Most padel players never touch their racket's setup. They pick a racket, fit a grip and play. Sooner or later, though, many of us start wondering whether a small change could make our racket feel more like ours. Adding a little weight is one of the simplest changes you can make.
This guide explains what weight and balance mean, what the official padel rules say about attaching things to your racket, and how to experiment carefully with Mint Racket Weight 3g Strips. It is a tuning guide, not a buying guide. You can use it with the racket you already own.
Why players tune their rackets
Tuning is simply a way to adjust the feel of a racket you already know, rather than starting again with a new one. No setup will suit everybody. That is the point of experimenting: you are looking for what works for your game, one small step at a time.
Weight and balance: what the words mean
Two terms come up again and again when players talk about setup.
- Weight is how heavy the racket is in total, including the grip and anything you have added.
- Balance describes where that weight sits along the length of the racket.
These rackets in Mint's padel range all list a medium balance:
- Majeste: 18K carbon face, hard Dense++ Black EVA core, diamond shape, medium balance.
- Manouvre: 12K carbon face, soft Dense Black EVA core, diamond shape, medium balance.
- Merveille: 12K carbon face, medium-density Dense+ Black EVA core, slightly oversized teardrop shape, medium balance.
- Merite: 3K/3D carbon face, medium Dense+ Black EVA core, teardrop shape, medium balance.
Shape and core are separate topics. If you want to go deeper, see our guides to padel racket shapes and padel racket core density. If a term here is new to you, our padel glossary can help.
What the official padel rules say
The International Padel Federation (FIP) publishes the official FIP rules. The racket section is short and worth reading. On attaching things to a racket, it says:
"The racket must be free of any objects or devices adhered to it that are not specifically used to limit or prevent deterioration, vibration and to distribute the weight. As such they must be reasonable in size and positioning."
In plain words, the rules mention adding things to "distribute the weight", but anything you attach must be "reasonable in size and positioning". The same rule also says a racket should not have any reflecting surface or sound elements that could change the normal course of the game.
A few other points from the same section are good to know:
- No weight or balance limit. The racket section of the rules does not set a maximum or minimum racket weight, and it does not set a balance limit. It covers the parts of a racket, its dimensions (for example, a total length that "may not exceed 45.5 centimeters"), the holes in the hitting surface, attachments and the wrist cord.
- The wrist cord is required. The rules say the racket "must have a non-elastic cord of a maximum length of 35 cm fixed into the handle which must be put around the wrist as protection against accidents. Its use is obligatory."
- Rackets follow FIP's homologation annex. The rules state that rackets are manufactured according to an annex issued by the FIP. You can find FIP documents on its documents page.
A sensible habit: if you play in a club league or tournament, check with the organizer before the event.
Before you start
A little preparation makes experimenting much easier.
- Weigh your racket as it is now. A kitchen scale is fine. Write the number down, so you always know your baseline.
- Note your current setup. Write down your grip, any overgrip, and anything already attached to the racket.
- Take a photo. A quick photo of the racket before you change it gives you a record of your starting point.
- Check your event's rules. As above, if you compete, confirm with the organizer that your setup is fine.
Adding weight strips, step by step
Mint Racket Weight 3g Strips are made for exactly this kind of small adjustment. According to the listing:
- Each strip adds 3 grams.
- Each pack contains 10 strips.
- They can be used on both pickleball paddles and padel rackets.
The listing's own advice is simple: "Start with one strip, test the setup on court and add more gradually until the balance and feel suit your game." It also notes: "Placement affects the result, so experiment with different positions to find the setup that works best for you."
Here is a careful way to follow that advice:
- Start with one strip. Choose a single position and attach one strip, keeping it neat and small. Remember the rules ask for attachments to be "reasonable in size and positioning", and only your event organizer can confirm your setup.
- Keep the hitting surface clear. Place strips on the frame, not over the holes on the face.
- Play a few sessions. Give yourself time to adjust before you judge the change.
- Write down what you notice. Use the tuning log below.
- Change one thing at a time. Add one strip per change, so you know what made the difference.
- Compare with your baseline. Your notes and photo show you exactly where you started.
How much difference you notice will depend on your racket, your placement and your game, so let your own testing guide you.
Keep a tuning log
A simple log turns guesswork into a record you can learn from. Copy this table into a notebook or your phone:
| Date | Strips added | Position on frame | Total racket weight | Sessions played | What I noticed | Keep or change? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 (baseline) | none | |||||
| 1 | ||||||
| 2 |
Weigh the racket after every change, so the "total racket weight" column stays accurate.
Don't forget your grip
Weight is only part of how a racket feels in your hand. Your grip matters too. SiliGrip Ringz Racket Grip is made from premium silicone and can go over the grip tape (Mint calls this the "Pro" setup) or under it (the "Elite" setup). The listing says it is compatible with standard racket sports grips. If you change your grip during tuning, record that in your log too, because it will change the total weight.
If you are also thinking about a new racket, our guide on how to choose a padel racket covers the bigger decisions. Pickleball players can find a similar, paddle-focused guide in our edge weights and lead tape placement guide.
Quick FAQ
Are weight strips allowed in padel? The official FIP rules allow objects attached to a racket only if they are used to limit or prevent deterioration, vibration and "to distribute the weight", and they "must be reasonable in size and positioning". The rules also exclude reflecting surfaces and sound elements. If you compete, check with your event organizer before you play.
Is there a maximum racket weight? The racket section of the official FIP rules does not set a weight or balance limit. It does set limits on dimensions and covers attachments and the wrist cord.
How many strips should I use? There is no single right answer. The 3g strips listing suggests starting with one strip and adding more gradually until the balance and feel suit your game.
Sources
- International Padel Federation, Rules of Padel (review of application 01.01.2026), official PDF: https://www.padelfip.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/FIP_Rules-of-Padel-1.pdf
- FIP rules page: https://www.padelfip.com/rules/
- FIP documents page: https://www.padelfip.com/documents/
- Mint Racket Weight 3g Strips listing: https://mintsport.com/products/racket-weight-strips
- Mint padel racket listings: https://mintsport.com/collections/padel-rackets
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