For what it’s worth, rating deflation seems to be a real thing. A 5.0 a year ago is not a 5.0 now. A 4.0 a year ago is worse than a 4.0 today! If your DUPR is holding steady, you’re getting better but not getting better faster than the influx of talent and rest of the population 😅
Good observation! I'm thinking of starting a new series where I get help from Scott on my game, and it would be cool to ask the numbers people at DUPR about rating deflation as part of that series
Convince players to stop playing down a half level in order to medal and start playing up a half level to challenge themselves. Anyone who medals at any level should no longer be allowed to play at that level.
I also suffer from a lot of foot swelling and pain, while playing for prolonged periods my feet would swell up with blood and then be sore for a few days afterwards, I’ve recently moved to the ASICS - Kayano 30 (I think that’s the correct name) and the above issues have greatly improved! Great episode guys, keep up the good work!
Another great episode. I love the advice Scott gives(or used to?) on 4.0 to Pro. Very knowledgeable and esp helpful for those over 50(ok maybe not 'perfect' for us Real Seniors(over 65) but usually still scalable!)
Sof Sole Airr Orthotic insoles kept me on the tennis court for years, but they definitely added weight. I play pickleball with Fitville X-Wide pickleball shoes off of Amazon, and first time I have no need to replace insoles. It’s amazing how nice it was to drop the extra insole weight. fyi … I think the more durable soles can be harder on your feet. The only time I ever got plantar fasciitis from tennis was when they just came out with indestructible soles. Turns out my arch was not indestructible. I was a toe dragger on serve, shoe would look like brand new shoe on sole accept for hole near big toe. 😂
I have been using the Ripple R2 for 3+ weeks now. Coming from a pure control paddle(I play soft game style, drops, dinks), I was very quite surprised how quickly I adjusted to it. Practically took half a game only and managed to control it. Spin is great and put away is 🚀 🔥. Best paddle I have used so far.... Can't wait to use the updated version in Dec😎
Hey Phil, I’m like you (more of a control player) and have been trying out the Ripple. I like it a lot, but my dinking has suffered as I don’t have as much control as my previous paddle and the balls tend to pop a bit long. It’s only been two days, do you recommend sticking with it? I’m trying to decide if I can effectively make the switch to this “poppier” paddle or if I should just go back to a more control paddle. I’m a 4.8 dupr just fyi. Thanks!
@@PaulandMorganI say stick to it. I felt like the Ripple R2 was awesome in the kitchen when you get a handle on it. Maybe loosen your grip a little and see how you can adjust.
@PaulandMorgan stick to it. See or pay attention if you are using too much wrist/flick on your motion. Lock your wrist and elbow and use more shoulder... If that works better. Lmk if that helps🤞
For a great inexpensive insole for pickleball I like the Hefe Luxx Comfort Starter Insoles. $17.00 and made out of the same foam the Adidas Boost is (looks like bubbles of foam fused together). Boost supposedly gives 20% more energy return vs standard EVA midsoles. What I like about them, and I have tons of expensive insoles from running in the past, is my legs never feel tired with these. They do such a great job with the shock on the feet and legs of a hard court surface. Also, very light. Go a half size up on your shoes with pretty much any insoles. Oh, my standard shoe is ASICS FF2 (still have a few pairs on the shelf).
Jon last week “the paddle I always come back to is the ESQ-C.” Jon this week “the paddle I always come back to is the Apes V.” Jon next week “the paddle I always come back to is ????”
momentum fwd on the return AND it helps with power and depth as well. If you are finding your return lacking power and/or landing short, get your weight moving fwd.
Coming from tennis have been using the Barricade since the B3. Great shoe but I do use an aftermarket insole with a thin plastic arch support. Their stock insole sucks.
Speaking on shoes, outdoor basketball shoes are great too. I’m rocking the New Balance 2 wxy for the last few weeks and love them. The way of wade all city 11/12 are great from what I hear too. A lot of the tennis shoes are kinda boring looking too, basketball shoes are way more fun.
Enjoyed the podcast. I wear the Tyrol Velocity shoes. The shoe is light, provides great support and lasts me anywhere from 6 to 10 months. I usually play on average three to five days for two hours to four hours per day. I have the Thrive Blackout paddle with 100% fiberglass as their paddle face as well as other companies using fiberglass in different ways. I know that fiberglass has been used in the past. Are companies going back to using fiberglass to get their paddles to have more power and pop? Thank you for the additional Black Friday sites. Have a wonderful week, John and Eddie.
I recently switched to the Babolat Jet Mach 3 that are currently on sale everywhere for $100. You’re right that they’re a little narrow so I bought a 1/2 size bigger and that really helps especially with the toe box area. The insoles are awful (kinda flat and sharply cupped) so I replaced those with Softsoles (same as you feature in this vid) and they’ve been just right. Still wearing my Nike Zoom Vapor Pro 2 with sports insoles too though as they’re long broken in even though the toe box is a tad narrow.
I kill shoe soles. The best shoes I've found last 3-5 months. I loved the lotto raptors but even they only last 3 months for me. My favorite shoe now is the Mizuno Wave Enforce Tour. I still only get 3-4 months before I wear through, but they have a 6 month outsole warranty so I get a one time replacement per pair.
Good luck trying to use that Mizuno warranty. I purchased these for many reasons and one was the warranty. Nearing the 6 month mark I contacted Mizuno about a replacement as I wore through the toe. I play about 3 times a week. It was denied. From their response you practically have to wear through the entire sole into the footbed for it qualify. With that said I will buy another pair as they are most comfortable shoe I have played in. I just wont be expecting to utilize the warranty.
