Prince RipStick 300 - coming soon!
- Thread starter Harry_Wild
- Start date
Power Player
Bionic Poster
4-6 hours. Its a rather open pattern.
Thanks @Power Player I figured I would probably have to string weekly till I either move on from the racquet/get tired of stringing it. I guess racquets like the pure aero would be the same with strings?
calmrottweiler
Rookie
Anyone able to compare the Ripstick 300 feel to that of The beast 300 O3? I've read so many muted feel comments that I have got a friends Beast O3 to see the feel and just want to check if the feel is the same.
calmrottweiler
Rookie
How do the power levels compare between the two?
tennisboy2121
Rookie
I have hit with both, they are not my type of racket. But both got good reviews so I wanted to try them. I find the beast to be more raw, more feedback and shock. I think the ripstick is basically better in every category. More spin, power, depth, and more arm friendly but not mushy at all.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Pure Aero is the same situation, yes.
ericykchan
Rookie
Between my Ripstick and VCore100? Very similar but I will give Ripstick a slight edge.
calmrottweiler
Rookie
Between the 360+ speed Pro weighted up and the ripstick. i have played with a weighted up 360+ Speed pro (18 grams added in total). Very solid feel, so just wanted an idea...
ericykchan
Rookie
ah, then I felt the 360+ Speed Pro has more power, a slow swing able to hit the ball deep, have to say maybe the biphase multi string contribute a bit.
calmrottweiler
Rookie
Ok Thanks.
tariqsaleem
New User
I've had this racket for just over a month now and I think I'm ready to give my feedback.
I am a racket aholic and have triesld all sorts of weight ranges, string patterns, head sizes, etc and bag is usually full of with around 10 odd rackets at all times
However my man racket has always been the Pure aero and I play with load of topspin and that was one racket that gave me the launch angle with loads of spin and power which trying to hit through the ball rather then go down to up which I usually have to do with tigher strings patterns.
Ok so enough of my background with rackets. I was looking for a pure aero replacement as I had hurt my neck and shoulder and aero with poly was not working for me. It was a struggle to find a suitable replacement but then I saw this come out and ordered one in the hope this might be it.
First impressions were mixed bag. I had it strung with solinco hyper g soft 17 at 51 and while it was powerful it wasn't aero powerful and it would lose power the min I'd mis hit , specially near 3 and 9. I wasn't impressed with the feel but it was the first racket that had aero like traits but I could play with full bed of poly and it didn't hurt my arm so I decided to stick with it and experiment. The polys don't last in this and I broke string after roughly 5 odd hours of play.
Next string job ( I do my own) I went 46lbs with diadem solstice power 17. Lowering tension helped with the feel near 3 and 9 and but it still was unpredictable and was losing too much power. Surprising as this is supposed to be a highish twistweight racket. I assumed it was coz of the O port and me not being used to it ( this is my first o port racket).
Eventually I added an overgrip which added 6 grams to the racket. A dampener which added 2 odd grams and then strategically placed 2 odd grams around the hoop, mostly near 3 and 9 and just a bit neat 12.
All that effort and last week I had the most aero like experience I've had since I developed my arm and shoulder issues. This racket is most recommended for anyone that wants a spin machine. But it would require a bit of tinkering to make it work.
For reference I used to string my pure aero 2019 at 55lbs.
The O ports are amazing at making the racket manuverable too. For the beam size and at 336 grams including the additional weight I've added it swings very nicely.
Sorry about the long post but I thought it would help to explain the journey. I am very impressed by the comfort level on this and just for that purpose I'm going to commit to this while trying to continue to tinker with the setup.
I am a racket aholic and have triesld all sorts of weight ranges, string patterns, head sizes, etc and bag is usually full of with around 10 odd rackets at all times
However my man racket has always been the Pure aero and I play with load of topspin and that was one racket that gave me the launch angle with loads of spin and power which trying to hit through the ball rather then go down to up which I usually have to do with tigher strings patterns.
Ok so enough of my background with rackets. I was looking for a pure aero replacement as I had hurt my neck and shoulder and aero with poly was not working for me. It was a struggle to find a suitable replacement but then I saw this come out and ordered one in the hope this might be it.
First impressions were mixed bag. I had it strung with solinco hyper g soft 17 at 51 and while it was powerful it wasn't aero powerful and it would lose power the min I'd mis hit , specially near 3 and 9. I wasn't impressed with the feel but it was the first racket that had aero like traits but I could play with full bed of poly and it didn't hurt my arm so I decided to stick with it and experiment. The polys don't last in this and I broke string after roughly 5 odd hours of play.
Next string job ( I do my own) I went 46lbs with diadem solstice power 17. Lowering tension helped with the feel near 3 and 9 and but it still was unpredictable and was losing too much power. Surprising as this is supposed to be a highish twistweight racket. I assumed it was coz of the O port and me not being used to it ( this is my first o port racket).
