Comparison of Babolat Technical Viper vs Air Viper 2024

The crown jewels of the Babolat padel rackets for 2024 have arrived. As with every season, the Technical Viper and Air Viper models are once again a hit among amateur players looking to dominate the game with powerful shots.

The French brand has implemented new designs and technologies in these models to enhance the playing experience for its users. In this regard, today we will analyze the similarities and differences between two of the top-selling rackets each year.

Comparison of the Technical Viper 2024 vs Air Viper 2024 Padel Rackets

For this season, Babolat has defined two types of attackers on the court that match the technical characteristics of these two rackets: the Technical Strikers and the Air Strikers.

Babolat’s Technical line is aimed at players who want to deliver precise power on the court and control the game through their technical-tactical qualities, while the Air line is designed for fast players looking to execute moving smashes and quick shots with explosive power.

These are the conclusions we reached at Zona de Padel after comparing both models on our YouTube channel:

Similarities between the Technical Viper 2024 and the Air Viper 2024

Both the Technical Viper and the Air Viper are designed for attack, as they share a diamond shape, high balance, and sweet spot located at the top of the racket to enhance shots like vipers or smashes. Additionally, a MultiEVA rubber with different layers has been used in the core, providing similar hitting sensations.

For this season, Babolat has implemented in both models a longer handle design, which benefits players coming from tennis who are used to a larger grip surface on the racket. This improvement generates greater control sensations and benefits those who usually hit two-handed backhands, as a shorter handle would be more uncomfortable for them.

Regarding effects, Babolat has enhanced this facet by adding two types of roughness on the surface: sandpaper and 3D relief. This feature allows better ball wrapping when playing sliced shots such as drop shots, volleys, or three-wall smashes. Additionally, the drilling pattern with holes of different sizes helps reinforce this feature, as well as improve the performance and durability of the rackets.

The French brand has also implemented the Smart Buttcap system in the Technical Viper and the Air Viper to provide an extra level of customization to the rackets. This system allows the safety cord to be replaced with another that better suits each player’s preferences.

Finally, both models incorporate the Vibrabsorv System technology. A series of elastomers located in the core fibers significantly reduce the vibrations generated after impacts, thus reducing the possibility of upper limb injuries such as elbows, wrists, or shoulders.

Differences between the Technical Viper 2024 and the Air Viper 2024

As for the aspects that differentiate the two rackets, we first find differences in the types of carbon used in their construction. While the Technical Viper features 12K carbon on the faces, the Air Viper is built with 16K carbon. This gives the Technical model a feeling of greater rigidity and hardness, which favors power shots even more.

In terms of maneuverability, the Air model is lighter with a weight around 365 grams, while the Technical Viper weighs between 360 and 375 grams.

Babolat Technical Viper 2024

Babolat Air Viper 2024

Final Opinion and Recommendations

We are looking at two rackets that are ideal for backhand players with refined technique who regularly play advanced level matches several times a week. These models are designed to dominate the offensive aspect with aerial shots and play close to the net with the aim of defining the point through smashes, vipers, and powerful volleys.

We recommend the Technical Viper to very technical players who are looking for a racket with a hard touch to impose their playing style on the court. On the other hand, we consider the Air Viper to be a model aimed at players looking to make quick transitions and who have good reflexes, as it is a racket that can be moved quickly. Additionally, it helps in defense at the back of the court against high-speed shots from the opponent to save them and pass the ball to the other side of the net.

The fact that the Technical Viper is slightly heavier benefits players who base their style on quickly defining the point with powerful smashes. The weight, combined with 12K carbon, adds a power boost to the ball.

Finally, the Air model is more technically tolerant than the Technical model, as it has a slightly larger sweet spot. We do not perceive a significant difference, but it is noticeable when playing, so players competing with the Technical Viper must have a refined technique to direct the shots as desired.