The Wilson Optix V1 Black is a round, foam-core racket with fiberglass face and frame, listed for beginners and intermediates. On paper it is soft, forgiving and low on power. The weight is a fixed 370 g, and the profile treats that as lowering maneuverability. No court test exists yet, so this is a read of the specs.
RBy Ruud Caris · facts checked 26 October 2026Choose it if
- you are new to padel and want a round head that keeps mishits playable
- you want a soft, comfortable frame and are happy to build power with your own swing
- you play steady rallies from the back and care more about placing the ball than hitting it hard
Skip it if
- you want a racket that adds pace, because the Optix V1 Black reads Low on power and the adidas Drive 2026 reads Low as well
- you already hit hard and want the frame to do some of the work, since foam, fiberglass and a round head all hold power down
- you need every spec confirmed before buying, since balance in mm, head size and thickness are not published, unlike the Dunlop Galaxy LTD, which gives 38 mm thickness
How it plays
Line = the average of all rackets ▲ above ▼ below
On paper this is a soft, controlled racket that asks you to supply the pace.
- Control The foam core, round shape and medium balance all point to a high-control racket.
- Power Foam, fiberglass and a round head all hold power down, so the pace has to come from your swing.
- Comfort Foam and fiberglass both raise the comfort reading, though the weight pulls it down a little.
- Handling The round shape and medium balance help, but the fixed weight pulls handling down to a low reading.
- Forgiveness A round head and a soft core suggest a large, forgiving hitting area.
Specifications
Not published by the brand: thickness, head size, handle
Specs from padelnuestro.com · checked 24 September 2026 · Spotted a wrong spec? Report it →
Price history
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The product page for the Wilson Optix V1 Black claims easy handling and agility. The retailer sheet lists a fixed 370 g, with the same figure for both lowest and highest weight, and the profile treats that weight as lowering maneuverability. This page has no court test behind it, so everything below is a read of the specs and nothing more.
370 g for a first racket: the number to check
The product page excerpts talk about control, spin and a large sweet spot. They do not mention a weight. The retailer sheet does: 370 g, no range.
Why does it matter? A heavier racket takes more effort on every shot. That is a general rule, not a verdict on this racket. Still, it is worth knowing before you pick it as a first racket.
For context, the adidas Drive 2026 lists 360 g to 375 g. So 370 g falls inside the Drive's range. The weight is notable only as a fixed figure, with no spread to choose from.
Easy handling, says the page: why the meter reads Low on maneuverability
The product page claims easy handling and agility. Treat that as a brand or shop claim. The specs give a more mixed picture.
The round shape and the medium balance label both help handling. The weight works against it, and that is why the maneuverability meter reads Low. The page's wording may promise more than the sheet supports.
Foam and fiberglass all the way: where the High comfort comes from
The core is foam. The face and the frame are both fiberglass. In the profile, the foam core and the fiberglass face both raise comfort.
That is why the comfort meter reads High, even with the weight pulling the other way. It is a spec-based expectation, not a report from anyone who has played it.
A round head that forgives, and a Low power meter that asks you to swing
The sweet spot meter reads High, helped by the round shape and the soft core. The product page also says the format has a large sweet spot, which fits, though it gives no size.
The flip side is power. Foam, fiberglass and a round head each lower it. The Low reading means the racket will not do the work for you. You will need a full swing to send the ball deep.
That is a fair trade for a first racket. Control comes first, and pace comes with practice.
Optix V1 Black next to the Drive, the RX Series Red 3.3 and the Galaxy LTD: one profile, four sheets
The adidas Drive 2026, the adidas RX Series Red 3.3 and the Dunlop Galaxy LTD share the same five readings. They are High control, Low power, High comfort, Low maneuverability and High sweet spot. The Optix V1 Black has the same profile.
The differences sit in the details. The adidas Drive 2026 has an even balance and a Beginner level label, with 38 mm thickness. The adidas RX Series Red 3.3 also has an even balance, but carries an Advanced label. The Dunlop Galaxy LTD has a medium balance label like the Wilson, with 38 mm thickness, but is labelled Advanced. The Wilson is the one with a single fixed weight.
If you want to see the Wilson and the Drive side by side, use the direct comparison. The choice comes down to the level labels, the balance labels and the weight figures. It is not a different type of racket.
Not published: balance in mm, head size, thickness, handle and any court test
Several things are missing. Balance in mm is not published, only the label Medium. Head size, thickness, handle details and weight system are also not published. The colourway black was found via search and is less certain.
Without thickness and balance in mm, you cannot judge the feel precisely. Check those figures with a shop before you buy. And since no review is available yet, any claim about how it plays is an expectation from the specs, not a result.
Similar rackets
Questions before you buy
Is the Wilson Optix V1 Black good for beginners?
On paper, yes. The retailer lists it for Beginner / Intermediate, and the round shape and foam core suggest control and forgiveness. The fixed 370 g is the one thing to think about.
Is it easy on the arm?
The foam core and fiberglass face and frame raise the comfort reading. The weight pulls it down a little. No review confirms it, so it is an expectation from the specs.
Does it give you much power?
No. The power meter reads Low, because foam, fiberglass and a round head all hold it down. You will need to create pace with your swing.
How does it compare with the adidas Drive 2026?
Both read High on control, comfort and sweet spot and Low on power and maneuverability. The adidas lists 360 g to 375 g and an even balance. The Wilson lists a fixed 370 g and a medium balance.
Is the Optix V1 Black worth the money right now?
Today's price is labelled "Good value" compared with the rackets that play most alike. Which shops deliver, and what shipping costs, depends on your country. The price comparison shows it for yours.
See all pricesWhat is the closest alternative?
The adidas Drive 2026 plays most alike. On paper the differences are under one point. Today: € 68.94.
Compare side by side →Who should not buy it?
Skip it if you want easy power for smashes (power 3.5/10).
How heavy is it really?
The brand gives 370 g. That counts as heavy. Each racket can differ within that range.
Why a range? →