Let me get straight to the point – the Viva Pro Gen 3 Paddle is exceptional. While the Viva Pro 2 (Gen 2) is also impressive, the Gen 3 offers enhanced power and a superior feel around the net. This improvement is largely due to the Kevlar/carbon weave on the face, which contributes to its increased power and refined touch.
Specifications:
- Construction: Thermoformed edges with foam injection, Unibody design
- Face Material: DuPont raw Kevlar and T700 raw carbon fiber (The K29 Kevlar used is lighter and provides more “pop.”)
- Shape: Elongated (ideal for two-handed backhands)
- Weight: 7.8-8.0 oz (Mine weighed 7.8 ounces)
- Swing Weight: 120 (High, but balanced by the paddle’s lighter overall weight)
- Twist Weight: 6
- Core Material: Polypropylene Honeycomb
- Dimensions: 16.50″ length, 7.40″ width, 0.63″ (16mm) thickness
- Grip: 5.5″ length, 4 1/8″ circumference
Performance: I began testing with a friend, focusing on straight and cross-court dinks. The paddle effortlessly delivered both topspin and underspin with minimal effort, showcasing its soft feel and lack of vibration.
Next, we practiced third shot drops. The Viva Pro Gen 3 excelled, allowing me to execute precise drops and apply underspin with ease. Unlike other paddles that pose challenges, the Viva Pro Gen 3 felt natural and reliable.
For ground strokes, this paddle demonstrated significant power. It didn’t launch the ball off the face as aggressively as the Gearbox Pro Power , but it’s more affordable. My drives were linear, fast, and packed with topspin. While returning serves, my under-spin returns stayed low and skipped off the court surface effectively.
Serving was equally impressive. I achieved heavy topspin and slice spin, and remarkably, I didn’t hit any serves long, despite the paddle’s power.
In firefights, the paddle excelled, likely due to its lighter weight and the Kevlar/carbon weave. During game play, I switched to a partner’s Six Zero Ruby paddle for comparison. While the Ruby is a good paddle, I preferred the Viva Pro Gen 3, likely because I wasn’t as accustomed to the Ruby.
Bottom Line: At $169.99, the Viva Pro Gen 3 Paddle is a bargain. If you’re interested, follow this link and use the code “Greg30” for a 30% discount at checkout.
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