I think this is going to be great for those who know and love the same Nadal style gameplay… the only gripe is the polarizing color scheme. But it does have an 80s Miami vibe to it so it’s ok. Great review. One of the best I’ve seen. Clear. Straightforward and intelligent insights. Many thanks!
Great! I used the Pure Aero 2016 for two years, and now I'm considering returning to playing with it. However, I'm unsure whether to choose the 300g or the 290g version.
@@tenartcustom He may not be able to tell without removing the bumper guard first, which means the racket would have to be restrung as well, but lead tape would be the easiest way to bring the swing weigh up to 370!
This is a great question and one that I would like to know a more official answer to, but heres what I can tell you. When brands target a certain swing-weight, they usually lay up more/less graphite in the hoop to achieve that. On occasion, I've seen lead strips sort of epoxied into the frame itself (more common in the handle), but I don't think I've ever seen a company throw lead under the bumper and call it a day. I've just checked under the bumper on ours, and there is no lead tape. Keep in mind, in this video I'm reviewing the 290 gram Rafa and not the Origin, and the swing weight is high, but not out of the ordinary. Realistically, if Babolat want to give us the closest racket to what Nadal actually uses, the Origin probably SHOULD have lead tape in the bumper, but I find it hard to believe they'll do that considering the stigma around that material.
@@RacketsRunnersVancouver Ok, so you have the lighter version (10.7oz, 303gm) unstrung with a swingweight of 319 according to TW. Another problem is, Babolat stopped producing lead tape a number of years ago so maybe they are laying up more graphite for the original model with the 370 swingweight!
When keeping all variables the same, it's the angle at which the ball leaves the racket's stringbed. Now, as you can imagine, "keeping all variables the same" is very difficult so whenever you hear someone say high or low launch angle it's hardly scientific, but you can get a pretty good feel for it especially when comparing two rackets side by side.
hi, I'm an intermediate amateur, I'm not looking for the softness of a boom mp, but something that doesn't bother my arm/shoulder. I play 1 hour twice a week, do you think I could handle it easily? I tried it once and it didn't give me any major problems, in fact, I played well. The only thing was that after 30 minutes I felt it was heavy, both due to the balance and perhaps due to the mono strings it had on. I could move the balance back with a weight in the handle or a leather grip. string side to sweeten it, hybrid or multi? which one and at what voltage? Would PA 2023 be better? or the PA team? the other problem I have is that I swing a lot, I always want to push, I can't play slowly and the other rackets don't seem to follow me. maybe the rafa would be fine? or which one? my level is intermediate amateur. I thank you infinitely!
I think, as long as you haven't had problems with discomfort yet, the Rafa would be ok! Add some weight to the handle and you'll make it more stable but you won't make it feel lighter so keep that in mind. If you want to give yourself the best chance of never feeling discomfort, string it with a multi in the mid 50s!
@@RacketsRunnersVancouver actually I want to get to 10kg like Kukushkin for example. People don't realize that there are minute differences and once you adapt to something, it feel "normal".
Everything but the swing weight I mentioned is unstrung. The swing weight was tested with two 17 gauge polys. I didn't actually check the strung balance, sorry.
I bought it today and used it. The paint came off as soon as it fell on the ground. Even though I didn't play it for a day, the paint came off in 4 places. Is this normal?
I watched the interview and I think he was only talking about Origin having that 73 stiffness. I'm not entirely sure though and it could be that our machine needs recalibration or that this frame is off spec.
Hi, I still use the Aero Pro ORIGINAL (yes, 20 years and [still] counting!). I'm a 4.0-4.5 player returning after an 8 year hiatus. I use a significant amount of spin. How would you say this Rafa 290g version compares to the ORIGINAL in terms of how heavy an maneuverable it feels, control and power? I demo-ed the Pure Aero 2023 and I can easily feel the benefits vs the original but I could use more power. I also demo-ed the Origin but this one is too heavy for me. Many thanks in advance!
I haven't used the Original very much so I can't do a full on comparison with the Rafa but the balance will be the weirdest thing to get used to. The Rafa is very top-heavy and slow (for an Aero). It also has a more open string bed SO it is more powerful and spinny than the original APD, but significantly less control.
I initially thought so, but after playing with it, as long as you play a big topspin game, the extra mass in the hoop will make for a racket that is stable enough even at that low static weight.
I think most people should play with this one (the 290). A bit like with the RF97 vs. Pro Staff 97. Although I'll need to play with the origin first to confirm that.
That's not gonna work with this one because the string bed densities are completely different. The 290 Rafa is much more open than the Origin and Aero Pro Drive.
