As an Amazon Associate this site earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick Picks
| Pick | Paddle | Why | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for soft-game players who prioritise a dampened, forgiving feel | HEAD Gravity PRO EX15 2026 Pickleball Paddle | TriFlex EPP foam core, honeycomb perimeter and EVA shell are described as delivering vibration dampening and predictable shot response, with an EVA shell that activates paddle flex to expand the sweet spot [S4] | Check Price on Amazon |
| Best for buyers who want published specs and a shorter, more rectangular shape | HEAD Radical Tour 15 2026 Pickleball Paddle | Listing publishes 408 mm (16 in) length, 197 mm (7 3/4 in) width, 15 mm thickness, 235 mm (9.3 in) balance and a 127 mm (5.0 in) handle [S3] | Check Price on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This page contains affiliate links, and we may receive a commission if you buy through them — at no extra cost to you.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Last Updated: September 2026
Quick Answer
These two 2026 HEAD paddles arrive at "control" from opposite engineering directions. The Gravity PRO EX15 uses HEAD's TriFlex construction, which the listing describes as an EPP foam core, honeycomb perimeter and EVA outer shell working as a synchronized three-layer system for feedback and vibration dampening [S4]. The Radical Tour 15 is built on a more conventional recipe: a thermoformed frame over a PP Honeycomb core measured at 14.2 mm with a 10 mm cell size [S3].
So: if you want a soft, dampened feel and a paddle whose marketing is aimed squarely at players who win with placement and resets, the Gravity PRO EX15 is the one designed for that brief [S4]. If you want published, checkable geometry — length, width, thickness, balance point, handle length — before you commit money, the Radical Tour 15 is the only one of the two whose supplied listing states those numbers [S3].
Both are listed at 8.3 oz, so weight is not the deciding factor here [S3][S4].
Full Comparison Table
| Feature | HEAD Gravity PRO EX15 2026 Pickleball Paddle | HEAD Radical Tour 15 2026 Pickleball Paddle |
|---|---|---|
| Listed weight | 8.3 oz [S4] | 235 g / 8.3 oz (+/-5 g) [S3] |
| Core construction | TriFlex: EPP foam core, honeycomb perimeter, EVA outer shell [S4] | PP Honeycomb, 14.2 mm, 10 mm cell size [S3] |
| Face | 12K raw carbon fiber [S4] | Micro-forged raw, uncoated carbon [S3] |
| Frame | Not stated in the supplied listing | Thermoformed [S3] |
| Thickness | Not stated in the supplied listing | 15 mm [S3] |
| Length x width | Not stated in the supplied listing | 408 mm (16 in) x 197 mm (7 3/4 in) [S3] |
| Balance | Not stated in the supplied listing | 235 mm (9.3 in) [S3] |
| Handle length | Not stated in the supplied listing | 127 mm (5.0 in) [S3] |
| Grip | Hydrosorb Pro with Soft Cap technology [S4] | Hydrosorb Pro, 105 mm (4 1/8 in) grip size [S3] |
| Stated target player | Players who win with placement, spin and consistency [S4] | Intermediate to advanced players [S3] |
| Price | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
One honest note on that table: several Gravity PRO EX15 rows read "not stated in the supplied listing." That means the listing information supplied for this comparison does not publish those dimensions — not that HEAD never publishes them anywhere. Do not read a blank as a worse number.
Design & Build Quality
The structural philosophies are genuinely different, and that is the most useful thing in this whole comparison.
The Radical Tour 15 is described as thermoformed, which its listing credits with a solid, long-lasting frame and enhanced stability for consistent shots [S3]. Underneath, it uses a polypropylene honeycomb core listed at 14.2 mm with a 10 mm cell size inside a 15 mm overall thickness [S3]. Larger honeycomb cells and a thermoformed shell are conventionally associated with a firmer, more connected response, and the listing's own language — "crisp, connected feel" — points the same way [S3].
The Gravity PRO EX15 goes layered instead. HEAD's TriFlex construction is described as an EPP foam core with a honeycomb perimeter and an EVA outer shell, a three-layer system credited with clean feedback, vibration dampening and predictable shot response [S4]. Foam-plus-EVA constructions are typically tuned for dwell and dampening rather than raw pop, and the listing frames the EX15 as tuned for accuracy and touch [S4].
Preferred for published build detail: the Radical Tour 15, purely because you can read its frame type, core thickness, cell size and total thickness before buying [S3]. Preferred for dampening intent: the Gravity PRO EX15, whose shell and core are explicitly described as dampening vibration [S4].
