously sized and positioned toward the top of the racket, reducing mishits and building confidence. You'll appreciate how the racket feels stable on contact without the stiffness that can lead to arm fatigue. The 345-370g weight range puts it in the medium category, making it light enough for quick reactions but substantial enough to deliver solid shots.
Defense
Reliable Defense For Developing Players
When pushed back to defensive positions, the Bourne Hexagon 8.8 provides adequate control to keep you in rallies. The EVA Hypersoft core absorbs pace well, allowing you to redirect powerful shots from opponents without feeling overwhelmed. While not specifically designed as a defensive specialist, the racket offers enough stability and forgiveness to help beginners develop proper defensive technique. Lobs come off with decent height and depth, though you'll need to supply more of your own technique as you progress to achieve precision placement from defensive positions.
Attack
Power Without Complexity
The offensive capabilities of the Bourne Hexagon 8.8 are where beginners will feel most rewarded. Its teardrop shape naturally concentrates mass at the top, helping even modestly paced swings produce satisfying power. Smashes have good weight behind them without requiring perfect technique, and the titanium dioxide coating on the fiberglass surface provides enough grip for basic spin application. Drive shots travel with good pace, though control becomes more challenging at higher swing speeds. The hexagonal frame adds structural rigidity that translates to more consistent power transfer across the hitting surface.
Netplay
Approachable Net Performance
At the net, the Bourne Hexagon 8.8 offers friendly, forgiving performance that builds confidence. Volleys feel solid and predictable, with the medium-soft core providing enough touch for directional control without demanding perfect technique. The racket's maneuverability (7.6/10) means you can get it into position quickly, while the Handlesafety grip technology ensures security during quick exchanges. Bandeja shots come naturally with the head-heavy balance, though more advanced shots like vÃboras will require developing better technique. For beginners learning net positioning and basic volley mechanics, the racket provides an ideal balance of forgiveness and feedback.
Our Advice for New Players
Your Ideal First Serious Racket
As a beginner, the Bourne Hexagon 8.8 offers exactly what you need—a racket that forgives mistakes while rewarding proper technique. The generous sweet spot means you'll make clean contact more often, building confidence with each successful shot. The medium-soft core is particularly gentle on arms and joints, crucial when you're still developing proper form. At around €100, this racket represents excellent value, offering technologies and materials typically found in more expensive models. If you're transitioning from rental rackets or looking for your first purchase, this model gives you room to grow without the frustration of an overly demanding design.
Our Advice for Intermediate Players
A Stepping Stone For Skill Development
For intermediate players, the Bourne Hexagon 8.8 offers a bridge to more advanced play. If you're developing your power game after mastering basics with a control-oriented racket, this model provides that extra offensive capability without throwing you into the deep end of a pure power racket. You'll appreciate how it balances forgiveness with feedback—letting you know when your technique needs adjustment while still producing decent results. The head-heavy balance will help you develop proper weight transfer in your shots, a crucial skill as you progress. Consider this a transitional racket that won't hold you back as your skills improve over the next 6-12 months.
Competitive level
Limitations For Competitive Play
Advanced players will likely find the Bourne Hexagon 8.8 too limiting for serious competition. The medium-soft response lacks the precision feedback needed for placement shots under pressure, and the power ceiling is lower than what advanced attacking players require. The fiberglass construction, while comfortable, doesn't provide the explosive response of carbon fiber found in higher-end Varlion models. If you're an advanced player looking at this racket, consider it only as a training tool for developing specific aspects of your game or as a comfortable option for casual play when recovering from injury. For competitive matches, you'll want to explore Varlion's premium offerings with carbon construction.
Research & References
Our mission is to help you choose the right padel racket with clear, in-depth reviews that make it easy to level up your game. We start with official specs, then break down each racket’s key properties. Finally, we bring together trusted video and written reviews—summarised into one consistent, easy-to-read overview.
Good balance between power and control
Comfortable grip with Handlesafety technology
Large sweet spot for more forgiving play
Gentle on elbows and shoulders
Hexagon frame for increased resistance and rigidity
May lack sufficient power for advanced players
Limited spin potential compared to premium models
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Skill Level
Beginner
Court Position
Both
Play Style
Balanced
Best at: Offense (7.8/10)
Average: 7.4/10
PadelReference
€79.90
ViewThe BOURNE HEXAGON 8.8 has a teardrop shape favoring power (60% power/40% control) while the LW HEXAGON 8.8 has a round shape prioritizing control for beginners.
Yes, the BOURNE HEXAGON 8.8 is excellent for beginners to low-intermediate players, offering a forgiving sweet spot and a good balance of power and control.
The Hexagon frame is an innovative design that makes the racket more resistant and rigid, providing better structural support and durability during play.
Yes, Varlion is a respected Spanish padel brand known for quality construction, innovative technologies like the Hexagon frame, and rackets for all skill levels.
The VARLION BOURNE HEXAGON 8.8 weighs between 345-370 grams, placing it in the medium weight category for padel rackets.
Handlesafety is a safety system where the rope passes through both walls of the handle and exits on both sides of the tip, providing 100% grip safety and comfort.
At €91-€113, the VARLION BOURNE HEXAGON 8.8 offers excellent value with quality materials and technologies typically found in higher-priced models.
Shape
Teardrop
Weight
Medium (356–370G)
Touch
Medium-Soft
Core
Medium
Surface
Medium
Texture
Rough
Year
2022
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