Just Held The Final Non-Proto Shift Rackets

[glenWs]

I just got my hands on 3 of the upcoming, finished non-prototype Wilson Shift rackets — the 300g 16x19, 310g 18X20 (now called the Shift Pro) and the 99 Light. Very pretty and clean looking.
Not too much will change as they’re the same Pearl white color, except now there are a few touches of bright orange on the throat and tip in the small Wilson logos. It’s very subtle. The dot design Wilson logo on the outside of the throat is not mostly Pearl white with a little outline so you can read it. Not too much different cosmetically.
I was not allowed to take photos since it hasn’t debuted yet and it won’t be released until the US Open.
Luxilon is also debuting a new string to be paired with the new Shifts, which is an orange Element Soft. I was told Wilson believes the Shift will play best with a very soft poly.
I asked if there was going to be 16x19 in the Pro and was told no. Wilson is committed to 18x20 patterns on “pro” spec rackets.
Gotta say they looked really sharp and clean, and with the Element Soft in orange it will really jump out on the court.

 

[Trip]

@glenWs - In moving from 16x20 to 16x19 on the 300, did it appear that they basically just got rid of the bottom-most cross, which was placed pointlessly-close to the frame, or did it appear as though they re-proportioned the entire drill pattern? I'm willing to bet you couldn't tell, but anything you can recall would be much appreciated!

 

[Automatix]

@glenWs - In moving from 16x20 to 16x19 on the 300, did it appear that they basically just got rid of the bottom-most cross, which was placed pointlessly-close to the frame, or did it appear as though they re-proportioned the entire drill pattern? I'm willing to bet you couldn't tell, but anything you can recall would be much appreciated!

I don't know if you're only interested in the crosses but if we're talking string pattern as a whole I'd just like to point out the mains have different spacing. The 315g version has tighter main spacing with a 10 main throat grommet while the 300g has an 8 main throat grommet piece.

As far as crosses, IIRC the whole stringbed is, as you put it, re-proportioned. Even more so, the lowest crossstring seemed to be as low on the 300g as on the 315g IF not slightly lower but I didn't have a chance to compare both side by side with great accuracy.

So it's not just a case of leaving the same string pattern reduced only by 1 cross string from the "outskirts".

 

[time_fly]

I don't know if you're only interested in the crosses but if we're talking string pattern as a whole I'd just like to point out the mains have different spacing. The 315g version has tighter main spacing with a 10 main throat grommet while the 300g has an 8 main throat grommet piece.

As far as crosses, IIRC the whole stringbed is, as you put it, re-proportioned. Even more so, the lowest crossstring seemed to be as low on the 300g as on the 315g IF not slightly lower but I didn't have a chance to compare both side by side with great accuracy.

So it's not just a case of leaving the same string pattern reduced only by 1 cross string from the "outskirts".

The prototype 300g 16x20 also has an 8 string throat grommet setup.

Also, @glenWs, did they reduce the Pro from the 315g prototype to 310g, or was that just a typo in your post?

 

[Automatix]

Sorry guys, didn't read thoroughly. My bad.

 

[Moveforwardalways]

So the new 300 is 16x19 not 16x20 (like the prototype)?

 

[mpournaras]

So the new 300 is 16x19 not 16x20 (like the prototype)?

If so it seems like the yd cannibalize their Clash sales which are cruising along nicely.

 

[glenWs]

So the new 300 is 16x19 not 16x20 (like the prototype)?

I am checking on this to see if I made a mistake….

 

[WacTennis2017]

I am checking on this to see if I made a mistake….

I thought 16 X 20 was staying in final version.
(Steam 100 reincarnated

 

[fed1]

I just got my hands on 3 of the upcoming, finished non-prototype Wilson Shift rackets — the 300g 16x19, 310g 18X20 (now called the Shift Pro) and the 99 Light. Very pretty and clean looking.
Not too much will change as they’re the same Pearl white color, except now there are a few touches of bright orange on the throat and tip in the small Wilson logos. It’s very subtle. The dot design Wilson logo on the outside of the throat is not mostly Pearl white with a little outline so you can read it. Not too much different cosmetically.
I was not allowed to take photos since it hasn’t debuted yet and it won’t be released until the US Open.
Luxilon is also debuting a new string to be paired with the new Shifts, which is an orange Element Soft. I was told Wilson believes the Shift will play best with a very soft poly.
I asked if there was going to be 16x19 in the Pro and was told no. Wilson is committed to 18x20 patterns on “pro” spec rackets.
Gotta say they looked really sharp and clean, and with the Element Soft in orange it will really jump out on the court.

Talked to my rep today about Eco Power Rough string and he mentioned the Shift had a 7/14 release date and Eco Power was 8/15.

 

[WacTennis2017]

Luxilon is also debuting a new string to be paired with the new Shifts, which is an orange Element Soft. I was told Wilson believes the Shift will play best with a very soft poly.
I asked if there was going to be 16x19 in the Pro and was told no. Wilson is committed to 18x20 patterns on “pro” spec rackets.
Gotta say they looked really sharp and clean, and with the Element Soft in orange it will really jump out on the court.

Lost in this post was the mention of the new Luxilon orange element! Looking forward to that because I’m searching for a good orange string! Do you know when the string will be available?