Is that the production Ripple? I sold mine, too much of an adjustment to reign in the power. Fun to play with in rec but in high stakes game I preferred the control and consistency that other paddles offer.
I love my Oakley clear OX8028-0356. They have gamer ear pieces and fit great and stay on. Also have the rubber nose piece for anti slip. Field of view is great.
Great Pod guys really looking forward to the production model Ripple. I have the pre-production and love it. I'm in Arizona and one of my snowbird buddies Chris K, who I play with almost every day just got back. We were discussing paddles, and he said Well my good buddy John Kew says this about this paddle. I'm like you know John Kew. He says yes, I play with him and Eddy quite often. I told him I was a huge fan, been watching him since the beginning. One more word about the Ripple when it's below 40 degrees I keep it in the bag. The balls are too hard and hard to control.
Really interested in the shoe conversation. I'm not a lightweight dude, but I tried New Balance 996v6 which I liked, until I got knee pain. Went to try the Jet Mach 3, and Immediately had knee pain, which got worse after one day out. Went to Diadora Torneo 2's which I like, but are super heavy. I'm interested in Winner's Edge now, plus as a musician I'm all for their cause!
I wear a size 15 shoe so my choices are limited but have always had good luck with ASICS, New Balance, and Adidas. There are also some great outdoor basketball brands which are lightweight, comfortable, and supportive.
Hey guys, question! I’m a 4.8 dupr and have always been more of a control player and have been trying out the Ripple. (I’m friends with Dong and he’s been letting me try it) I like it a lot, but my dinking has suffered as I don’t have as much control as my previous paddle and the balls tend to pop a bit long. It’s only been two days, do you recommend sticking with it? I’m trying to decide if I can effectively make the switch to this “poppier” paddle or if I should just go back to a more control paddle. Like I said, I like a lot ab the paddle, just not sure I’ll be able to control it at the kitchen as well as I’d like. Thanks!
If you're a control player and you rely on your resets, drops, and dinks, then playing with the Ripple doesn't really match your game. If your game is more drives, speedups, big serves, etc then the Ripple should feel pretty natural. That being said, anyone can learn to play any paddle, but you learn faster on paddles that suit your style
I’ve had the R2 Ripple since the first beta drop and to me, it’s become controllable the more I’ve used it - at your level I’m sure if you put time into dinking drills you’ll get it down Also it’s 14mm, lighter grip and doing less with this paddle will always help
If you can deal with the softness and odd feeling of lots of dwell, you might prefer the Vatic Pro Saga. The 4.0+ players at my club have enjoyed them and I personally play with a Saga Flash LH (long handle). It’s the first paddle that I feel comfortable replacing my Joola Mod TA-15 with. The Saga V7 LH seems to be everybody’s preference though and I’m trying to see if I can get ahold of one to demo
I disagree with ya'll on this ripple. I've tried ALL GEN3 : all gearboxes, all joolas, and this ripple is quite extraordinary and special. It's the most balanced paddle Ive experienced.
High power / low pop seems to be catching on, and an ideal combo for my game. Good control of serves and drives, still working on my finesse game. Do you think this is a trend, or am I just seeing it more because I'm looking for it? The Saga seems to fit the bill perfectly. Are there others I should consider?
John, I exclusively wear the Jet Mach 3, my favorite shoe and only one I can really be comfortable in. Can you please quickly talk key fit differences between the Winners edge and the M3 as far as toe box and weight, the W.edge look very clunky. could you throw your 2 shoes on the scale to see the real difference in weight . Thanks!!!
I was wondering the same thing, wasn’t quite sure why those paddles weren’t mentioned as comparisons with the Ripple. Seems like the Joola mod and 3s are in the same category.
I've played with both around 4.5+ level and the Joola mod feels more inconsistent but out of the box feels much hotter than the ripple, after an adjustment period you can dial the ripple quite effectively but the mod always seems like certain parts of the face are hotter than others creating a slightly more inconsistent soft game.
Ripple beta paddles slightly less power and pop new. Much less after break-in. The Ripples are MUCH more controllable and predictable than the GB or Joola Perseus G3/TA15, especially after all experience break-in.
Really liking my CYPHERS. Best built shoe for me. Lacing system is unique. Foot problems here as well. Arthritis is the cause. I;m old. Try using "bed liner" on your worn spot. Winners Edge's charity pledge is honorable. I just can't wear the "bootie" style liner. Scott F. is a great asset to have so close to you.
The Mod starts a little hotter and breaks in faster. The mod also has more of a hot spot near the end of the 'diving board', and the lower you go on the face, there's a steeper dropoff in velocity compared to the Ripple, which has a very large sweet spot and predictable ball response across the face. That being said, the control on a new Mod is pretty good (still not as good as the Ripple), but the Mod heats up so fast that the control goes pretty quick
@ thanks for the reply! Off topic I guess but what about the 3s? I have the mod and like the power but am finding some random consistency issues off the face. Maybe it’s the hotspots. Just want something with a tad more control, don’t mind sacrificing a little power if needed. Is the 3s plagued with the same diving board problem? 3s vs ripple for control? I know it’s not as hot as the mod and ripple. Not concerned about the current legality of the 3s.
