Horizon 2026 Padel Racket

The Hirostar Horizon 2026 is the attacking racket in Hirostar's Precision line — the tier below the Pro and Alien frames, and the one aimed at improving players. Diamond shape, high balance, a 12K carbon face and an EVA Black Mid core: the same intent as the Blackstone, in a softer, cheaper package with an integrated protector moulded into the top of the frame.

How it actually plays. Hirostar's own description is honest about what the Mid core does: it is the intermediate-density rubber, chosen so that volleys and touch shots stay compact and controllable while the diamond head still adds inertia to the smash, bandeja and víbora. 12K carbon is more flexible than the 18K and 24K faces higher in the range, which generally means a larger usable sweet spot and less shock at the cost of some crispness. Padelspeed (UK) file it as the power-centric option in the 2026 Precision range. We have not found an independent scored test of the Horizon yet; everything above is manufacturer and retailer description, not a court test.

What changed for 2026. New Hirostar mould with the integrated upper-frame protection, sandblasted matte finish and a navy colourway. The 2025 Horizon ran the same 12K/EVA Black Mid build.

Is this the racket for you?

• Yes if you are an intermediate player moving to your first diamond, you want more on the overhead, and you would rather not spend Pro-tier money to find out whether the shape suits you. The comparable frames here are the Dunlop FX Team and the Tecnifibre Bomba Soft.
• No if you defend more than you attack — the round Hirostar Solar is the control racket in the same line at the same price — or if you already have the technique for the firmer Blackstone.

Specifications from Hirostar S.r.l. (Milan) and the retailers named, verified 2026-09-23. Manufacturer weights vary by around ±10g. Independent scores are quoted from the named tester and are their opinion, not ours; we have not court-tested this frame ourselves.