The Blackstone IV is the fourth generation of Hirostar's attacking diamond and the 2027 replacement for the Blackstone. It keeps the diamond mould and the 18K carbon face, swaps the single rubber core for a new Multi-EVA build, widens the sweet spot and adds an NFC chip for authentication and warranty. It is on pre-order in Australia now (RRP $485), with our first stock due in late November. This guide covers the verified specs and weight, what each change does, how it compares with its twin the Redstone IV and with the previous Blackstone, and who it suits — with live prices on the cards below.
The short version
| Blackstone IV (2027) | Previous Blackstone | |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Diamond | Diamond |
| Balance | High | Medium-high |
| Weight | 360–375g | 360–375g |
| Core | Multi-EVA (layers of different densities) | Black EVA 17 (single, medium density) |
| Face | 18K carbon | 18K carbon |
| Finish | Fully sandblasted face, with 3D and gloss details | Sandblasted face with a gloss logo, total black |
| NFC chip | Yes — authenticity and warranty | No |
| RRP | $485 | $485 |
| Who it is for | Advanced attackers who finish points overhead and want a firm, head-heavy diamond that forgives more than the last one. | The same player, who wants one today and is happy with the older core. |
The one-line answer: if you play on the left, finish points with the smash and your technique is repeatable, the Blackstone IV is the Hirostar built for you. If you would rather the racket stayed quick in your hand, read our Redstone IV guide instead.
What's new in the Blackstone IV
Hirostar list four changes for the fourth generation, and they apply to the Blackstone IV and the Redstone IV alike.
- A Multi-EVA core. The previous Blackstone used one rubber, Black EVA 17, a medium-density foam. The IV layers rubbers of different densities. Hirostar's pitch is a core that forgives on contact but still bites on impact: the softer layers help on blocks and slow balls, the firmer layers return energy when you swing hard. This is the biggest change in the frame and the one that should matter most to how it feels.
- A wider, more consistent sweet spot. Hirostar and their Australian distributor both describe the IV as more forgiving than last year's model. On a head-heavy diamond, where the sweet spot is usually small and high on the face, this is the change most players will notice first.
- A fully sandblasted face. The hitting surface is now rough all over for grip on the ball; on the previous model the logo area was gloss. Hirostar describe the overall finish as sandblasted, 3D and glossy surfaces together, so the frame keeps some shine where it does not touch the ball.
- An integrated NFC chip. Tap a phone on the racket to confirm it is a genuine Hirostar, activate the warranty and reach Hirostar's digital platform. Handy if you ever buy or sell one second-hand. It changes nothing about how the racket plays.
The bridge keeps its precision openings, which Hirostar say channel air through the heart of the racket while the Multi-EVA absorbs the vibration that is left. What has not changed: the diamond shape, the 18K carbon face and the 360–375g weight band.
Weight and balance: how heavy is the Blackstone IV?
Hirostar list 360–375g, the same band as the previous Blackstone and a touch lighter than the 365–380g of the Alien rackets. Expect individual frames to vary by around ±10g, as with every brand. Balance is listed as high, so more of that weight sits towards the head. A high balance adds leverage to the smash and the bandeja and makes the racket feel heavier in the hand than the number on the scale suggests; it also asks for early preparation, because the head arrives later in fast exchanges at the net. Racket weight and balance explained covers why balance matters more than the weight itself.
One detail for anyone upgrading: the previous Blackstone's balance was described as medium-high, and Hirostar's IV catalogue says high. Brands use these labels loosely and we have not measured a production IV yet, so treat that as a possible small shift rather than a confirmed one.
How it should play — and what we can't tell you yet
No independent review of the Blackstone IV has been published, and we have not hit one: Australian stock lands in late November. Everything in this section is the manufacturer's description plus reasoning from the specification, and we will add on-court notes when the first frames arrive.
Hirostar call it "the most powerful soul of the PRO line", and the ingredients agree: a high balance, a firm 18K face and a diamond head all push towards a heavy ball. The new core is the interesting part. Padelspeed's listing described the previous Blackstone as crisp and firm, with a compact-to-medium sweet spot best suited to players with reliable contact. A multi-density core with a wider sweet spot should keep the punch on a clean strike while giving back some of the comfort and forgiveness the old frame lacked. Whether it does is exactly what an on-court test will tell us.
