Padelvergleich called the weight system on the adidas Metalbone 3.4 Ale Galán a real revolution. Yet the spec sheet shows that the face wording is the only thing that changed against the 3.3. So what are you actually buying? A powerful, demanding diamond with a tunable weight setup. Here is how to read it.
One face label changed against the 3.3: what the 3.4 really adds
The 3.3 listed a Carbon Aluminized 2 to 1 fiber face. The 3.4 lists Carbon Aluminized 16K. Everything else on the sheet is the same. That means diamond shape, 38 mm thickness, 345 to 360 g, a head-heavy label and a soft EVA core. The Spin Blade Decal surface and the Weight & Balance System are unchanged too.
That is a changed label. It is not a measured change. If you own a 3.3, the specs give you no clear reason to move. If you are choosing between them, treat them as close relatives and compare the 3.3 on what you can actually find to try.
Weight & Balance System: what the brand claims and what reviewers found
The product page says the system uses screws, plates and removable washers on the sides and top of the frame. It claims you can change the weight by up to 11.2 g and shift its distribution, toward control or toward power. That is the brand's claim, not a measurement.
Reviewers back the idea. Padelvergleich lists the customisable system as a strength. One video reviewer says the system noticeably alters how the racket performs. In that view it suits skilled players who know what they want. The same reviewer warns it is not for players unsure of their preferences. Fair point: a tunable racket helps only if you can tell what each change does.
One caution. The balance in mm is not published for this racket, so you cannot see the starting point on paper. The frame and handle details are not published either.
Four videos and one test: where they agree and where they split on control
Power is the common thread. Padelvergleich praises explosive power. Two video reviewers mention a strong smash, and another points to good leverage on overheads.
Control is where they split. One video reviewer calls control and feel great and reports no vibration issues. Another also praises the control, yet calls the racket heavy, short on maneuverability and more demanding than before. The control meter on this page reads low. So the sources do not line up neatly, and that is useful: control seems to depend on how well you handle a head-heavy diamond.
The sweet spot is the clearer weak point. Two video reviewers call it small, one saying it is smaller than on earlier versions. The Padelvergleich review rates it neutral.
One more split. A third video describes the racket as balanced and not overly head heavy, while the spec label says head heavy. Treat that as one opinion and check the weights in your own hands.
Carbon Aluminized 16K over soft EVA: why power reads high and the sweet spot low
The face is carbon-stiff, and stiff faces return energy. The diamond shape moves the mass toward the top of the head. Together they push power up. A retailer lists the core density as Hard Touch, which fits an attacking racket, though that comes from a shop and deserves care.
The soft EVA core is the counterweight. It takes some sting out of impact, which is why comfort reads medium rather than low. The sweet spot still reads low, because the diamond shape is less forgiving on off-centre hits. Not a flaw in itself, but a trade you accept for power.
345 to 360 g with a head-heavy label: what it asks of your arm
The weight range is 345 to 360 g, and the head is 485 cm2 on a 38 mm profile. That is a normal weight for a pro-level racket. Yet the head-heavy balance puts more of it in the head, so the swing can seem heavier than the number suggests. Expect a racket that asks for solid arm strength and good timing on smashes and overheads.
If your arm tires or your wrist complains, the adjustable weights are one possible fix, since the brand says you can shift the balance. Whether that fully solves it is untested here. A lighter, rounder racket is the safer route.
3.4, 2026 and the HRD+ sibling: which Ale Galán Metalbone to look at
The 2026 Ale Galán keeps the same face, core, shape and weights. The only listed difference is the weight system entry, which now reads 11.2 g instead of Weight & Balance System. That looks like a relabel, so it says little about on-court change. It also lists a 265 mm balance, which this 3.4 does not publish.
The HRD+ 3.4 Ale Galán swaps the soft core for EVA High Memory. Its comfort meter reads low, against medium here. If your arm is sensitive, this standard 3.4 is the gentler of the two.
