The Starvie 2026 Collection, Every Racket Explained

The Starvie 2026 Collection, Every Racket Explained

Gear Guide · 2026 Collection

The Starvie 2026 Collection, Every Racket Explained

Ten rackets, four lines, and one of the most clearly segmented line-ups Starvie has ever released. A guide to the technologies, the trade-offs, and the racket that fits your game.

Starvie South Africa · Editorial10 minute read

What's new in the 2026 collection

Starvie's 2026 line-up is the brand's biggest shake-up in years. Every racket is now placed inside one of four clearly defined lines (Advance, Premium, Pro, Super Pro), with materials and technologies tiered to match the player level. A few things define the new range.

New carbon tiers. Starvie Labs introduces three new carbon weaves for 2026, each tuned to a different player level. 12K Carbon Hyper widens the sweet spot for intermediate players. 18K Carbon Hybrid balances flexibility and firmness for high-level all-courters. 24K Carbon Master delivers the ultra-direct, precise response that pros demand on the most punishing shots.

New EVA rubber range. Three new foams across the line. S-Eva Flex (soft) for beginners and improvers. M-Eva Balance (medium-high density) for versatile all-court play. H-Eva Power (high-density) for technical players who want raw power and precision.

Dynamic Star. An interchangeable star at the heart of the Black Titan and Raptor+, with two weight options (4.8g standard, 7.2g optional) that let you tune the balance to your style.

Spin Boost Tech across the entire line. Every 2026 racket carries the new textured surface treatment, which adds grip and bite on the ball for cleaner cut shots and easier topspin generation.

The line-up at a glance

Ten rackets, four lines, every spec confirmed against the official 2026 catalogue. Scroll horizontally on mobile.

Racket Line Shape Balance Weight Surface Control Power
Nyra Advance Round Low 330–350g X-Glass Tech 80 75
Arkos Advance Round Low 350–370g X-Glass Tech 80 75
Polaris Advance Teardrop Low 350–370g X-Glass Tech 85 80
Kenta+ Premium Round Medium 350–370g 12K Carbon Hyper 85 85
Drax+ Premium Teardrop Medium 350–370g 12K Carbon Hyper 90 92
Astrum+ Pro Teardrop Medium 350–370g 12K Carbon Hyper 92 92
Tritón+ Balance Pro Diamond Medium 350–370g 18K Carbon Hybrid 92 96
Tritón+ Power Pro Diamond High 350–370g 18K Carbon Hybrid 92 100
Raptor+ Super Pro Teardrop Medium 350–370g 3D Carbon 90 96
Black Titan Super Pro Hybrid High 350–370g 24K Carbon Master 94 100

Control and Power scores are Starvie's official 2026 ratings, out of 100. Every racket has a 38mm frame profile.

Advance Line, Beginner

Easy on the arm, easy to learn

Starvie's beginner range all share the same architecture, X-Glass Tech surface, S-Eva Flex soft foam core, low balance, and a forgiving feel. Pick by shape and weight rather than spec sheet.

01

Starvie Nyra

Round · Low balance · 330–350g · Control 80 / Power 75

The lightest racket in the 2026 line. At 330 to 350 grams, the Nyra is built for new players (and juniors) who need maximum manoeuvrability and a featherweight feel. A round shape, low balance, and X-Glass Tech surface combine for an exceptionally forgiving sweet spot and the kind of soft response that protects the arm while technique is still settling in.

Pick the Nyra if you're booking your first padel court, switching across from tennis, or buying for a partner or junior new to the game.

Shop the Nyra →
02

Starvie Arkos

Round · Low balance · 350–370g · Control 80 / Power 75

A step up in weight from the Nyra, into the standard 350 to 370 gram range. The Arkos keeps the same round shape, low balance, and X-Glass Tech surface, but the additional weight gives advanced beginners a little more presence on the ball when they start hitting with more intent. Advance Core technology in the heart of the racket reduces vibration and shifts the balance toward the grip for better handling.

Pick the Arkos if you've played a few sessions, you're comfortable with technique, and you're ready for a slightly weightier racket that still rewards control over power.

