First Impressions of Pure Aero 98

Hey All,
I was lucky enough to receive a Pure Aero 98 and have been able to hit it a little bit so far, and just wanted to share some first impressions. The racquet is strung around 53lb. with RPM Blast Rough, which is the string Babs is recommending for this stick to enhance spin, control, and pop. So, it is important to mention that my usual racquets are the Pure Aero VS with about 4 grams of tungsten tape in the hoop, which I think is an amazing racquet. So keep in mind, I'm a big fan of the 98 square inch aeros, especially since the Aero VS came out in early 2020. Anyways, I'm not going to post too much here yet, especially since I haven't had enough time with it yet, but the Pure Aero 98 definitely keeps the inherent qualities that I love about the Pure Aero VS. The feel, control, and ability to customize to a heavier spec if wanted. That said, the Pure Aero 98 I received didn't really feel like it needed weight in the hoop, like my VS sticks. It felt more ready to go out of the box, def head light, but not overly head light. It also has a crisp, solid feel. I would say, the introduction of the new technology Babs is using, Flax I believe, makes contact feel cleaner and slightly softer, which I think is a great thing. Those are just my initial thoughts. If you liked the Aero VS, I think you'll love the Aero 98. Be sure to ask me any questions. Happy Almost New Year. Here's to a great 2023!
 

KC!

Hall of Fame
Hey All,
I was lucky enough to receive a Pure Aero 98 and have been able to hit it a little bit so far, and just wanted to share some first impressions. The racquet is strung around 53lb. with RPM Blast Rough, which is the string Babs is recommending for this stick to enhance spin, control, and pop. So, it is important to mention that my usual racquets are the Pure Aero VS with about 4 grams of tungsten tape in the hoop, which I think is an amazing racquet. So keep in mind, I'm a big fan of the 98 square inch aeros, especially since the Aero VS came out in early 2020. Anyways, I'm not going to post too much here yet, especially since I haven't had enough time with it yet, but the Pure Aero 98 definitely keeps the inherent qualities that I love about the Pure Aero VS. The feel, control, and ability to customize to a heavier spec if wanted. That said, the Pure Aero 98 I received didn't really feel like it needed weight in the hoop, like my VS sticks. It felt more ready to go out of the box, def head light, but not overly head light. It also has a crisp, solid feel. I would say, the introduction of the new technology Babs is using, Flax I believe, makes contact feel cleaner and slightly softer, which I think is a great thing. Those are just my initial thoughts. If you liked the Aero VS, I think you'll love the Aero 98. Be sure to ask me any questions. Happy Almost New Year. Here's to a great 2023!
I played with the Pure Aero VS too with 3 grams of lead added to 10/2 & strung at 48/46. Can't wait to hear more after you've hit more with the 98. How is the comfort of the 98 vs the Aero VS? Can you share the specs of the 98 & swing weight? Do you like it more than the VS, is this much of an improvement?
 
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I played with the Pure Aero VS too with 3 grams of lead added to 10/2 & strung at 48/46. Can't wait to hear more after you've hit more with the 98. How is the comfort of the 98 vs the Aero VS? Can you share the specs of the 98 & swing weight? Do you like it more than the VS, is this much of an improvement?
I liked the improved comfort. I didn't feel a huge difference, but I would definitely guess a couple points less stiff on the flex rating. I don't have specs on it besides the same printed specs as the Pure Aero VS. That said, the Aero 98 does not feel as significantly head light as the Aero VS. Based on my limited use of it, I would guess the swing weight to be around 325-328. Hope that helps a bit.
 
Does the pure aero 98 feel hollow ? When I used the pure aero vs it felt hollow at times
You know, it has a similar feel to the VS, but I felt that with the Aero 98 that the addition of Flax in the frame (at least that is what I would attribute it to), as well as a slightly beefier swing weight, at least on the frame I received, it feels more solid and less of a hollow feel. My 3 VS frames needed a little weight in the hoop, but I don't feel the need with the new Aero 98, just more solid out of the box. As TennisNerd said, it's definitely a modern player's frame, and where I see the future of the game with serves, forehands, and big spin being headed.
 

TennisManiac

Hall of Fame
You know, it has a similar feel to the VS, but I felt that with the Aero 98 that the addition of Flax in the frame (at least that is what I would attribute it to), as well as a slightly beefier swing weight, at least on the frame I received, it feels more solid and less of a hollow feel. My 3 VS frames needed a little weight in the hoop, but I don't feel the need with the new Aero 98, just more solid out of the box. As TennisNerd said, it's definitely a modern player's frame, and where I see the future of the game with serves, forehands, and big spin being headed.
Would you happen to have a one handed backhand by chance?
 

TennisManiac

Hall of Fame
Any arm soreness after play?
The PA VS got to me after some time..
I liked it a lot... best babolat imo...I just get issues with every Babolat it seems..
Perhaps the PA 98 will be different...
When you played with the VS. Did you add any weight to it?
 
