Kombat Osorno 2025 Padel Racket Review

Performance Ratings

• Power: 68/100
• Control: 84/100
• Rebound: 80/100
• Maneuverability: 82/100
• Sweet Spot: 81/100

Specifications

Brand

Kombat

Shape

Teardrop

Balance

Mid

Surface

Smooth

Hardness

Medium

Core

EVA Soft

Game Level

Intermediate

Game Type

Control

Year

2025

Expert Review

Quick Verdict

The Kombat Osorno is a control-first teardrop racket built for intermediate players who rally more than they smash. Its Mid balance and Soft EVA core reward clean technique with excellent ball exit and a forgiving sweet spot. Biggest strength: comfort and control on defensive shots. Biggest weakness: it runs out of punch against genuine power hitters.

Introduction

We kept picturing the same player through every session with this racket: someone who's moved past pure survival tennis at the back of the court but still hasn't settled into a defined attacking game. That's exactly who Kombat built the Osorno for. It's part of the brand's Manu Martín collaboration line, and it reads less like a showcase of raw power and more like a tool for players sharpening their shot-making.

The teardrop shape and Mid balance point immediately give away the intent here — this isn't a diamond-shaped bruiser chasing smash numbers. We tested the Osorno across multiple sessions, mixing doubles play with drilling drop shots and viboras, to see whether Kombat's control-oriented Soft EVA core actually holds up in real rallies rather than just on a spec sheet.

What surprised us most wasn't the control — that was expected. It was how much confidence the racket gave us on low, awkward volleys that usually get mishit off a stiffer frame.

Performance on the Court

At the Back of the Court (Defense)

Digging out lobs from the baseline is where the Osorno's Mid balance earns its keep. The weight distribution keeps the head from feeling sluggish, so tracking a deep lob and setting up a controlled bajada doesn't require a big compensating swing.

Returning heavy smashes was more mixed. The Soft EVA core absorbs pace well enough that the ball doesn't fly off unpredictably, but there's a ceiling — against genuinely hard-hit smashes, we had to generate more of our own arm speed to get real depth back.

At the Net (Volleys and Smashes)

Block volleys are where this racket feels most at home. Facing a firm smash from the opposing net player, the frame stays stable through contact and the ball comes back with a controlled trajectory rather than sailing long.

Punch volleys have decent snap for quick exchanges, but attacking smashes from a high ball never felt like the racket's strong suit — power output tops out earlier than we'd like when we tried to finish points outright.

Spin and Control (Viboras & Bandejas)

This is the Osorno's clearest strength. On bandejas, the Smooth surface grips the ball just enough to place it with real intent down the line rather than just neutralizing the point.

Viboras felt particularly rewarding — the textured face bites into the ball on contact, letting us impart slice that dips quickly rather than skidding through. Consistent technique matters here, since sloppy contact doesn't get bailed out by extra pop.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• The control rating of 84/100 shows up directly in cross-court rallies, where placement felt far more reliable than power off the same swing.
• Mid balance combined with the teardrop shape keeps the racket maneuverable at net, letting us react to quick exchanges without feeling head-heavy.
• The Soft EVA core makes for a genuinely comfortable hitting sensation, which matters over long sessions or for players managing minor elbow discomfort.
• A sweet spot rating of 81/100 translates into real forgiveness on off-center vibora and bandeja contact, saving points that a stiffer diamond frame would punish.
• The rebound rating of 80/100 gives enough ball exit that defensive shots don't feel like they're dying on the strings.

Cons

• Power output caps out quickly — players relying on finishing smashes outright will feel undergunned compared to diamond-shaped alternatives.
• The rough textured face that helps with spin also wears down faster with heavy, inconsistent technique, per multiple owner reports.
• Specs listed across retailers conflict on carbon weave (3K vs 18K), so buyers chasing a specific stiffness profile should confirm before purchase.
• Players with an aggressive, power-first game style will find themselves overswinging to compensate for the racket's control-oriented ceiling.

Construction and Materials

The Osorno pairs a Soft EVA core with a Smooth, textured playing surface, and at this price point that combination punches above its weight. The core is genuinely soft underfoot in hand — there's none of the harsh, board-like feedback you sometimes get from budget rackets chasing power numbers.

