Head Radical PRO EX15 2026

What it is

Head's 2026 flagship pickleball paddle, the Radical Pro EX15. Elongated shape, 15mm core, 8.1 oz, premium pricing (HK$1,570 before shipping). Positioned as Head's tournament-tier option for advanced control players, with the brand's mature tennis manufacturing applied to the pickleball segment.

How it plays

This is a 2026 release with limited community feedback so far. What's known: the 15mm core is a deliberate middle path between control and power, the elongated shape gives reach and a longer lever arm, and Head's build quality is genuinely mature, finish, grip, and balance feel premium out of the box. The Pro EX15 should suit ex-tennis advanced players who want familiar brand DNA and a tournament-grade paddle.

The problem is the competitive landscape. At HK$1,570, you're cross-shopping against the JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus, the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air Invikta, the CRBN line, and Vatic Pro's Gen 4 flagships. Every one of those has deeper community validation, more spin technology (raw carbon T700, 18K weave, foam cores), and clearer long-term durability data. Head's pickleball-specific R&D is still catching up to the dedicated pickleball brands.

Who should actually buy this

Ex-tennis advanced players who specifically want a Head paddle for brand loyalty or familiar handle feel, AND who can pay the premium. For everyone else cross-shopping at this price tier, the dedicated pickleball-native flagships offer more spec for the money.

Bottom line

Low priority. Premium pricing for solid-but-unspectacular tech in a market that's moved on from tennis-brand crossovers. Wait for community signal to develop before paying flagship money, or buy from a brand whose pickleball-specific track record is already proven. If you want Head, the cheaper Radical Tour 15 covers most of the same use case at a third less.