Softest Players Frame Available

Currently Using a 2013 Blade 98 16x19, wanted to know of some opinions of some softer frames that are anywhere between 95-100 sq inches, hopefully thinner beams and between 11.2-12 oz strung.

Thanks!
 

SELFMADESOUL

New User
Some current models to check out:

Volkl C10 pro and PB 10 mid/midplus
Prince Tour 100
Head Rad Pro

If you are willingly to go back a few years you can't get any better than the PT630/280 for a soft/flexy racquet - I love those frames.
 

APG

Rookie
Also the BB London Tour at 55 (flex) and a bargain. It is a 93 mid though. The new Volkl mid is stiffer but feels soft in the hand with the handle system. It is a really nice stick.
 
I would definitely try the Pacific X Feel Tour.

I recently demoed that racquet. Huge sweetspot, easy access to spin, good power, excellent control. However, what I liked most, was the plush, buttery feeling, it felt like a natural extension of the arm.

I have played with many modern frames thus far, and while I have always liked the easy power and spin I am getting from these sticks, I am reluctant to get used to their somewhat muted feel, or the total lack of feel. Also, power is sometimes difficult to tame, I need to add lots of topspin and shorten my swing, which is unpleasantly distracting me from my game, especially in tight match situations.

Not so with the X Feel Tour! I could literally “feel” the ball on the stringbed, and easily place the ball exactly where I wanted to. More than other racquets, the X Feel Tour enabled me to send my opponents left-to-right from one corner of the court to the other. The great directional control was fun and gave me a lot of confidence while hitting. Also, I felt that I couldn’t hit long no matter how hard I hit. With a big swing, the Pacific hit a very nice flat shot that bullets across the court.

I think the X Feel Tour is a very interesting frame since it stands out due to its flex. It may be tempting to compare it with the Prince EXO3 Tour 100, but I find the Pacific X Feel Tour much more stable, controllable and definitely more powerful. It rather hits like the stiffer 100 sq. inch tweener racquets from Babolat, Head, Wilson (Pure Drives, Aero Pro Drives, Extremes, Speeds, Juices, etc.), but with more flex, more controllable power and a way better feel.

P.S:: Soon there will be a new 2013 version with improved Basalt materials called "Pacific BX2 X Feel Tour". In Europe this model is already available and I guess it will soon be released in the United States as well.
 

SELFMADESOUL

New User
Hey, Softmadesoul, apologies if I'm incorrect - but I was keeping an eye on that old Trek Font PT630 on the bay, and it appears that you may have picked it up. If so, how is it? :)

Yes, I did pick it up - threw on a CAP and a Finest Calfskin grip and she's a beaut! My favorite of the different versions so I'm looking to stock up :) Can't go wrong with any of the PT630/280s though some are just more flexy than others.
 

El Zed

Banned
Yes, I did pick it up - threw on a CAP and a Finest Calfskin grip and she's a beaut! My favorite of the different versions so I'm looking to stock up :) Can't go wrong with any of the PT630/280s though some are just more flexy than others.

Very nice! That was literally the only Trek font I've seen on there for the last 6 months or so.
 

jack crack

New User
Try the prince rebel 98.
Specs that are very similar to the blade - weight, balance. Just much softer. I just made that switch to get a softer frame too. It was the most natural racket switch I ever did.
 

BreakPoint

Bionic Poster
The TW version of the Donnay Pro One International 95 is a very soft player's frame. You may still be able to find them used.
 

Boredsurfer

Semi-Pro
Pro Kennex Laver Type C 18 x 20 - best feel of any racket I have ever used. Buttery soft, no shock, no vibes, - infact, when strung in the low 50's I have actually hit it and hardly felt the ball at all - a "ghost" swing if you will (and not because it's muted but because the strike is so perfect).

Plus best, "POCK" sound ever :)
 

Fearsome Forehand

Professional
You could try a wood racket. :)

F200 Carbons are very flexy but probably in the 85 to 90 inch range. A lot of the older rackets have noticeable flex even more so than the mid 1990's PT280/630 which seems stiff compared to some older rackets. The marketing trend has been towards lighter, stiffer frames for some time now even with the players rackets. Most seem too stiff and too light to me and lack feel.
 

