Adidas Metalbone Team Light 2026
The Adidas Metalbone Team Light 2026 takes the name of Adidas’s most famous attacking line and turns it into something very different: a light, round, fibreglass racket built for control and comfort. At 345–360 g it is easy to move, and the soft Eva Soft Performance core makes it one of the gentlest rackets in the Metalbone family.
It still carries real Metalbone DNA in the frame — a carbon tubular Octagonal Structure, Low Poly geometry and the longer Power Extra Grip handle — so it is more solid than a typical budget control racket. The result is a forgiving, arm-friendly racket for players who want to build points, not just survive them.
Verdict
The Metalbone Team Light is one of the easiest rackets to recommend to intermediate players who want control without a dull feel. The round head keeps the sweet spot big and central, the fibreglass face and soft core give a smooth, cushioned ball exit, and the light build keeps the arm fresh for long matches. For women and lighter players who want a dependable, comfortable racket, it hits the brief almost perfectly.
The trade-off is overhead power. A soft round racket at this weight does not finish points on its own: flat smashes need a full swing, and players who rely on the x3 will want something more head-heavy. If your game is lobs, volleys and patience, it is an excellent and good-value choice.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Big, central sweet spot from the round head — very forgiving on off-centre hits.
- Soft Eva Soft Performance core and fibreglass face are gentle on the arm.
- Light 345–360 g build is quick at the net and easy over long matches.
- Carbon tubular Octagonal Structure frame adds stability for a light racket.
- Smart Holes Curve drilling helps the sweet spot and the ball exit.
- Good value compared with carbon-faced control rackets.
Cons
- Limited overhead power — flat smashes rarely finish the point.
- Soft feel can lack precision for players who like a crisp response.
- Spin is decent but not a highlight with the fibreglass face.
- Strong attacking players will outgrow it.
On-court performance
From the back
This is where it shines. The big sweet spot and soft core make defensive lobs, balls off the glass and low chiquitas easy to control, and the fibreglass face lets the ball come off with little effort, so depth from the back is easier than with a stiffer racket.
The light weight means you are rarely late, even on fast balls into the corner. It is a racket that rewards patience and consistency rather than aggression.
At the net
Quick and secure. The light build makes reflex volleys easy to prepare, and the round head forgives volleys hit slightly off-centre. The Octagonal Structure frame keeps the racket from twisting on most hard balls.
Punch volleys lack a little bite compared with a heavier, head-heavy racket, but placement is easy and blocks are very stable for the weight.
Overheads
Bandejas are the strong point: controlled, easy to place and safe. Víboras work if you accelerate through the ball, though they come off slower than with a rough carbon face.
Flat smashes are the weakness. The soft core absorbs energy and there is little mass in the head, so you need a complete swing to get the ball out. The longer Power Extra Grip handle helps a little with leverage.
Comfort & vibration
Excellent. The soft core, fibreglass face and light weight combine to keep vibrations low and the arm fresh. It is one of the most comfortable rackets we can recommend in this price range for players with a sensitive elbow or wrist.
The comfort comes with a slightly muted feel: players who like to “feel” every ball on the face may find it a bit soft.
Spin
Decent. The Spin Blade Grit finish gives some grip on slices and lobs, but the fibreglass face does not bite as hard as a rough carbon face. Spin is fine for control play rather than a weapon.
Who is it for / not for
Good choice if…
- You are an intermediate player who wants control and a big sweet spot.
- You are a woman or a lighter player looking for a comfortable, light racket.
- You have a sensitive arm and want a soft feel.
- You win points with lobs, placement and volleys rather than smashes.
- You want a good-value racket from a premium brand.
Avoid if…
- You rely on your smash to finish points.
- You prefer a firm, crisp carbon feel.
- You are an advanced attacking player who needs more punch.
Metalbone Team Light or Metalbone CTRL?
Both are round, control-oriented Metalbones, but they are aimed at different players. The Metalbone CTRL uses carbon and a firmer feel for more precision and stability; it is a racket for advanced players who want control at a high level. The Team Light uses a fibreglass face and a soft core, which makes it more forgiving, more comfortable and easier to play with at intermediate level.
For most intermediate women, the Team Light is the more sensible choice: softer, more forgiving and cheaper. If you want something similarly light but with a more premium carbon response, look at the Adidas Cross It Light 2026. Stock of the Team Light varies, so check availability before you plan around it.
Specifications
| Shape | Round |
|---|---|
| Weight | 345–360 g |
| Balance | Medium |
| Thickness | 38 mm |
| Face | Fibreglass, Spin Blade Grit finish |
| Core | Eva Soft Performance (soft) |
| Frame | Carbon tubular, Octagonal Structure |
| Technology | Low Poly Design, Smart Holes Curve, Power Extra Grip |
| Level | Intermediate / Advanced |
Small unit-to-unit variations in weight and balance are normal.
Alternatives
| Adidas Cross It Light 2026 | Round and light with a premium carbon face — more precise | Firmer and more expensive |
| Adidas Metalbone CTRL 2026 | Round Metalbone with more precision and stability | Firmer, pricier and more demanding |
| Babolat Air Vertuo 2.6 | Light teardrop with more help on volleys and overheads | Less soft and less forgiving from the back |
| Head One Ultralight 2025 | Even lighter at around 300 g — maximum comfort | Less power and stability |
In 30 seconds
- A light, round Metalbone at 345–360 g with a fibreglass face and soft core.
- Big, forgiving sweet spot and excellent comfort.
- Easy control from the back and quick at the net.
- Trade-off: limited overhead power and a slightly muted feel.
- Best for intermediate women and lighter players who play a control game.