Analysis: Varlion Cañon Carbon Hexagon paddle

We continue with the analysis of a paddle from the new season, the Varlion Cañon Carbon Hexagon. It is one of Varlion’s new releases and joins the brand’s high-end range (professional).

Alongside the Varlion Avant Carbon Hexagon, it sets Varlion’s price ceiling at €289. The paddle analyzed here belongs to a friend, since at the moment I play with a Varlion Lethal Weapon Zylon Carbon.

Technical specifications

Shape: Diamond
Material: Carbon fiber
Profile: 38mm
Core: 38mm
Play style: Power
Weight: 350-375 g

Paddle performance

Comfort: It has a smaller sweet spot than the Varlion Lethal Weapon Zylon Carbon due to its diamond shape, which shifts the sweet spot slightly toward the upper edge of the paddle. The striking feel is hard due to the use of carbon fiber, which is stiffer than fiberglass. When hitting, you have to be careful, as it forgives off-center shots less. When you connect well with the ball, it goes exactly where you want. Its shape might give the impression that it is head-heavy, but I noticed nothing unusual when handling it. That said, accustomed to the softer feel of the Varlion Lethal Weapon Zylon Carbon, it took me some time to get used to it.

On defense: It is a paddle designed for the attacking player, and when playing defensively you have to adapt to it. Power takes priority over control. Picking up balls off the first bounce is difficult at first, but you soon realize that often just placing the paddle in front of the ball and making a minimal movement sends it back to the other side by itself. The same can be said of lobs: they gain height very easily and go longer than intended. Once these crucial defensive aspects are mastered, it presents no major problems in this area.

On attack: As mentioned in the previous section, this is a pure power paddle designed for the attacking player. It has a lot of rebound and you need to get used to it at first. If you are not careful at the net, volleys and smashes fly off against the back wall with astonishing ease. When volleying and smashing, the paddle is agile. Serving the ball 4 meters deep is easy.

Design: Blander than other Varlion models, although that is a subjective matter. The new designs seem more understated to me than those of older paddles. Even so, it is not an ugly paddle, but its look simply goes unnoticed.

Price: €289

Value for money: 6. A price that is clearly excessive for a padel paddle. This model, together with the Varlion Avant Carbon Hexagon, opens a new price ceiling that until very recently was held by the Varlion Lethal Weapon Carbon 3 at €259, undoubtedly one of the most successful paddles of all time.

More information | Varlion