Paddle of the Week – Episode 7

Speed, Stability, and Surprises: The Nightshade Elongated Takes the Crown

Welcome back. Episode 7 is here—and it brought a few surprises I didn’t see coming.

This week, I tested six paddles (technically eight, if you count shape variants), each with different shapes, core thicknesses, and construction methods. Some were new releases. Some got pulled back into rotation. And a few had me rethinking assumptions I’ve held for months—particularly around thermoformed 14mm builds and Gen 1 simplicity.

There was one clear winner: a paddle that didn’t try too hard, didn’t oversell itself, and still managed to feel playable across every phase of the game. But before we get there, we’re starting with something a little different.

Gear Spotlight: SQAIRZ Pro XRZ Shoes

Before we dive into paddles, I need to talk about the shoes that unexpectedly earned a permanent spot in my gear bag—the SQAIRZ Pro XRZ.

You’re probably seeing B-roll of a well-worn pair right now. Yes, I meant to film them fresh. No, I didn’t wait. I laced them up the second they arrived and started playing. And that’s probably the best endorsement I can give.

First impressions? Solid. The slightly spongy upper wraps naturally around the foot, structured around the heel and midfoot, but still flexible where it needs to be. They run cooler than most shoes I’ve tried, which matters for long sessions.

The squared-off toe box looks odd at first—think dress shoe from the early 2000s—but that extra room actually helps with balance. Your toes can spread out. It’s subtle, but functional. Traction is excellent. Grip is reliable, the pivot point is right where you want it, and lateral stability feels planted, thanks to the small forefoot outriggers.

Bonus points for the rubber-textured laces. They don’t come undone. I haven’t had to re-tie them once. NRG foam in the midsole absorbs shock without killing court feel, and there’s enough padding in the heel and forefoot for back-to-back matches.

Sizing tip: They run long. I went down a half size but should’ve gone down a full. If you’re in between, size down.

Retail is $160. Premium, but justified. You can knock off 10% with code MPB at checkout.

Big picture: these are not tennis shoes rebranded for pickleball. They’re purpose-built—and they perform like it.

Vatic Pro Saga 14mm – Flash & V7

Next up—Vatic’s 14mm Saga builds: the Flash and the V7. These are lighter, faster, and more responsive than their 16mm siblings. And they don’t just feel like thinner versions—they play completely differently.

Specs:

• Flash 14mm: 112.7 swing weight, 6.2 twist, 7.83 oz static
• V7 14mm: 115.95 swing, 6.25 twist, 7.87 oz static

Both use Vatic’s Gen 1.5 thermoformed unibody build with edge foam and a raw Toray T700 carbon face. Core is 14mm polypropylene with 10mm cells.

These paddles feel crisp and fast. No head drag. No wrist fatigue. The Flash is quicker; the V7 offers more leverage for drives. Neither feels head-heavy—a big win in this space.

Feel is firm but not harsh. Handles feature dual PU inserts to reduce vibration. Contact is clean, and response is linear—not overly springy, not deadened.

Estimated pop: 4.5/5. Power: ~3.4. Spin: ~3.8. Full performance metrics are coming in the full review, but the takeaway is this: these paddles bring premium-level hand speed and responsiveness at a price point that undercuts most of the market.

Launch is set for April 15. Code MPB saves you money when they go live.

Avoura Rhapsody 13

I picked this one back up after testing a string of thermo builds—and it reminded me why Gen 1 paddles still matter.

The Rhapsody 13 is built with a 13mm polypropylene “PolyPropel” core and a raw Toray T700 peel-ply face. No edge foam. No thermoforming. Just a traditional cold-layered build, tuned to play soft and connected.

Specs:

• Swing weight: 102.4
• Twist weight: 7.15
• Static: 7.96 oz
• Balance: 23 cm

Serve speed: 55.4 MPH
Punch volleys: 39 MPH
Spin: 2,173 RPM

Lightweight, easy on the arm, and surprisingly stable given its class. The SES sweet spot system works—off-center hits still stay in play. The gel-infused edge helps reduce vibration. It doesn’t buzz, doesn’t feel hollow. It’s just smooth and easy.