Features & Functionality
Both paddles use a raw carbon face, but they are specified differently. The EX15 lists a 12K raw carbon fiber surface said to grip the ball, generate spin and enhance dwell time across dinks, drops, resets and controlled drives [S4]. The Radical Tour 15 lists a micro-forged raw carbon surface, uncoated, with a dense micro-layered structure credited with adding strength and precision [S3].
Here's the thing: raw carbon is raw carbon in terms of surface texture behaviour, and the supplied listings do not publish a comparable spin-rating figure for either paddle. Treat both spin claims as manufacturer positioning, not measured output.
Shape is where the Radical Tour 15 is more specific. Its listing calls the design shorter and more rectangular, similar to the PRO 15, and credits that with greater control, faster reaction times and a forgiving sweet spot [S3]. Paired with the published 235 mm (9.3 in) balance figure and 127 mm (5.0 in) handle, that is enough information to guess at swing feel — a 16 in length with a 5.0 in handle leaves a relatively short paddle head, which usually means quicker hands at the kitchen line [S3].
The EX15 makes its sweet-spot claim structurally instead: the EVA foam shell is described as activating natural paddle flex to expand the sweet spot without sacrificing precision, with reliable contact on off-center hits [S4].
Grip is a near-match on paper. Both list the Hydrosorb Pro grip; the EX15 adds Soft Cap technology and ties the combination to reduced vibration and less hand fatigue over long matches [S3][S4]. Only the Radical Tour 15 publishes an actual grip circumference, 105 mm (4 1/8 in) [S3]. If you have large hands or you overgrip heavily, that published number matters — a 4 1/8 in base grip leaves room to build up.
Performance
Neither paddle has been swung by anyone at this website, so what follows is inference from published specification, clearly labelled as such.
- Hands battles and resets. The EX15's foam-and-EVA sandwich, described as dampening vibration and giving predictable response, suggests a softer, quieter contact that should favour blocks and resets [S4]. The Radical Tour 15's thermoformed frame over a 14.2 mm honeycomb core suggests a firmer feel [S3].
- Drives. The Radical Tour 15's listing claims controlled power and balanced power-and-control for all styles of play, while the EX15's face is described for "controlled drives" rather than power [S3][S4]. Read that as a mild lean toward the Radical on pace, not a power-paddle claim.
- Maneuverability. Both are listed at 8.3 oz, and the EX15's listing calls that lightweight [S3][S4]. Only the Radical Tour 15 publishes a balance point at 235 mm (9.3 in), so head-heaviness cannot be compared across the pair from the supplied data [S3].
- Off-center forgiveness. Both listings claim an expanded or enlarged sweet spot, by different mechanisms — shape on the Radical, EVA-driven flex on the EX15 [S3][S4]. Neither publishes a measured sweet-spot area, so this is a tie on evidence.
Price & Value
No dollar figures appear here, because pickleball paddle pricing moves. Check current price on Amazon for the HEAD Gravity PRO EX15 2026 Pickleball Paddle and the HEAD Radical Tour 15 2026 Pickleball Paddle before deciding.
On value logic rather than dollars: the EX15's TriFlex three-layer build is the more elaborate construction on paper, combining a foam core, honeycomb perimeter and EVA shell [S4]. The Radical Tour 15 delivers a thermoformed frame, a micro-forged raw carbon face and a complete published spec sheet [S3]. Which represents better value depends entirely on the price you actually see, and the supplied evidence does not establish a price ordering between them.
HEAD Gravity PRO EX15 2026 Pickleball Paddle — Best for control-first players who want a dampened feel
This is the paddle HEAD aimed at strategic play. The listing says it is tuned for accuracy and touch to help control tempo, reset rallies and place winning shots [S4]. The mechanism it credits is TriFlex — EPP foam core, honeycomb perimeter, EVA outer shell [S4].
Strengths
- Three-layer TriFlex construction described as delivering clean feedback and vibration dampening [S4]
- 12K raw carbon face credited with grip, spin and dwell time for dinks, drops and resets [S4]
- 8.3 oz listed weight with Hydrosorb Pro grip and Soft Cap technology, tied to reduced hand fatigue in long matches [S4]
- The supplied listing does not state length, width, thickness, balance point, handle length or grip circumference, so you cannot pre-check shape or handle fit from it [S4]
- Positioned around placement and controlled drives rather than power [S4]
HEAD Radical Tour 15 2026 Pickleball Paddle — Best for intermediate-to-advanced players who want published geometry
This one tells you almost everything. HEAD lists 235 g / 8.3 oz (+/-5 g), 408 mm (16 in) length, 197 mm (7 3/4 in) width, 15 mm thickness, 235 mm (9.3 in) balance, a PP Honeycomb core at 14.2 mm with 10 mm cell size, a Hydrosorb Pro grip at 105 mm (4 1/8 in) and a 127 mm (5.0 in) handle [S3].