BreakPoint

Bionic Poster
You could try a wood racket. :)

F200 Carbons are very flexy but probably in the 85 to 90 inch range. A lot of the older rackets have noticeable flex even more so than the mid 1990's PT280/630 which seems stiff compared to some older rackets. The marketing trend has been towards lighter, stiffer frames for some time now even with the players rackets. Most seem too stiff and too light to me and lack feel.
That's exactly right! I remember back in the mid-90's I had been using a Dunlop Max 200G for many years when I decided to buy a couple of Head PT280's without demoing because they were on sale. When I went and actually played with them, I couldn't believe how stiff and light and tinny the racquet felt compared to my Max 200G's. I hated it! I immediately returned the unused one and sold the other one the next day.
 
You could try a wood racket. :)

F200 Carbons are very flexy but probably in the 85 to 90 inch range. A lot of the older rackets have noticeable flex even more so than the mid 1990's PT280/630 which seems stiff compared to some older rackets. The marketing trend has been towards lighter, stiffer frames for some time now even with the players rackets. Most seem too stiff and too light to me and lack feel.


I actually used the Rossignol F200 Carbon and loved the plush, buttery feel as well as the innovative open 16/17 string pattern. The Pacific X Feel Tour is the first modern racquet I hit with that has a similar silky smooth feel. Best thing is, despite the flex and lively feel, the X Feel Tour surprisingly is as powerful as other (but stiffer and more muted feeling) modern frames.
 

BigM

Rookie
Here are my thoughts....

IG Speed 300 (57)
IG Rad Pro (57)
Exo Tour 100 16 x 18 (54)

Those 3 frames all play with some nice flex. The Rad Pro is just an amazing frame for those who can handle the massive SW.

BigM
 

suppawat

Semi-Pro
I played Prince EXO3 Tour 18x20 and found it the softest frame I have tried in the past 2 years. But ball feel is kind of disconnected. I have a difficulty in controlling its power.

Donnay X-Dual Gold 99 is stiffer than EXO3, but still in soft category. Racquet is so fast thru the air, and ball feel is great. Stock weight may be too light. Customization kit can fix the problem.

Pro Kennex Q-Tour is another softer and stable frame. It hits the ball very solid and good control. Ball feel is very plush, but a little sluggish to swing.
 

mikeler

Moderator
I played Prince EXO3 Tour 18x20 and found it the softest frame I have tried in the past 2 years. But ball feel is kind of disconnected. I have a difficulty in controlling its power.

Donnay X-Dual Gold 99 is stiffer than EXO3, but still in soft category. Racquet is so fast thru the air, and ball feel is great. Stock weight may be too light. Customization kit can fix the problem.

Pro Kennex Q-Tour is another softer and stable frame. It hits the ball very solid and good control. Ball feel is very plush, but a little sluggish to swing.

Funny, I thought the Exo Tour 18x20 felt kind of dead to me. Just no pop at all with it.
 

suppawat

Semi-Pro
Funny, I thought the Exo Tour 18x20 felt kind of dead to me. Just no pop at all with it.

May be I use a wrong word. Unpredictable power may be a better explanation. Flexy frame and springy stringbed combination is a really nightmare. I don't have this problem with other racquets in the same weight range. With other racquets, I can hold the racquets loosely and let the racquet plow-thru the ball. I will know where the ball is going to. But with the EXO3 Tour racquet, I have no idea whether I am over-hitting or under-hitting.
 

mikeler

Moderator
May be I use a wrong word. Unpredictable power may be a better explanation. Flexy frame and springy stringbed combination is a really nightmare. I don't have this problem with other racquets in the same weight range. With other racquets, I can hold the racquets loosely and let the racquet plow-thru the ball. I will know where the ball is going to. But with the EXO3 Tour racquet, I have no idea whether I am over-hitting or under-hitting.

When I took out a demo of the Exo Tour 18x20 it had old Wilson Sensation in it. So with a full multi job I was expecting a little more power. A few months ago, I got the 16x18 demo with the same string and it felt much better to me.
 

donnayblack99

Semi-Pro
In my opinion, the following are the softest "player's frames" out there, in order...

1. Boris Becker London Tour
2. Volkl PB 10
3. Wilson Blade 93
4. Prince POG 93 / 107
5. Prince EXO Tour
6. Pro Kennex Heritage Series
7. Volkl C10
8. Donnay Pro One International
9. Boris Becker London/ Volkl PB 9
10. Wilson Pro Staff 85
 

scotus

G.O.A.T.
In my opinion, the following are the softest "player's frames" out there, in order...

