Need help moving on from 2016 Aero VS Tour

[jojo10s]

I'm looking to move on from my 2016 Pure Aero VS Tour. I'm not playing consistenly/frequently enough to handle the nearly 12.0oz/337g strung weight. I still really enjoy the feel of the racket, its probably my favorite racket I have ever owned. I would like to move to a slightly lighter, lower swingweight racket. 305g unstrung would be my target. Historically, I have struggled with arm issues with stiffer rackets but never with the Aero VS Tour. I currently own the prostaff 97 v13 as well but always end back with my Aero VS Tours. I have tried the Vcore 98 (solid red paintjob, 2ish generations ago). I really enjoyed the Vcore for serves and volleys, but almost felt like the racket was too powerful and spinny and I did have arm soreness with that racket. I did own the 2020 Aero VS and absolutely did not like it. I tried many different string combos and string tensions and just never enjoyed that racket.

Looking back at the TW review, it mentions prestige pros and speed pros as some comps. but TW staff did say the Aero VS Tour did kinda stand alone in comparisons.

USTA 4.5, play recreationally and some USTA leagues, so mix of singles and doubles. All-court player. Thanks for the help in advance.

 

[iceman_dl6]

Have you tried the 2023 PA98? It has a softer and more solid feel than the 2020 Aero VS.

 

[jojo10s]

@iceman_dl6 no I haven't. I hoping to come up with a list of current rackets to demo based on recommendations from this forumn. I'll definitely consider it. Thank you

 

[mhkeuns]

I'm looking to move on from my 2016 Pure Aero VS Tour. I'm not playing consistenly/frequently enough to handle the nearly 12.0oz/337g strung weight. I still really enjoy the feel of the racket, its probably my favorite racket I have ever owned. I would like to move to a slightly lighter, lower swingweight racket. 305g unstrung would be my target. Historically, I have struggled with arm issues with stiffer rackets but never with the Aero VS Tour. I currently own the prostaff 97 v13 as well but always end back with my Aero VS Tours. I have tried the Vcore 98 (solid red paintjob, 2ish generations ago). I really enjoyed the Vcore for serves and volleys, but almost felt like the racket was too powerful and spinny and I did have arm soreness with that racket. I did own the 2020 Aero VS and absolutely did not like it. I tried many different string combos and string tensions and just never enjoyed that racket.

Looking back at the TW review, it mentions prestige pros and speed pros as some comps. but TW staff did say the Aero VS Tour did kinda stand alone in comparisons.

USTA 4.5, play recreationally and some USTA leagues, so mix of singles and doubles. All-court player. Thanks for the help in advance.

If you’re looking for something that plays similarly with less power and static weight, why not try out one of the current tweeners from Babolat? Both Pure Aero and Pure Drive will probably offer similar level of spin and control with less weight. Current Pure Aero 98 could also be good.

 

[Trip]

@jojo10s - Welcome to TT. Let's look at the PAVST, then assess the best lighter-spec replacements.

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Additional Specs:
- Twist Weight: 14.8 (high-ish)
- Handle Vibration: 149hz (medium-high)
- Sweet Spot Size: 17 inches (medium sized)
- Recoil Weight: 165 (medium-high)
- MGR/i: 20.7 (swing physics will be more Federer, less Zverev)

So, in the 2016 PAVST we have a reincarnated Aero Storm Tour – a tour-spec all-courter's spin/power attacking frame, that is medium-heavy, very head-light, firm-flexing 98, with a direct/raw feel, dense 21mm constant beam, very solid impact response, and high natural comfort and playability level due to the combo of a medium-high recoil weight and fairly high MGR/i.

To find a lighter-spec replacement from among today's choices, you're going to run into the following issues:

1. Lack of similar Beam + Flex + Feel — there are very few current frames that are both thin-beamed and firm, and next to zero that are also direct/raw/connected in feel.​
2. Lower Stock Comfort — By lightening up the static weight and swing weight, you're going to lower the recoil weight, which is going to lower the comfort level on impact, unless you counter that with dampening/muting materials and/or a softer flex, which is what most modern frames have moved to these days.​

All of that acknowledged, what you pick will probably have to be some kind of compromise. Here's what I would look at, with caveats noted:

