“It was truly a pleasure to step on the court with this paddle. This paddle has an incredible feel to it , lightweight yet durable. Definitely one of the lightest paddles I've used. Swinging the paddle was effortless and hitting shots created minimal vibration. I noticed I'm able to generate more power on my shots with this paddle. Also, there is quite a bit of friction on the face which made spin shots much easier for me. The grip while sufficient, wasn't the best grip I've tested. It could use a bit more cushion, but it can always be changed out. Looking forward to spending more time with this paddle by Joola.”
“This set is a great pickleball paddle for advanced players. The rackets have held up nicely. It is bit pricey but worth the price in terms of it quality.The grip is nice, really comfortable. Really solidly built and comfortable to hold.”
“This is a superb paddle with excellent control, power, forgiveness (sweet spot), and spin. If you’re moving up from a budget- or mid-priced paddle, I think you’re likely to see an improvement in your play in terms of better power on off-center hits and more accurate shots with more pace or spin. Of course, this is what you would expect from a top-end paddle that uses expensive materials and construction. But this is accompanied by excellent maneuverability (presumably due to the rounded-top face and lighter weight of the swift version), so it’s quite impressive.What I liked most about the paddle is that it felt really nice to play with—low noise, very good vibration absorption, powerful shots (partly due to the 0.5”-longer handle, which took some getting used to) when I needed them, maneuverability, and a more tennis-like play that I love since I came to pickleball from a tennis background. To me, one of the most important benefits of the paddle was that it made my play more enjoyable (and more tennis-like) rather than merely better.What I found somewhat surprising is that Joola combined very good vibration absorption and power with a light and maneuverable paddle. The paddle face has a curved top (which Joola calls Aero-Curve ) that changes the airflow along the top surface and slightly reduces the hitting surface in order to improve the paddle’s aerodynamics by reducing drag. I feel noticeably less air resistance during a swing, though I can’t quantify how much. This is something I care about because I’m from a tennis background, and the air resistance from the solid face of a pickleball paddle, as opposed to the strings on a tennis racquet, is one of the things that irks me about pickleball.The swift (lighweight) version of the Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16mm is, on average, 0.5 oz. lighter than the regular version, 7.9 oz. vs. 8.4 oz. (Mine weighed 7.94 oz., spot on specs.) I was impressed that it achieved the power it did despite the lower weight. I’m used to a heavier paddle and wasn’t actually that aware of the lighter weight, maybe because the longer 5.5” handle effectively shifts the center of mass towards the top of the paddle and makes the swing feel heavier. I debated between getting the regular or lighter swift version, but I felt the swift offered more flexibility since I can always add weights and can choose where to put the weight, like at the top, for a more powerful stroke. I think the swift version was the right choice for me because I now play mostly doubles and use fewer ground strokes where I need power. But if you really like the power of a heavier paddle and don’t think the longer handle will compensate for the lighter weight, you might prefer the normal weight.The thing I liked most about the paddle, since I come from a tennis background, is that it was the closest I’ve come to the feel of a tennis racquet. I’ve tried to figure out why that’s the case and how it relates to the features of the paddle. I think the main factor is how the paddle absorbs the impact of the ball. Maybe it’s partly due to the reactive core, which may absorb more of the impact energy than a typical core. I think it’s in large part due to the handle, which Joola calls CX-forged, that is made from different material (presumably carbon) than the honeycomb polymer of the core and is attached to the face rather than being part of it. I had the subjective impression that, compared to heavier paddles with a larger face, a noticeable amount of impact shock was being absorbed by the handle rather than core. The foam injected along the edges of the core, which Joola calls a Hyperfoam edge wall, may also help reduce vibration by absorbing some of the energy from impact.The carbon friction surface produces good spin and is supposed to be longer-lasting. I haven’t used the paddle long enough to comment on durability.I have mixed feelings about the 0.5”-longer handle. It provides slightly more power and reach, presumably at the expense of a smaller face. And it’s useful for two-handed shots, which I don’t use. I’m still experimenting with placing my hand near the face and near the end of the handle to see which placement I like best.The paddle comes with Joola’s ridged contour grip. It took me a little while to get used to it compared to a flatter grip, but now I like it because it helps keep my hand from slipping. If you don’t like the grip, you can put an overgrip on top of it or replace it with a replacement grip. The white color tends to get dirty faster than black but you can easily replace the original grip with a Joola replacement, which is also white and will eventually get dirty again. A white grip does look really nice with the black paddle face (at least until it turns gray from dirt), but it would be nice if Joola offered contoured replacement grips in darker colors like black or navy or even red.If you’re looking for a top-end paddle, this is definitely worth considering.”