@Cheezledzul i have the Hyperion 3s, its AMAZING!! It's a different feel, trampoline effect is there if u hit it hard enough. Control, power, spin...all there. Just the darn legal stuff
No comparison. The Ripple is more controllable new and after break-in. The power increase of the Ripple is minimal after break-in. I notice how much a paddle changes after break-in mostly when hitting deep BH roll volleys. With the Ripple they go from just inside the baseline to just beyond the baseline. A difference of about 8". Easy to adjust out. With the other power paddles I've used, the rolls go 12-24 inches beyond the baseline unless I pull way back. Also, slightly unpredictable. I had to put away the other power paddles after break-in. They required me to pull back too much on all shots. I lost confidence and my game suffered using them.
@ the guys at pbstudio had said the ripple gets ridiculous after break in. Either way gonna wait till after release to see opinions on the updated version.
Quick question - is there a standard tool/machine that paddle reviewers use to test spin? It seems that certain reviewers spin numbers top out around 1900 while others top out at plus 2200. I know that the Brifidi is the accepted tool for swing and twist weight but wondering if there is a comparable device used to measure spin - thanks for the great pod as always!
So I went back to the early podcasts and found the methodology describe using a high speed cam and various ball markings to measure spin potential - that makes sense - my next question - do you have a sense of how much spin rate declines over time - I know this will vary based on many factors - but it would be so cool if we could see a metric such as spin degradation after 40 hours of use - I know this would need to be accepted as an approximate estimate rather than a precise metric - I have the pulse V and am trying to figure out how quickly the spin will degrade and when it may be time to get a new paddle based on spin degradation. THANKS!
Interesting shoe choice. My favorite so far is NB 996v5. ruined with the new v6. The CT foam are nice too. Asics gel res 9 and FF3 run tigh in the toe box for me. The gel res 9 were great, lasted a bit longer than the NB 996 but not as comfortable. Dying to try the blue mizunos pros have been wearing. Nike vapor 11s are also top tier imo. amazing comfort and i hate on nike.
It's not lead, so that's a win! There may be some vibration dampening characteristics as well, but we need to investigate that. One of the downsides is that the silicone tends to be thicker in order to give it mass, and that thickness can bother some people (it does me).
Great detailled reviews. ! Just a small point, none of the content creator seems to have been able to mesure or to give a better size for a sweet spot other than small, avg, or large. Is there a way to mesure it. Thatvyou would think of?
Eddie … you have recently spent time with both Pulse S and Saga. What’s your comparison thoughts on the two. I am loving the Pulse S, so if your thoughts are Saga is way better don’t answer this. 😁
Both are in the bag now and being used extensively. Saga is a true all-'rounder - really generous sweet spot, control, and enough power. A little stiffer feeling than the Pulse. Pulse has a touch more power, and the feeling of the ball strike is one of the best out there. A little less in the sweet spot, I would say. Both have their place, and I'm loving them. Looking forward to comparing with the Pulse V to see how it compares.
@@EddieK-PB Thanks … I dodged the “Saga is way better” bullet. ;) We are loving the Pulse S, and yes, Pickleball Apes nailed the feel with Pulse series. I initially had 3 g at 4 and 8, 8.6 oz. Now at 15ish hours, softened up a little, removed weight and it doesn’t need it.
I played another session with the Winner's Edge shoes last night, and I noticed less foot pain again. Other than good shoes/insoles, red light therapy and CBD cream have been somewhat effective for me. If the pain gets intolerable, you may need to go to a podiatrist, and potentially get cortisone shots
Unlikely. I've used all three and the Ripple is the lowest power and pop, especially after break-in. Where the Ripple shines is the consistency of the ball off the face. It's consistent before and after break-in.
PLEASE CONSIDER ! Women hot paddle 🔥 Men over 60 hot pad 🔥 Most pickleball players play with people of all ages. If PICKLEBALL can come up with rules for women and men over 60 ( for example age ) to have an advantage by paddle it could help most players enjoy the game more evenly.
Wow … John really appreciate you researching my question on open stance return of serve even when having to move forward to get to the ball to hit return. Let me add a little more context from tennis, and then circle back around to pickleball. I’m going to try a link to an old, but great video that explains what I mean by the two basic stance options, both allowing pushing body forward (for example, pushing forward through returns in pickleball). If link fails, I will just do the best I can to explain it. th-cam.com/video/jfJzJy5b9xw/w-d-xo.html Good, looks like if you use youtube app rather than just browser, you can add links. So in the video, in modern tennis you typically hit two main rally ball forehand stances. Deep balls pushing you back, and high in the strike zone, are best hit with open stance rotating around/over right hip/leg. But if you have to move forward, square stance (most of us not in Australia 😊 call that neutral stance but Peter would sound cool whatever he called it) is hit stepping forward onto left leg and hitting around/over left hip/leg. You might do this and still step back and hang near baseline, but the neutral stance in stride on the way to net is about as efficient as it gets. So we can move forward in stride from both stances. In pickleball I could move to short return and hit in neutral stance in stride off my left leg. But since wiffle moves slower, I can also run up to incoming ball, set into open stance with proper spacing, and then push off with right leg during swing and step onto left leg and continue to net. Like I said, watching pros play, when forced to move forward to hit a return, they more often than not are hitting open stance. This appears to be both doubles or singles. I guess I’m still not sure of the why since we can achieve that body movement through return to get to kitchen with either stance. I keep meaning to note what I am doing, my guess is tennis neutral stance in stride to kitchen. I make you look young, we need to help this senior get to the kitchen as efficiently as possible. 😂 Seriously appreciate your inquiry with the pro.