Shop the Arkos →
03

Starvie Polaris

Teardrop · Low balance · 350–370g · Control 85 / Power 80

The most attacking racket in the beginner range. The Polaris swaps the round shape of the Nyra and Arkos for a teardrop, opening up real attacking potential as your technique develops, while keeping the forgiving X-Glass Tech and S-Eva Flex combo that makes Starvie beginner rackets so comfortable. Geo Air Core technology in the heart shifts balance toward the grip for faster, more agile play, and T-Carbon reinforcement keeps the frame durable through inevitable wall contact.

Pick the Polaris if you have a season or two behind you, you're ready to start hitting with intent, and you want one racket you can grow into rather than out of.

Shop the Polaris →
Premium Line, Intermediate

Where your game starts to bite

Both intermediate models step up to 12K Carbon Hyper, a more responsive carbon weave with a wider sweet spot than the X-Glass Tech used in the Advance line. Pick by shape and intent: round for control, teardrop for versatile attack.

04

Starvie Kenta+

Round · Medium balance · 350–370g · Control 85 / Power 85

The intermediate control racket. A round shape with the consistency you'd expect from a control-focused frame, paired with the wider sweet spot and snappier feel of 12K Carbon Hyper. Geo Bridge in the heart of the racket adds rigidity and quicker acceleration without compromising comfort, and Z-shock in the grip dampens vibration on long rallies. A medium balance, rather than the low balance of the Advance line, gives the racket a touch more presence at the net.

Pick the Kenta+ if you're an intermediate player who builds points on placement, you want refined feel without sacrificing comfort, and you'd rather earn your points through patience than power.

Shop the Kenta+ →
05

Starvie Drax+

Teardrop · Medium balance · 350–370g · Control 90 / Power 92

The intermediate's versatile attacker. A teardrop shape, medium balance, 12K Carbon Hyper surface, and M-Eva Balance core combine for a racket that hits hard without losing control. Hepta Bridge inside the frame stabilises the racket through impact, Shock Shield rubber absorbs vibrations, Airflow Design lightens and speeds up the swing, and Z-shock in the grip cushions the rest. The Drax+ matches or beats the Kenta+ on both Control and Power, which is rare.

Pick the Drax+ if you're an aggressive intermediate playing your way toward advanced level, you want explosive ball output, and you'd rather attack than defend.

Shop the Drax+ →
Pro Line, High Level

When the rallies get serious

Three rackets, two surfaces, three distinct intents. The Astrum+ keeps the versatility of a teardrop with 12K Carbon Hyper. The two Tritón+ frames are pure diamond power, both built on 18K Carbon Hybrid with TriTech Core and Anatomic Bridge Design for two-handed grips.

06

Starvie Astrum+

Teardrop · Medium balance · 350–370g · Control 92 / Power 92

The Pro Line's all-court frame, evenly split between control and power (a perfect 92 in both). 12K Carbon Hyper surface, M-Eva Balance core, and a medium-balance teardrop shape that defends as well as it attacks. Air Booster in the heart of the racket channels air through the structure to accelerate every swing, Shock Shield absorbs impact and stabilises balance, and Five Sides Tech in the frame sharpens shot accuracy.

Pick the Astrum+ if you're a high-level player whose game shifts mid-rally, defending one shot and attacking the next, and you want a frame that adapts rather than forcing you into a style.

Shop the Astrum+ →
07

Starvie Tritón+ Balance

Diamond · Medium balance · 350–370g · Control 92 / Power 96

A diamond shape with the comfort of a medium balance, the Tritón+ Balance gives advanced attackers a more forgiving way into a high-power frame. 18K Carbon Hybrid surface, M-Eva Balance core, and TriTech Core's triple internal structure deliver finishing power that doesn't punish you for off-centre contact. Anatomic Bridge Design naturally accommodates two-handed grips for added stability and ergonomics.

Pick the Tritón+ Balance if you want the attacking shape of a diamond without the unforgiving demands of a true power racket, and you value the comfort to play long matches without your arm complaining.

Shop the Tritón+ Balance →
08

Starvie Tritón+ Power

Diamond · High balance · 350–370g · Control 92 / Power 100

The same Tritón+ family, turned up. Diamond shape, high balance, H-Eva Power core (the hardest, densest foam in the line), and the same 18K Carbon Hybrid surface as its Balance sibling. Built to finish points. A perfect 100 on Power, with Control still respectable at 92 thanks to TriTech Core and Five Sides Tech keeping the racket precise on the smash.

Pick the Tritón+ Power if you live for the smash and have the technique to handle a head-heavy diamond every time you step up.