Any arm soreness after play?
The PA VS got to me after some time..
I liked it a lot... best babolat imo...I just get issues with every Babolat it seems..
Perhaps the PA 98 will be different...
I haven't felt any arm soreness, but only hit a total of about an hour with it so far. That said, I find it softer/less harsh with the new 98 and combo'd with RPM Blast Rough, which I find to be softer than straight Blast. To be honest, I think there's something to the addition of Flax, but I know little about it, so don't really know why. :)
 
Yep, good review. I'm going to need to snag a par of these as soon as they come out; my kid is a college player who currently plays with 4 nearly new 2020 VS frames and needs a couple more but new 3/8 VSs are pretty impossible to find. If this review is right about this being a bit softer with higher SW and everything else being pretty much the same it is right up my kid's alley.
 

Yamin

Hall of Fame
Specs sound really good... higher swing weight and better maneuverability likely means the tip won't be as dead as well.
 
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Looks like I'll be in on this. The VS has been my go to racket since getting it.

My other rackets are Babolats as well, which all have a pretty high stiffness rating(Pure Aero, Pure Strike).

I've been considering having a Clash or Blade on hand just in case of any arm issues.

But this having a stiffness rating of 62 probably means I can still play my favorite frame and not worry too much about it.
 
Looks like I'll be in on this. The VS has been my go to racket since getting it.

My other rackets are Babolats as well, which all have a pretty high stiffness rating(Pure Aero, Pure Strike).

I've been considering having a Clash or Blade on hand just in case of any arm issues.

But this having a stiffness rating of 62 probably means I can still play my favorite frame and not worry too much about it.
Interesting in the review video the printed words say RA 62 but he said RA 69 when speaking. Time will tell if either number is correct, but I tend to believe the 69.
 
Interesting in the review video the printed wirds say RA 62 but he said RA 69 wheb speaking. Time will tell if either number is correct, but I tend to believe the 69.

Well, that would be a deal breaker.

I'm going to guess it's actually 62.

Because that's what the new VCore is rated at on the TW Website right now.

69 seems way to high, especially considering the regular Pure Aero has an RA of 65.

But certainly if the RA is 69, I will be getting a VCore.

But it seems more arm friendly is the way the these companies appear to be moving on these rackets.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Well, that would be a deal breaker.

I'm going to guess it's actually 62.

Because that's what the new VCore is rated at on the TW Website right now.

69 seems way to high, especially considering the regular Pure Aero has an RA of 65.

But certainly if the RA is 69, I will be getting a VCore.

But it seems more arm friendly is the way the these companies appear to be moving on these rackets.

It may be 69 unstrung and 66 strung.
 
Well, that would be a deal breaker.

I'm going to guess it's actually 62.

Because that's what the new VCore is rated at on the TW Website right now.

69 seems way to high, especially considering the regular Pure Aero has an RA of 65.

But certainly if the RA is 69, I will be getting a VCore.

But it seems more arm friendly is the way the these companies appear to be moving on these rackets.
Crossing my fingers on 62.
 

jdx2112

Hall of Fame
Well, that would be a deal breaker.

I'm going to guess it's actually 62.

Because that's what the new VCore is rated at on the TW Website right now.

69 seems way to high, especially considering the regular Pure Aero has an RA of 65.

But certainly if the RA is 69, I will be getting a VCore.

But it seems more arm friendly is the way the these companies appear to be moving on these rackets.
Also if the SW is higher why increase the stiffness.

But the reviewer said there was a bit of a mystery to the racquet -- that it was headlight and easy to swing but had a higher sw than before...so who knows.
 

jace112

Semi-Pro
Here are my specs of the 2 Pure Aero 98 received (unstrung) in a pack :

Mass : 307,4 & 307,7 g
Balance : 323 & 315 mm
SW : 305 & 293 kg.cm²
RA : 65 & 64

Plays a bit softer than the VS

BTW, that's also the frame I use for tournament. To get a bit more pop, I don't string the last cross...
 

Mischko

Professional
Please give us more info comparing it to the VS, strings, tension, power levels? VS has crazy high energy return, if the 98 is softer it means less power for the same swingweight. What was your sw with the VS and what will it be with 98? Thanks
 
Please give us more info comparing it to the VS, strings, tension, power levels? VS has crazy high energy return, if the 98 is softer it means less power for the same swingweight. What was your sw with the VS and what will it be with 98? Thanks
The four VSs we have all are at 318 SW, non modified.
 

Vaust

New User
Here are my specs of the 2 Pure Aero 98 received (unstrung) in a pack :

Mass : 307,4 & 307,7 g
Balance : 323 & 315 mm
SW : 305 & 293 kg.cm²
RA : 65 & 64

Plays a bit softer than the VS

BTW, that's also the frame I use for tournament. To get a bit more pop, I don't string the last cross...
Pretty high 305sw for the 98. Thanks for the info.
 

Return_Ace

Hall of Fame
Here are my specs of the 2 Pure Aero 98 received (unstrung) in a pack :

Mass : 307,4 & 307,7 g
Balance : 323 & 315 mm
SW : 305 & 293 kg.cm²
RA : 65 & 64

Plays a bit softer than the VS

BTW, that's also the frame I use for tournament. To get a bit more pop, I don't string the last cross...

Is this part of their 2-racket/twin/matched pack or w.e they call it where they guarantee that both rackets will be within a gram of each other?

