18x20 Wilson Shift prototype
- Thread starter kkm
- Start date
Geoff
Hall of Fame
That bag is not part of the initial Shift bag launch. A nice looking bag. I did not receive that bag when I received my Shift to playtest!
Geoff
Hall of Fame
The recommended tension on the racquet is 48-58lbs/22-26kg. I have not tried different strings but have been using NXT at 52lbs. I prefer softer setups and feel that this works well for me. I don’t think that I am compromising on any shot. We have seen a range of strings and tensions from those that have tried the Shift. As always this becomes more of a personal preference.
That is the recommended range. When you shop at Wilson.com and select to add strings, the recommendation by Wilson is 25 kg.
alexsoin
Semi-Pro
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
47/44 for me in the 300.
alexsoin
Semi-Pro
I string my Shift 315 around 50 (49 mains/51 crosses) with medium stiffness polys. Plays pretty consistent and well, also lasts longer due to 18x20 pattern.
donjuan116
New User
i strung mine with RPM blast Orange 17g. I then strung it with ALU Power. Both at 50 lbs (22.5 kg). Honestly thought it played better with RPM blast orange. Perhaps because it’s a bit softer.
Has anyone tried a leather grip on this? ACtennis claimed it worked wonders for him.
Has anyone tried a leather grip on this? ACtennis claimed it worked wonders for him.
A_Instead
Legend
I found that the shift is very sensitive to added weight..
I was messing around on my 300 trying to get the swing weight up a little. It seems with it's flex technology a little as a gram or 2 at the typical places throws havoc into it's flex design feature.
I will have to use a heavier thick 16 gauge next time around to balance the additional weight around..
I was messing around on my 300 trying to get the swing weight up a little. It seems with it's flex technology a little as a gram or 2 at the typical places throws havoc into it's flex design feature.
I will have to use a heavier thick 16 gauge next time around to balance the additional weight around..
alexsoin
Semi-Pro
The main reason why I went for Shift315. Also being 18 mains was a big + in my books, I break strings like crazy. I knew Shift300 would require quite a bit of weight to get to the necessary 330-335 SW for me. Dealing with lead/tungsten strips, them peeling off and stuff is never fun. Hopefully my retail Shift315 will be comparable to Wilson Labs one I currently have. Please no 350 SW extreme over spec samples like one guy here had
donjuan116
New User
Here's the video where ACTennis said adding a leather grip radically improved the performance of the racket. Interesting perspective.
It's similarly really hard to mod the V1 Clash to match to another. 1 gram in the right spot and it can play completely different. Like you mentioned, change in string weight is the best way to mod these.
Won't even consider the 300 shift now.
Last edited:
alexsoin
Semi-Pro
I don't think it will change as dramatic as ACTennis describes it. Yes, your balance will be slightly more handle-heavy but SW will stay the same, maybe +1 point. I actually prefer my racket to be nearly even balanced for better stability against heavy hitters. and also to prevent twisting then I hit really big.
Robbie2005
Rookie
I totally disagree .Double protection tape on head guard gives it a balance weight to head & 3g lead to 12o clock. It handles weight brilliantly. For me wilson rackets r best at handling adding weight to head. It also as the better string pattern if u wanna spin ball. 300g shift is best racket I played with. Good to meaneuvre & great spinwith 16 x 20 pattern.If it still feels stiff slightest bits of blutak in handle until swings lighter and overgrip balance it out fine. I'd choose this because it easy to tailor to optimum weight.
Robbie2005
Rookie
That's a mistake as 300 is great & easy to mod& plays amazing.i weighted up. It maneuverable & solid.
alexsoin
Semi-Pro
It all depends, like which racket you played with before. I liked Pure Strike Tour
Chris Wilson
Rookie
I actually find the Shift 315 to be one of the easiest swinging 315g rackets out there. I think that's at least part of the reason why spin with the 315 is so easy, despite the tight string pattern. The 300 is a great racket, but it really feels light to me --- it doesn't hit as heavy of a ball as the 315, and it gets pushed around more on the baseline than the 315 against heavy topspin, but it's still a great frame. I'd recommend spending some time with each.
Idk I find the RF, Vcore 97H, prestige tour pro staff, ATS Tour 95 to be much faster. I do have a Western grip though
alexsoin
Semi-Pro
Don’t forget about infamous Wilson QC, one Shift315 can have SW of 320 and another one 340+!
Fighting phoenix
Hall of Fame
That makes sense since those frames are smaller headsizes (vs. 99in for the Shift). The Shift 315 is relatively head light though, especially given its fairly high static weight.
alexsoin
Semi-Pro
I can compare "how easy is to swing" parameter to my 2 previous rackets Pure Strike 18x20 and Yonex Vcore Pro 97HD.
Pure Strike with SW 335 is about the same as my Shift 315 which is SW 335 as well and same balance, 98 vs 99 in.
Vcore Pro 97HD was faster thru the air, being more headlight and with 97 sq in, SW 330. I wasn't able to fully gel with it though due to being super muted and having high flex.
alexsoin
Semi-Pro
Since you are hitting with full western the beam profile will make a significant difference!
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
RF A? No way, at least not for me with an E grip. I'd take Shift 300 and even Blade Pro v8 any day over it.
alexsoin
Semi-Pro
I think it was July for 300 and 315, Sep for 300L. Hopefully we'll get pre-order stuff at TW soon!
