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MANTA WORLD SPORTS LIBERTY 4G EDGELESS
Weight : 7.9 oz . Dimensions : 15.63 " x 8.25 " Core : Nomex Style
Honeycomb Surface : Fiberglass Price : $ 125
PADDLETEK BANTAM
EX-L
Weight : 7.9 - 8.3 oz . Dimensions : 15.75 " x 7.75 " Core : Polymer Honeycomb Surface : Polycarbonate Price : $ 90
PBZ PADDLES CUB
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Weight : 6.5 oz . Dimensions : 11.88 " x 7.34 " Core : Polypropylene Core Surface : Epoxy / Vinyl Face Price : $ 70 |
ONIX SPORTS SUMMIT
Weight : 7.9 oz . Dimensions : 16.38 " x 7.5 " Core : Polypropylene Surface : Graphite Price : $ 95
PADDLETEK BANTAM TS-5
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Weight : 7.2 - 7.5 oz . Dimensions : 15.75 " x 7.75 " Core : Polymer Honeycomb Surface : Fiberglass Price : $ 90
PICKLEBALL X / FRANKLIN SPORTS X-CALIBER
Weight : 7.8 - 8.0 oz . Dimensions : 15.5 " x 8.25 " Core : Nomex Surface : Dual Fiberglass Price : $ 80
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ONIX SPORTS Z5
Weight : 7.8 - 8.2 oz . Dimensions : 15.5 " x 8.13 " Core : Nomex Surface : Graphite Price : $ 100
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PADDLETEK ELEMENT
Weight : 7.4 - 7.6 oz . Dimensions : 15.75 " x 7.75 " Core : Polymer Honeycomb Surface : Fiberglass Price : $ 75
PICKLEBALL X / FRANKLIN SPORTS X-FINITY
Weight : 7.3 - 7.5 oz . Dimensions : 15.5 " x 7.75 " Core : Aluminum Surface : Fiberglass Price : $ 90
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out due to stronger , more durable and lighter materials entering the market . Some paddle cores are solid , but the overwhelming majority are made with some sort of honeycomb-style materials . The composition of those cores can vary widely . Even cores made up from the same materials can vary in wall density and honeycomb size . All paddles are not created equal . These factors all figure into how a paddle will play , how durable it is , and how much it weighs . That being said , there are some general common characteristics exhibited by each of these materials .
Aluminum core paddles are highly customizable in terms of honeycomb size and wall thickness and thus weight and performance . The aluminum core paddles that fall on the heavier side will tend to have more power ( pop ) than lighter ones offering more control and touch . They are strong and resilient and resistant to developing “ dead spots .” Aluminum core paddles can be given a softer touch by combining with a lightweight / softer surface such as graphite or carbon . Similarly , they can be combined with other materials such as fiberglass to create paddles with more power .
Polymer core paddles , involving a newer material in terms of its use in pickleball paddle production , have become very popular in the last few years due to durability and resistance to dead spots . Polymer is generally a heavier material , contributing to its reputation for power ( pop ) but has less “ natural ” pop than aluminum or nomex / aramid cores of the same weight . These cores are combined with a number of different facing materials , primarily polypropylene , but also fiberglass ( more pop / power ) and more recently graphite ( more control / touch ). Like other core materials , polymer performance will be most dictated by weight and face material / surface treatment .
Aramid / nomex core paddles have a nice combination of power , control and feel . Nomex is DuPont ’ s trademark and is an aramid fiber paper coated with phenolic resin
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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2017 | MAGAZINE 39 |