Vatic Pro started to come onto the scene early 2023 when people began to realize the benefits of thermoformed paddles like their V7 and Flash models. They rose quickly alongside other brands like Six Zero and Legacy. But they are doing things a little differently than everyone else and I am here for it. They aren’t only helping lead the charge of next generation paddles, but they are doing it at a better price than everyone else. It’s refreshing. While many brands like Selkirk, Gearbox, CRBN and others are shooting prices above $200, Vatic Pro is selling their performance paddles for only $140.
I’d heard lots of good things about their paddles so I wanted to try them out and see what the fuss was for. Turns out the rumors were true. They are really good!
It’s easy to let the price of a paddle play tricks in your head, so don’t let the lower price of these fool you into thinking they don’t compete with other performance paddles in the $200+ range. Because they do. I recently reviewed Engage’s new Pursuit Ultra paddles that cost $260 and I would rather play with Vatic Pro’s Flash 16 or V7 than an Engage Pursuit Ultra.
For this review I drilled and played with the Vatic Pro V7 and Flash 16mm for two weeks. Here’s my thoughts on their performance.
Table of Contents
Vatic Pro Tech - What is Thermoforming?
Before I jump into the paddle performance section I wanted to explain what thermoforming is in case you don’t have a good idea of what that means.
Vatic Pro is using an advanced production process called thermoforming. Instead of a construction where you have a facing layer, core, and another facing layer stacked and glued together like a sandwich, they are making the entire paddle with a one piece construction. They are doing this by adding a thin layer of carbon fiber around the edge of the paddle that essentially welds the two facing layers together. You can see it in action when you take the grip tape off and see that the handle is one piece and there is no exposed core on the side of the handle. Like the pictures above demonstrate. Additionally, Vatic Pro added foam around the perimeter of the paddle which increases the sweet spot size and reduces vibrations.
What are the benefits of thermoforming? I’ve reviewed a few thermoformed paddles now and have found that the quality ones, like Vatic Pro, have increased power, reduced vibrations, improved sweet spot at the throat of the paddle and improved strength at the throat of the paddle that makes it hard to break at the neck like some paddles in the past have done.
Flash 16mm Performance Review
Vatic Pro Flash 16mm
- Average Weight: 8.2 oz
- Swingweight: 115 (moderate)
- Length: 16.2″
- Width: 7.7″
- Face: Toray T700 Raw Carbon
- Grip Circumference: 4.25″
- Handle Length: 5.4″
- Core: 16mm Premium Polymer
- Price: $139.99
(use code 10EFFECT for a discount)
| Pros |
|---|
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The softest thermoformed paddle I’ve played yet |
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Hybrid shape for extra reach + forgiveness |
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Very high spin rating |
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Manageable swing weight for fast hands |
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Comfortable octagonal handle |
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Higher control rating for a thermoformed paddle |
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A very solid, stable, quality feel to it |
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Excellent price and value |
| Cons |
|---|
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Stiffer feel has an adjustment period to get used to |
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May not hit as hard as some would prefer (check out 14mm option) |
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No lighter weight options |
Performance Summary
I think a lot of people are going to like this paddle. It’s the softest thermoformed paddle I’ve played so far. Making it the easiest one to transition to if you’re coming from a generation one, non thermoformed carbon fiber paddle.
It excels on the control side. It has the most pleasant feel compared to other thermos and it plays with a huge sweet spot. So you get the control and forgiveness you love from generation one carbon fiber paddles but with more upside on the offensive side with bigger spin and a little more power.
What really makes this paddle unique is its hybrid shape. It’s semi elongated at 16.3” and has a flared head shape. This gives you a little more reach and moves the sweet spot up on the face a little. However, it doesn’t come with a high swing weight like all other elongated paddles. While most elongated paddles have a 120+ swing weight, the Flash 16mm comes in at 115. So it feels light and maneuverable while still giving you that extra reach and big forgiveness. This unique combination makes it very player friendly and conducive to a lot of play styles.
I’ve reviewed several thermoformed paddles now and am very used to the stiffer feel they have in general, so this one actually felt plush and soft to me though that may not be everyone’s experience if you haven’t played with a thermoformed paddle yet.
Just because it is on the softer side of thermoformed paddles doesn’t mean it’s powerless. It still has more power than your generation once carbon fiber paddle. Plus, it offers more spin. Both of which add offense and options to attack the ball. You may not overpower your opponents with drives like you would with the V7 model, but you can still do more than you can with control oriented paddles of the past.
