The Boom Deserves Better

For those of you who have followed the Rackets & Runners YouTube channel for a while, you’ll notice that the Head Boom Pro was my racket of choice for about 2 1/2 years. Switching to it wasn’t something I ever anticipated; it was actually a pure coincidence. I happened to be testing it while searching for a new frame, and it jumped to the front of the pack almost immediately.

I’ve always been a huge fan of how this design creates unique playability.

In fact, since it first launched back in 2021, I think we’ve seen several other brands take inspiration from the head shape. You look at the current Vcore 98, and it has a very similar silhouette.

I have to be honest, though, Head hasn't always done the best job marketing this racket. Every time a new Vcore drops, there’s massive hype. When a Boom comes out, not so much. That isn't due to performance; it’s down to marketing.

So today, I’m going to try to market it a little, because this is a great racket. I’ll explain what makes it special, why more players should look into it, and I'll go over the updates Head has made for 2026.

What Has Changed

If you were expecting a radical redesign for 2026, Head has kept the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality. On the spec sheet, the changes are nearly non-existent which is actually somewhat rare for Head. Usually, the try to tweak the flex or drop the swing weight to make a frame more "accessible," but not here. The 2026 Boom is a 310 gram 98 square inch racket with a 16x19 string pattern and a constant 22 millimetre beam. Like the previous one, it still flexes at 62 strung (with Head Lynx Tour at 52 pounds) and it has a 324 swing weight.

That means, the only major update coming from the previous generation is the introduction of Hy-Bor technology in the layup. We also have a new paint job; gone is the "Celeste Blue," replaced by a light blue with strips of navy through the hoop, and I suspect this will be a very popular change.

What is Hy-Bor?

I’ve touched on Hy-Bor in my recent Speed reviews, but to recap: Hy-Bor is a hybrid composite material of carbon and boron. It has a higher stiffness-to-weight ratio than carbon alone, which allows Head to keep the static and swing weight low while theoretically increasing stability.

The worry with any "stiff" material is that it might make the racket uncomfortable or "tinny." However, I can confirm that with the way it’s integrated with the existing Graphene and Auxetic 2.0 materials, it's still a very comfortable racket. But still, the feel of the racket has changed somewhat significantly.

The Evolution of Feel: From Original to 2026

To understand the 2026 Boom Pro, we have to look at the lineage of "feel" in this line.

The Original (2021): This was the most "raw" Boom Pro. It provided incredible feedback, but it was the most punishing on off-centre hits.

The Auxetic 2.0 (2024): This version muted the feel significantly. It was much more forgiving, but some players (myself included) felt it lost some connection to the ball.

The Hy-Bor (2026): This is the "best of both worlds." It remains as forgiving as the previous generation, but it introduces a unique, almost "rubbery" or "bouncy" sensation when you hit the sweet spot.

On court, the reality is that Hy-Bor is incredibly effective. It makes the racket noticeably more stable on off-centre hits. Usually, when you make a racket more forgiving, you’re essentially "dulling" the sweet spot, but that hasn’t happened here. When you catch the ball perfectly, the Hybor provides a sensation that the racket is "punching" through the ball with zing. It gives you a satisfying pop that was missing from the last version.

The "Boom" Shape: Stability and the Sweet Spot

As important as the layup update is, the key thing to understand about the Boom is the shape. Like the Vcore, the Boom has an extreme, squared-off upper hoop that tapers down into a thinner throat. But why?

The goal is to extend the sweet spot higher into the hoop and expand it horizontally. This does three things:

Increases Stability: A more open sweet spot prevents the frame from twisting on off-centre hits.

Adds Power: A higher sweet spot gives you more leverage over the ball, effectively making the racket play like an extended-length frame.

Boosts Forgiveness: You have a larger "effective" hitting area.

This is exactly why I switched to the Boom in 2023. It’s a genius way of making a 310 gram racket feel much more solid than its weight without a heavy swing weight. It is, quite simply, one of the most solid 310g frames on the market.

