[caption id="attachment_12617" align="alignnone" width="750"] Carbon fiber in padel rackets[/caption] Padel rackets can be made from different materials, but, without a doubt, the most common is carbon fiber. However, there are different types of carbon fiber in padel rackets, with some variations in their manufacturing that determine a certain type of behavior. If you are wondering how to choose your padel racket and still don't know the different carbon fibers that exist, then you are in the right place. Keep reading.

Types of carbon fiber in padel rackets

Difference between carbon and fiberglass

Before talking about the different types of carbon fiber in padel, it is necessary to answer some questions. One of the most frequent is related to the difference with fiberglass, as players often ask which one is better or which one they should choose. The main difference between carbon and fiberglass is hardness. Carbon fiber tends to be more solid and rigid, while fiberglass has a more elastic composition. This affects the feel of the shot and also its sound. A racket with fiberglass faces has a softer shot with more bounce for the ball, compared to a carbon racket which is distinguished by its solidity which increases the aggressiveness in its behavior. In any case, it would be wrong to say that one is better than the other, although, in general, carbon is more resistant than fiberglass. They are simply recommended for a specific skill level. Generally, professional rackets are made of carbon, while those for beginners are made of fiberglass.

The differences between 3K, 12K, 18K, and 24K fibers

If you've been on the hunt for a padel racket, you've probably noticed that there are different types of carbon fibers. Normally, carbon is categorized with a number and a letter, which can be 3K, 12K, 18K, and 24K. This nomenclature refers to the thickness of the fiber, which is determined by the number of filaments that make up the fiber itself. For example, a 3K fiber has 3000 filaments, while a 24K fiber has 24000. Therefore, the latter will be a thicker fiber. This difference in thickness results in the ball having a different behavior. In most brands, this variation also refers to the hardness of the racket face. That's why, based on this, a 24K carbon fiber is much harder than a 3K fiber. However, there are brands that use this classification differently, one of them is Siux.

Siux carbon fibers

The Spanish brand Siux is different from the rest of the brands regarding the classification of its carbon fiber. Like other brands, it also has 3K, 12K, 18K, and 24K fibers, but for them it means the opposite. That is, for Siux, 3K carbon fiber is the hardest of all, while 24K fiber is the softest and most elastic. That's why if you plan to buy a Siux racket, you need to keep this detail in mind. If you are looking for a comfortable racket with a lot of ball bounce, you should undoubtedly choose a racket with 24K carbon fiber.