Yeah I see what you mean about both stances being fine for forward momentum. Although the returner in tennis rarely charges the net, but the returner in pickleball almost always runs through the ball on their way to the net. So maybe the open stance is just a more efficient way to achieve this forward momentum than a square stance. I can imagine that there's more of a trip risk with a square stance if you're running through the ball, because you start running sideways in a shuffle, and you have to then turn your body 90-degrees as you're running forward. I also imagine that you can make it to the kitchen line quicker using an open stance. It's basically the same stance that sprinters start with. Starting sideways in the sprinter's block would slow them down.
@@johnkewpickleball Yes, pro tennis players rarely approach net on return … something about those 120+ mph serves. 😛 In rec play it was often a good play off a one handed backhand slice (chip and charge). I looked for examples of pro tennis players hitting forehand returns off of left leg, and had to watch a lot of Federer and Djokovic returns to just see a few. Given the pace and accuracy of serves, most are deep and their go to is open stance off right leg (forehands) and left leg (backhands). That said, it seems it’s probably a reasonable question for pickleball since unlike tennis, there are many times pro pickleball players do move forward to get to returns. At this point my best guess is it’s because of the lower bounce and lower pace. In tennis you don’t have much time, and have to cover a lot of distance, so hitting a forehand in stride off neutral stance is a necessity. Not so much with the wiffle, and throw in more bad bounces … maybe pros just learned open stance just offers more forgiveness on timing.
@@johnkewpickleball I’m sure I have bored half your followers by now … what does this have to do with paddles. 😂 But one more for clarification. This is typically how higher level tennis players hit forehands on lower bouncing ball when running forward. In stride (no sideways shuffle), hit off left leg, a little hop and right leg comes around continuing in stride to net. Watch from 1 min 43 seconds, just that one stroke in video: th-cam.com/video/gmBc8lvzPmA/w-d-xo.htmlsi=H7tbYMme14QIViKp
@@johnkewpickleball fyi … no need to reply. Watched some more pro doubles, and depending on the pro, the open stance return is not as regimented. In the MLP finals, Zane hit some returns as I described. Ran to ball in stride, hit off left leg, slight hop off left leg, continued in stride to right leg on way to kitchen. An example … first game in finals … score 22/22 (Ge, JW vs Zane, Howell).
Not pickleball related, but it's interesting that "the arc of the earth" in that Bread and Butter clip inverted at one point.. an effect similar to something a fisheye lens might cause. Also interesting that the star Polaris never moves and that the constellations never change.. and that they seemingly rotate around Polaris. Also interesting that we live in a pressurized gas atmosphere.. adjacent to the "infinite vacuum of space"... and that there is no barrier between them. Anyway.. interesting. IYKYK
Great episode guys. Looking forward to next week!
For what it’s worth, rating deflation seems to be a real thing. A 5.0 a year ago is not a 5.0 now. A 4.0 a year ago is worse than a 4.0 today! If your DUPR is holding steady, you’re getting better but not getting better faster than the influx of talent and rest of the population 😅
Good observation! I'm thinking of starting a new series where I get help from Scott on my game, and it would be cool to ask the numbers people at DUPR about rating deflation as part of that series
Would love to see that series John, think it would be a great addition to your content and helpful for many of us who want to improve!
Convince players to stop playing down a half level in order to medal and start playing up a half level to challenge themselves. Anyone who medals at any level should no longer be allowed to play at that level.
I also suffer from a lot of foot swelling and pain, while playing for prolonged periods my feet would swell up with blood and then be sore for a few days afterwards, I’ve recently moved to the ASICS - Kayano 30 (I think that’s the correct name) and the above issues have greatly improved! Great episode guys, keep up the good work!
Swear if I hear one more word about the ripple and it’s not available for purchase 😡
Use code RC-JORDAN for 20 bucks off when you order on Dec 6th.
Exactly
From the comments here, it sounds as if it is almost definitely going to be outlawed for tournament play.
Great episode! Lots of valuable content!
Another great podcast, enjoyed your take on paddle break-in.
Great episode as always!
Another great episode.
I love the advice Scott gives(or used to?) on 4.0 to Pro. Very knowledgeable and esp helpful for those over 50(ok maybe not 'perfect' for us Real Seniors(over 65) but usually still scalable!)
Sof Sole Airr Orthotic insoles kept me on the tennis court for years, but they definitely added weight. I play pickleball with Fitville X-Wide pickleball shoes off of Amazon, and first time I have no need to replace insoles. It’s amazing how nice it was to drop the extra insole weight.
fyi … I think the more durable soles can be harder on your feet. The only time I ever got plantar fasciitis from tennis was when they just came out with indestructible soles. Turns out my arch was not indestructible. I was a toe dragger on serve, shoe would look like brand new shoe on sole accept for hole near big toe. 😂
I have been using the Ripple R2 for 3+ weeks now. Coming from a pure control paddle(I play soft game style, drops, dinks), I was very quite surprised how quickly I adjusted to it. Practically took half a game only and managed to control it. Spin is great and put away is 🚀 🔥. Best paddle I have used so far.... Can't wait to use the updated version in Dec😎
Hey Phil, I’m like you (more of a control player) and have been trying out the Ripple. I like it a lot, but my dinking has suffered as I don’t have as much control as my previous paddle and the balls tend to pop a bit long. It’s only been two days, do you recommend sticking with it? I’m trying to decide if I can effectively make the switch to this “poppier” paddle or if I should just go back to a more control paddle. I’m a 4.8 dupr just fyi. Thanks!
@@PaulandMorganI say stick to it. I felt like the Ripple R2 was awesome in the kitchen when you get a handle on it. Maybe loosen your grip a little and see how you can adjust.
