HEAD

HEAD Radical Tour EX Grit

The HEAD Radical Tour EX Grit is an elongated, midweight paddle built for reach, spin, and firm contact. It suits players who want deeper drives and a crisp response without giving up touch entirely.

Character from the specs · Power

Power91
Control49
Forgiveness48
Arm-friendly57

Worked out from core thickness, weight, face and shape using general rules of thumb — not from a play test.

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Overview

The 8.1-ounce paddle uses a 15 mm polypropylene core with a Toray T700 carbon face. Its elongated 16.5-inch shape adds reach, while the 7.5-inch width gives it a narrower hitting area than a widebody paddle. The 4.12-inch Ergo Grip should suit players who prefer a standard-size handle.

The 15 mm core points toward a balanced feel rather than an ultra-thin, highly reactive paddle. Reviewers describe the face as crisp, powerful, and stable during hard rallies. The longer shape and midweight build should help on groundstrokes and overheads, while the carbon surface supports a direct response. Its textured face is designed to add spin, and the grip system is described as helping reduce vibration.

Play style

This paddle fits an aggressive all-court style. Racquet Science describes strong power on deep groundstrokes and smashes, while other reviews emphasize spin, reach, and precision. The elongated shape gives you useful leverage from the baseline and extra reach at the kitchen.

The crisp response favors firm drives and attacking shots more than a muted, soft-game feel. The 15 mm core and carbon face should still provide enough control for placement, but players who mainly want soft hands, maximum forgiveness, or easy resets may prefer a wider or softer-feeling paddle. Reviewers disagree somewhat on its balance, with some emphasizing control and others finding the power especially prominent.

Best for

  • Players who want more reach on volleys and overheads
  • Baseline players who rely on deep drives and smashes
  • Spin-focused players who prefer a textured carbon face
  • A player making a first upgrade to a more powerful, elongated paddle

Look elsewhere if

  • Players who mainly want a soft, muted feel at the kitchen
  • Players who need the largest possible sweet spot
  • Players who prefer a compact, highly maneuverable paddle for quick exchanges
  • Players seeking a purely control-first paddle with restrained power

Strengths

  • The 16.5-inch elongated shape adds reach and leverage
  • The 8.1-ounce weight supports stability without being especially heavy
  • Reviewers report strong power on deep groundstrokes and smashes
  • The textured carbon face is designed to produce useful spin
  • The 15 mm polypropylene core offers a middle ground between power and control

Things to consider

  • The elongated 7.5-inch shape may offer less forgiveness than a widebody paddle
  • Its crisp, powerful response may feel too lively for soft-game specialists
  • The paddle is not the best fit if you want the softest possible touch
  • Check the handle length and 4.12-inch grip against your preferred hand size
  • Reviewers differ on whether its main strength is control or power

Specs

BrandHEAD
Weight8.1 oz
Core thickness15 mm
Core material15 mm polypropylene honeycomb
FaceCarbon fiber
Face materialToray T700 carbon fiber
ShapeElongated
Length16.5 in
Width7.5 in
Grip circumference4.12 in
HandleErgo Grip with a 4.12-inch circumference
USA Pickleball approvedYes

Not listed by the seller: handle length.

Specs come from the seller's product listing and may be incomplete or change between batches. Double-check before you buy.

Sources

  1. Head Radical Tour EX Grit — Racquet Science
  2. Head Radical Tour EX Grit Pickleball Paddle Review
  3. Reviewing the Top HEAD Radical Pickleball Paddles
  4. HEAD Radical Tour EX Grit Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddle | JustPaddles.com
  5. Radical Tour EX Grit 2024 Pickleball Paddle - INTERSPORT
  6. Head Radical Tour EX Grit — Racquet Science

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