Shop the Tritón+ Power →
Super Pro Line, Professional & Semi-Pro

The top of the line

Both Super Pro frames carry Starvie's most advanced systems: Dynamic Star (the interchangeable weight at the heart, 4.8g standard or 7.2g optional), Anti-Vibe vibration absorption, Five Sides Tech, and the most refined surface treatments. Choose between the all-court Raptor+ and the diamond-shaped Black Titan based on whether you want versatility or pure attacking weaponry.

09

Starvie Raptor+

Teardrop · Medium balance · 350–370g · Control 90 / Power 96

The most adaptable racket in the 2026 collection. A teardrop with medium balance, 3D Carbon multilayer surface, and M-Eva Balance core, all built around the Dynamic Star system that lets you swap between a 4.8g and a 7.2g weight in the heart, adjusting the balance by up to 0.6cm. Two configurations, one racket, two distinctly different feels. Anti-Vibe technology absorbs impact for comfort across long matches.

Pick the Raptor+ if you're a semi-pro or competitive player who can't commit to a single playing style, or you want one frame that adjusts to match the moment.

Shop the Raptor+ →
10

Starvie Black Titan

Hybrid · High balance · 350–370g · Control 94 / Power 100 · Flagship

The flagship. A hybrid head shape (a balance between the explosive sweet spot of a diamond and the rigidity of a square frame), the most advanced material spec in the entire 2026 collection (24K Carbon Master high-density carbon, H-Eva Power hard EVA foam), and the same Dynamic Star weight system as the Raptor+ on a far more aggressive frame. A perfect 100 on Power, and the highest Control score (94) of any racket in the line, which is rare for a high-balance frame.

Punishing on the smash, satisfying through every clean strike, surprisingly composed on the slower shots that pure power rackets usually mishandle. If you're a pro or semi-pro, you play to attack, and you want the best Starvie has built this year, this is it.

Shop the Black Titan →
In Summary

Which Starvie 2026 racket should you buy?

If you're brand new to padel

Start with the Nyra for maximum forgiveness and the lightest weight in the range, the Arkos if you want the same control feel in a more standard weight, or the Polaris for a touch more attacking potential as you progress.

If you're an intermediate player

Choose the Kenta+ for a forgiving control frame, or the Drax+ if you're moving into attacking play.

If you're a high-level player

Pick the Astrum+ for an all-court teardrop, the Tritón+ Balance for diamond power with control, or the Tritón+ Power for pure attacking weaponry.

If you're competitive, semi-pro, or pro

The Raptor+ if you want a tuneable all-court teardrop, or the Black Titan for the flagship, the best racket in the 2026 line.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between Starvie's "+" and non-"+" models?

The "+" denotes the upgraded version within Starvie's range. In the 2026 collection, the Drax+, Kenta+, Astrum+, Tritón+ Power, Tritón+ Balance, and Raptor+ are all "+" frames, sitting in the Premium, Pro, and Super Pro lines. The Nyra, Arkos, and Polaris (all in the Advance line) carry no "+" designation.

What does Dynamic Star do, and which rackets have it?

Dynamic Star is an interchangeable weight system in the heart of the racket. It comes with a 4.8g standard star, with a 7.2g option you can swap in to adjust the balance by up to 0.6cm. It's currently included on the Raptor+ and the Black Titan only.

Which Starvie 2026 racket is best for women?

Racket choice is driven by playing level and style, not gender. Players who prefer lighter, more manoeuvrable frames often start with the Nyra (the lightest at 330 to 350g). Advanced players typically choose between the Astrum+, Raptor+, and Tritón+ Balance.

How do I know my padel level?

A rough guide: 2.0 to 2.5 is total beginner, 3.0 to 3.5 is improver, 4.0 to 4.5 is solid intermediate, 5.0 and above is advanced or competitive. South Africa's new 4M ranking system also offers an objective measure once you have played a few tournaments.

Do you offer a warranty in South Africa?

Yes. Every racket sold by Starvie South Africa comes with full local warranty cover against manufacturing defects. Cosmetic damage and breakages from impact (including wall contact and dropped rackets) are not covered.

Shop the Collection

Break the rules. 2026.

Every Starvie 2026 racket, in stock with full local warranty and SA-wide delivery.

View the Collection
Source
  • All specifications and technology data sourced from the official Starvie 2026 Catalogue (Starvie Labs).
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