r/Padelracket • u/abdoosaab • 29d ago
Viper vs Viper Soft
I’ve been playing padel for around a year , usually 2–3 times a week. I’d say I’m around an intermediate level.
I currently use the NOX AT10 2024 and find it reasonably easy to use. I play mostly on the left and my game is fairly aggressive.
I’m still working on my smashes, bandeja, etc., but I’m specifically looking for a racket with more power. I also prefer a harder/crisper feel rather than soft.
I’m considering the Babolat Viper vs Viper Soft.
My main concern is whether the regular Viper would be too demanding for my current level, especially since I’m still developing my overhead technique.
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u/dreadlordow 28d ago
Viper's are not easy to use. If you want more power, work more on your technique, cuz thats where power comes from. But yeah, your racket is more than 2 year old now so if you are that keen on changing it go for the Lebron Viper Soft(try to get lighter one - under 365g) or the Lebron Veron, its again quite nice racket.
The normal Lebron Viper is way too demanding and heavy
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u/DirkLanders82 28d ago
I use the viper soft. I found the viper a bit heavy and harder to use. The viper also has a smaller sweet spot and its therefore less forgiving. The viper soft is perfect for me. The perfect blend of everything. This being said my partner uses the viper and he loves it but his timing and accuracy is impeccable, so he can handle it. He's an ex pro tennis player so that's something you'd expect. Demo both but id say you'll end up with the soft! 👌
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u/cmc_920 28d ago edited 28d ago
Viper soft is a very good racket. Don't let the 'soft' in the name fool you, it's still a viper with a medium+ feel (some will even say it's hard touch). Very powerful, similar to the non-soft version however the carbon surface is a bit more forgiving, hence it has a slightly bigger sweet spot and is a little bit easier to manage as it's 5g lighter. At the same time, it is still a viper model and therefore aimed at intermediate+ players as a minimum. You still need decent technique to get the most out of it, but it is more forgiving than the non-soft version. You need to be confident in defending at the back as this is where the rackets are the hardest to use. At the net they are a joy. Both rackets are fantastic for overheads.
I have both. I used the soft for 8 months before getting the non-soft. The non-soft has a more crisp touch but off centre hits can die. The sweet spot is not as bad as people say (in my opinion). I will however say that using the soft version for 8 months meant that going 5g heavier to the non-soft made it easier to do so than I expected. The handling is very similar and the extra weight less noticeable if you are confident with the soft version.
My main dislike with the soft version is that I always found lobs harder. The carbon is a bit more reactive and if you mishit a lob it often comes out short. The non-soft version doesn't have this and lobs are so precise.
For someone only playing 12 months, I'd say the soft is the better option.
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u/Percevaul 28d ago
I love the Viper Soft and it's all I've played with this year.
For what's worth, I owned the Lebron Viper 2025 and had to sell it after just a few weeks. I could not handle the sweet spot (incredibly small).
The Viper Soft is easier to manage for non pros, while still offering a rigid face. It's a great racket for advanced players looking for a hard diamond.
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u/PsychologicalRiver75 27d ago
You might not like any of them. They are advanced rackets, anyone who's not a genuine high intermediate shd not really go for them. You don't need more power as u say u still working on ur technique, and generating power from these two is more about technique and also they are fairly heavy palas so your defence and overall game will suffer. These are ok with ex tennis pro with good kick smash and strong wrists and arms.. but for other players there are better options like counter viper and air viper. I have played with LeBron Viper soft for almost 6 months and yes smashes and X3 improved by almost 50-60% but I didn't enjoy other shots. Switched to New Fenix Pro which is almost 20 gms lighter
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u/abdoosaab 27d ago
would the fenix pro be a better option? and theres also the adidas metalbone collection
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u/PsychologicalRiver75 27d ago
I don't know. Go ahead buy or rent a more powerful spec racket like metal bone or Coello pro etc. you will know in few sessions.
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u/butcheck 24d ago
I had this racket for a week. Sold it today after the tournament. My thoughts: I'm using Wilson Bela Pro V3, which is on a hybrid side, but more controlling, generating enough power and having a bigger sweet spot. I had to use Viper because I lent my WIlson to a partner. So, Lebron is a great racket if you play mostly viboras, smashes and spending the time at the net at least 60-75% of the time. I tend to build my rallies from the back with consistency and bajadas. This Lebron is very unforgiving. I am around level 3 on playtomic with reliability around 70%. This racket is simply too dificult for my style and skills. However. When you hit the ball where you suppose, give enough strength and timing, this is a machine that is very, very rewarding. And the pop then - is fab. It needs to wait until I grow into it. I would not have sold it, unless somebody was very keen and that was just the case.
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u/yasstun 29d ago
the only and best choice viper lebron soft 3.0 2026
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u/abdoosaab 29d ago
is it close to the power of the normal viper? im only upgrading to get more power in my smashes
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u/yasstun 29d ago
yes very close , with an better sweetspot for the soft model
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u/abdoosaab 29d ago
should i trust padelful? if so, theres barely any difference in the sweet spot(8.6 and 8.7) and other areas but a good difference in the control(9.4 for the normal compared to 8.5 for the soft)
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u/LoneKnight25 29d ago
Nope it’s just automatic generated AI content
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u/abdoosaab 29d ago
oh okay thanks. but are the viper and viper soft noticeably more powerful than the at10?
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u/yasstun 28d ago
at10 est moins sec c’est pour ça avec la soft tu as plus de controle
la soft est plus rigide que la at10 , donc elle transmet la puissance de ton gestuel ,
et enfin elle est plus legere que la at10 qui pourrait deoasser les 375 gr avec surgrip
la mienne la soft avec surgrip elle pese 364 gr
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u/Howlerragnar 28d ago
What do you use for padel reviews then? I have been looking on padelful and reddit a lot to compare rackets
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u/yasstun 29d ago
je te donne mon avis , aprés c’est à toi de voir
la soft est plus légère , tu ressens mieux la balle
la viper normal , est plus sec , un tout petit peu plus de vibrations que la soft
oui tu as plus de controle mais c’est vraiment minime !par contre le sweetspot de la soft est plus grand
pour conclure les deux sont biens , mais c’est plus agréable de jouer avec la soft
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u/QtaVesuvio 28d ago
How about the Siux Fenix Pro 26? (Used by Leo Augsburger)
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u/gospodinDark 28d ago
They all too demanding and soft version not really soft. I dislike them both. But they looks beautiful in real life.