- Babolat Pure Aero 98 – May feel potentially too polarized and/or high-powered, but it's probably the closest thing from Babolat worth trying
- Head Boom Pro – 310g, but very head-light and SW is low-mid 320's; main compromise will be the muted feel, but crisp strings may solve that (silver/gray/alu poly, natty gut, crisp synthetics)
- Head Radical Pro – 315g, but the beam is thin like you're used to, and the feel is more connected and string bed more consistent and proven than the Boom Pro
- Solinco WhiteOut 18x20 – 18m is very composed/precise but also open and friendly, and you can easily add recoil weight (ie. comfort) and head-lightness with the 5g and 10g butt caps
- Tecnifibre TF40 305 16x19 w/ 5g heavier base grip – If you can get over the grip shape (very rectangular), it could be a winner
- Wilson Blade 98 16x19 v9 – Will be a bit more head-heavy, softer in flex and muted in feel, but could be worth a try
- Yonex Percept 97, customized up – 310g, but very head-light and lower 320's swing weight means you won't feel the extra 5g; if anything it may need swing weight. Could be great if you hit with flatter technique.

As for what to avoid, personally, I left out anything over 99", and/or needed too much customization (CX 200), has too open a string bed (FX 500 Tour, TFight 300/315) or, since you found the VCore 98 too powerful, would likely also be too powerful (EZ98, RF 01).

Hope that helps give you a shortlist that's actually applicable to you. Any questions, feel free.

 

[socallefty]

I'm not playing consistenly/frequently enough to handle the nearly 12.0oz/337g strung weight. I still really enjoy the feel of the racket, its probably my favorite racket I have ever owned.

How exactly does your favorite racquet’s weight suddenly affect your game these days when you have been playing with it for 8 years? Are you swinging late and not getting depth?

The difference in weight between 12 ozs and 11.5 ozs is the weight of a pencil or 1/4th the weight of a tennis ball. Are you sure that it is not your legs getting more tired and being late to the ball more often that you are noticing? When you are late to the ball more often due to tired legs, it is hard to get the same depth/spin. This is a much more common problem when players get old, get out of shape or put on weight - but sometimes if players play with a 12 oz racquet, they attribute the racquet’s weight to the change in their game.

If you switch to a lighter racquet, you will have to get used to the stability difference and then you have to adjust your swing speed to be faster to compensate for the loss in power/depth from lighter mass. So make sure you are attributing any change in your tennis game to the right reason before having to overhaul your swing so much.

 

[SirCraigoryy]

I tried the Pure Aero VS Tour years ago and I just couldn't make it work for my OHBH. The specs say that it is incredibly headlight but I found it to be quite sluggish through the air and most of the weight was distributed in the throat area. On that note it's been mentioned multiple times but I would definitely try the Pure Aero 98. I demo' d it last year and it truly is a magical stick that does everything well and hits a great ball in stock form but you would probably need to add a little lead to it. Other honorable mentions would be the Solinco White Out 18x20 and the Wilson Blade 98 16x19.

Good luck!

 

[jojo10s]

@mhkeuns I'm typically weary of the pure drive and the regular aero, because of the stiffness. I've hit with many generations on both frames and could never use them long term. The aero 98 seems like it could be worth trying because of the slightly lower stiffness. Plus I t ypically string in the mid- to upper 40 lb range.

Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[jojo10s]

@Trip Holy cow! thank you for such a detailed and thoughtful response. I am an epidemiologist by trade and I love the data approach to this. You obviously put a ton of time into the response and I just want to express my gratitude.

Out of the list, I have only ever hit with the T40 305, which I demoed from TW. I do remember like the response from the racket but the rectangular shape to the grip was a struggle. But I only had it for a week, maybe hit 4 or so times. Given the current TW sale it's very tempting to just go with that. I do want to try the aero 98, given it could be the most similar from babolat. I'm hoping to demo it but TW only allows the aero to be demoed alone. Makes it tough to try a few to compare without doubling the cost. Unfortunately no babolat shops/clubs in my area. The 18x20 whiteout does seem to stand out of the list, given the only closed pattern.

Thanks again.

 

[jojo10s]

@SirCraigoryy The aero 98 is the most recommended, so I need to get my hands on a demo. I'm also intrigued by the whiteout 18x20.

Thanks for sharing your feedback and recommendation.

 

[jojo10s]

@socallefty, honestly you're probably right about wanting to blame the "heavier frame" for lack of success, when it is probably my footwork and physical conditioning. It probably more mental. Swinging a 305 just feels better at this point compared to the 330. Really its just mental and maybe an excuse to get a new frame that isnt 9 years old.

Thanks for your feedback.