Woven Carbon vs Aluminized Carbon vs HES Carbon: what's the difference? 🎾

Anyone buying a padel racket today is quickly presented with all sorts of technical terms: Woven Carbon, Aluminized Carbon, HES Carbon, 3K, 12K, 18K…

But what do these terms actually mean? And more importantly: how do they feel on the padel court?

The short answer: Woven Carbon, Aluminized Carbon, and HES Carbon are not simple levels where one material is automatically better than another. They refer to different constructions or proprietary technologies. The ultimate playing feel is also strongly determined by the core, shape, balance, weight, and overall build of the racket.

Therefore, the question is not:

“Which carbon is best?”

but:

“Which racket construction best suits my playing style?”

In this guide, we explain the difference simply.

First, importantly: carbon doesn't tell the whole story about a padel racket

Carbon fiber is widely used in padel rackets because it can be light, strong, and stiff.

But two rackets with "carbon" on their product specifications can play completely differently.

The playing feel is influenced by:

• type and quality of carbon fiber
• way the fibers are processed
• resin and laminate build-up
• EVA or foam core
• shape of the racket
• balance
• total weight
• number of material layers

Therefore, you can never tell from the term 12K, 18K, Woven, or HES Carbon alone exactly how a racket will feel.

What do 3K, 12K, 18K or 24K carbon mean?

The K refers to the number of individual carbon filaments in a fiber bundle, also known as a tow.

So, it means:

• 3K: approximately 3,000 filaments per bundle
• 12K: approximately 12,000 filaments
• 18K: approximately 18,000 filaments
• 24K: approximately 24,000 filaments

But here arises a common misconception:

18K is not automatically better than 12K, and 12K is not automatically better than 3K.

The K-number primarily describes the fiber bundle. It does not in itself indicate how hard, powerful, or comfortable the entire racket will play.

Furthermore, brands use different types of carbon, resins, thicknesses, and constructions.

Therefore, never look only at the highest number on the product sheet.

What is Woven Carbon?

Woven Carbon literally means woven carbon.

Carbon fiber bundles are woven together in different directions to form a carbon fabric. You can often recognize such a construction by the typical visible carbon pattern.

But importantly:

"Woven Carbon" is not a fixed hardness or quality class in itself.

It mainly says something about how the carbon is structured.

A racket with woven carbon can therefore be:

• quite comfortable
• medium-hard in feel
• very direct

That depends on the rest of the construction.

How does Woven Carbon feel?

In padel rackets, woven carbon is often used to create a stable and responsive striking surface.

But the actual playing feel strongly depends on its combination with the core.

For example:

Woven Carbon + soft EVA core
→ more comfortable and easier ball output

Woven Carbon + hard EVA core
→ more direct and technical feel

That's why you should never buy a racket just because it says "Woven Carbon" on it.

For whom might Woven Carbon be interesting?

Depending on the complete racket construction, it can be suitable for:

• recreational players
• all-round players
• control-oriented players
• advanced players seeking a more direct feel

The exact target group must therefore be assessed per racket.

What is Aluminized Carbon?

Aluminized Carbon is a carbon construction where the carbon is combined or treated with aluminum.

Different brands use their own implementations of this.

Therefore, here too, there is one important rule:

Aluminized Carbon is not a universal material standard where every racket plays the same.

For example, NOX uses 18K Alum. The brand describes this material as solid and comfortable, with more consistent behavior during temperature fluctuations.

That's interesting, because it immediately breaks a popular assumption:

Aluminized Carbon does not automatically have to be harder than regular carbon.

How does Aluminized Carbon feel?

That strongly depends on the brand and the racket construction.

In modern rackets, it is often used to seek a combination of:

• stability
• response
• durability
• controlled playing feel
• consistency

A good example is the NOX AT10 Luxury Genius 18K Alum. In this racket, the aluminized carbon is combined with a multilayer EVA core.

The feel of THAT racket is therefore not solely determined by 18K Alum.

For whom might Aluminized Carbon be interesting?

It can be interesting for players who:

• already have some racket experience
• seek a stable impact
• want sufficient response
• are looking for a more refined carbon feel

But even a recreational player can perfectly play with Aluminized Carbon if the rest of the racket is sufficiently comfortable and forgiving.

What is HES Carbon?

HES Carbon is a technology from Oxdog.

HES stands for High Energy System.

Oxdog describes its HES Carbon as a combination of carbon and a proprietary resin process designed for:

• fast response
• maximum energy transfer
• speed
• power
• durability

This makes HES Carbon fundamentally different from, for example, "12K."

12K describes a fiber bundle. HES Carbon is a proprietary material and construction technology.

So you cannot compare the two directly.

How does HES Carbon feel?

Oxdog positions HES Carbon as a relatively reactive and stiff construction.

But here too: not every Oxdog HES racket plays the same.

Oxdog combines HES Carbon with various:

• racket shapes
• foam hardnesses
• balance points
• PowerRibs
• Vibradamp systems
• weight systems

An Oxdog racket with soft foam and medium balance can therefore play much easier than an HES racket with hard foam and high balance.

HES Carbon therefore only tells part of the story.

