GEAR REVIEWS
FRANKLIN ACV PRO PICKLEBALL SHOE
Look / Cosmetics: 3.75 / 5 These shoes have a straightforward, almost“ old school” look. Would love to have seen a little more“ flash” or eye-catching details to make the shoes stand out more on the court, but many may prefer this“ no-nonsense” approach. These shoes currently only come in one color, which is mostly white with gray and blue accents. The Franklin“ F” logo is on the side in the middle of the shoe.
Comfort / Fit: 4 / 5 Franklin recommends sizing down a half size due to the roomier toe box, but I like a little extra room for my toes, so I opted for my usual size and they fit just right. If you prefer a snug fit, then go down a half size. The shoes were very light-feeling, and the cushioning was sufficient without feeling mushy. They feel a little flatter on the ground than I would like, but that is a personal preference. While moving around, you feel very connected to the court and light on your feet. If you prefer more arch support, an insert of your choice would correct that.
Stability / Support: 4 / 5 Stability of the shoes is firm enough but not overly rigid. The shoes react well to quick side steps and shuffling movements. I felt they were stable enough, but some folks might prefer more ankle support if they are prone to rolling their ankles. More-advanced players should really appreciate the light and quick feel.
Playability / Performance: 4.5 / 5 In terms of performance, I feel like these shoes are meant for players who like to move quickly around the court and want to feel connected to their movements. The herringbone sole works very well to let you push off and change direction. I never felt like the shoes were hindering my movements. When you are up on the balls of your feet, you can push off quickly in any direction. Also, they stayed cool throughout hours of play, so the ventilation works well.
Summary: 4 / 5 This is a promising entry into the specialized pickleball shoe market for Franklin. There is a lot of technology and research that went into these shoes. Highly competitive players will appreciate and benefit from this shoe, which is specifically designed for the demands of the sport.
Current Price: $ 129.99 To purchase, visit franklinsports. com / acv-pickleball-shoes( Promo code: PBMAG) by JACK BANDEL
SIX ZERO BLACK OPAL PADDLE
Look / Cosmetics: 4 / 5 Mostly all-black paddle face with multicolored swirling lines all over it.“ Hybrid” shape( 16 " x 7.5 ") with a 14 mm thickness and a 5.5 " handle length. Black edge guard, and comes with a nice plush case with the same design as on the paddle. My paddle weighed 8.2 oz.“ All Court Max Power” is printed on the paddle face, so let’ s check it out!
Serves / Returns / Groundstrokes: 4.5 / 5 POWER ALERT! This paddle packs some serious heat! I was caught off guard at first by the“ springy” nature of this paddle, but once I smoothed out my swing and used the fine diamond grit to add spin, I was effortlessly hitting deep shots without swinging hard. Adding spin is a must here. Hard, flat shots will sail long every time. Same with serves— smooth high-to-low swings give you nice deep serves.
Touch / Feel / Spin: 4 / 5 The dwell time off the paddle face was very noticeable to me. Gives you nice touch and feel, but you must learn how to tame the power and trampoline effect. The power seems directly related to how hard you swing but multiplied. On blocks when the paddle is stationary, the ball rebounds very little … but add a little movement and it speeds up quickly. The very fine diamond grit surface gives you loads of spin, which aids greatly in control.
Sound / Sweet Spot / Playability: 4.5 / 5 The sweet spot felt huge on this paddle, making it accessible to most levels of play. However, some technique is required to tame the power. If you are a flat, hard hitter, this isn’ t for you. If you have smooth, compact strokes, the paddle will fit you like a glove. Also, the contact sound is a nice deep“ clock” sound, which reminded me of a wood block. Different in a good way.
Summary: 4.25 / 5 Six Zero’ s new“ flagship” paddle will turn a lot of heads. There is a learning curve, due to the“ catch and release” feel and the way power increases fast as you swing harder. But once you dial it in, it will become your favorite weapon on the court. This is upping the game when it comes to power, and in the right hands will be a dominant force on the courts.
Current Price: $ 250 To purchase, visit sixzeropickleball. com / collections / paddles( Use code: PBMAG)
For more info, go to the Pickleball Paddle Reviews group page on Facebook. Paddle Manufacturers: Contact Jack Bandel at jackbandel @ gmail. com if you’ d like your products to be reviewed.
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