1. Boris Becker London Tour
2. Volkl PB 10
3. Wilson Blade 93
4. Prince POG 93 / 107
5. Prince EXO Tour
6. Pro Kennex Heritage Series
7. Volkl C10
8. Donnay Pro One International
9. Boris Becker London/ Volkl PB 9
10. Wilson Pro Staff 85

POG Mid is rather stiff.
 

netguy

Semi-Pro
Pacific racquets are the softest in my book when compare to Volkl or Dunlop racquets.....BTW, I hit for over a year with the Volkl PB 10 Mid....Prince racquets are quite soft too.
 

RollTrackTake

Professional
The new Tecnifibre T-Fight 315 Limited's have listed stiffness ratings of 59 & 61. The POG OS & the Prince Diablo MP also are in the low 60's.
 

mxmx

Hall of Fame
Same here, I kept hitting into the net due to lack of power and stability. I think leading it up would solve the problem, however.

It definitely does in my experience. If you can handle the extra weight though.
Very comfortable racket if you can manage to bring it under control. Fine for me on the groundies with or without lead. On the serve, lead is needed more.
I can recommend this racket if the flat serve is not such a big issue to you.
 
Currently Using a 2013 Blade 98 16x19, wanted to know of some opinions of some softer frames that are anywhere between 95-100 sq inches, hopefully thinner beams and between 11.2-12 oz strung.

Thanks!

Wow, I'm going through the same thing. Used the 18x20 Blade last year, no issues. Got the 16x19s this year and absolutely love them, but have been feeling more issues in my shoulder and arm than normal. I'm using a full bed of Babolat nat gut 2# below mis, so I can't point the finger at the strings. It's either the racquet or my aging 46 year old body. I've done some reasearch and have these demos coming this week:

1. Rebel 98-softest flex rating at 59 according to TW. Also, see that another member, Jack Crack, referenced this racquet in your post and said it's an easy transition. One of the playtesters in the review also referenced it as being Blade-like in the review.
2. Radical IG Pro- Lower static weight than than previous Rad Pro and swingweight lower than previous YT Rad Pro swingweight.
3. Prestige S- Static weigt similar to Blades and remarks seem to be that it is arm friendly. Sounds like a good racquet, but may need to tinker around with strings and tension according to feedback to find right combo. Not sure I want to go down the experimenting path, but I do like Prestiges and am intrigued by these.

I probably won't get the demos until Friday, but can report back if you're interested in any of these.
 
A lot of Rackets i need to try then, I was maybe thinking about getting a racket made for me by vantage that was not one of their stock models. Im not entirely sure if thats possible or not though.
 
A lot of Rackets i need to try then, I was maybe thinking about getting a racket made for me by vantage that was not one of their stock models. Im not entirely sure if thats possible or not though.

Hmmm...not familiar with Vantage, but having them make you one sounds expensive. Are you in an area where you can demo? I'm geting 4 demos this week (the 3 I listed in my post and 1 for a friend to try out) and it only costs $20 from TW. They really make it easy. Gotta be cheaper way to find something you really like.
 

lstewart

Semi-Pro
I'm always looking for something with controllable power, and that is easy on my arm. Played a few years with the Becker London, which is arm friendly. Right now I'm customizing the discontinued Head Radical Team. It is a flexible 102 thin beam frame, but light weight. I'm adding alot of weight, taking them to 12 ounces. Lots of power, very arm friendly, and seems to be a solution for me. Just have to modify them, as well as find them floating around.
 

ChicagoJack

Hall of Fame
Just a quick copy and paste from my notes. Quite a few golden oldies in there, but also has most of the current frames as well. The first thing that came to mind for the OP was the HEAD Radical Pro. That's a really sweet hit and would fit the OPs check list. There's also quite a few solid core Donnays and PK's in the mid 60's that are buttery smooth, and are more far more comfy than the ra digits would suggest.

30 … Rosignol Johan Kriek
32 … Dunlop Max 200G Pro
33 … Rosignol F200 (Blue)
35 … Prince Woodie
38 … Dunlop Max 200G V
38 … Rosignol F200 (Red)
38 … Lacoste T2000
43 … Dunlop Max 200G I
44 … Yonex RX-28
45 … Vantage Bastcore 30
44 … HEAD Graphite Edge
49 … Vantage Bastcore 20
50 … HEAD Elite Master
50 … Yonex OPS-32

52 … Yonex R-22
52 … Prince EXO3 Tour 100 18 x 20
52 … Prince EXO3 Tour 100 16 x 18
52 … Vantage Bastcore 40