Blackstone IV vs Redstone IV
The two IV rackets are twins: same mould, same 18K face, same Multi-EVA core, same weight band, same NFC chip. The difference is where the weight sits. The Blackstone IV's high balance puts it in the head for power overhead; the Redstone IV's mid-low balance keeps it in the hand, so the racket moves faster at the net and is easier to place. Hirostar sum the pair up as power and precision.
- Choose the Blackstone IV if you play on the left, finish points overhead and like a racket that feels substantial through the swing.
- Choose the Redstone IV if you play on the right, win points with placement and volleys, or want a diamond that does not feel head-heavy. The Redstone IV guide covers it in detail.
Blackstone IV vs the previous Blackstone
The previous Blackstone is Hirostar's 2025 mould, carried unchanged into the 2026 catalogue — it is the racket most searches for "Hirostar Blackstone 2026" find. It is still in stock with us (RRP $485). It shares the shape, the 18K face and the weight band, and differs in the single-density Black EVA 17 core, the total-black finish and the lack of an NFC chip.
Buy the IV if forgiveness matters to you or you want the newest frame. Buy the previous model if you want a Blackstone on court this week or prefer the all-black look.
Who should buy the Blackstone IV
- Advanced left-side player, repeatable technique, finishes overhead: yes — this is its job.
- Strong intermediate who attacks a lot: possibly, and more so than with the previous Blackstone thanks to the wider sweet spot, but a high-balance diamond still punishes late preparation. The Horizon is Hirostar's gentler attacking diamond.
- Elbow or shoulder trouble: look elsewhere first. The Multi-EVA should help comfort, but head-heavy diamonds are the hardest frames on the arm. Padel and tennis elbow sets out what gear can and cannot do.
- Not sure whether you want power or control: read control vs power, or let the racket finder score the options against your game.
Rivals worth comparing
The Tecnifibre Bomba Max 2026 is the closest specification we stock: another high-balance diamond with an 18K carbon face, and it is in stock now. The NOX AT10 Genius Attack 18K Alum 2027 is Agustín Tapia's attacking diamond, also 18K and also on pre-order for the 2027 season. The adidas Metalbone 2026 is Ale Galán's power diamond. Inside Hirostar, the Alien Pro is the step up: a 24K face on the hardest core Hirostar make, for players who want the Blackstone's attack with even more stiffness. Compare puts any two side by side, and our Hirostar guide covers the whole range.
Pre-ordering in Australia
We have the Blackstone IV on pre-order now (RRP $485). Our stock is due in late November and we expect to send pre-orders in early December; the product page always shows the current estimate. Choose free click and collect from our counter at Pacific Fair, Broadbeach, or Australia Post delivery, free over $99. We email you the moment yours is on its way.
Pre-order the Blackstone IV
RRP $485. Ships from Broadbeach as soon as our stock lands — expected early December — or collect free at Pacific Fair.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a Hirostar Blackstone IV review yet?
Not an independent one that we have found as of October 2026; the racket has only just been announced. This guide sets out the manufacturer's specification and what each change should do, and we will add on-court notes when our stock arrives.
Is the Blackstone IV the same as the Blackstone 2026?
No. Rackets sold as "Blackstone 2026" are the previous frame: Hirostar's 2025 mould with the Black EVA 17 core. The Blackstone IV is the 2027 model, the fourth generation, with the Multi-EVA core and the NFC chip.
How much does the Blackstone IV weigh?
Hirostar list 360–375g with a high balance. Individual frames vary by around ±10g.
Is the Blackstone IV good for intermediate players?
For a strong intermediate with consistent contact who attacks a lot, it is more realistic than the previous Blackstone because of the wider sweet spot. For most intermediates the Redstone IV or the Horizon will be easier to play well with.
What does the NFC chip in the Blackstone IV do?
It lets you tap a phone on the racket to confirm it is a genuine Hirostar, activate the warranty and reach Hirostar's digital platform. It does not affect how the racket plays.
What is the difference between the Hirostar Blackstone and Redstone?
Balance. In the IV pair everything else is shared — shape, 18K face, Multi-EVA core and the 360–375g weight band — and the Blackstone carries its weight in the head for power, the Redstone in the hand for speed and precision. The previous pair split the same way.
Specifications from Hirostar's Pro IV catalogue and the Australian distributor's listing (ASPAC Padel Group), checked 10 October 2026. The description of the previous Blackstone draws on hirostar.com and Padelspeed. No independent review of the Blackstone IV existed at the time of writing, and we have not court-tested it ourselves. Prices shown on the cards are live.