Because if so, that "service" is worthless by the looks of that :rolleyes:
 

jace112

Semi-Pro
For Babolat, "matching pairs" is with a maximum weight different of 1 g. Nothing about balance or SW unfortunately.

By softer, I mean a bit less harsh feel. More muted (but not as much as the new PA 300 g, which has SW Pure Feel, that the 98 doesn't have)

My personal PA VS are customized : 300 g / 315 mm / 285 kg.cm² and 16x19 (don't worry I don't compare these ones with the stock ones)
 
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For Babolat, "matching pairs" is with a maximum weight different of 1 g. Nothing about balance or SW unfortunately.

By softer, I mean a bit less harsh feel. More muted (but not as much as the new PA 300 g, which has SW Pure Feel, that the 98 doesn't have)

My personal PA VS are customized : 300 g / 315 mm / 285 kg.cm² (don't worry I don't compare these ones with the stock ones)
Yea, we got lucky that all four frames in the 2 packs matched up almost exactly in every way.
 

Mischko

Professional
I was also lucky with VSes, 285 and 290sw all three, 304g and 305g, but I've seen other people's VSes vary a lot both in weight and swingweight, and yes, it's 1g difference matched pairs, but other specs are up and down

I'm curious to try the 98 now, although I doubt I'll prefer them to the VS, I like the design too

My string preference is RPM Power 1.30 at 25/24kg, I tried lower but I'm much more free and relaxed in driving the ball with higher tension and fresh strings
 
I was also lucky with VSes, 285 and 290sw all three, 304g and 305g, but I've seen other people's VSes vary a lot both in weight and swingweight, and yes, it's 1g difference matched pairs, but other specs are up and down

I'm curious to try the 98 now, although I doubt I'll prefer them to the VS, I like the design too

My string preference is RPM Power 1.30 at 25/24kg, I tried lower but I'm much more free and relaxed in driving the ball with higher tension and fresh strings
Solinco Revolution 17 @ 48 in all four here, really good match for what my kid does.
 
Crossing my fingers on 62.

My guess is that the above poster is probably right.

More like a 64/65 stiffness.

69 is way off because, at that point, it's basically a Pure Drive.

Nobody would buy this racket if it had a 69 RA.

Babolat stated the specs on the 98 would be the same as the VS.

So 62 seems too low. If it were that low, Babolat would be pimping that number like no tomorrow.

So I would plan on it being in the 64/65 range.

But I played so good with my VS today that getting the 98 as soon as it comes out is a no brainer.

I have four other rackets but can't play as good with any of them as I do with the VS.
 

iceman_dl6

Professional
Hey All,
I was lucky enough to receive a Pure Aero 98 and have been able to hit it a little bit so far, and just wanted to share some first impressions. The racquet is strung around 53lb. with RPM Blast Rough, which is the string Babs is recommending for this stick to enhance spin, control, and pop. So, it is important to mention that my usual racquets are the Pure Aero VS with about 4 grams of tungsten tape in the hoop, which I think is an amazing racquet. So keep in mind, I'm a big fan of the 98 square inch aeros, especially since the Aero VS came out in early 2020. Anyways, I'm not going to post too much here yet, especially since I haven't had enough time with it yet, but the Pure Aero 98 definitely keeps the inherent qualities that I love about the Pure Aero VS. The feel, control, and ability to customize to a heavier spec if wanted. That said, the Pure Aero 98 I received didn't really feel like it needed weight in the hoop, like my VS sticks. It felt more ready to go out of the box, def head light, but not overly head light. It also has a crisp, solid feel. I would say, the introduction of the new technology Babs is using, Flax I believe, makes contact feel cleaner and slightly softer, which I think is a great thing. Those are just my initial thoughts. If you liked the Aero VS, I think you'll love the Aero 98. Be sure to ask me any questions. Happy Almost New Year. Here's to a great 2023!
How is the power compared to the previous gen (2020 PAVS)?
 
My guess is that the above poster is probably right.

More like a 64/65 stiffness.

69 is way off because, at that point, it's basically a Pure Drive.

Nobody would buy this racket if it had a 69 RA.

Babolat stated the specs on the 98 would be the same as the VS.

So 62 seems too low. If it were that low, Babolat would be pimping that number like no tomorrow.

So I would plan on it being in the 64/65 range.

But I played so good with my VS today that getting the 98 as soon as it comes out is a no brainer.

I have four other rackets but can't play as good with any of them as I do with the VS.
As far as I've been told, the pre-strung stiffness is supposed to be around 69. We'll see soon. I also heard the launch is around the late middle of the month, hopefully!
 

Mischko

Professional
If the VS or the new 98 has more pop, then it should be compared at the same swingweight and with the same strings. No real point in comparing power levels otherwise..
 

jdx2112

Hall of Fame
As far as I've been told, the pre-strung stiffness is supposed to be around 69. We'll see soon. I also heard the launch is around the late middle of the month, hopefully!
Strung would bring it down to 66, which I think is where the VS was. Honestly, I think if they shifted some weight toward the head, the RA has probably dropped to 68/67 unstrung.
 
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