53 ... Wilson Blx Blade Team

54 … Fisher Revolution Comp 105
54 … HEAD Satellite Tour MP
54 … Kneissl Reach Twice
54 … Kneissl White Star Masters
54 … Wilson Pro Staff 7.5 95
54 … Yonex RD-7

55 … Kneissl Reach IQ Square
55 … Kneissl Reach Twice
55 … Yonex Pro RD 70 Long 105
55 ... Boris Becker Delta Core London Tour

56 … Fischer M Speed Pro 105
56 … Fischer M Pro No1 98
56 … PK Heritage Edition Type C Redondo MP
56 … Dunlop 200G XL
56 … Addidas GTX Pro
56 … Kneissl Toms Reach Machine
56 … PK Black Ace 86
56 … Prince EXO3 Rebel 95 2012
56 … HEAD Prestige Tour 660
56 … HEAD Pro Tour 630
56 … Pacifix X Feel Tour

57 … Microgel Radical MP
57 … Fisher Magnetic Tour Light
57 … Wilson K Blade Team
57 … HEAD FXP Prestige Team
57 … PK Heritage Edition Type C 98
57 … Dunlop 300G OS
57 … Fischer VT Pro Classic 90
57 … Radical Tour MP XL
57 … Yonex R-23
57 ... Donnay X-P Dual Lite Black 102
57 ... Dunlop Biomimetic 200
57 ... Gamma RZR 98

58 … Fischer Pro Tour
58 … PK Heritage Type R
58 … Wilson nBlade MP
58 … Wilson nPS 95
58 … Fischer M Pro No1 105
58 … Donnay Pro One International
58 … Volkl DNX 10 MP
58 … Gamma G325
58 … Fischer Pro Extreme FT
58 … HEAD Prestige Tour
58 … Prince EXO3 Rebel 98
58 … HEAD Radical Tour 630 1998
58 ... Head YT Radical Pro
58 ... Donnay X Black 94
59 ... BB 11 Special Edition

59 … Wilson K six-OneTeam
59 … Fischer M Comp 95
59 ... Flexpoint Radical Tour
59 … T Fight 325
59 ... T Fight 315 ltd
59 … Dunlop Muscle Weave 200G 95
59 … HEAD Classic Tour Mid
59 … Babolat Pure Storm Ltd Gt 95
59 … Yonex MP Tour 5
59 … Volkl Tour 10 Gen 1 Mid
59 ... Volkl PB10 Mid
59 ... Volkl Organix 10 Mid 2013
59 … Pacific X Feel Pro 90 Vacuum
59 ... Donnay X Blue 99
59 ... YT Radical MP
59 ... YT Graphene Instinct

60 … MicroGel Radical Team
60 … Fischer M Pro No1 98 Light
60 … Ozone Tour MP
60 … Volkl DNX Mid
60 … Fischer Pro No1
60 … Pk Heritage Type C 93
60 … Avery M3 Control
60 … Dunlop 200G 95
60 … Fischer Vacuum Pro 90
60 … HEAD iPrestige Mid
60 … HEAD Premier Tour
60 … HEAD Prestige Classic Mid
60... HEAD IG Speed 300
60 ... Volkl C-9 Pro
60 … Volkl Tour 10 Gen 1 Mid
60 … Wilson Pro Staff ROK 93
60 … Yonex RDX 500 Mid
60 … Prince EXO3 Rebel 95
60 ... Donnay X-Black 99
60 ... BB 11 Mid
60 ... Dunlop Aerogel 4D 300

- Jack
 
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mikeler

Moderator
Excellent list ChicagoJack. The PK 7G definitely does not play as stiff as the RA would make one think.
 

klementine

Hall of Fame
Just a quick copy and paste from my notes. Quite a few golden oldies in there, but also has most of the current frames as well. The first thing that came to mind for the OP was the HEAD Radical Pro. That's a really sweet hit and would fit the OPs check list. There's also quite a few solid core Donnays and PK's in the mid 60's that are buttery smooth, and are more far more comfy than the ra digits would suggest.

