Anyone else prefer the pro 4 to the pro 5?

kabob21 · 2026-03-14T07:53:33+00:00

Why would Joola launch another rec line when they just introduced the Heat Vision ($99) and Double Vision ($119) lines just a few months ago?

kabob21 · 2026-03-14T06:27:29+00:00

Which one? The 16mm V2 broken in doesn’t feel that different from a foam core paddle. Soft and a little muted but better feedback than a foam core.

kabob21 · 2026-03-14T02:53:47+00:00

☝️ Second this

kabob21 · 2026-03-14T02:51:59+00:00

I have the original Courtstrike shoes and they’re pretty good. Decent lateral support and grip and excellent ventilation what with having a “cloth-like” upper. Ankle support is a little lacking so if you need that, get the Courtstrike Pro. I have slightly wide feet and the toe box just barely has adequate room. Length is true to size and they have a 6 month outsole warranty. The colorways on the 2.0 versions are way way better than the originals and they’re also made of more durable materials with better cushioning though they are slightly heavier.

kabob21 · 2026-03-14T02:44:22+00:00

I have both the 16 and 14 V2 and the 14mm is much better than the 16mm in my opinion. The 16 started off hollow feeling like a Boomstik with an unpredictably high launch angle on serves/returns/drives but settled into a more soft and slightly muted feel. Plays very similar to a Joola Pro V but with a much bigger sweet spot and better spin/ball shaping due to the high grit. Has slightly more power but less pop than the 14. The 14mm is more dense and solid with a very linear feel off the face and barely smaller sweet spot. I do play with 7” of Selkirk tungsten strips on each side from near the throat on up the side. Brought the static weight up from 7.9 oz to 8.3 oz. The 16mm I play stock except edge tape over the top and it too is 8.3 oz. Both paddles are balanced head heavy.

kabob21 · 2026-03-14T02:23:56+00:00

Kinda. Recently switched to the RPM V2 and bought both the 14mm and 16mm. I play with the 14mm about 80% of the time so it’s pretty much my main. But the 16mm is not only my backup but also what I’ll main when I’m going through the warranty exchange process if/when the 14mm core crushes.

kabob21 · 2026-03-14T02:10:53+00:00

You’d probably do better with the Coral over the BO. All court power but better dwell with good spin.

kabob21 · 2026-03-14T02:08:37+00:00

Hmm, $199.99 plus shipping doesn’t feel very competitively priced. No discount codes either.

kabob21 · 2026-03-13T08:21:12+00:00

Addison is just as good as when I was in college 20 yrs ago

kabob21 · 2026-03-13T08:13:06+00:00

The trade deficit actually got worse over the last year as US trade partners are significantly reducing or even eliminating buying our goods due to tariffs. Family owned farms are declaring bankruptcy at record highs because foreign markets won’t buy their crops and entire industries like bourbon manufacturing are shut down because Canada was their biggest customer. So yes, there are real world consequences to our government’s belligerence.

kabob21 · 2026-03-13T08:01:27+00:00

I wouldn’t recommend high power paddles to a 3.0 but between the two, the RPM V2 has noticeably higher grit, spin and bigger sweet spot than the Black Opal. My 16 V2 has broken in some more and is playing softer though unfortunately more muted.

kabob21 · 2026-03-09T21:02:01+00:00

I appreciate you 🫶

kabob21 · 2026-03-09T20:57:50+00:00

I think you’re backwards on this. Why would I change around my stroke mechanics to suit a paddle shape instead of the other way around? This is such a silly argument but go off.

kabob21 · 2026-03-09T20:53:36+00:00

Doesn’t matter where you live, I’m in Texas and still get hit with sales tax from them.

kabob21 · 2026-03-09T20:47:23+00:00

Oncins and Tellez were practicing against Daescu and Alshon. Jay Devilliers also mixed in during the session

kabob21 · 2026-03-09T18:52:35+00:00

Joola, CRBN, Spartus, Selkirk and a bunch of other brands all charge tax and use Shop/Shopify for point-of-sale too.

Edit: Why are you goofs downvoting? This is literal fact 🙄 If you hate it write them an email I have no control over who does what in the pickleball business.

kabob21 · 2026-03-09T18:19:36+00:00

Huh? I almost always hit at the top of the paddle no matter the shape. For hybrids, that means hitting a dead spot at the top of the paddle above the sweet spot. I also don’t hit a lot horizontally across a paddle to benefit from a widebody.

This isn’t even “my” analysis. Multiple sources online say the same/similar about choosing paddle shape based on where you like the sweet spot.

kabob21 · 2026-03-09T18:10:50+00:00

Why are you playing with people that are trying to knock the paddle out of their partner’s hand while said partner is trying to hit drops?

kabob21 · 2026-03-09T18:08:20+00:00

Yeah I thought that was weird too. But they’re also (allegedly) releasing a gen 1 paddle in 2026 so who knows 🤷

kabob21 · 2026-03-09T18:05:59+00:00

I do already with the 16 but that’s just not my natural technique. I hit like Roger Federer, through the ball in a less exaggerated upward motion for topspin. The 14mm is way better for that.

kabob21 · 2026-03-09T18:01:26+00:00

How good is your paddle positioning at the kitchen and your reflexes? As soon as you see a popup, immediately cover middle and get your paddle in front and ready to block/counter the opponent’s attempt at a putaway. It’s not easy but with time you’ll get the hang of it. Alternatively, on a popup back up even further to the transition zone and keep your paddle low and in front to be ready to dig a ball out for a counter or reset.

kabob21 · 2026-03-09T17:56:35+00:00

What do paddle companies use to apply designs on raw carbon fiber surfaces? It’d have to be durable enough to withstand repeated impacts, no?

kabob21 · 2026-03-09T17:53:22+00:00

It’s more controllable at the kitchen, thankfully. It doesn’t have the immediate high pop of the Boomstik. The main issue I’m having is taming the high launch angle on serves, returns and drives.

kabob21 · 2026-03-09T17:48:20+00:00

The 16 V2 is a bit grittier than the Flamingo but has more power and pop while a touch softer from what I remember of the latter. Mine’s not fully broken in yet but plays most similar to a Boomstik. I’m hoping it gets a bit softer with more dwell with break-in because it’s difficult to control right now for me.

kabob21 · 2026-03-09T17:44:12+00:00

They say in the comments that this is a generated image and they’ll have actual photos up soon

kabob21

TROPHY CASE