Kuikma PR990 Hybrid Soft
The Kuikma PR990 Hybrid Soft is Decathlon’s budget-friendly teardrop racket, built for beginners and improving players who want a comfortable, forgiving frame without paying premium prices.
Do not let the friendly price fool you: the PR990 is the top line of Decathlon’s Kuikma range. The Hybrid Soft pairs 12K carbon faces and a carbon frame with a soft EVA core and a teardrop shape, which makes it a genuinely capable racket for improving players and a comfortable one for experienced players who want an easy feel.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Very comfortable, arm-friendly soft EVA core.
- Teardrop shape with a raised sweet spot — forgiving on off-centre hits.
- Genuinely good value for the construction quality.
- Lightweight and maneuverable for a hybrid.
Cons
- Limited power ceiling compared to premium hybrids and diamonds.
- Glass fibre in the frame is less premium than full carbon options.
- Advanced players will outgrow it quickly.
On-court performance
Back of the court
The raised sweet spot and soft core make rallying easy — the racket does a lot of the forgiving work for you on slightly mistimed shots.
The forgiving teardrop shape is the key from the back. Slightly mistimed lobs still reach depth, and defensive blocks come off the face with a soft, controlled feel that keeps you in the rally instead of gifting the point.
At the net
Comfortable and controllable, though volleys lack the extra pop that firmer, more premium rackets provide.
Volleys are easy to control and land where you aim them. The soft core takes pace off hard balls, which helps you reset fast exchanges, even if you sacrifice some of the punch of firmer rackets.
Overheads (bandeja, víbora, smash)
Power is moderate rather than explosive — enough to finish easy points, but not a weapon against strong defenders.
Bandejas and víboras are comfortable and controlled. Flat smashes need a full swing to hurt opponents, so this is a racket for players who win points through consistency rather than through the fence.
Comfort & vibrations
This is the racket’s strongest area: the Soft EVA core noticeably reduces vibration, making it a genuinely good option for players managing minor arm issues.
The Soft EVA core is the reason to buy it. It dampens vibration noticeably and makes long sessions easier on the elbow and shoulder, so it is a natural choice for players returning from minor arm problems.
Spin
The 12K carbon faces grip the ball reasonably well on slices and cut volleys. Spin is useful rather than spectacular, which matches the racket’s control-and-comfort profile.
Who it’s for / who should skip it
Good fit if…
- You’re a beginner or early-intermediate player.
- Comfort and forgiveness matter more than outright power.
- You want genuine quality without a premium price tag.
Skip it if…
- You’re an advanced player who needs more power to compete.
- You want the stiffest possible feel and maximum feedback.
- You’re chasing a premium carbon build.
Where the PR990 Hybrid Soft sits in the Kuikma range
The PR990 line comes in three shapes, Precision, Hybrid and Power, and each one is available with a Soft or a Hard core. The Hybrid is the middle ground in shape, and the Soft core is the comfort-first version of it.
If you want more bite on the ball and a firmer response, the Hybrid Hard is the natural alternative. If you want maximum control, look at the Precision. If you want a softer, forgiving all-rounder without paying premium-brand prices, the Hybrid Soft is the sweet spot of the range.
Specifications
| Shape | Teardrop |
|---|---|
| Faces | 12K carbon |
| Core | Soft EVA |
| Weight | 360–380 g |
| Balance | 265 mm — medium |
| Level | Beginner to intermediate |
| Segment | Budget-friendly (Decathlon) |
| Technologies | Carbon frame, teardrop (hybrid) shape |
Note: small unit-to-unit variations in weight and balance are normal.
Alternatives
| Model | Why pick it | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Kuikma Hybrid Pro Coki Nieto 2026 | A step up in construction and power for a similar hybrid feel. | Noticeably higher price. |
| Siux Diablo Pro 4 2025 | More power and a more premium build for improving players. | Firmer, less immediately comfortable. |
| Royal Padel RP 850 Whip Hybrid 2025 | Similarly comfortable hybrid core with a bit more punch. | Higher price point. |
Verdict
The PR990 Hybrid Soft does exactly what a budget beginner racket should: it’s comfortable, forgiving and genuinely pleasant to learn on, without the harshness that cheaper diamond-shaped rackets often have.
It won’t keep up with premium hybrids once your level rises, but as a first real racket — or a comfortable second racket for social play — it’s a smart, low-risk pick.
It offers one of the best value-for-money combinations of comfort, control and build quality on the market, and it is a racket that can grow with you for several seasons.
In 30 seconds
- Decathlon’s comfortable, budget-friendly teardrop hybrid.
- Forgiving sweet spot, soft on the arm, genuinely good value.
- A smart first racket — advanced players will want more power.