@@farrisfcs39 okay thanks. I’m borrowing the R1
@PaulandMorgan stick to it. See or pay attention if you are using too much wrist/flick on your motion. Lock your wrist and elbow and use more shoulder... If that works better. Lmk if that helps🤞
Can you guys update this thread after a month? Wondering if break in will be an issue for you control players :)
For a great inexpensive insole for pickleball I like the Hefe Luxx Comfort Starter Insoles. $17.00 and made out of the same foam the Adidas Boost is (looks like bubbles of foam fused together). Boost supposedly gives 20% more energy return vs standard EVA midsoles.
What I like about them, and I have tons of expensive insoles from running in the past, is my legs never feel tired with these. They do such a great job with the shock on the feet and legs of a hard court surface. Also, very light. Go a half size up on your shoes with pretty much any insoles.
Oh, my standard shoe is ASICS FF2 (still have a few pairs on the shelf).
Awesome! Cool to see you here. We are on some same discords.
Jon last week “the paddle I always come back to is the ESQ-C.”
Jon this week “the paddle I always come back to is the Apes V.”
Jon next week “the paddle I always come back to is ????”
Brian from Building Pickleball did a great vid on serve mechanics.
Great reviews
momentum fwd on the return AND it helps with power and depth as well. If you are finding your return lacking power and/or landing short, get your weight moving fwd.
if you buy your Adidas barricade from tennis warehouse, they have a six month outtsole warranty in which if there is a hole in outsole shoe
Coming from tennis have been using the Barricade since the B3. Great shoe but I do use an aftermarket insole with a thin plastic arch support. Their stock insole sucks.
Eddie: Skechers Viper Court Pro? It’s the shoe I keep going back to. Nice wide toe box.
Hands down the best pb shoes
Speaking on shoes, outdoor basketball shoes are great too. I’m rocking the New Balance 2 wxy for the last few weeks and love them. The way of wade all city 11/12 are great from what I hear too. A lot of the tennis shoes are kinda boring looking too, basketball shoes are way more fun.
Enjoyed the podcast. I wear the Tyrol Velocity shoes. The shoe is light, provides great support and lasts me anywhere from 6 to 10 months. I usually play on average three to five days for two hours to four hours per day. I have the Thrive Blackout paddle with 100% fiberglass as their paddle face as well as other companies using fiberglass in different ways. I know that fiberglass has been used in the past. Are companies going back to using fiberglass to get their paddles to have more power and pop? Thank you for the additional Black Friday sites. Have a wonderful week, John and Eddie.
I recently switched to the Babolat Jet Mach 3 that are currently on sale everywhere for $100. You’re right that they’re a little narrow so I bought a 1/2 size bigger and that really helps especially with the toe box area. The insoles are awful (kinda flat and sharply cupped) so I replaced those with Softsoles (same as you feature in this vid) and they’ve been just right. Still wearing my Nike Zoom Vapor Pro 2 with sports insoles too though as they’re long broken in even though the toe box is a tad narrow.
I kill shoe soles. The best shoes I've found last 3-5 months. I loved the lotto raptors but even they only last 3 months for me. My favorite shoe now is the Mizuno Wave Enforce Tour. I still only get 3-4 months before I wear through, but they have a 6 month outsole warranty so I get a one time replacement per pair.
Look for tennis court shoes with a 6-month outer sole warranty. Places like Tennis Warehouse allow you to filter by them.
Good luck trying to use that Mizuno warranty. I purchased these for many reasons and one was the warranty. Nearing the 6 month mark I contacted Mizuno about a replacement as I wore through the toe. I play about 3 times a week. It was denied. From their response you practically have to wear through the entire sole into the footbed for it qualify. With that said I will buy another pair as they are most comfortable shoe I have played in. I just wont be expecting to utilize the warranty.
Is that the production Ripple? I sold mine, too much of an adjustment to reign in the power. Fun to play with in rec but in high stakes game I preferred the control and consistency that other paddles offer.
I love my Oakley clear OX8028-0356. They have gamer ear pieces and fit great and stay on. Also have the rubber nose piece for anti slip. Field of view is great.
I’d love to hear your comparison of the Invader vs J2Ti!
Great Pod guys really looking forward to the production model Ripple. I have the pre-production and love it. I'm in Arizona and one of my snowbird buddies Chris K, who I play with almost every day just got back. We were discussing paddles, and he said Well my good buddy John Kew says this about this paddle. I'm like you know John Kew. He says yes, I play with him and Eddy quite often. I told him I was a huge fan, been watching him since the beginning. One more word about the Ripple when it's below 40 degrees I keep it in the bag. The balls are too hard and hard to control.
Nice - tell Chris we miss him!
Interesting about cold weather and the Ripple - makes sense.
😂😂 damn...u guys play sub 40 deg.
Hardcore!!!
Really interested in the shoe conversation. I'm not a lightweight dude, but I tried New Balance 996v6 which I liked, until I got knee pain. Went to try the Jet Mach 3, and Immediately had knee pain, which got worse after one day out. Went to Diadora Torneo 2's which I like, but are super heavy. I'm interested in Winner's Edge now, plus as a musician I'm all for their cause!
I wear a size 15 shoe so my choices are limited but have always had good luck with ASICS, New Balance, and Adidas. There are also some great outdoor basketball brands which are lightweight, comfortable, and supportive.
Is the PreProduction version of the ripple that is currently approved going to stay that way or is the word that they’ll be de-listed?
Good podcast. It seems that many companies are now adding fiberglass to the paddle to improve the performance of the paddle.
