Adidas Pickleball is continuing to make waves in 2025 with the launch of its new Metalbone series.

The series features four new paddles that bring new core materials—among other features—to the global sporting giant: the Metalbone LP, Metalbone 4 14.5, Metalbone LP S, and Metalbone LP Team.

Here are the shared characteristics of the four models:

• Monocoque Construction: single-pieced construction that includes a carbon frame covered by carbon fiber, rough texture, and a central core
• Dimensions: Each paddle in the series has the same dimensions:
  • • • Height: 16.5’’
      • Width: 7.5’’
      • Grip Length: 5.5’’
      • Grip Circumference: 4.125’’
• Paddle Surface: Each paddle surface combines raw carbon fiber with a textured ‘Spin Blade Max’ coating to allow for added spin potential.
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Things to Note: Core Materials and Weighting System

Core Materials: The Metalbone series features two distinct core materials across its four paddles: a polypropylene honeycomb core (commonly seen in other high-quality paddles) and an EVA foam core, which is designed to provide extra stability and durability.

• Polypropylene Honeycomb Core: Metalbone LP and Metalbone 4 14.5
• EVA Foam Core: Metalbone LP S and Metalbone LP Team
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Weighting System: The LP, LP S, and 4 14.5 models all come with an adjustable weighting system that has removeable, weighted (2.6g) screws at the throat and top of the paddle. This system builds on the design from the initial Metalbone series and allows players to customize the weight and balance the paddle to their liking.

How they Play

Metalbone LP S and Metalbone LP Team

Featuring the aforementioned EVA foam core, these paddles ae among the most powerful that I have ever played with (perhaps even more powerful than the Proton Series 3 - Project Flamingo).

I felt like I could really get ahold of my drives from the baseline, but where these paddles really shine is at the kitchen line in hands battles. The balls jets off the paddle with more pace than anything I’ve hit with before in those fast-paced exchanges.

All that power has a downside, however. I found the LP S and LP Team to be difficult to control when hitting dinks, blocks, and resets. Those shots—especially when hitting them out of the air—seemed to hang up just a bit higher than I wanted them to.

 

I was able to remedy this with the LP S by using the adjustable weights to extend the sweet spot to make it much more forgiving. As a reminder, the LP Team is the only model in the series that does not have the adjustable weighting system.

Metalbone LP and Metalbone 4 14.5

The LP and 4 14.5 have a traditional polypropylene honeycomb core, as opposed to the EVA foam core featured in their counterparts.

They definitely don’t have the same power as the LP S and LP Team, but they can still pack a punch from the baseline. I also found them to be much easier to control at the kitchen line and in the transition zone. In a similar vein, they felt more forgiving and seemed to have a bigger sweet spot.

I ended up adding some weight to the 4 14.5 to make up for it being the only model in the series with a 14.5mm core instead of 16mm, but I actually felt the best using the LP with no weight adjustment. In my opinion, the LP had the best all-around feel of the lineup, and I didn’t feel like it had any glaring weaknesses.

Final Thoughts

This was my first time using adidas paddles, and there is a lot to like about each model of the Metalbone series.

A lot of people will probably gravitate towards the LP S and LP Team models with the incredibly powerful EVA foam cores, but, as I said before, I am very high on the LP model as a true all-court paddle.

Where to buy

Want to try the newest line of paddles from adidas? Go through Pickleball Central to get:

• A 30-day risk-free paddle test drive
• Fast, free shipping on all orders over $49
• Rewards points on every purchase that are redeemable for store credit on future orders
• Access to best-in-class customer care