I know people will ask how this paddle compares to the popular Six Zero Double Black Diamond 16mm paddle since they look very similar on paper. When you stack them on top of each other they appear to have the exact same shape and they play very similarly. The only difference I can tell between the two is that the Flash 16 is just a touch softer.
Bottom line: Vatic Pro’s Flash 16mm is a great combo of forgiveness, stability, spin, and control with very little downsides.
(use code 10EFFECT for a discount)
V7 Performance Review
Vatic Pro V7
- Average Weight: 8.3 oz
- Swingweight: 123 (moderately high)
- Length: 16.5″
- Width: 7.5″
- Face: Toray T700 Raw Carbon
- Grip Circumference: 4.25″
- Handle Length: 5.3″
- Core: 16mm Premium Polymer
- Price: $139.99
(use code 10EFFECT for a discount)
| Pros |
|---|
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Easy power, but thicker core makes it more controllable than power paddles |
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Very high spin rating |
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Forgiving for an elongated shape |
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Comfortable octagonal handle |
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A very solid, stable, quality feel to it |
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Excellent price and value |
| Cons |
|---|
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Easier to fly returns if you’re not careful |
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A bit on the heavier side |
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No lighter weight options |
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You need a decent soft game to control it well |
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Stiffer feel has an adjustment period to get used to |
V7 Performance Summary
The V7 plays with more power compared to the other carbon fiber thermoformed paddles out there like the CRBN 1X and the Legacy Pro. It was easy to put pressure on your opponents and finish points when you were given the chance. It also has high spin ratings up there with the best paddles available that allows you to take advantage of the power it brings to the table.
It had this solid, stable, quality feel to it that was just nice. It has a moderately high swing weight but it has a balance to it that made it easy to plow through the ball so that dinks, blocks, and counters didn’t require big swings. Then when given the chance, you could punish high balls. When I compared this paddle head to head with the popular Legacy Pro, I preferred the balance of the V7, it felt more solid and stable to me compared to the Legacy Pro.
I also really liked the handle. It has a very comfortable octagonal shape that you don’t get with many paddles under $150. The handle measured 5.3” which I liked also. It gave room for two handed shots but it wasn’t so long that it took meaningful head space away.
On the control side it does take more skill to manage the extra power it gives you but the thicker core and extra forgiveness of the thermoformed design helps a lot in this area. You aren’t punished as much on off center hits like you are with non thermoformed paddles and especially compared to thinner core paddles that offer the same level of power. Most of my errors came from leaving the ball too high as I adjusted to the extra power and not as much from off center shots.
And, of course, like all the other thermoformed paddles it has a stiffer feel compared to carbon fiber paddles without the thermoformed design. It takes some getting used to but you do get used to it. If you don’t like the stiffer feel at first, then give it a couple weeks and there’s a good chance you’ll change your mind.
One other thing to consider is its moderately high swing weight and static weight. The average static weight of these is 8.3oz and it has a swing weight close to 125. A swing weight 130 or more is considered high. While this is close, it’s not overly heavy though it is on the heavier side. If you are prone to shoulder or elbow overuse injuries then this may be too heavy for you. Otherwise, you get used to it and actually start to really like it because of the solid and stable feel it gives it.
Bottom line: The Vatic Pro V7 offers good power, spin, and plow through that adds offense to your game. It’s thicker core adds forgiveness and control that you don’t get from many other paddles with the same level of power. But it is on the heaver side which isn’t for everyone.
(use code 10EFFECT for a discount)
Other Player Comments
My Recommendation
These paddles are no question the best paddles I’ve played under $150. I was impressed with them. I think the Flash 16mm in particular is a very versatile paddle that will compliment many different playstyles.
The V7 paddle is also very good but I do think that is better suited for higher level players who have a developed soft game or players who love playing fast and hard but want something more forgiving. Its higher swing weight and static weight may be too much for some but I personally didn’t mind.
I really like what Vatic is doing with their goal to make high quality paddles that compete with the best of them at a price that seems more than fair and doesn’t hurt when you write the check. You can pick one of these plus a backup for nearly the same price as the highest priced paddles on the market right now. I know I’ll be recommending these a lot.
Is this the right paddle for you?
If you think Vatic Pro has the right paddle for you, you can pick one up from their store with a discount using the code 10EFFECT.
Shop Vatic ProBraydon competes at the 5.0 level and plays in 5-10 tournaments a year. He plays/drills 3 to 4 times a week and would play more if time allowed it.