Hey guys, question! I’m a 4.8 dupr and have always been more of a control player and have been trying out the Ripple. (I’m friends with Dong and he’s been letting me try it) I like it a lot, but my dinking has suffered as I don’t have as much control as my previous paddle and the balls tend to pop a bit long. It’s only been two days, do you recommend sticking with it? I’m trying to decide if I can effectively make the switch to this “poppier” paddle or if I should just go back to a more control paddle. Like I said, I like a lot ab the paddle, just not sure I’ll be able to control it at the kitchen as well as I’d like. Thanks!
If you're a control player and you rely on your resets, drops, and dinks, then playing with the Ripple doesn't really match your game.
If your game is more drives, speedups, big serves, etc then the Ripple should feel pretty natural.
That being said, anyone can learn to play any paddle, but you learn faster on paddles that suit your style
@ thanks :)
I’ve had the R2 Ripple since the first beta drop and to me, it’s become controllable the more I’ve used it - at your level I’m sure if you put time into dinking drills you’ll get it down
Also it’s 14mm, lighter grip and doing less with this paddle will always help
If you can deal with the softness and odd feeling of lots of dwell, you might prefer the Vatic Pro Saga. The 4.0+ players at my club have enjoyed them and I personally play with a Saga Flash LH (long handle). It’s the first paddle that I feel comfortable replacing my Joola Mod TA-15 with. The Saga V7 LH seems to be everybody’s preference though and I’m trying to see if I can get ahold of one to demo
I disagree with ya'll on this ripple. I've tried ALL GEN3 : all gearboxes, all joolas, and this ripple is quite extraordinary and special. It's the most balanced paddle Ive experienced.
THE INVADER ON THE WALL!!
High power / low pop seems to be catching on, and an ideal combo for my game. Good control of serves and drives, still working on my finesse game. Do you think this is a trend, or am I just seeing it more because I'm looking for it? The Saga seems to fit the bill perfectly. Are there others I should consider?
John, I exclusively wear the Jet Mach 3, my favorite shoe and only one I can really be comfortable in. Can you please quickly talk key fit differences between the Winners edge and the M3 as far as toe box and weight, the W.edge look very clunky. could you throw your 2 shoes on the scale to see the real difference in weight . Thanks!!!
How would you compare the Ripple to the Joola Mod? (And maybe Gen 3 for that matter)
Always appreciate the thoughtful and succinct insights!
I was wondering the same thing, wasn’t quite sure why those paddles weren’t mentioned as comparisons with the Ripple. Seems like the Joola mod and 3s are in the same category.
I've played with both around 4.5+ level and the Joola mod feels more inconsistent but out of the box feels much hotter than the ripple, after an adjustment period you can dial the ripple quite effectively but the mod always seems like certain parts of the face are hotter than others creating a slightly more inconsistent soft game.
Ripple beta paddles slightly less power and pop new. Much less after break-in. The Ripples are MUCH more controllable and predictable than the GB or Joola Perseus G3/TA15, especially after all experience break-in.
The Ronbus is a monster of a paddle. A few players have it where I play and it instills fear when they drive the ball. Overall: bad for the game
Not as much power as the GB PPE or the Joolas. The ball launch from the ripple is also more controlled and predictable.
Really liking my CYPHERS. Best built shoe for me. Lacing system is unique. Foot problems here as well. Arthritis is the cause. I;m old. Try using "bed liner" on your worn spot. Winners Edge's charity pledge is honorable. I just can't wear the "bootie" style liner.
Scott F. is a great asset to have so close to you.
Hey John and Eddie. Do you have any shoe brands you recommend?
So the updated ripples are even hotter? Insane… and if it breaks in further there’s even the possibility of it getting even more hot.
I would wait to see if his database changes. He made assumptions. Will have to wait and see what the final metrics are.
It's so regret that Ripple's launch date doesn't fall within the Black Friday event.😂
What’s the control comparison between the mod 16mm and ripple though? I feel like that’s the big one aside from the gearbox.
The Mod starts a little hotter and breaks in faster. The mod also has more of a hot spot near the end of the 'diving board', and the lower you go on the face, there's a steeper dropoff in velocity compared to the Ripple, which has a very large sweet spot and predictable ball response across the face. That being said, the control on a new Mod is pretty good (still not as good as the Ripple), but the Mod heats up so fast that the control goes pretty quick
@ thanks for the reply! Off topic I guess but what about the 3s? I have the mod and like the power but am finding some random consistency issues off the face. Maybe it’s the hotspots.
Just want something with a tad more control, don’t mind sacrificing a little power if needed. Is the 3s plagued with the same diving board problem? 3s vs ripple for control? I know it’s not as hot as the mod and ripple.
Not concerned about the current legality of the 3s.
@Cheezledzul i have the Hyperion 3s, its AMAZING!! It's a different feel, trampoline effect is there if u hit it hard enough. Control, power, spin...all there. Just the darn legal stuff
No comparison. The Ripple is more controllable new and after break-in. The power increase of the Ripple is minimal after break-in. I notice how much a paddle changes after break-in mostly when hitting deep BH roll volleys. With the Ripple they go from just inside the baseline to just beyond the baseline. A difference of about 8". Easy to adjust out. With the other power paddles I've used, the rolls go 12-24 inches beyond the baseline unless I pull way back. Also, slightly unpredictable. I had to put away the other power paddles after break-in. They required me to pull back too much on all shots. I lost confidence and my game suffered using them.
@ the guys at pbstudio had said the ripple gets ridiculous after break in. Either way gonna wait till after release to see opinions on the updated version.