 

[PBODY99]

@WacTennis2017
If the release date is around the US Open, then the string should come to market late Aug.
I am basing this on the posted information.

 

[WacTennis2017]

@WacTennis2017
If the release date is around the US Open, then the string should come to market late Aug.
I am basing this on the posted information.

Agree! I just wasn’t sure if string release was linked to racket release……but it makes sense if they are linked

 

[Lee580]

I demoed the 300 prototype and like it. I’m think about buying one for a more extended demo and could possibly switch if things go well. Any reason to wait for the retail version or do I just go for the proto?

 

[fed1]

Lost in this post was the mention of the new Luxilon orange element! Looking forward to that because I’m searching for a good orange string! Do you know when the string will be available?

Luxilon Element Soft?? It's a red color.

 

[WacTennis2017]

Luxilon Element Soft?? It's a red color.

Original post by @glenWs said new Luxilon orange string with this racket release

 

[Geoff]

The 300 I 99 is 16x20 as well as the 99L

 

[Geoff]

@WacTennis2017
If the release date is around the US Open, then the string should come to market late Aug.
I am basing this on the posted information.

The release date for the 99 and 99Pro is July. The 99L is due to release in September

 

[donjuan116]

Lost in this post was the mention of the new Luxilon orange element! Looking forward to that because I’m searching for a good orange string! Do you know when the string will be available?

I really like RPM Blast Orange. It plays like the original but slightly softer and more lively. You can also try Yonex Polytour Rev which is definitely a soft poly with high spin potential.

 

[mpournaras]

Looks the same? Just has specs on it

 

[alexsoin]

Looks the same? Just has specs on it

Slightly different: non-dotted white Wilson logo on a throat, standard W red buttcap, orange square and dotted orange pattern (not shown on a pic) inside the throat, maybe something else?! Like it better than Wilson Labs one I currently have, mostly due to black dotted Wilson logo (which I never liked). Hopefully the specs will be close enough, fingers crossed for improved Wilson QC.

 

[Deleted member 775108]

Hopefully the specs will be close enough, fingers crossed for improved Wilson QC.

This is my suggestion to everyone - Always pay the $10-$25 extra to have the tennis seller give you a racquet with known specs and even more so when buying multiples.... With any brand.

 

[SupahMan5000]

This is my suggestion to everyone - Always pay the $10-$25 extra to have the tennis seller give you a racquet with known specs and even more so when buying multiples.... With any brand.

Does Wilson have a matching service?

I feel like they couldn’t care less what the customer wants even if you wanted to pay for it

 

[naturalexponent]

Does Wilson have a matching service?

I feel like they couldn’t care less what the customer wants even if you wanted to pay for it

Absolutely deranged that they would rather have people buy 10 racquets and return 8 than to provide a matching service, even at an exorbitant fee! Not to mention no grommets...

 

[alexsoin]

Absolutely deranged that they would rather have people buy 10 racquets and return 8 than to provide a matching service, even at an exorbitant fee! Not to mention no grommets...

At times I want to go back to Yonex with their amazing Japanese QC but SHIFTs are so unique. Only the old 2018 Vcore 95 played kind of similar to Shift 315, still the latter is better.

 

[SupahMan5000]

At times I want to go back to Yonex with their amazing Japanese QC but SHIFTs are so unique. Only the old 2018 Vcore 95 played kind of similar to Shift 315, still the latter is better.

dont mention SVs to me and @naturalexponent

wishing I had one in the vault

 

[Deleted member 775108]

Does Wilson have a matching service?

I feel like they couldn’t care less what the customer wants even if you wanted to pay for it

They dont.

Most people dont buy from Wilson directly - atleast they have to option to buy from other sources like Tennis Warehouse.

 

[heavyD]

Absolutely deranged that they would rather have people buy 10 racquets and return 8 than to provide a matching service, even at an exorbitant fee! Not to mention no grommets...

Wilson isn't really a retailer like TW where there are sales associates on the other end of your order. When you buy something direct like a Blade Pro I imagine a pick list simply prints off at a large warehouse where a shipper/receiver heads to the specific isle, picks the front racquet hanging at the bin location, and puts it in a bag/box to ship.

 

[aus89]

The final shift releases july 14th acc to wilson instagram

 

[Aestheticsaboveallelse]

I demoed the 300 prototype and like it. I’m think about buying one for a more extended demo and could possibly switch if things go well. Any reason to wait for the retail version or do I just go for the proto?

No one answered the important question is the playability significantly different than the proto?

 

[Geoff]

No one answered the important question is the playability significantly different than the proto?

In my opinion no. I like them both

 

[alexsoin]

No one answered the important question is the playability significantly different than the proto?

Both feel exactly same and awesome on my Shift 315s proto and ver1.

 

[A_Instead]

No difference..if there is...it's tolerance differences..

 

[alexsoin]

No difference..if there is...it's tolerance differences..

I see a lot of reviewers saying that both 99 and 99Pro have increased SWs as compared to proto Shift 300 and 315 respectfully. I didn’t notice this on my units, there’s 2 SW units bump from 336 proto to 338 release on my Shift 315s. I added ~1.5g of lead at 12 on both rackets, both got the same string (Tourna Silver 7 Pro 1.25 @52lbs) and same OG Tourna Tuff.