Slash, Carboflex or Carboflex Neo: which squash racket?

Here, Tecnifibre squash rackets come in three main families, plus the Dynergy, Airshaft and Junior models, and the number in each name is the frame weight in grams. The Slash 120 Power weighs 120 g, and the Carboflex 125 NS X-TOP V2 weighs 125 g. Lighter frames swing faster; heavier ones feel more settled.

• Slash (120, 125, 130 and 135, all strung): an open-core frame built to maximise power, with a bumper-free X-TOP head. The Slash 120 Power adds a larger, elongated head for a stronger trampoline effect.
• Carboflex X-TOP V2: the 120 is the lightest Carboflex Tecnifibre has made. The 125 NS is the flagship of the range, with a 500 square centimetre head, and the 130 uses a Jumbo Shaft to channel power.
• Carboflex Neo: every model has a shaft heart that is 3% thicker for better energy transfer, and comes factory-strung with PU400 multifilament. The Neo 120 is the lightest, and the Neo 130 is the most powerful and accessible.

There is also the Carboflex Airshaft 125, a head-heavy frame with a 35 cm balance point, strung with 1.25 mm synthetic gut. More frames are in the squash racket range.

A racket for young players

The Carboflex Junior is made for children aged 8 to 11 who are learning squash. Its graphite shaft keeps it light and responsive, the aluminium head handles knocks against the walls, and it arrives strung, ready to play. See the rest of the kids' squash range.

Tennis rackets: the Fire series

The Fire 255, 260 OS, 270 and 300 all use X-DAMP. It is a steel mass in an elastomer pocket at the handle that cuts vibration by up to 36%. The Fire 255, 270 and 300 pair it with a 100 square inch head and a 16x19 string pattern. The Fire 255 is the lightest, an easy first performance racket for adults and improving juniors. The Fire 260 OS has the largest head of the family, and the Fire 300 is aimed at intermediate and advanced players who like to attack. Compare them with other tennis rackets.

Regular squash players who want speed should start with a 125 g frame such as the Carboflex 125 NS X-TOP V2. For a child learning the game, pick the Carboflex Junior.