The glossy Black/Orange finish looks sharp and the Medium hardness rating strikes a sensible middle ground, firm enough for control shots but soft enough to stay comfortable across a full match. Build quality feels solid rather than premium, which is a fair trade given the current price sits well below its original €185 tag.

Where the construction shows its budget roots is durability on the textured face — repeated off-center spin shots will accelerate wear faster than on a more reinforced surface. If you're already noticing this kind of wear, it might be worth reading When to Replace Your Padel Racket: Signs It's Time for an Upgrade to figure out whether it's a grip fix or genuinely time for a new frame.

Who Should Buy This Racket?

• Intermediate players who've been on court for a year or more and are actively developing bandeja and vibora technique will benefit most from the sweet spot forgiveness here.
• Players who favor the back-court and mid-court transition game, rather than pure net-rushing power players, will find the Mid balance suits their rhythm.
• Anyone managing arm or elbow sensitivity will appreciate the Soft EVA core's comfortable feedback compared to stiffer, power-oriented frames.
• Recreational players hitting the court two to three times a week get the most value, since the racket rewards consistent technique over raw athleticism.
• Skip this one if you're an advanced player who finishes points primarily through smashes — the power ceiling will frustrate you quickly.
• Also skip it if you're playing in cold, damp conditions regularly without adjusting your setup; check Seasonal Padel Racket Guide: Choosing the Right Racket for Different Conditions for how Soft-core rackets like this one behave differently across seasons.

How It Compares

Within Kombat's own lineup, the Osorno sits as a clear control-and-comfort option rather than the brand's power flagship, and that positioning is deliberate given the Manu Martín association with clean, technical shot-making.

Against the Siux Velox Flex Blue, the Osorno feels more forgiving on off-center contact thanks to its sweet spot profile, though the Velox Flex Blue edges ahead in raw power for players who want to close out points faster.

Compared with the Babolat Counter Veron, the Osorno leans softer and more comfortable in hand, while the Counter Veron trades some of that comfort for a slightly stiffer, more direct response on smashes.

In the sub-€100 budget teardrop segment broadly, the Osorno's control rating stands out as one of its stronger selling points, making it a sensible pick if control and comfort outrank power on your priority list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Kombat Osorno good for intermediate players?

Yes, it's built specifically for that level. The forgiving sweet spot and Soft EVA core help intermediate players who are still refining shot placement, without punishing minor technique errors the way a stiffer, power-oriented racket would.

Q: Who is the Kombat Osorno actually best suited for?

It suits intermediate players who favor back-court rallies and mid-court transitions over pure net aggression, playing two to three times a week. Players developing their vibora and bandeja will benefit most, as will anyone prioritizing arm comfort over maximum power output.

Q: How does the Kombat Osorno compare to Siux Velox Flex Blue?

The Osorno offers a more forgiving sweet spot and softer feel, making it easier to control off-center hits. The Velox Flex Blue generates noticeably more raw power, so players who want to finish points via smash may prefer it over the Osorno.

Q: Is the Kombat Osorno still a good buy in 2026 considering its price and performance?

At its current discounted price, yes — the control and comfort it delivers are well above what we'd expect at that cost. Just budget for a grip change early on, since a fresh grip meaningfully improves feel on a Soft-core racket like this; see Padel Racket Grip Replacement Guide: When and How to Change Your Grip for specifics.

Final Verdict

The Kombat Osorno earns its place as a genuinely strong intermediate padel racket for players who build points rather than end them in one shot. Across our sessions, the control and comfort consistently outperformed expectations for its price bracket, even if power hitters will hit a ceiling quickly.

The three things worth remembering: the sweet spot forgiveness makes technical shots like vibora and bandeja more reliable, the Soft EVA core keeps arm comfort high over long sessions, and power output is genuinely this racket's weakest attribute.

Buy it if you're an intermediate player prioritizing control, comfort, and consistent ball exit over raw smash power. Skip it if your game is built around finishing points with aggressive net-side power — you'll want a stiffer, more power-oriented frame instead.