My Review of the Pure Aero VS (2020)

[jazzzy]

I think I will give my VS another chance... love everything about this frame except the fact I gave me arm pain... I could be avoided with the right choice of string.... razor code white 120 should be a good start

I just posted above, had some arm discomfort but the NXT def improved the comfort level imo. Have not tried other multi tho

 

[BabPlayer-JohnnyG]

Hey, I just wanted to chime in that I added some weight to my Pure Aero VS hoop via Wilson tungsten tape, and I love the way it feels. The racquet actually feels a little more comfortable. I've got 2.5 grams at 3, 2.5 grams at 9, and 2 grams at 6. Cheers.

 

[BabPlayer-JohnnyG]

**Review Continued**

Serves: Serving was one of my favorite aspects of the new Aero VS. The excellent stability, relatively open 16x20 string pattern, crisp response, decent plow though, and fantastic maneuverability make this frame a real weapon on serve. My second serves really benefited from this frame. I was able to hit really good kickers up the “T” on the deuce side (right-handed) and even better kick serves out wide on the “Ad side.” As far as flat first serves were concerned, I could torque up my speed and velocity a good amount to hit very good first serves. However, I come back to the area of customization again. You’re going to get more mphs out of this frame if you up the static and swing weight just a bit. The added mass will literally serve you well, pun intended, haha. That mentioned, there is a trade-off for added weight. You might lose some of the maneuverability and ease of spin access, but that is personal to each player. Overall, this is a great racquet in stock form, but customization is definitely an option for someone looking for a little more free power and stability against harder hit balls, like 5.5 and up levels.

Returns: With this new frame in hand, I was able to get this racquet on most serves. The excellent maneuverability allowed me to be very fast in my reactions on return. Now, I was very fond of this racquet on return. However, with the slightly lighter weight than I’m used to, I really had to commit to my returns. I couldn’t just rely on the mass of the racquet to do the hard part for me. I felt the stability was good against most serves, first serves included, but like I said earlier, I had to commit to my return stroke. I found it more difficult to block returns back against really big serves unless I truly committed and found the sweet spot. When this was the case, there was absolutely no problem. As I’ve said before, I think added weight in the hoop would do wonderful things for my returns and this frame in general. That said, I still really liked it in stock form. The only issue with adding weight is that it will slow down the racquet a little bit. So there is definitely a trade-off, especially if maneuverability is important to you in a racquet. In my opinion, with my frame with no weight customization, I would say 52 pounds is as high as you should go with a 16 gauge polyester, like RPM Blast. To slightly increase comfort and maybe slightly expand the sweet spot you could lower the tension to the high 40s. However, if adding weight (tungsten tape) is an option for you, then the added weight would probably increase the comfort, thus making 52 pound tension feel a little more plush while also reining in some of the power created by the added mass.

Overall Impressions: Well, let’s just say, I’m definitely switching to this new Pure Aero VS. To be honest, I feel like it does everything well. This frame does an excellent job of finding a great balance between maneuverability while still providing plow through, also creating a fantastic balance of providing a stable racquet with decent weight, while not being too stiff or too flexy, finding a balance between control and power in a 16x20 string pattern that allows for excellent spin, control, precision/depth, while also giving you the ability to rip powerful shots when you provide the right technique. This is why I have thoroughly enjoyed this frame. It seems to check most, if not all boxes, for me. Now, no racquet is perfect, just like nothing is perfect. However, I feel this racquet would definitely thrive with weight customization if the level of play goes up, which would be a slightly higher static weight and a slightly higher swing weight, while maintaining a balance that is head light. In my own opinion, I plan to keep playing it without any added weight for the time being, but I may customize a little bit in the future. Personally I like the current weight and balance and want more time to get used to it before making any weight/customization changes. Overall, if playing this racquet in stock form, I would string it absolutely no higher than 52 pounds with RPM Blast. To slightly increase comfort and maybe expand the sweet spot just a touch, I’d string it down in the high 40’s to low 50’s at highest. Anyways, I’m stoked Babolat released this new Pure Aero VS version. I think this racquet will be a real winner for intermediate to advanced players looking to control matches and win points with a versatile weapon that can allow you to hang back and retrieve when needed on defense, but then also dictate from the first strike if you play a more aggressive style. No matter what, if you bring your lunch pail to the courts each day, along with some decent technique, I feel this racquet will bring out the best in your game because you will get out of it what you put into it. As a tennis player, the player dictates their own success out on the court. There is no racquet or magic wand that magically makes you a better player. That said, when a player finds a racquet that enables him/her to bring out some of the best aspects of that player’s game, which ultimately leads to the player believing in their equipment, that is when the connection between a player and their chosen racquet can make a difference. In my opinion, this new Pure Aero VS is a difference maker. I hope you get the opportunity to give it a test drive to see if it fits your own game. Keep going for your shots.

Final Comments:

This new Pure Aero VS is sure to meet the needs of many intermediate and advanced players, whether on the public rec courts, high school courts, college courts, and/or even on the ATP/WTA courts. As is true of so many Babolat frames, they are extremely versatile for a greater range of player levels, while allowing you to personalize your racquet to your ideal static weight, swing weight, and balance.

