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HEAD Radical TOUR15 pickleball paddle
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HEAD Radical TOUR15 Review

Thermoformed raw-carbon paddle
HEAD's more affordable Radical pairs a thermoformed frame with a Micro-Forged Raw Carbon face and Injected Foam Walls. HEAD says it shares the shorter, more rectangular shape of the Radical PRO15 for a bigger sweet spot and better maneuverability.
Power10
Control8
Spin9.5
Sweet spot9.75
$169.95at HEADList price. Prices change often, so check HEAD for today’s price.
Check price at HEAD
Researched by Dan ·
Updated
At a glance

Quick Specifications

Weight
8.3 oz (235 g)
Shape
Elongated
Length
16.5 in
Width
7.8 in
Core thickness
15 mm
Grip length
5 in
Grip circumference
4.125 in
Core material
Not specified by HEAD (Injected Foam Walls)
Surface material
Micro-Forged T700 raw carbon
Balance
Balance point 9.3 in (235 mm); swing and twist weight not published
USA Pickleball status
Yes. The Radical TOUR15 (added 09/10/2025) is on the USA Pickleball approved paddle list (checked 2026-09-30).

Specifications come from the manufacturer; our sources are listed with each review. Research scores follow our editorial policy. Always confirm USA Pickleball approval on the official list before tournament play.

Fit

Who Is This Paddle For?

  • All-court players who want a stable, forgiving paddle
  • Players stepping up to a thermoformed raw carbon paddle
  • Players who prefer a wider face

May want another paddle

  • Players who want a longer handle should look at the Radical TOUR EX15

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Top power and strong sweet-spot ratings on our scale (10 / 9.75)
  • Thermoformed frame with Injected Foam Walls
  • Micro-Forged Raw Carbon face
  • USA Pickleball approved

Cons

  • Heavier (8.3 oz), which lowers its control rating
  • HEAD's published length conflicts with its shape description
  • No published warranty terms on HEAD's US site
  • Only one customer review so far
Research summary

Our Review

Power

10/10

Our analysis of manufacturer specs

On our spec-based scale it rates 10 for power: a 15 mm core, an 8.3 oz weight, a 16.5 in listed length and thermoformed construction all add power.

Control

8/10

Our analysis of manufacturer specs

A 15 mm core and raw carbon face give it a control rating of 8 on our scale. At 8.3 oz it sits above the weight range our scale rewards for control.

Spin

9.5/10

Our analysis of manufacturer specs

Its Micro-Forged Raw Carbon face and 16.5 in listed length give it a spin rating of 9.5. HEAD says the raw, uncoated surface grips the ball; it doesn't describe a separate branded texture coating, so it scores as a standard textured surface on our scale.

Sweet spot

9.75/10

Our analysis of manufacturer specs

A 7.8 in face, 15 mm core and thermoformed construction give it a sweet-spot rating of 9.75. HEAD says its ThermoTech construction and Injected Foam Walls widen the sweet spot.

Maneuverability

Manufacturer data

At 8.3 oz (235 g) it is on the heavier side. HEAD lists a balance point of 9.3 in but doesn't publish a swing weight for this model.

Handle & comfort

Our analysis of manufacturer specs

HEAD lists a 5 in handle: a short handle aimed at one-handed players, so two-handed backhands may feel cramped. The grip circumference is 4.125 in, the most common size; players with larger hands often add an overgrip. At about 8.3 oz, it is heavier than average, which adds stability and plow-through but puts more load on the arm and wrist over long sessions. Comfort is personal: grip size, handle length and weight are the published specs that affect it most.

Stability

Manufacturer data

HEAD credits its thermoformed frame and Injected Foam Walls with stability and durability. It doesn't publish twist weight for this model.

Build quality

Manufacturer information

HEAD's ThermoTech thermoformed construction and Injected Foam Walls are designed for stability and a wider sweet spot, with a Micro-Forged Raw Carbon face and an ergonomic foam handle. HEAD doesn't specify the core material. HEAD doesn't publish US warranty terms for its paddles, so check with HEAD or your retailer.

Feel

Manufacturer description and buyer feedback

HEAD's website shows one customer review, rated 4 out of 5: an owner of the previous Radical says the new one performs better, with a little more grit for spin, but wishes the grip were tackier. One review is too few to show a pattern, so we haven't adjusted any rating.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Radical TOUR15 elongated or widebody?

HEAD calls it a widebody that shares the shorter, more rectangular shape of the PRO15, but its published facts list a 16.5 in length and 7.8 in width. We score the published measurements, which our scale treats as elongated; confirm the length with HEAD if shape matters to you. If it is closer to 16 in long, it would score about 9.1.

Is the HEAD Radical TOUR15 tournament legal?

Yes. The Radical TOUR15 (added 09/10/2025) is on the USA Pickleball approved paddle list (checked 2026-09-30).

The bottom line

Final Summary

Best features

Maximum power and a large sweet spot on our scale from thermoformed construction, a 7.8 in face and a 15 mm core.

Potential drawbacks

It is on the heavy side, HEAD's shape data is inconsistent, and warranty terms aren't published.

Ideal player

An intermediate all-court player who wants a stable, thermoformed raw carbon paddle at a lower price than HEAD's PRO range.

Where to buy

We link to HEAD, the brand's own store, so you buy new and the manufacturer's warranty and return policy apply. List price: $169.95 (prices change, so check the store for today's price). It is on the USA Pickleball approved paddle list.

Not sold? Compare it with the alternatives below or use our paddle comparison tool.

$169.95at HEADList price. Prices change often, so check HEAD for today’s price.
Check price at HEAD
Also consider

Paddle Alternatives

Comparable paddles worth a look if this one isn't quite right.

Sources and how we researched this review

  • Specifications and product details: the manufacturer's published information, labelled "Manufacturer data" in the review.
  • Ratings: calculated from those specifications on our published rating scale, the same for every brand, and labelled "Our analysis".
  • Buyer feedback: 1 buyer ratings on HEAD.com, summarized in the Feel section and labelled "buyer feedback".
  • Hands-on testing: we haven't play-tested this paddle. Everything here comes from the sources listed and our analysis of them.

Sources