Price: $225, includes grip, lead tape, and Steve Dawson’s drill series. Fully made in the USA. Code MPB applies here too.

If you’re after feel, finesse, and control—and tired of paddles that overcook everything—this is a legitimate alternative.

JOOLA Scorpeus Pro IV – 14mm & 16mm

New shape, same Pro 4 build. These paddles take the Perseus/Hyperion tech and wrap it in a shorter, wider format. The result? A faster, more reactive paddle that still brings Gen 3 consistency.

Specs:

• 16mm: 114.95 swing, 7.4 twist, 8.24 oz
• 14mm: 114.15 swing, 7.35 twist, 8.25 oz

The swing weights are higher than you'd expect for a standard shape, but they don’t feel sluggish. The extra width gives you excellent lateral forgiveness, and the twist weights ensure stability under pressure.

Between the two, the 16mm is more forgiving. The 14mm is quicker and more aggressive. Both share the same raw carbon face, foam perimeter, and responsive core.

Price: $279.95. Premium, yes—but consistent with JOOLA’s positioning. If you’re a Perseus fan looking for something faster and wider, this fits the brief.

Code MPB saves you a few bucks.

11SIX24 Hurache-X Series – Jelly Bean, All-Court, Power

Same shape. Three builds. One of the most interesting lineups I’ve tested.

Specs (select metrics):

• Jelly Bean (CFC): 119.8 swing, 6.15 twist, 8.21 oz
• All-Court (FCC): 122.1 swing, 6.3 twist, 8.25 oz
• Power (CFC + EVA foam): 116.4 swing, 6.5 twist, 8.16 oz

Performance:

• Jelly Bean: 54.4 MPH serves / 35.2 MPH punch
• All-Court: 54.5 MPH serves / 38.2 MPH punch
• Power: 56.2 MPH serves / 38.4 MPH punch

The Jelly Bean is plush and forgiving. Ideal for soft-game players.

The All-Court is stiff and poppy. Built for pace and aggression.

The Power version hits the middle lane—extra output thanks to EVA foam, but still controlled.

Each costs $169.99, and again, MPB will save you some cash.

Three feel profiles. One consistent shape. Strong showing from 11SIX24.

Paddle of the Week: Gherkin Nightshade Elongated 14mm

(Honorable Mention: Nightshade Hybrid 14mm)

This one stood out—not for flashy claims, but because it delivered real performance at a $120 price point.

Specs:

• Swing weight: 117.4
• Twist weight: 6.1
• Static: 7.94 oz

Construction: 14mm thermoformed core, CFC face (carbon-fiberglass-carbon), peel-ply texture. It’s a familiar silhouette—nearly identical to the JOOLA Perseus—but tuned differently.

Feel is crisp but not harsh. Pop is linear. Stability is impressive for a sub-8 oz paddle. And while it doesn’t have trampoline power, the control-to-output balance is legit. You can swing confidently without fear of overshooting.

This paddle plays composed across the board—drives, resets, counters. It holds its line. Feedback is predictable. And spin, while not extreme, is more than serviceable.

The Hybrid model plays lighter, with a faster swing path and slightly less mass through contact. But both bring real value and performance for the price.

Price: $120. Code MPB applies. That value proposition is hard to ignore. Click this link to buy.

Bottom line: The Nightshade Elongated proves that you don’t need to spend $250 to get a well-balanced, stable, and confident 14mm thermoformed paddle. It was my go-to all week—and that’s why it takes the win.

Final Thoughts

Episode 7 covered a lot of ground—from thermoformed speed paddles to Gen 1 comfort builds to shape-specific surprises. The Nightshade Elongated earned the top spot, but depending on your style, one of the others may fit better.

If you’re trying to figure out which paddle makes sense for you, try the Paddle Finder on my site. No email required. Just real answers based on real data.

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I’ve also launched a Discord—a place for gearheads, testers, and players to dig into paddle specs, trade opinions, and talk shop without the noise. It’s free, and it’s growing fast.

If this post helped you out—or made your next paddle decision a little easier—consider using code MPB when picking up gear. It supports the channel and keeps these breakdowns coming.

Thanks for reading. I’ll see you in Episode 8.

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