Lastly, I personally really like how Babolat is providing matched racquets within 1 gram of each other. In my opinion, having racquets that are basically identical spec wise can definitely make a difference for a player at the higher levels of tennis, where the margins become more slight, the higher you go. Not to mention, the racquets are much easier to customize to the same spec (weight, swing weight, balance) when starting from the same starting point. Awesome job, Babolat!

-Johnny Goss (BabPlayer-JohnnyG)

Bab Hit Squad

Hey, I've been experimenting with weight recently. Lately, I've added 2.5 grams to 3, 2.5 grams to 9, and 2 grams at 6 on the hoop. It still feels fast, but has much better plow now. By the way, tungsten tape is the best way to go nowadays. I recommend the Wilson tungsten tape on amazon. It has the lines on it to match the weight exactly, as well as the strongest adhesive to stay on your racquet, even with mis-hits and such. Cheers.

 

[Okinawa Puroresu]

Question for any folks who use this: is the grip true to size? Or is it larger than its advertised grip size? In the TW review, they said the L2 felt like an L3.

 

[mikele]

It is larger, feels like an L3

 

[Mischko]

It is slightly larger than Wilson or Yonex, because the base grip is a thick Babolat Syntec Pro 1.9mm

I tried replacing it with a thin Babolat Team or medium Yonex usual base grip, but the feel was too direct, too hard, so I just concluded "oh that's why they put a thick rubbery base grip, to dampen vibrations, because Babolats are stiff"

To me it really feels the best with the original retail base grip, I just got used to it now

But note that the moulded octagonal yellow foam handle below is exactly the same size as Yonex or Wilson, it's just the base grip that's thicker

 

[Okinawa Puroresu]

Repeating this question I asked in the Head Extreme Tour thread:

Anybody ever try this racquet extended? I normally play with heavier racquets, and I’m interested to see what you guys think, if you have this experience of extending the PAVS to increase swingweight, since it’s already whippy and could easily gain in swingweight to get more of that additional benefit.

Additionally, Tennisnerd actually reviewed the extended PAVS, and still enjoyed it quite a lot despite the stiffness. I wonder if this stiffness is inherent or made worse with the extension.

 

[Wheelz]

Repeating this question I asked in the Head Extreme Tour thread:

Anybody ever try this racquet extended? I normally play with heavier racquets, and I’m interested to see what you guys think, if you have this experience of extending the PAVS to increase swingweight, since it’s already whippy and could easily gain in swingweight to get more of that additional benefit.

Additionally, Tennisnerd actually reviewed the extended PAVS, and still enjoyed it quite a lot despite the stiffness. I wonder if this stiffness is inherent or made worse with the extension.

Hmm stiffness should feel less. Like a hockey stick, the more you cut it down the stiffer it feels. Then some will say extended racquets transmits more vibration due to more leverage on arm or something like that.

 

[pico]

The more I hit with the PAVS, the more I like it. It’s usually the opposite for me. It surprisingly has been kind to my sensitive golfers elbow despite the RA rating. I think I found my perfect setup with lead in the handle near the top of the grip and 10&2 o’clock. Tour Sniper is awesome in this racquet and plays even better after some drop in tension. Fantastic control and comfort.

How much at 10?

 

[neversaydienadalfan]

I'm still swinging my modded Pure Aero VS sticks. Who's with me? One thing I did change recently is that I actually prefer my sticks without a dampener now. I play RPM Blast at 50lbs, and love the feel, especially after breaking in the strings a little bit! Cheers!

 

[pico]

I'm still swinging my modded Pure Aero VS sticks. Who's with me? One thing I did change recently is that I actually prefer my sticks without a dampener now. I play RPM Blast at 50lbs, and love the feel, especially after breaking in the strings a little bit! Cheers!

How are they modded?

 

[neversaydienadalfan]

How are they modded?

I've got 2.5 grams at 6, and then 2 grams each at 3 and 9. Gives me more plow through, but keeps the whippiness without too much weight at the tip. How about you? What are your preferred mods? What kind of specs are you shooting for?

 

[pico]

I've got 2.5 grams at 6, and then 2 grams each at 3 and 9. Gives me more plow through, but keeps the whippiness without too much weight at the tip. How about you? What are your preferred mods? What kind of specs are you shooting for?

Right now I have 2g at 12 and about 2g at the top of the handle. I find this racquet doesnt take lead too well if I load up on it. Just my observation which is why I asked abt your setup.

 

[pico]

I've got 2.5 grams at 6, and then 2 grams each at 3 and 9. Gives me more plow through, but keeps the whippiness without too much weight at the tip. How about you? What are your preferred mods? What kind of specs are you shooting for?

I string with 1.30mm BHS7T at 55lbs usually.

 

[B-Line]

Hi,
Thanks for the review.... I've just got one and I found the review spot on and really helpful. I'm finding it a fun racquet for doubles with its power and head light abilities around the net on volleys and pick ups. . Similar feel to my 2020 Ezone 98, but just lacking mass on returns (mostly backhand) and tighter string pattern.