Control: The "Constant Beam" Advantage

On paper, the Boom Pro looks like a control racket because of its 22mm constant beam. In a world where many 98 square inch rackets are moving toward variable, aerodynamic beams (like the Vcore or the Ezone), the Boom sticks to a traditional profile.

This constant beam provides a uniform flex throughout the frame. When you strike the ball, you get a "grabby," controlled sensation. It isn't a "noodly" or overly soft frame, but it is far more consistent than its modern competitors.

Perceived Inconsistency

Some players claim the Boom is "launchy", but I disagree. Because the upper hoop is squared off, the string bed is naturally more open in the sweet spot. This results in a higher launch angle; the ball leaves the strings with a steeper upward trajectory.

Higher launch does not mean inconsistency, though. The traditional beam makes it so that the ball goes to the same height every time you swing. Once you adjust to account for that extra height, the Boom becomes an incredibly confidence-inducing frame. You can swing big, knowing that it will never produce an inconsistent response or a random shot.

Power: More Than Meets the Eye

Because of the leverage provided by the hoop shape, the Boom Pro is inherently more powerful than traditional, constant-beamed rackets like the Wilson Blade or the Yonex Percept. It offers a level of "easy depth" that is rare for a 98 square inch. control frame.

With the 2026 model, I actually think power is the most noticeable improvement. That "bouncy" Hybor feel in the sweet spot creates a perception of extra pop. Whether it’s actual power or just a more satisfying powerful feel, the result is the same: it feels like your ball shoots off with a bit more venom. And because of its shape, it has more "plow-through" than any other racket in this weight class.

The Spin Conundrum and Manoeuvrability

If there is an elephant in the room with the Boom Pro, its manoeuvrability.

You don’t get anything for free in tennis. That high sweet spot and wide hoop make the racket feel more clunky through the air. It doesn't whip through the contact point as quickly as more traditionally shaped rackets.

Because it feels slower, it isn’t the most naturally spin-friendly racket. To big massive spin, you need high racket head speed and a fast windshield wiper motion. The Boom’s shape can make that motion feel a bit awkward.

This is why I don't recommend the Boom to everyone. If you are a player who relies purely on whippy spin and ultra-fast reactions at the net, the Boom might feel a bit cumbersome. However, if you are a baseline player who hits through the ball and wants the best ratio of stability to swing speed, the Boom is a fantastic option.

The Leather Grip Solution

I often recommend a leather grip for the Boom Pro. By adding 7–10g of weight to the handle, you make the racket more head-light. This counteracts some of that awkwardness and gives the racket a more "normal", manoeuvrable swing path.

Who is the 2026 Head Boom Pro For?

Who should actually be playing with this racket?

If you’ve played with the Wilson Blade or Yonex Percept for years but feel like you’re working too hard for depth, the Boom Pro is your answer. You gain power and stability without losing that traditional, connected feel.

The Vcore Tester: If you’re looking at a Yonex Vcore 98, you should really test the Boom Pro alongside it. They are two sides of the same coin. The Vcore is the power/spin take on this shape; the Boom is the classic control take.

Baseliners: If your game is built on hitting heavy groundstrokes and you want a racket that won't get pushed around by big hitters, this is one of the most solid options available.

Final Thoughts

The 2026 Head Boom Pro is a phenomenal racket and is arguably the most underrated frame on the market today. It offers a combination of power, stability, and traditional feel that is almost impossible to find elsewhere.

Is it unique? Yes. Does it have quirks? Absolutely. But if you take the time to get used to the swing path, I genuinely believe it can help a huge range of players play better tennis. It takes the best parts of modern design and wraps them in a package that feels like a classic player's frame.

If you’re currently using the older Boom Pro, the 2026 model is a subtle but solid upgrade; the improved feedback from the Hybor layup is enough to justify the switch in my eyes.

If you'd like to test the Boom Pro 2026, you can come visit us in-store to chat with our experts. Or if you’re ready to buy, you can find the full lineup online at racketsandrunners.ca.