Kuikma: pro roster, racket lines and Premier Padel push
For a long time, Kuikma was seen above all as a highly accessible brand in the padel market. That picture is shifting: under Decathlon, the padel division is gaining international weight through top signings, steady FIP results and a clearer product portfolio.
The focus is less on a single headline than on an overall project that combines elite performance, broader usability and co-development with professionals. For 2026, that approach looks more consistently executed than in previous years.
Competition among equipment brands at world-tour level is extremely tight. Each season brings new contracts, reworked racket cores and marketing campaigns tied to calendars and social reach. Kuikma responds with a mix of athlete partnerships and technical storytelling that goes beyond pure price arguments.
Coki Nieto as the new figurehead
The biggest move at the start of the season is Coki Nieto. The Spaniard, recently ranked world number ten, signed with Kuikma for three years and is set to become the face of the brand. Stylistically, that fits a player known for daily training discipline, tactical calm and high consistency rather than pure highlight spectacle.
Decathlon communicates this with the motto “Provoque ta chance”. In media statements, Nieto stressed shared values with Decathlon and the importance of being able to work with the gear at the highest level. On court he is expected to use the new Kuikma Hybrid Pro, a racket that balances control and power and suits his versatile game.
Signing a top-ten player is also a signal in the padel business to retailers and clubs: the brand wants to prove credibility in performance while not neglecting the mass-market products that drive in-store revenue.
Dylan Guichard and a broad team
From a French perspective, Dylan Guichard remains a central pillar: he is entering his fourth season with Kuikma and recently delivered a solid first quarter on the FIP tour. He represents the target group Kuikma wants to support: young pros with international ambitions.
For 2026, Guichard opts for the Kuikma Power Pro, an attack-oriented racket model suited to his aggressive style. Around him, the brand assembles a diverse roster with different player profiles and matching models.
- Lucía Sainz: Hybrid Pro
- Clément Geens: Hybrid Pro
- Boris Castro: Power Carbon
- Álvaro Meléndez: Control Pro
- Sofi Saiz: Control Carbon
The logic is explicit: instead of one universal tool for everyone, players should find rackets that match pace, spin and stability needs. That reflects competition in the pro segment, where brands differentiate through finely stepped ranges.
Racket lines: Hybrid, Power and Control
Product development remains the technical backbone of Kuikma’s strategy. The brand aims to cover demands from advanced club players to elite competitors and to refine models iteratively.
For retail, clear product tiers matter so guidance in clubs and specialist shops does not collapse into interchangeable slogans. Kuikma therefore links spec data with athlete-facing stories and keeps broad usability in focus. Model names and tech labels should stay consistent. That balance is a recurring challenge in a fast-growing padel market.
Hybrid Pro Coki Nieto: modern all-court with a tech focus
The Hybrid Pro is the flagship of the 2026 range. Developed with Nieto, it targets a modern all-court profile. Dual Foam combines two foam densities to balance touch and ball acceleration. TeXtreme carbon, a reinforced frame and a vibration-damping system aim to increase stability and comfort, while a rough surface supports spin.
PR Hybrid Carbon: more stiffness, more offence
The PR Hybrid Carbon is aimed at players who want a harder, more direct racket response. 12K carbon stiffens the structure and is intended to unlock more power on offensive shots. The model stays physically demanding and rewards clean hitting zones, while advanced technique gains extra pressure.
PR Comfort Soft: control and tolerance
On the more accessible side, Kuikma positions the PR Comfort Soft. A low balance, a large sweet spot and soft EVA layers are meant to ease defensive situations and stabilise longer rallies. That explicitly targets the mid-level segment that dominates everyday club play.
Padel shoes as a second pillar
Beyond rackets, Kuikma is expanding footwear and apparel. The PS Stab was developed with pro input and focuses on lateral stability and dynamic roll-off; M-Foam and a Pebax plate are meant to secure landings. For women, the PS Comfort highlights a lightweight, breathable build. For juniors, the PS 500 Junior is described with an outsole tailored to typical padel movement patterns.
That expansion shows Kuikma wants to cover the sport not only through rackets but through full equipment scenarios from training to competition.
Publicly, Nieto framed the ambition of helping Decathlon reach the summit. Behind that lies a wider signal: visibility on the Premier Padel tour, disciplined athlete selection and a coherent range are meant to lift the brand from the “affordable alternative” niche into the front row of perception in pro padel.
