Varlion
LW Carbon Goldblack
A round control frame light enough to react late and soft enough to absorb pace — built for the player who lives at the back of the court and refuses to miss.
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Full spec breakdown
Listing checked at publish date
Highlights
What makes this racket stand out
Round shape with medium-low balance and a wide central sweet spot — forgiving on off-centre defensive blocks
Soft EVA core under 12K Rhombus carbon and fiberglass — carbon feedback without the harshness of a pure carbon face
Light swing weight (345–360g) plus Diffuser Wings airflow — fast through the air for an intermediate moving from fiberglass rackets
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
2024
Shape
Round
Level
Intermediate
Style
Control
Balance
Medium
Core
EVA SOFT
Face
Carbon 7 Rhombus (12K) and fiberglass
Our verdict
What the shape, core and construction tell us about how this racket is built to play.
The short version
The LW Carbon Goldblack is the racket for the right-side intermediate who's tired of fiberglass mush but isn't ready for the harshness of a stiffer carbon control frame. The Rhombus weave keeps the touch soft while giving you cleaner feedback than a pure fiberglass face — and the light swing weight means you'll get to balls you used to miss. Just don't buy it expecting to finish points with it; that's not what it's built for.
Strengths
Right-side players who reset rallies from the back wall and need a wide sweet spot for consistent volleys
Intermediate control players stepping up from fully fiberglass rackets who want a taste of carbon stiffness without committing to a stiff diamond
Keep in mind
Left-side attackers who finish points overhead — the low balance and soft core will feel underpowered on smashes
How it's built to play
The LW Carbon Goldblack sits in a niche that's actually hard to fill: a round, control-first racket that uses real carbon on the face. Most rackets at this control level go fully fiberglass for softness, but Varlion has paired a soft EVA core with a 12K Rhombus carbon weave to give intermediate players a cleaner, more direct response without sacrificing the forgiving feel that defines the round shape.
The hitting face combines 12K Rhombus carbon fabric with fiberglass over a medium-soft EVA core. The Rhombus weave is flexier than a standard carbon weave, which softens the touch at contact — important here, because a stiffer carbon over soft EVA would have killed the racket's control identity. The Hexagon Frame gives the perimeter a flat-edged, chamfered rib that resists deformation, so the frame stays stiff even though the face stays soft — a sensible engineering choice for a racket that will see a lot of defensive blocks against pace.
The Summum package extends the grip to 14.5cm, widens the hitting zone, and integrates the Diffuser Wings bridge — an F1-inspired airflow piece that channels air through the throat for around 27% less drag. Combined with Ergoholes (progressive drilling that opens up toward the frame) and the AB System bumper that drops the protector weight from 21g to 10g, the racket swings noticeably faster than its category usually allows. The ErgoSlice texture adds spin on slices and bandejas.
"Diffuser Wings, Ergoholes, AB System bumper: three weight-reduction systems on a round control frame — the aerodynamic brief was clearly aggressive."
What you notice first is how light it feels in defence. At 345–360g with a medium-low balance, the racket gets into position quickly — useful when you're stretched wide at the back and need to lift a ball over the net rather than pound it. The soft EVA core gives the ball enough dwell time to direct it, and the wide sweet spot means off-centre defensive blocks still come back deep rather than dying mid-court.
"The AB System bumper and Diffuser Wings together make this racket faster through the air than a standard round at this weight — you feel it most on the second swing of a long point."
The limitation shows up overhead. This isn't a finishing racket. Smashes go in but lack the bite a higher-balance frame would deliver, and bandejas come off controlled rather than heavy. If you play left and rely on overhead pressure to close points, you'll feel the racket running out of pop. For a right-side player who closes points with placement and depth rather than pace, that trade-off is exactly the right one.
FAQ
How does the LW Carbon Goldblack 2025 compare to a fully fiberglass control racket?
The 12K Rhombus carbon face gives a cleaner, more direct feedback at contact than fiberglass, which spring-loads the ball more. You lose a little of the trampoline effect on slow swings but gain consistency and feel — useful as you start hitting through the ball more rather than blocking it.
Should I choose the LW Carbon Goldblack or a teardrop control racket at the same price?
Pick the LW Carbon Goldblack if you play right-side, defend a lot, or want maximum forgiveness on mishits. A teardrop with medium balance gives you slightly more punch overhead and works better if you're still deciding your court side. The round shape commits you to a defensive, placement-based game.
Is this racket suitable if I have elbow issues?
The profile is lower-risk: round shape, medium-low balance, soft EVA core, and light weight all reduce vibration transfer. The carbon face does add some stiffness compared to a fully fiberglass build, but the AB System bumper and soft core compensate. It's a reasonable choice for players returning to play, though no racket should be considered a treatment.
What does the Summum system actually do for my game?
Summum bundles a 14.5cm extended grip (vs the usual 12.5cm), a wider hitting zone, and the Diffuser Wings airflow piece. In practice it gives you slightly more reach for two-handed backhands and a faster swing through the air — you'll feel it most on quick exchanges at the net and on defensive lobs from deep.
Will this racket hold up as I improve?
It will get you through the intermediate stage comfortably, but if you develop into a left-side attacker or start hunting points from the net, you'll outgrow the low balance and soft core within a couple of years. For a player who stays on the right and builds a defensive, placement-based identity, it has a longer shelf life.
Made for elbow-conscious players.
A round control frame light enough to react late and soft enough to absorb pace — built for the player who lives at the back of the court and refuses to miss.
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