Strengths
- Thermoformed frame credited with stability and durability [S3]
- Shorter, more rectangular shape described as similar to the PRO 15, for control and faster reactions [S3]
- Uncoated micro-forged raw carbon face with a dense micro-layered structure for strength and precision [S3]
- The 127 mm (5.0 in) handle is on the shorter side for two-handed backhands; check that against your grip style [S3]
- Positioned for intermediate to advanced players, so beginners may not need what they are paying for [S3]
Which Should You Buy?
- You play a soft, patient kitchen game. Go Gravity PRO EX15. Its EVA shell and EPP foam core are explicitly described as dampening vibration and expanding the sweet spot through flex [S4].
- You want to know exactly what you are getting before it ships. Go Radical Tour 15, the only one of the two with a published spec block covering length, width, thickness, balance and handle [S3].
- You use a two-handed backhand. Check handle length carefully. The Radical Tour 15's handle is listed at 127 mm (5.0 in), and the EX15's listing does not state a handle length [S3][S4].
- You are chasing raw power. Neither listing claims it. The Radical Tour 15 claims balanced, controlled power; the EX15 claims controlled drives [S3][S4].
- You are still building your court kit. Paddle choice interacts with footwear and surface — see our pickleball shoe buying guide and home court setup notes.
How We Research
This website does not run hands-on or laboratory testing, and no one here has swung either paddle. For this comparison, we pulled the Amazon Creators API verified product record for both ASINs on 2026-09-11 and read every supplied product listing feature bullet line by line, then compared the specification values that actually overlap — weight, face material, core construction, grip — and flagged the fields one listing publishes and the other does not. Where a figure is absent, we say so rather than estimating it.
Final Verdict
Opinion, stated plainly: the Radical Tour 15 is the safer buy for most intermediate-to-advanced players shopping blind, because HEAD publishes its full geometry — 408 mm (16 in) length, 197 mm (7 3/4 in) width, 15 mm thickness, 235 mm (9.3 in) balance, 127 mm (5.0 in) handle and a 105 mm (4 1/8 in) grip — and a shorter, more rectangular shape aimed at control and quick reactions [S3]. You can match that against a paddle you already like.
The Gravity PRO EX15 is the more interesting paddle for a specific player: the one whose game is resets, dinks and placement, and who wants a build explicitly engineered for dampening and flex-driven forgiveness via its EPP foam core, honeycomb perimeter and EVA shell [S4]. If that description reads like your game, the EX15 is the one worth the risk on the unpublished dimensions.
Neither wins outright on the supplied evidence, and anyone telling you otherwise without swinging both is guessing.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Both listings state 8.3 oz, with the Radical Tour 15 also published as 235 g with a +/-5 g tolerance [S3][S4].
What is TriFlex construction on the Gravity PRO EX15?
HEAD describes TriFlex as a three-layer system combining an EPP foam core, a honeycomb perimeter and an EVA outer shell, credited with clean feedback, vibration dampening and predictable shot response [S4].
Which paddle has the thicker core?
Only the Radical Tour 15 publishes core figures in the supplied listing: a PP Honeycomb core at 14.2 mm with a 10 mm cell size, inside a 15 mm overall thickness [S3].
Are both faces raw carbon?
Yes, but specified differently: the EX15 lists a 12K raw carbon fiber face, while the Radical Tour 15 lists a micro-forged, uncoated raw carbon surface with a dense micro-layered structure [S3][S4].
Which is better for beginners?
The Radical Tour 15 is positioned by HEAD for intermediate to advanced players, and the EX15 is positioned for players who win with placement, spin and consistency, so neither listing targets first-time players [S3][S4].
How much do these HEAD paddles cost?
Paddle pricing changes, so check the current price on Amazon for each ASIN rather than trusting a figure in an article.
Which paddle suits a two-handed backhand?
Handle length drives that choice, and only the Radical Tour 15 publishes one, at 127 mm (5.0 in) [S3].
Sources & Methodology
No paddle on this page was hit, weighed, or swung by this website — we own no lab and we do not pretend otherwise. What this comparison is built from is the Amazon Creators API verified product record for ASIN B0H1JY1LYC and ASIN B0G7K8VFZ7 retrieved on 2026-09-11, plus each paddle's own product listing feature bullets, read closely enough to separate published numbers from marketing adjectives. For pickleball paddles that gets you a long way on fit questions — weight, core construction, face material, grip and shape — while feel, durability over a season and true spin output stay open questions that only court time answers; for broader consumer-safety context on sporting goods, CPSC and USA.gov consumer protection are the public references.