We finally have some more information on the upcoming Vatic Pro V-SOL Tour Series, and there are a few details that I think are especially interesting.
The V-SOL Tour is being positioned as a power paddle, although Vatic says it will only have slightly more pop and power than the V-SOL Pro.
What caught my attention is that Vatic also changed the core density to compensate for the new EverGrit surface and keep the overall feel and playability familiar.
That makes me especially curious about what EverGrit actually feels like.
What Does EverGrit Feel Like?
So far, there really isn't much information on the actual texture or feel of EverGrit.
I'm curious whether it will feel closer to the more crystal / silicon-carbide-style durable grit surfaces we've seen with things like Diamond Tough, Hex Grit, Blue Grit, etc., or something more tacky like Permagrit.
Or could it still feel relatively close to the more familiar peel-ply/raw carbon texture?
Personally, I'm hoping for the last one.
The fact that Vatic specifically mentioned having to adjust the core density because grit changes the feel and playability of a paddle makes me suspect EverGrit might feel noticeably different from traditional peel-ply, possibly closer to one of those harder/crystalline durable-grit surfaces.
That's purely speculation for now, though. We'll really need production paddles in hand to know.
The promising part is the durability result: a prototype reportedly achieved Tier 1 spin retention with only 2.9% loss in John Kew's accelerated wear test.
If production paddles can retain spin anywhere close to that while still feeling natural on contact, that could be one of the most interesting parts of the V-SOL Tour.
The New Elongated Shape Makes Sense
Vatic is also retiring both of the old V7 elongated configurations:
- V7 Standard Handle - roughly 5.3"
- V7 Long Handle - roughly 5.7"
Both are being replaced by a single new Elongated shape with a 5.5" handle.
I actually think this is the right move.
The old standard handle was a little short for what many players now expect from an elongated paddle, while 5.7" starts getting pretty long and reduces usable paddle-face area.
5.5" feels like a much better middle ground for the current pickleball market.
It's long enough for two-handed backhands and extra reach without sacrificing quite as much face area.
Vatic also mentioned a different taper into the handle, which might be more interesting than it sounds.
What Happens to the Other Shapes?
The announcement specifically says the V7 Standard Handle and V7 Long Handle are being replaced by the new Elongated,
From the USAP Approved List, we have
Flash LH and SH continuing as the hybrid (long-handle/short-handle option), and Bloom continuing as the standard/widebody-style option.
Testing & Availability
Production EverGrit paddles are currently in the pipeline and are expected during the general launch in September.
That means we should start seeing independent spin testing, durability feedback, and real-world comparisons soon.