Which other paddle according to your database comes closest to Ronbus Ripple R2 ?
Quick question - is there a standard tool/machine that paddle reviewers use to test spin? It seems that certain reviewers spin numbers top out around 1900 while others top out at plus 2200. I know that the Brifidi is the accepted tool for swing and twist weight but wondering if there is a comparable device used to measure spin - thanks for the great pod as always!
So I went back to the early podcasts and found the methodology describe using a high speed cam and various ball markings to measure spin potential - that makes sense - my next question - do you have a sense of how much spin rate declines over time - I know this will vary based on many factors - but it would be so cool if we could see a metric such as spin degradation after 40 hours of use - I know this would need to be accepted as an approximate estimate rather than a precise metric - I have the pulse V and am trying to figure out how quickly the spin will degrade and when it may be time to get a new paddle based on spin degradation. THANKS!
Adidas Barricade 🤘Asics Gel Resoltion or Court FF 🤘 K-Swiss Speedtrac🤘👟👟
Lotto mirage speed is a very durable no frills speed lightweight shoe
I like hearing John talk about letting people use his broken in v-unit🤨
Interesting shoe choice. My favorite so far is NB 996v5. ruined with the new v6. The CT foam are nice too. Asics gel res 9 and FF3 run tigh in the toe box for me. The gel res 9 were great, lasted a bit longer than the NB 996 but not as comfortable. Dying to try the blue mizunos pros have been wearing. Nike vapor 11s are also top tier imo. amazing comfort and i hate on nike.
Good question from JY Larouche at 50.55 as it's obvious his current glasses aren't working!🤪🤓
New Balance TWO WXY are a very good shoe for pickleball.
What are the Gruvn dates for their black Friday sale?
Can you discuss the pros/cons of silicone paddle weights? Chorus has them on their website.
It's not lead, so that's a win! There may be some vibration dampening characteristics as well, but we need to investigate that. One of the downsides is that the silicone tends to be thicker in order to give it mass, and that thickness can bother some people (it does me).
@ Thanks for your thoughts on it. It might be a topic to dive into. Early Thanksgiving wishes to you and John too.🦃
John do you mind getting the stats for the 11six24 Huarache-X Alpha 1? I’m super curious about how the paddle stacks up to others like the Vatic Saga
Same, I curious if they are going to do a 2nd run
@DroidX1337 a second run of alpha1 is releasing early Dec. I believe there's a third run end of Dec as well
@ sweet thx!
CORE Pickleball has a great Black Friday deal, got a 100-pk for $1.40 per ball.
I'm a KSwiss guy myself. I do get decent discounts for those interested.
Great detailled reviews. ! Just a small point, none of the content creator seems to have been able to mesure or to give a better size for a sweet spot other than small, avg, or large. Is there a way to mesure it. Thatvyou would think of?
When will we know if the ripple is going to be approved?
It already is, whether it stays that way and doesn't get reigned in with the power output we'll see
Have you heard anything about Ripple potentially being made in R3 shape at some point?
Unlikely
Any updates or discount info on the Kineon Move +?
I still use it every day, and it has saved me from going back to the podiatrist for cortisone shots in the feet
They have a Black Friday 50% discount.
Eddie … you have recently spent time with both Pulse S and Saga. What’s your comparison thoughts on the two. I am loving the Pulse S, so if your thoughts are Saga is way better don’t answer this. 😁
Both are in the bag now and being used extensively. Saga is a true all-'rounder - really generous sweet spot, control, and enough power. A little stiffer feeling than the Pulse. Pulse has a touch more power, and the feeling of the ball strike is one of the best out there. A little less in the sweet spot, I would say. Both have their place, and I'm loving them. Looking forward to comparing with the Pulse V to see how it compares.
@@EddieK-PB Thanks … I dodged the “Saga is way better” bullet. ;) We are loving the Pulse S, and yes, Pickleball Apes nailed the feel with Pulse series. I initially had 3 g at 4 and 8, 8.6 oz. Now at 15ish hours, softened up a little, removed weight and it doesn’t need it.
Move Gameday Pros are my favorite insoles.
yeah! Mine too!
They are currently on sale for $48 😳
When are you going to start doing your own cor tests? Gearbox discontinuing pro power? TA mod fails COR? Rumors I'm hearing...
JOhn my feet are brutally sore after playing do you have any recommendations?
I played another session with the Winner's Edge shoes last night, and I noticed less foot pain again. Other than good shoes/insoles, red light therapy and CBD cream have been somewhat effective for me. If the pain gets intolerable, you may need to go to a podiatrist, and potentially get cortisone shots
Try Adidas Barricades with aftermarket insoles that have the thin plastic orthotic arch support.
@@sbinsdca Thanks appreciates ill gove it a try
I use the adidas lite racer 7, it’s my go to shoe and it’s only $18 with the Black Friday sale on the adidas website
@@scooby7877 those are running shoes.
The whole thing about the ripple was it was innovative with the ripples. Why change them?
It’s not that they were changed I think they are just protruding less.
The original one with ripples were not approved by USAPA
@@HHHPedigreesthe original 16mm was not approved.
So Eddie prefers the Pulse S, while John prefers the V?
I haven't been able to hit with the V yet, so the verdict is still out! Hopefully soon...
Intersting, so ripple gonna be the hottest paddle that is legal?
Unlikely. I've used all three and the Ripple is the lowest power and pop, especially after break-in. Where the Ripple shines is the consistency of the ball off the face. It's consistent before and after break-in.
