Padel Racket Review - Wilson Defy Ls V1 Special Edition 20261

What the reviewers say

Fabio Ferro tested all three Defy variants and came away most impressed by the LS: "The combination of a more elastic face and a loaded Power Foam core means the racket does the work for you, especially on the kick smash where it generates impressive spin with minimal arm effort." He rated the spin output and maneuverability highly, and was direct about the trade-off: the fiberglass face gives less ball feedback than the carbon siblings.

Probando Palas, reviewing the standard Defy V1, called the double Spin2 Texture "the best rough surface of 2025," pointing to strong baseline and net performance. Their read on the standard Defy translates directly to the LS: the rough surface grabs the ball well, the sweet spot is wider than you expect from a diamond frame, and the racket works at medium pace without fighting you.

Zona de Padel's range test was clear: "despite being fiberglass, it doesn't feel soft at all, and the rough is very noticeable when you want to put effects on the ball." They confirmed the LS as the most manageable of the three Defy versions on court, crediting the 355g weight for keeping transitions quick.

Total Padel, presenting the full Defy line, put it plainly: the LS delivers "the same power as the other rackets in the Defy range, with more comfort and maneuverability" for strikers who prefer a lighter frame.

Our take: Christoph's summary

The Defy LS V1 SE suits a player who wants a diamond frame that won't punish an off-center hit or wear out the arm by the third set. The Comfort Flex face is easier to activate than full carbon, which means decent energy on smashes and víboras without needing a heavy swing. For right-side attackers coming from a heavier frame, 355g will feel lighter than expected. The head-heavy balance compensates for some of that, but players who need real ball feedback should go with the carbon Defy V1.

The LS handles defense better than most diamond rackets. The Comfort Flex face absorbs pace on incoming hard balls without sending them back out of control, and the 355g weight makes it easier to get the racket up quickly under pressure. Lobs are workable. The main limitation is that the head-heavy balance makes very tight defensive resets less precise than a balanced or round frame would allow.

This is where the LS earns its place in the Defy range. The Power Foam core combined with the Comfort Flex face creates a delayed release effect: the face grips the ball slightly longer, then the foam pushes it through with good energy. Fabio Ferro noted that the kick smash in particular benefits from this, with the racket generating spin and pace even on a wrist-led swing. Flat smashes are solid rather than explosive. At high pace, some power players will notice the ball staying in the face a fraction longer than they want. The Defy Pro is the better call for that profile.

At the net, the LS is quicker than its head-heavy spec suggests. The 355g keeps volley exchanges manageable, and the Spin2 Texture rough surface grips the ball well for slice volleys and drop shots. Probando Palas specifically called out the drop volley as a strength: the rough surface holds the ball just long enough to shape the shot. The bandeja works well at medium pace. On fast exchanges, the elastic face means the ball comes off slightly unpredictably at full swing, so tight blocking volleys require a compact technique.

How it compares

The Wilson Defy V1 2025 is the natural step up: 10g heavier, 3K carbon face, firmer feel, and more ball feedback. Players who want to close points with a weighted, committed swing should go there. Players who prioritize maneuverability and arm comfort should stay with the LS.

The Wilson Bela Pro V3 2025 offers a teardrop shape with a slightly larger sweet spot and more versatility across both sides. Attacking players who also defend from the back and don't exclusively live at the net will find the Bela Pro a better daily driver. The Defy LS is the sharper offensive tool.