I predict French's will be stubborn with the slow sales all the way to black Friday then half off these fugliest racket ever...I started tennis 1970s with wood rackets so don't some little kid say it's not ugly...then buy it and rock it baby
![ละลาย (LALALYE) - DAOU PITTAYA ต้าห์อู๋ พิทยา [OFFICIAL MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/wo6r9TgausI/mqdefault.jpg)
Love this design!, very bright and outgoing and this video is EXACTLY the one I needed to see! Very VERY useful, thanks!
I think this is going to be great for those who know and love the same Nadal style gameplay… the only gripe is the polarizing color scheme. But it does have an 80s Miami vibe to it so it’s ok.
Great review. One of the best I’ve seen. Clear. Straightforward and intelligent insights. Many thanks!
Thanks a lot for the positive feedback!
Deym, the best reviewer i have seen so far. Im sold
Thanks a lot!
Really great review; very precise and concise !
Thanks for the awesome feedback :)
Honestly, a great review. The best I have seen so far
Great analysis. Subscribed
Thank you!
Best review i have seen yet..subscribed!
Thank you very much!
The lasso follow trough happened to me to it feels more natural and comfortable
Great review in describing the key differences between the different Aero Lines. I look forward to your review of the Origin.
Thank you!
Makes me want to get back on the court! Great review!
Thanks Laurel!
great review and breakdown!
Thank you!
Great! I used the Pure Aero 2016 for two years, and now I'm considering returning to playing with it. However, I'm unsure whether to choose the 300g or the 290g version.
Thank you! We have a comparison coming very soon 😉
Thanks for this! I’m really curious about how this compares to the Origin
Origin is insanely heavy, 370 gram swing weight is way too much for most people
Finally a real ‘Pure Aero Rafa’ instead of just a recolored Pure Aero regular!
He's deserved it for a long time!
Great review, so how exactly did they make the head heavier, is there lead tape under the bumper guard?
I'm looking for an answer to the same question! Could someone who tried it tell us ?
@@tenartcustom He may not be able to tell without removing the bumper guard first, which means the racket would have to be restrung as well, but lead tape would be the easiest way to bring the swing weigh up to 370!
This is a great question and one that I would like to know a more official answer to, but heres what I can tell you. When brands target a certain swing-weight, they usually lay up more/less graphite in the hoop to achieve that. On occasion, I've seen lead strips sort of epoxied into the frame itself (more common in the handle), but I don't think I've ever seen a company throw lead under the bumper and call it a day.
I've just checked under the bumper on ours, and there is no lead tape. Keep in mind, in this video I'm reviewing the 290 gram Rafa and not the Origin, and the swing weight is high, but not out of the ordinary. Realistically, if Babolat want to give us the closest racket to what Nadal actually uses, the Origin probably SHOULD have lead tape in the bumper, but I find it hard to believe they'll do that considering the stigma around that material.
@@RacketsRunnersVancouver Ok, so you have the lighter version (10.7oz, 303gm) unstrung with a swingweight of 319 according to TW. Another problem is, Babolat stopped producing lead tape a number of years ago so maybe they are laying up more graphite for the original model with the 370 swingweight!
so colorful!!
What would you say if you compare it with ezone 100 2022?
please explain 'launch angle' coming to the racket. I hear this all the time.. but I dont know.
When keeping all variables the same, it's the angle at which the ball leaves the racket's stringbed. Now, as you can imagine, "keeping all variables the same" is very difficult so whenever you hear someone say high or low launch angle it's hardly scientific, but you can get a pretty good feel for it especially when comparing two rackets side by side.
hi, I'm an intermediate amateur, I'm not looking for the softness of a boom mp, but something that doesn't bother my arm/shoulder. I play 1 hour twice a week, do you think I could handle it easily? I tried it once and it didn't give me any major problems, in fact, I played well. The only thing was that after 30 minutes I felt it was heavy, both due to the balance and perhaps due to the mono strings it had on. I could move the balance back with a weight in the handle or a leather grip. string side to sweeten it, hybrid or multi? which one and at what voltage? Would PA 2023 be better? or the PA team? the other problem I have is that I swing a lot, I always want to push, I can't play slowly and the other rackets don't seem to follow me. maybe the rafa would be fine? or which one? my level is intermediate amateur. I thank you infinitely!
I think, as long as you haven't had problems with discomfort yet, the Rafa would be ok! Add some weight to the handle and you'll make it more stable but you won't make it feel lighter so keep that in mind. If you want to give yourself the best chance of never feeling discomfort, string it with a multi in the mid 50s!
Great video. I am planning on getting two of them. I also use about 30-33lbs co poly (rpm blast 15)
Thank you! Getting close to that Mannarino set up!
@@RacketsRunnersVancouver actually I want to get to 10kg like Kukushkin for example. People don't realize that there are minute differences and once you adapt to something, it feel "normal".
I totally agree with you on that.
Thanks for the Review. Are the specs you list for the Pure Aero Rafa unstrung specs? If so, what is the balance strung?