Winners edge only go to size 13
We don't need the ripples to be even hotter man 💀 this game isn't going to be fun anymore
Agreed. Ban it. April can’t come soon enough.
@@Dy1pickel🥱🥱🥱
PLEASE CONSIDER !
Women hot paddle 🔥
Men over 60 hot pad 🔥
Most pickleball players play with people of all ages. If PICKLEBALL can come up with rules for women and men over 60 ( for example age ) to have an advantage by paddle it could help most players enjoy the game more evenly.
Pickleball blue book is the type of things that drives down the price of paddles and favors dealers… we don’t need a car dealership model for paddles…
I'm not sure I understand you. You mean it drives down the price of paddles at the retail level?
C'mon John, turn that dang can around so we can see!
Wow … John really appreciate you researching my question on open stance return of serve even when having to move forward to get to the ball to hit return.
Let me add a little more context from tennis, and then circle back around to pickleball. I’m going to try a link to an old, but great video that explains what I mean by the two basic stance options, both allowing pushing body forward (for example, pushing forward through returns in pickleball). If link fails, I will just do the best I can to explain it.
th-cam.com/video/jfJzJy5b9xw/w-d-xo.html
Good, looks like if you use youtube app rather than just browser, you can add links.
So in the video, in modern tennis you typically hit two main rally ball forehand stances. Deep balls pushing you back, and high in the strike zone, are best hit with open stance rotating around/over right hip/leg. But if you have to move forward, square stance (most of us not in Australia 😊 call that neutral stance but Peter would sound cool whatever he called it) is hit stepping forward onto left leg and hitting around/over left hip/leg. You might do this and still step back and hang near baseline, but the neutral stance in stride on the way to net is about as efficient as it gets.
So we can move forward in stride from both stances. In pickleball I could move to short return and hit in neutral stance in stride off my left leg. But since wiffle moves slower, I can also run up to incoming ball, set into open stance with proper spacing, and then push off with right leg during swing and step onto left leg and continue to net.
Like I said, watching pros play, when forced to move forward to hit a return, they more often than not are hitting open stance. This appears to be both doubles or singles. I guess I’m still not sure of the why since we can achieve that body movement through return to get to kitchen with either stance.
I keep meaning to note what I am doing, my guess is tennis neutral stance in stride to kitchen. I make you look young, we need to help this senior get to the kitchen as efficiently as possible. 😂
Seriously appreciate your inquiry with the pro.
Yeah I see what you mean about both stances being fine for forward momentum. Although the returner in tennis rarely charges the net, but the returner in pickleball almost always runs through the ball on their way to the net. So maybe the open stance is just a more efficient way to achieve this forward momentum than a square stance. I can imagine that there's more of a trip risk with a square stance if you're running through the ball, because you start running sideways in a shuffle, and you have to then turn your body 90-degrees as you're running forward. I also imagine that you can make it to the kitchen line quicker using an open stance. It's basically the same stance that sprinters start with. Starting sideways in the sprinter's block would slow them down.
@@johnkewpickleball Yes, pro tennis players rarely approach net on return … something about those 120+ mph serves. 😛 In rec play it was often a good play off a one handed backhand slice (chip and charge).
I looked for examples of pro tennis players hitting forehand returns off of left leg, and had to watch a lot of Federer and Djokovic returns to just see a few. Given the pace and accuracy of serves, most are deep and their go to is open stance off right leg (forehands) and left leg (backhands).
That said, it seems it’s probably a reasonable question for pickleball since unlike tennis, there are many times pro pickleball players do move forward to get to returns. At this point my best guess is it’s because of the lower bounce and lower pace. In tennis you don’t have much time, and have to cover a lot of distance, so hitting a forehand in stride off neutral stance is a necessity. Not so much with the wiffle, and throw in more bad bounces … maybe pros just learned open stance just offers more forgiveness on timing.
@@johnkewpickleball I’m sure I have bored half your followers by now … what does this have to do with paddles. 😂
But one more for clarification. This is typically how higher level tennis players hit forehands on lower bouncing ball when running forward. In stride (no sideways shuffle), hit off left leg, a little hop and right leg comes around continuing in stride to net.
Watch from 1 min 43 seconds, just that one stroke in video:
th-cam.com/video/gmBc8lvzPmA/w-d-xo.htmlsi=H7tbYMme14QIViKp
@@johnkewpickleball fyi … no need to reply. Watched some more pro doubles, and depending on the pro, the open stance return is not as regimented. In the MLP finals, Zane hit some returns as I described. Ran to ball in stride, hit off left leg, slight hop off left leg, continued in stride to right leg on way to kitchen. An example … first game in finals … score 22/22 (Ge, JW vs Zane, Howell).
Honululu seemed to just be the normal $20 off and not an extra %10 on top of that…
@@Foregolftowels that sale starts November 28 and runs through December 1
I’m getting a ripple but I think they absolutely should be banned. I don’t even want to play with it but it gives and edge so I feel forced to
Not pickleball related, but it's interesting that "the arc of the earth" in that Bread and Butter clip inverted at one point.. an effect similar to something a fisheye lens might cause.
Also interesting that the star Polaris never moves and that the constellations never change.. and that they seemingly rotate around Polaris.
Also interesting that we live in a pressurized gas atmosphere.. adjacent to the "infinite vacuum of space"... and that there is no barrier between them.
Anyway.. interesting. IYKYK
First comment 😈
if you buy your Adidas barricade from tennis warehouse, they have a six month outtsole warranty in which if there is a hole in outsole shoe