Pickleball Apes Paddles

I recently had the opportunity to use, practice with, and review two of the “Pickleball Apes” paddles—the Pro Line Energy and the Pro Line Energy S. Here’s my detailed review of both paddles, along with some technical information to provide context.

Technical Overview

Both paddles feature a Kevlar/carbon weave. This combination offers several advantages:

  • Lightweight: Both materials are lightweight, making the paddles easy to handle.
  • Durable: The toughness of Kevlar and carbon ensures longevity.
  • Control: Carbon fiber provides stiffness, enhancing control.
  • Power: Kevlar adds a springy quality, offering more pop.

Pro Line Energy Paddle S

Specifications:

  • Core: Narrow-cell Honeycomb Poly Core
  • Surface: DuPont Kevlar x Toray T700 carbon fiber weave
  • Grip: Leather Performance Grip
  • Dimensions: 16.4” H x 7.6” W
  • Weight: 8.0 – 8.4 oz
  • Swing Weight: 118-120
  • Grip Length: 5.5 in
  • Grip Circumference: 4.25 in
  • Thickness: 16.5 mm

Pro Line Energy

Specifications:

  • Core: Narrow-cell Honeycomb Poly Core
  • Surface: DuPont Kevlar x Toray T700 carbon fiber weave
  • Grip: Leather Performance Grip
  • Dimensions: 17” H x 7” W
  • Weight: 8.0 – 8.2 oz
  • Swing Weight: 120
  • Grip Length: 6.25 in
  • Grip Circumference: 4.25 in
  • Thickness: 16.5 mm

Sweet Spot Discussion

The sweet spot is the area on a pickleball paddle where players experience optimal contact, resulting in enhanced, more accurate shots and better overall gameplay. Generally, shorter and wider paddles have a larger sweet spot, while elongated paddles have a smaller one.

Based on this, the Pro Line Energy, being thinner and longer, should have a smaller sweet spot but provide more power. During my testing, the Pro Line Energy S appeared to have a larger sweet spot, making it more forgiving. However, both paddles delivered impressive power and spin.

Bottom Line

I was initially surprised by the 16.5 mm thickness of these paddles, as I typically prefer thinner paddles around 14 mm. Despite this, both paddles performed exceptionally well, matching the power of thinner paddles.

Summary

  • Pro Line Energy: Offers a softer feel and is preferable for players using a two-handed backhand.
  • Pro Line Energy S: Provides more pop and a larger sweet spot.

In conclusion, the Pro Line Energy and Pro Line Energy S are high-performing paddles that rival more expensive options on the market. They are definitely worth checking out for any pickleball enthusiast.

To obtain a 10% discount on these paddles, follow this link and enter the code Hansen10 at checkout: https://www.pickleballapes.com?sca_ref=6490016.syB324Rz7TEnA