Everything but the swing weight I mentioned is unstrung. The swing weight was tested with two 17 gauge polys. I didn't actually check the strung balance, sorry.
@@RacketsRunnersVancouver No worries. Thank you
any chance you could do a review of the babolat pure strike tour?
I think we'll wait for the new Strike line to come out but that's probably not too far away!
wow this color is very nice, I like it❤
I bought it today and used it. The paint came off as soon as it fell on the ground. Even though I didn't play it for a day, the paint came off in 4 places. Is this normal?
Generally, Babolat paints are pretty resilient so maybe check with who sold it to you.
What gauge did you go with on the RPM Rough and RPM Blast?
17 gauge for both.
Hey Luca, how did the racquet play with a leather grip and weight at the buttcap?
Really cool video!
Thanks Alex!
The Rafa 290g seems way “brighter” than the Origin, in regard to paint color.. Am I right?
I haven't seen an Origin in person yet so I can't really say.
Ironically, the paint scheme is similar to Rafa's attire when Soderling beat him.
What would you say is the closest racquet to the original pure aero drive, in playability
The current Pure Aero is actually ver similar.
Is the pure aero Rafa2023(non origin) the same as the regular paint pure aero 2023? Like the specs
No, not at all this time around. It's 10 grams lighter and quite a bit different in a lot of other ways.
Is the rafa the same mold as the aero pro drive? That's the deciding factor for me
It isn't the exact same mold. The string pattern is more open.
@@RacketsRunnersVancouver but a part from that, it's the same shape? I could probably work with that
Yes, the shape should be identical.
❤
Is there a Pure Aero Rafa Lite 2023? I don't see it anywhere
Unfortunately there isn't. I'm not sure why they haven't made one, it would have made a lot of sense to me.
@@RacketsRunnersVancouver No news that a Lite version will come in the next months? None at all? :(
Playing now rafas racket looks more purple
classic vancouver
Ima like for that Ramos t-shirt
#halamadrid
Also stiff is 73 as per babolat interview
I watched the interview and I think he was only talking about Origin having that 73 stiffness. I'm not entirely sure though and it could be that our machine needs recalibration or that this frame is off spec.
so this racket doesnt have maneuverabilty,....its impossible to use??
Certainly not impossible but it's a bit weird and will take some getting used to.
Hi, I still use the Aero Pro ORIGINAL (yes, 20 years and [still] counting!). I'm a 4.0-4.5 player returning after an 8 year hiatus. I use a significant amount of spin. How would you say this Rafa 290g version compares to the ORIGINAL in terms of how heavy an maneuverable it feels, control and power? I demo-ed the Pure Aero 2023 and I can easily feel the benefits vs the original but I could use more power. I also demo-ed the Origin but this one is too heavy for me. Many thanks in advance!
I haven't used the Original very much so I can't do a full on comparison with the Rafa but the balance will be the weirdest thing to get used to. The Rafa is very top-heavy and slow (for an Aero). It also has a more open string bed SO it is more powerful and spinny than the original APD, but significantly less control.
AT THE END OF THE VIDEO YOU SAID THIS IS FOR THE RAFA FANS, YOU MEAN ORIGIN OR THE 290 GRAMS?
I was talking about the 290, but both would be great, of course!
Don't forget the other 2023 Aero is the +
I cheated a little bit there. The + is never available in Canada, for some reason.
IN YOUR OPINION 290 GRAM IS NOT TOO LIGHT FOR A ADULT WHO WANTS TO PLAY TENNIS?
I initially thought so, but after playing with it, as long as you play a big topspin game, the extra mass in the hoop will make for a racket that is stable enough even at that low static weight.
ANOTHER QUESTION I HAVE IS ABOUT IF A PERSON WANTS TO PLAY WITH THIS MODEL THE ORIGIN ONE IS THE FALSE DECISION OR NO?
I think most people should play with this one (the 290). A bit like with the RF97 vs. Pro Staff 97. Although I'll need to play with the origin first to confirm that.
It screaming arm pain 😂😂😂
other reviews are reporting 321 swingweight 😂😂😂 who i gotta believe 😂
That's probably due to manufacturing inconsistencies.
Just buy the 290g version and customize it. It‘s probably gonna be closer to rafas racquet then the 317g version
That's not gonna work with this one because the string bed densities are completely different. The 290 Rafa is much more open than the Origin and Aero Pro Drive.
I predict French's will be stubborn with the slow sales all the way to black Friday then half off these fugliest racket ever...I started tennis 1970s with wood rackets so don't some little kid say it's not ugly...then buy it and rock it baby
It looks absolutely ghastly.
Lol
Haaaa, but I have to have it
Pinky ahhhhh
Some Tutti Frutti
The rafa 2019 racquet is so much better looking, cheape, and has very similar specs.
Interesting choice of paintjob. Since this is the color Rafa was wearing when his Roland Garros streak was ended.