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Drop Shot Explorer Soft Women vs Astra Hybrid Air
The Explorer Soft Women is the better racket, 77 to 69: more power and control. The Astra costs €35 less for the same teardrop shape and core.
Our scores, updated 7 July 2026 · How we score
Score by score
How we score →The green bar wins the round. The Explorer takes 5 of the six, the Astra takes value.
Feel is read from the core and the face until hardness is measured.
The €35 question
€35
more for the Explorer. This is what it buys you.
- +6Power74 against 68
- +6Control71 against 65
- +3Sweet spot71 against 68
Worth it if these numbers are the ones you play for. If not, keep the €35: the Astra is 69 in Our score.
What is different
Face, weight and price change between them; the rest is the same. Pick one to look closer.
Fibreglass on the Explorer, carbon and fibreglass on the Astra.
No edge either way
* The feel starts from the core's rated hardness (estimated from the core material where there is no rating), then the face: carbon 12K and up is firmer, fibreglass softer.
The Astra is about 10 g lighter: quicker to the ball at the net. The Explorer puts a little more weight behind a smash.
Edge: the Astra, for quick hands
The balance point is not listed for both.
No edge either way
* Drawn to scale: a 455 mm racket in its shape's outline (traced from a real racket of that shape), with the balance point the shops list marked on it. Real rackets vary by a few millimetres.
€35 apart at PadelProShop today. Under the launch price: Explorer 45%, Astra 46%. The Astra wins the value round, 74 to 68.
Edge: the Astra, for your wallet
Specs from the makers and the shops that sell them. Weights are the maker's figures, not measured by us.
Which one sounds like you?
Tap every line that sounds like you.
Explorer Soft Women
Our score 77 · €116Skip it if you want more racket for the money: the Astra has 74 for value against its 68.
Astra Hybrid Air
Our score 69 · €81Skip it if you want more control: the Explorer has 71 for control against its 65.
Our recommendation for most players
The Explorer Soft Women
The higher score, 77 to 69.
Not sure of your level? Padel DNA matches rackets to how you play.
Your shape
What players said
Players who own a racket tell us how it plays. It is their word: it is not a review and does not count towards Our score.
No player has told us about the Explorer or the Astra yet. If you own one, two minutes drawing your shape puts your word here, beside the other players who own it.
Our recommendation
Drop Shot Explorer Soft Women
The better racket, 77 to 69: more power and control.
- 5 of 6 scores
- Fibreglass face
When you buy through PadelProShop we earn a commission. It never changes a score.
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Before you buy
Questions
Straight answers.
Which is better, the Explorer Soft Women or the Astra Hybrid Air?
The Explorer Soft Women is the better racket, 77 to 69: more power and control. The Astra costs €35 less for the same teardrop shape and core.
What is the difference between the Explorer Soft Women and the Astra Hybrid Air?
Fibreglass on the Explorer, carbon and fibreglass on the Astra. The Astra is about 10 g lighter: quicker to the ball at the net. The Explorer puts a little more weight behind a smash. The balance point is not listed for both.
Which is better for power?
The Explorer Soft Women: power 74 against 68.
What is the price difference?
€35 apart at PadelProShop today. Under the launch price: Explorer 45%, Astra 46%. The Astra wins the value round, 74 to 68.
