Head XtremeSoft Overgrip Review

This overgrip was purchased at Sportland for €8 (3-pack). It was not provided for review, and no payment or sponsorship was involved. The goal of this test was to understand how Head’s XtremeSoft overgrip performs in real play, especially under sweat and longer sessions.

I tend to sweat a lot during matches and pay close attention not only to grip feel, but also to how an overgrip behaves once moisture and dirt start to build up.

Head is a global racket sports brand founded in 1950 and headquartered in Austria. It is widely represented in padel, tennis, and squash, and its grip products are known for consistent quality and broad availability.

The XtremeSoft overgrip is positioned as a premium-feel accessory within Head’s lineup, focusing on softness, tackiness, and moisture absorption rather than durability over long periods.

According to Head, the XtremeSoft overgrip is designed to provide added tackiness and enhanced feel through a soft elastomer material. Large perforations are used to improve breathability and moisture absorption, making it suitable for players who sweat or play in humid conditions.

Declared specifications:

• Construction: Perforated
• Thickness: 0.5 mm
• Declared weight: 8.5 g
• Feel: Tacky
• Country of manufacture: Taiwan (as stated on packaging)

The overgrip comes in a sealed package, which immediately gives a better hygiene impression compared to open packaging. This matters for players sensitive to cleanliness, especially when grips may sit in storage for extended periods.

The packaging does not state the length. When measured, the overgrip was 86 cm long, noticeably shorter than most overgrips tested. Despite this, it wrapped a Head padel handle without issues.

Visually and to the touch, the overgrip feels premium. The perforations are large, evenly spaced, and cleanly cut. Even before installation, the material feels soft and elastic rather than dry or stiff.

Installation is easy and precise. The material stretches smoothly, and the adhesive holds securely without slipping during wrapping.

Once installed, the overgrip feels exceptionally pleasant in the hand. Despite the declared thickness of just 0.5 mm, it doesn’t feel harsh or thin. Instead, it feels soft and cushioned, with a clear sense of quality.

In dry or mildly sweaty conditions, the grip feels secure and confidence-inspiring. The tactile sensation is one of the best among thin overgrips tested so far.

Measured values differ significantly from the declared weight once the overgrip is actually used on a padel handle.

• Measured length: 86 cm
• Weight after installation and removal from the handle: 4 g

This makes it one of the lightest overgrips tested in real-use conditions, despite the higher declared weight on the packaging.

To evaluate moisture absorption, the overgrip was tested using a simple, repeatable soaking method.

First, the dry overgrip was weighed, showing a weight of 4 g. Then 10 ml of water was applied gradually over one minute. The overgrip was left to absorb the moisture for one additional minute, after which the process was repeated on the opposite side for another one minute. Any visible surface water was removed before the final weighing.

• Dry weight (after installation use): 4 g
• Water applied: 10 ml
• Total soaking time: 3 minutes
• 1 minute water application
• 1 minute absorption
• 1 minute on the opposite side

Final weight after test: 10 g

This means the overgrip absorbed approximately 6 g of water, or 150% of its dry weight. This is a strong result for such a thin overgrip and confirms that the perforated structure is effective at absorbing moisture.

On court, the XtremeSoft overgrip delivers a very high-quality feel. Control and comfort are excellent during the early stages of play, and the grip feels secure as long as hands remain only moderately sweaty.

Once hands become noticeably wet, the feel shifts toward stickiness rather than dryness. For players who sweat heavily, this can become uncomfortable and distracting, especially during longer rallies.

After approximately 10 hours of play, the overgrip showed significant visual wear. The surface became noticeably dirty, likely due to the porous structure trapping moisture and particles.

While the grip remained playable, it clearly benefits from frequent replacement. Hygiene and feel both degrade faster than with less porous overgrips.

The biggest strength of the Head XtremeSoft overgrip is its premium feel. It’s soft, comfortable, lightweight, and very pleasant to play with when conditions are right.

Its main limitation is moisture management for heavy sweaters. While it absorbs a lot of water, it also becomes sticky and dirty more quickly, making frequent replacement almost mandatory.

This overgrip is well suited for active players who value comfort, softness, and consistent quality, and who don’t mind changing overgrips often.

It is not ideal for players who sweat heavily and prefer a dry feel throughout long sessions. For those players, more moisture-neutral or dry-style overgrips may be a better choice.

The Head XtremeSoft overgrip feels like a genuinely high-quality product. It’s comfortable, refined, and enjoyable to play with — but it demands maintenance.

If you want excellent feel and don’t mind replacing overgrips frequently, this is a very solid option. If sweat control is your top priority, it may fall short despite its strong absorption numbers.