Bourne Hexagon 8.8 is back with a new design and just like last year's model, it is probably the most affordable padel racket for beginners seeking extra power and wanting to develop their game. What has made Bourne Hexagon 8.8 a success is that the racket feels stable without being expensive. BOURNE is the name of the unique shape of the racket, which is a hybrid between a drop and a diamond where speed is prioritized. The model has a frame made from a mix of carbon fiber and fiberglass. In this way, you get both stability and flex when you hit your shot. On the surface, Bourne 8.8 has a layer of fiberglass to give you a forgiving hit on the ball, and together with the core, you can easily handle slight mishits and generate speed on the ball across the hitting surface. As with several of Varlion's rackets, this model also has holes that are drilled in different sizes, something the brand calls GRADUAL HOLES. This means that the holes are made smaller in the center to provide as much hitting surface under the ball as possible and then become larger the closer they are to the frame. The reason for this is that as a player, you get a larger sweet spot regardless of the model and a more forgiving feel. HANDLESAFETY means that the wrist strap is attached to the handle instead of the knob to make it almost impossible for the strap to wear out. This model is made 100% by hand in Spain in the brand’s own factories.