30 … Rosignol Johan Kriek
32 … Dunlop Max 200G Pro
33 … Rosignol F200 (Blue)
35 … Prince Woodie
38 … Dunlop Max 200G V
38 … Rosignol F200 (Red)
38 … Lacoste T2000
43 … Dunlop Max 200G I
44 … Yonex RX-28
45 … Vantage Bastcore 30
44 … HEAD Graphite Edge
49 … Vantage Bastcore 20
50 … HEAD Elite Master
50 … Yonex OPS-32

52 … Yonex R-22
52 … Prince EXO3 Tour 100 18 x 20
52 … Prince EXO3 Tour 100 16 x 18
52 … Vantage Bastcore 40

53 ... Wilson Blx Blade Team

54 … Fisher Revolution Comp 105
54 … HEAD Satellite Tour MP
54 … Kneissl Reach Twice
54 … Kneissl White Star Masters
54 … Wilson Pro Staff 7.5 95
54 … Yonex RD-7

55 … Kneissl Reach IQ Square
55 … Kneissl Reach Twice
55 … Yonex Pro RD 70 Long 105
55 ... Boris Becker Delta Core London Tour

56 … Fischer M Speed Pro 105
56 … Fischer M Pro No1 98
56 … PK Heritage Edition Type C Redondo MP
56 … Dunlop 200G XL
56 … Addidas GTX Pro
56 … Kneissl Toms Reach Machine
56 … PK Black Ace 86
56 … Prince EXO3 Rebel 95 2012
56 … HEAD Prestige Tour 660
56 … HEAD Pro Tour 630
56 … Pacifix X Feel Tour

57 … Microgel Radical MP
57 … Fisher Magnetic Tour Light
57 … Wilson K Blade Team
57 … HEAD FXP Prestige Team
57 … PK Heritage Edition Type C 98
57 … Dunlop 300G OS
57 … Fischer VT Pro Classic 90
57 … Radical Tour MP XL
57 … Yonex R-23
57 ... Donnay X-P Dual Lite Black 102
57 ... Dunlop Biomimetic 200
57 ... Gamma RZR 98

58 … Fischer Pro Tour
58 … PK Heritage Type R
58 … Wilson nBlade MP
58 … Wilson nPS 95
58 … Fischer M Pro No1 105
58 … Donnay Pro One International
58 … Volkl DNX 10 MP
58 … Gamma G325
58 … Fischer Pro Extreme FT
58 … HEAD Prestige Tour
58 … Prince EXO3 Rebel 98
58 … HEAD Radical Tour 630 1998
58 ... Head YT Radical Pro
58 ... Donnay X Black 94
59 ... BB 11 Special Edition

59 … Wilson K six-OneTeam
59 … Fischer M Comp 95
59 ... Flexpoint Radical Tour
59 … T Fight 325
59 ... T Fight 315 ltd
59 … Dunlop Muscle Weave 200G 95
59 … HEAD Classic Tour Mid
59 … Babolat Pure Storm Ltd Gt 95
59 … Yonex MP Tour 5
59 … Volkl Tour 10 Gen 1 Mid
59 ... Volkl PB10 Mid
59 ... Volkl Organix 10 Mid 2013
59 … Pacific X Feel Pro 90 Vacuum
59 ... Donnay X Blue 99
59 ... YT Radical MP
59 ... YT Graphene Instinct

60 … MicroGel Radical Team
60 … Fischer M Pro No1 98 Light
60 … Ozone Tour MP
60 … Volkl DNX Mid
60 … Fischer Pro No1
60 … Pk Heritage Type C 93
60 … Avery M3 Control
60 … Dunlop 200G 95
60 … Fischer Vacuum Pro 90
60 … HEAD iPrestige Mid
60 … HEAD Premier Tour
60 … HEAD Prestige Classic Mid
60... HEAD IG Speed 300
60 ... Volkl C-9 Pro
60 … Volkl Tour 10 Gen 1 Mid
60 … Wilson Pro Staff ROK 93
60 … Yonex RDX 500 Mid
60 … Prince EXO3 Rebel 95
60 ... Donnay X-Black 99
60 ... BB 11 Mid
60 ... Dunlop Aerogel 4D 300

- Jack

Quite comprehensive. Yet, direct and straight forward. There's a statistician position available where I work, would you be interested? :razz:
 

cork_screw

Hall of Fame
IG instinct, IG Rad Pro, Pro Tour 630, PT57 a/e.

All these are super soft. But soft isn't just a indicator of something that will be pleasant to play with. Sometimes you need some stiffness and firmness to even things out. Just because something is sweet doesn't make it delicious.

To accentuate softness place a rubber (not silicon) dampener. It will get really soft on ya.
 

ChicagoJack

Hall of Fame
Quite comprehensive. Yet, direct and straight forward. There's a statistician position available where I work, would you be interested? :razz:

Ha! This time of year, as the temperature drops into the teens up here in Chicago, I'm apt to consider any and all job offers from anywhere in the continental US where frostbite isn't a distinct possibility with my morning commute.

-Jack
 
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