Woven Carbon vs Aluminized Carbon vs HES Carbon

Instead of simply ranking them from "soft to hard," it's better to view them this way:

Technology	What does it mainly mean?	Important to know
Woven Carbon	Woven carbon construction	Playing feel heavily depends on core and laminate
Aluminized Carbon	Carbon combined/treated with aluminum	Brand-dependent; not automatically harder
HES Carbon	Oxdog's proprietary carbon and resin process	Aimed at reactivity and energy transfer
3K / 12K / 18K / 24K	Number of filaments per carbon bundle	Higher number doesn't automatically mean better

That's much more useful than saying one material is for beginners and another exclusively for professionals.

Which carbon is best for beginners?

As a beginner, carbon should not be your primary selection criterion.

Much more important are:

• large sweet spot
• comfortable weight
• low or medium balance
• round or accessible teardrop shape
• sufficiently soft core
• good control

A beginner can therefore perfectly use a carbon racket.

But buying a hard, head-heavy, and technical carbon racket purely because it says 18K, Alum, or HES on it is usually not a smart strategy.

Which carbon is best for advanced players?

Advanced players can choose materials much more specifically, as they better understand the feel they are looking for.

For example, do you want:

More direct response?

Then a stiffer carbon construction might be interesting.

More comfort and ball output?

Then you should primarily look at the combination of hitting surface and a softer core.

More power?

Then, besides carbon, high balance, shape, and core hardness also play a big role.

More control?

Then sweet spot, balance, and maneuverability are at least as important as the type of carbon.

Therefore, "which carbon?" is actually only one part of the search.

Is HES Carbon better than Aluminized Carbon?

No.

Moreover, they are difficult to compare directly.

HES Carbon is a specific technology from Oxdog. Aluminized Carbon is applied by different brands in their own way.

So one is not simply an upgrade of the other.

A player might play better with a NOX 18K Alum than with an Oxdog HES racket — and for another player, the exact opposite might be true.

The racket must suit the player.

Is 18K carbon better than 12K?

Also not automatically.

This is perhaps the most important lesson from this blog.

Even within one brand, a higher K-number cannot simply be translated into "harder" or "better."

For example, NOX has models where a 12K construction is specified as stiffer than an 18K Alum version.

This perfectly demonstrates why you shouldn't just look at the K-number.

What then determines how a padel racket plays?

If you really want to assess a racket, look at at least these six characteristics:

1. Shape

Round, teardrop, or diamond influences the sweet spot and the character of the racket.

2. Balance

Low balance generally provides more maneuverability; higher balance helps to get more mass behind offensive shots.

3. Weight

A heavier racket can be more stable, but also demands more from the arm and shoulder.

4. Core

A soft or hard EVA core greatly changes the feel.

5. Striking surface

Here carbon, fiberglass, and other materials come into play.

6. Total construction

Frame, resin, hole pattern, layers, and other technologies also determine the final result.

The complete package is therefore more important than a single carbon term.

Our padel store tip

Don't be swayed by the most impressive technical name.

A racket with 18K Alum, HES Carbon, or a visibly woven carbon face is not automatically better for your game.

At Punto de Padel, we prefer to first look at:

• your level
• playing style
• desired control or power
• current racket
• weight you find comfortable
• balance
• any arm sensitivity
• budget

After that, carbon and other materials become relevant.

Because a technically impressive racket that doesn't suit you is simply a wrong purchase.

Frequently asked questions about carbon in padel rackets

What is Woven Carbon in a padel racket?

Woven Carbon is carbon where fiber bundles are processed in a woven structure. The exact playing feel also depends on factors such as the core and the complete racket construction.

What does Aluminized Carbon mean?

Aluminized Carbon is a carbon construction where aluminum is processed or applied. The precise properties vary by manufacturer and racket.

Is Aluminized Carbon harder than regular carbon?

Not necessarily. The playing feel depends on the complete construction. Some Aluminized Carbon rackets are specifically designed to combine stability and comfort.

What does HES Carbon mean?

HES Carbon stands for High Energy System and is a technology from Oxdog. The brand combines its own carbon and resin process with fast response, energy transfer, power, and durability.

Is HES Carbon better than Woven Carbon?

Not automatically. The terms describe different things, and the best racket depends on the full construction and the player.

Is 18K better than 12K carbon?

No. The K-number describes the number of filaments per carbon bundle and is not a universal quality ranking.

Which carbon is best for beginners?

For beginners, comfort, sweet spot, weight, balance, and core are usually more important than the specific carbon label.

Which carbon padel racket suits you?

Woven Carbon, Aluminized Carbon, and HES Carbon can all be part of excellent padel rackets.

But there is no single winner that is better for every player.

Woven Carbon primarily describes a woven construction.
Aluminized Carbon combines carbon with aluminum technology.
HES Carbon is Oxdog's own High Energy System.

And 3K, 12K, or 18K?

That tells you something about the carbon bundle — not automatically how well the racket suits you.

At Punto de Padel, we therefore prefer to help you compare the entire racket rather than just the marketing term on the face.

This way, you choose a racket based on how it truly plays.