Bullpadel has unveiled its 2027 Pro Line, and if you’ve been eyeing a Vertex or a Hack, the obvious question is whether to wait. Short answer: for most players in New Zealand, no. The 2026 rackets are on our shelves now, they’re 15% off through October, and the year-on-year changes are smaller than the marketing makes them sound. Here’s what’s actually new, and how to decide.
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What Bullpadel announced for 2027
The 2027 Pro Line is ten rackets: Hack 05, XPLO 02, Elite 02, Vertex 05, Vertex 05 Geo, Vertex 05 W, Neuron 02 Edge, Pearl, Wonder and Flow Legend. Each is tied to a touring pro, from Paquito Navarro on the Hack to Gemma Triay on the Elite and Fede Chingotto on the Neuron.
The technology headlines are Air Power (a frame shape designed to move through the air faster), ExoAir structural reinforcements for stability on off-centre hits, PrismLock on the new Neuron, and the CustomWeight system that lets you shift the balance with small weights. Some of that is new. Some of it, like CustomWeight and Air Power, was already on the 2026 rackets.
The two that matter most: Vertex and Hack
Most of the interest in Bullpadel comes down to these two lines, so it’s worth being specific about what changed.
Vertex 05, 2026 to 2027. The name doesn’t change, which tells you something. Bullpadel describes the 2027 version as having a reinforced core and an optimised Curv:aKtiv frame system for better energy transfer and stability. The shape is still diamond, the face is still 12K carbon, and the visual design is new. It’s an evolution of the same racket, not a different one.
Hack 04 (2026) to Hack 05 (2027). This is the bigger jump. Bullpadel says the new Hack “bears little resemblance” to earlier versions, built to be lighter and more aerodynamic for faster acceleration. If you’re a Hack player who wants the newest thing, this is the one model where waiting might change how the racket feels.
For context on how big a typical model-year change is: when Bullpadel moved the Hack 04 from 2025 to 2026, the independent retailer Padelshop described it as “a refined evolution” rather than a redesign, and told existing owners there was no need to rush to upgrade. Model-year updates often follow that pattern: the cosmetics change every year, the feel shifts a little, and the mould and shape change only now and then.
2026 vs 2027 at a glance
| 2026 (in store now) | 2027 (just announced) | |
|---|---|---|
| Vertex | Vertex 05: diamond, X-Tend 12K carbon, MultiEVA core, CustomWeight | Vertex 05: same shape and carbon, reinforced core, updated Curv:aKtiv, new look |
| Hack | Hack 04 26: diamond, TriCarbon 18K, high balance, CustomWeight | Hack 05: redesigned, lighter and more aerodynamic per Bullpadel |
| Price at Padel Park | 15% off RRP through 31 October | Full RRP when it lands |
| Available in NZ | Now, limited stock | At Padel Park by January at the latest |
When will 2027 Bullpadel reach Padel Park? January at the latest. The Vertex 05 and the Indiga CTR and W have had real interest, so we’re looking to bring those in sooner on a special order. If you’re set on a 2027 model, message us and we’ll let you know when it’s landed.
Why a 2026 racket is usually the smarter buy here
Three reasons, in order of how much they matter.
The price gap is real money. Through October, a 2026 Vertex 05 is $569.50 instead of $670. The Hack 04 26 is $509 instead of $599. The 2027 versions will most likely arrive at full RRP, and for most club players a model-year refinement is unlikely to be worth that $100 difference.
Waiting has a cost too. If January is when the 2027 range lands, that’s most of a Kiwi summer spent on a racket you’ve already decided isn’t right for you.
The racket is rarely what’s holding you back. This is the honest bit. You don’t need the most expensive racket, and you definitely don’t need this year’s version of it, unless you’re already a strong competitive player. If you’re a beginner or low intermediate, $80 on an hour of private coaching will change far more about your game than any racket will. Buy a racket that suits you, then spend the difference on court time.
All-court diamond · 15% off in October
Bullpadel Proline Vertex 05
The 2026 version of the racket Bullpadel itself calls its best-seller. 12K carbon face, medium feel, and CustomWeight so you can tune the balance. Now $569.50, down from $670.
Shop Vertex 05 →Which 2026 Bullpadel suits which player
You want one racket that does everything well. The Vertex 05. Diamond shape, but the balance sits lower than the Hack (around 25.4cm against roughly 26.4cm), so it’s easier to bring back for a volley or a defensive lob. The 12K face gives a medium feel rather than a board-hard one.
You want the Vertex, but kinder on the arm. The Vertex 05 Comfort uses a Fibrix face, a carbon and fibreglass blend that’s more elastic than full carbon, on the same diamond frame. Worth a look if you play several times a week or your elbow has opinions. $416.50 in October, down from $490.
You win points overhead. The Hack 04 26. High balance, TriCarbon 18K face, and a stiff, direct response. It rewards a fast, clean swing and punishes a late one. This is a racket for advanced players; if you’re not sure whether that’s you, it probably isn’t yet.
Power · Advanced · 15% off in October
Bullpadel Proline Hack 04 26
Built for players who finish points with the smash and the vibora. If the 2027 redesign doesn’t tempt you, this is the outgoing Hack at its best price. $509, down from $599.
Shop Hack 04 26 →You’re still learning. Skip the Pro Line altogether. The Bullpadel Indiga CTR 26 is a round, low-balance racket with a fibreglass face and soft core, built for control. Round rackets suit learners for three reasons: a bigger sweet spot, a lower balance, and a core that usually isn’t so firm the ball rips off the face into the back glass. That third one is the one people don’t expect. $177.50 in October, down from $209, while stock lasts.
Try before you buy
Every racket in the Padel Park pro shop is available to demo, including the Bullpadels. We really encourage it. Take a Vertex 05 and a Hack 04 26 on court, hit a few smashes and a few volleys with each, and you’ll learn more in ten minutes than any spec sheet can tell you.
When waiting for 2027 does make sense
There are a couple of cases. If you play a Hack, love it, and want the redesigned feel, the Hack 05 is a real change, not a paint job. And if your current racket is fine and you’re just curious, there’s no reason to buy anything now. Keep playing, and try the 2027 rackets once they land.
What doesn’t make sense is holding off on a racket you need because a newer number is coming. There’s always a newer number coming.
The October deadline
The 15% Bullpadel discount at Padel Park runs to the end of October and prices go back to RRP on 1 November. Stock of the 2026 Pro Line rackets is limited. If you’re unsure which one suits you, call in to the pro shop at 82 Duke Street, Frankton and demo them, take the racket quiz, or message us on WhatsApp.
Read next
3K vs 12K vs 18K Carbon: What the Numbers on a Padel Racket Actually Mean explains the difference between the Vertex’s 12K face and the Hack’s 18K. And if you’re comparing across brands, start with Best Padel Rackets in NZ 2026.
Written by Nicholas Woods — owner of Padel Park Hamilton and accredited padel coach. Drafted with AI assistance, reviewed and fact-checked before publishing.