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
alexsoin
Semi-Pro
You would expect some pix to leak out one month or so prior to the official launch
I'll pre-order one right away, need a second frame big times, restringing every week kinda sucks. Really liking Tourna Silver 7 Tour (1.25) now though, the slightly livelier Solinco Tour Bit IMO. An excellent match for Shift315.
Blade_X
Professional
I really hope this racquet to NOT have the unpredictable clash behaviour.You would expect some pix to leak out one month or so prior to the official launch
I'll pre-order one right away, need a second frame big times, restringing every week kinda sucks. Really liking Tourna Silver 7 Tour (1.25) now though, the slightly livelier Solinco Tour Bit IMO. An excellent match for Shift315.
alexsoin
Semi-Pro
No worries, judging from 3+ months of playing with Wilson Labs Shift 315. The control from this stick (with full bed of poly around 50lbs) is the one to beat! Multiple folks reported here that the release version will not change in specs, only slightly different PJ.
Blade_X
Professional
My worries are for the 300 model. Two of my friends sold it because on full spin shots they could easily loose depth and also on same scenarios (ball impact / shot selection) shift 300 reacted differently.
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
Not for me, with about 6g added to the hoop though and overgrip at 330g and probably 325sw. I also love my poly strings and hit deep, consistently. I can also hit short, sharp angled and flat with it, both wings + 1HBH slices. It's very maneuverable and I have an E grip.
There’s an ad for the Shift on page 9 of the July 2023 issue of Tennis Industry Magazine.
An interesting review.
One reviewer's comments : recommended for intermediate players or (low level) advanced players, who are looking for a very forgiving racquet
ie. Good for intermediate/advanced players wanting some help from a racquet
Last edited:
bwongman
Rookie
for me it's been way better than the clash. Nothing launchy or weird feeling from one shot to the next. But one of my friends got one after trying mine and he says it feels totally different than mine. A lot more firm feeling and not as connected with the ball.
y0035215
Rookie
With higher SW (mine has 324 stock) I have no problems with spin shots, everything in the court, but not too short.
The basic feeling is quite reminiscent of the Clash. Nevertheless, its a much better and controllable racket.
Only, I do not like it on flat strokes.
Robbie2005
Rookie
It reacts picesly if mod it with with weight to top of hope & spin sting tensiin47/44 .
Greatest racket ever. Unbelievable in flat ,spin, volleys. It's the tecnology in it i feel it just makes ball go exact on path u aim. The 300g is best . I never lost depth on spin shots. Mayb they r not adding body control 2 shot & more arming it or they not put Lower tension on syrings gives u chance 2 hit solid & clontrol landing lengh.
2 me they got rid of best racket. Yonex polytour drive 1.25 string in this plays amazing. When tension of string drops it played even better.Sometimes it's more playees tecnique than racket fault.
Last edited:
Connor35
Professional
Playing with 300 a few months now my only complaint is volleys — which I think I just need to adjust to
It feels like sometimes if the ball doesn’t hit the center of my racquet (especially of lower half if my racquet is more horizontal for a poach) the racquet twists and I net an easy one. Never an issue with my Clash.
But my forehand is amazing.
It feels like sometimes if the ball doesn’t hit the center of my racquet (especially of lower half if my racquet is more horizontal for a poach) the racquet twists and I net an easy one. Never an issue with my Clash.
But my forehand is amazing.
Last edited:
alexsoin
Semi-Pro
Volleys are amazing with Shift315. I feel way more confident at the net (singles and doubles) than I was with my Pure Strikes, 18x20 gen3. Quick poaches, tricky drop volleys, sharp-angled ones, defensive blocks and powerful deep ones, overheads are all fire. And yes, the sweet spot is on a smaller side but feel out of it and control are unprecedented! TW deleted my messages with the final release look of Shift gen1. When it’s going to be available for pre-order?!
tsamo
Semi-Pro
So, I just measured my new Wilson Shift 315, unstrung but I changed the grip to a leather one. Was really anxious about this, as my Wilson Blade Pro was an abomination specwise. I had to add about 22 grams compared to stock (leather overgrip + lead on the grip) just to make it 6 points HL.
Anyway, the unstrung specs(with leather grip) are:
Weight: 325 grams
Balance: 30.6 cm/ 11.5 points HL
Swingweight: 300
Twistweight 13.3
Everything looks within specs or at least not too far apart. I'll have it strung tomorrow and see what's what.
Anyway, the unstrung specs(with leather grip) are:
Weight: 325 grams
Balance: 30.6 cm/ 11.5 points HL
Swingweight: 300
Twistweight 13.3
Everything looks within specs or at least not too far apart. I'll have it strung tomorrow and see what's what.
Last edited:
Connor35
Professional
Mine came at 50 (Solinco Tour bite) and liked it.
Just did 47 and love it even more.
Robbie also suggested 47/44, too, and I’m going there next.
Curious what the looser crosses get you. Thanks.
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
Less movement?
Connor35
Professional
Help out my naïveté. Less movement of what!?
Robbie2005
Rookie
I feel u get a bit of pocketing u get control without it lauching. Drop shots & stuff it helps & feel . I think if u go lower past a certain point it becomes control 44 wont b as powerful as 47. 48-52 u get a power spring on polys. It feels better. When u get closer in u don't want the power.
I don't like 54 or above on poly usually because it gets boardy unless a soft poly or something. Prob hurt ur arm
Robbie2005
Rookie
U get control & accuracy. I not sure what he means. I just like pocketing feel
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
O
Of strings, acording to my certified stringer.
