Varlion
Bourne Carbon Platinum
A hybrid shape that splits the difference between diamond and teardrop, paired with a soft EVA core that takes some of the sting out of an attacking frame.
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Full spec breakdown
Listing checked at publish date
Highlights
What makes this racket stand out
Bourne shape — Varlion's 60% power / 40% control hybrid that sits between diamond and teardrop
EVA Soft core under a 12K Rhombus carbon + fiberglass face — power construction with a softer ball pocket
Light for a power racket at 345–360g, with Diffuser Wings cutting drag through the throat for faster swing speed
The feel
How it's built to play, by shape, core and construction — rated low / mid / high rather than on a false 1–10 scale. Higher isn't always better; it depends on the game you want.
Balance — where the weight sits
Even
Handle / low
Head / high
The spec sheet
Weight
345–360g
Year
2025
Shape
Teardrop
Level
Professional
Style
Power
Balance
Medium
Core
EVA SOFT
Face
Carbon 7 Rhombus 12K + fiberglass
Our verdict
What the shape, core and construction tell us about how this racket is built to play.
The short version
The Bourne Carbon Platinum is the left-side racket for the player who's done with diamond-shape harshness but doesn't want to give up overhead authority — the EVA Soft core takes the sharp edge off without neutering the power. Where it runs out is at the top of the power scale: pure attackers who hit every ball at 100% will find a stiffer diamond gives them more. Worth a serious look for advanced players with any history of elbow trouble who refuse to give up the left side.
Strengths
Left-side attackers who find pure diamonds too harsh on the arm and want a more forgiving sweet spot
Advanced players who finish points overhead but still need to reset balls cleanly from the back of the court
Keep in mind
Beginners or pure defenders — the medium balance and power orientation will punish inconsistent contact
How it's built to play
The Bourne Carbon Platinum is Varlion's attempt to soften the edges of a power racket without losing the bite. The Bourne shape is a hybrid — neither full diamond nor full teardrop — and Varlion's own breakdown is 60% power, 40% control. Paired with an EVA Soft core, this frame leans attacking but doesn't punish the arm the way a stiffer diamond build would.
The face is laminated with 12K Rhombus Carbon Fabric and fiberglass, with additional carbon reinforcement, all bonded in Varlion's VAR-FLEX epoxy resin and finished with a titanium dioxide coating. The 12K Rhombus weave is woven in a diamond pattern that flexes more than a tighter weave like 3K, which adds a touch of dwell time at contact. Underneath, the EVA Soft core gives the ball a moment to sit on the strings before releasing, where a harder EVA would fire it back immediately.
The frame uses Varlion's Hexagon profile — a hexagonal cross-section with a flat edge and chamfered sides that stiffens the perimeter against deformation on hard impacts. The AB System protector is glued rather than drilled, keeping the frame integrity intact and dropping the bumper weight from 21g to 10g — meaningful at this weight class. The Diffuser Wings insert at the throat channels airflow through the heart, cutting drag on fast swings, while Ergoholes drilling enlarges the sweet spot without slowing the head down.
"The AB System's glued protector drops bumper weight from 21g to 10g — a number that sounds small until you've swung a frame with an extra 11g at the tip."
On overheads and viboras, the Bourne shape behaves more like a diamond than a teardrop — the weight sits high enough through the swing that smashes carry weight, and the ErgoSlice texture grips the ball cleanly on sliced bandejas. The Diffuser Wings make a noticeable difference on the second smash of a long point: the racket doesn't drag through the air the way a conventional frame in this weight range does.
"The Diffuser Wings make a noticeable difference on the second smash — the racket doesn't drag through the air the way a conventional frame in this weight range does."
Where it differs from a true diamond is the reset game. The EVA Soft core and Rhombus Carbon Fabric weave give you a bit of cushion when you're scrambling balls out of the corner, and the slightly lighter weight (345–360g) means you can flick volleys at the net without arm strain. The limit shows up at the very top end — a player chasing maximum overhead power will find this softer than a pure diamond like a Vertex or LCT.
FAQ
How does the Bourne Carbon Platinum 2025 compare to a pure diamond like the Varlion LCT?
The Bourne shape sits between diamond and teardrop, so the sweet spot is slightly larger and lower than on the LCT, and the EVA Soft core is more forgiving than a harder EVA build. You give up a small amount of raw overhead power in exchange for a more usable racket on resets and defensive volleys. If you play exclusively at the net and finish every point overhead, the LCT will reward you more — for everyone else, the Bourne is the smarter buy.
Should I choose the Bourne Carbon Platinum or a teardrop like the Bourne Summum?
Both share the Bourne hybrid shape, but the Carbon Platinum is positioned higher in the power range with its 12K Rhombus carbon construction and stiffer feel. If you spend most of your time on the left side hitting bandejas and smashes, the Carbon Platinum gives you more bite. If you split sides or play right-side more often, a teardrop-leaning option with a softer face will reset balls more comfortably.
Is this racket safe for players with elbow problems?
It's better than a pure diamond with a hard EVA core — the EVA Soft core absorbs more vibration, and the 12K Rhombus weave flexes more than tighter carbon weaves. That said, it's still a carbon-faced attacking racket, so it doesn't fit the low-risk profile. If you've had recent epicondylitis, a round fiberglass frame with a soft foam core is a safer choice; if your elbow is stable and you have clean technique, the Bourne Carbon Platinum is one of the more arm-friendly power options.
Why is the weight range 345–360g instead of a fixed number?
Padel rackets are built with foam cores and laminated faces, and small manufacturing variances mean each finished racket lands somewhere within a tolerance band. For this model the range is wide enough that you can sometimes ask a specialist retailer for a specific weight — request the lower end (345g) if you want faster swing speed, or the higher end (360g) if you want more plough-through on smashes.
What does the Summum system actually do for my game?
Summum bundles a longer 14.5cm grip (vs the standard 12.5cm), an enlarged hitting surface, and the Diffuser Wings throat insert into one package. In practice, the longer grip gives two-handed backhand players a real second-hand position rather than a cramped one, and the enlarged hitting zone combined with reduced air drag means the racket feels faster and more forgiving than its weight suggests. Note: the spec sheet on this model lists a 12.5cm grip, so confirm with the retailer if the full Summum grip length matters to you.
Made for elbow-conscious players.
A hybrid shape that splits the difference between diamond and teardrop, paired with a soft EVA core that takes some of the sting out of an attacking frame.
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