Eventually I added an overgrip which added 6 grams to the racket. A dampener which added 2 odd grams and then strategically placed 2 odd grams around the hoop, mostly near 3 and 9 and just a bit neat 12.
All that effort and last week I had the most aero like experience I've had since I developed my arm and shoulder issues. This racket is most recommended for anyone that wants a spin machine. But it would require a bit of tinkering to make it work.
For reference I used to string my pure aero 2019 at 55lbs.
The O ports are amazing at making the racket manuverable too. For the beam size and at 336 grams including the additional weight I've added it swings very nicely.
Sorry about the long post but I thought it would help to explain the journey. I am very impressed by the comfort level on this and just for that purpose I'm going to commit to this while trying to continue to tinker with the setup.
tennispro492
Rookie
Anyone else finding the control with this better than expected? I'm using multi at low tension and I have no problem keeping the ball in the court
WYK
Hall of Fame
Have you tried poly in the 360 speed pro? I am curious about the power level, as well. I am hoping for a bit more pop, spin, and control over my Tour 98 and have been looking at the RIpstick and the Speed Pro- the MP doesn't have the control I like, but I saw the RIpstick had a tighter pattern in the center, so maybe...
ericykchan
Rookie
WYK
Hall of Fame
Thanks for that. I'd no doubt the ripstick was the more powerful of the pair. I was just curious if the speed pro was powerful for an 18x20.
WYK
Hall of Fame
So I ordered one of these puppies to see what it was all about.
I have to say I do enjoy the Miami Vice paint job more than I expected to.
In fact, the finish and paint on this stick is extremely high quality and beautifully executed. It is a very well made racquet.
There's a feeling whomever made these took pride in it.
281 Grams with the plastic wrap on the handle:
Balance is near even once strung(pre-stretched 16G Cyclone crossed with 18G Cyclone at 53lbs - double pull on the mains).
I added a leather grip to bring her more head light and add some heft:
Put a Tourni Grip on top of that Gasquet style:
It's still rather an even balance, though. Swings fast, as it should at 308G, but you can tell the swingweight is much higher than my 312g Clash.
So in social doubles this may be just stable enough....I'll know more later in the week. I am hoping for a more control version of the Clash, really.
In any case, it now matches my Hydrogen Prince 290 which is stable enough for social tennis:
I have to say I do enjoy the Miami Vice paint job more than I expected to.
In fact, the finish and paint on this stick is extremely high quality and beautifully executed. It is a very well made racquet.
There's a feeling whomever made these took pride in it.
281 Grams with the plastic wrap on the handle:
Balance is near even once strung(pre-stretched 16G Cyclone crossed with 18G Cyclone at 53lbs - double pull on the mains).
I added a leather grip to bring her more head light and add some heft:
Put a Tourni Grip on top of that Gasquet style:
It's still rather an even balance, though. Swings fast, as it should at 308G, but you can tell the swingweight is much higher than my 312g Clash.
So in social doubles this may be just stable enough....I'll know more later in the week. I am hoping for a more control version of the Clash, really.
In any case, it now matches my Hydrogen Prince 290 which is stable enough for social tennis:
Last edited:
tennispro492
Rookie
How was it?So I ordered one of these puppies to see what it was all about.
I have to say I do enjoy the Miami Vice paint job more than I expected to.
281 Grams with the plastic wrap on the handle:
Balance is near even once strung(pre-stretched 16G Cyclone crossed with 18G Cyclone at 53lbs - double pull on the mains).
I added a leather grip to bring her more head light and add some heft:
Put a Tourni Grip on top of that Gasquet style:
It's still rather an even balance, though. Swings fast, as it should at 308G, but you can tell the swingweight is much higher than my 312g Clash.
So in social doubles this may be just stable enough....I'll know more later in the week. I am hoping for a more control version of the Clash, really.
In any case, it now matches my Hydrogen Prince 290 which is stable enough for social tennis:
WYK
Hall of Fame
Rainy. I'll try and get her out this evening, we've a doubles event tonight.
Last edited:
WYK
Hall of Fame
So I played 3 sets of doubles last night(64 63 46 - we played the 3rd set because lights are free Friday night at the club).
Beforehand, I did some hitting with my partner to warm up. All in all, I have about 2 hours on the RipStick now.
I must start my take on the stick by stating that the strings in this thing are set up for control. 16g VCT pre-stretched @53lbs gives you loads of control and spin, but no real power.
And be sure to note the post I put up previously regarding how I set up The Stick. I have also since added 5g of blue tack to the butt for a total weight of 313g - nearly identical to my Clash.
It balances at ~2-3pts HL. Though light, it does not feel whippy like the Clash. It feels solid, yet swings easy.
We play on synthetic grass with sand at my local. It is a fast surface with fairly low bounce this time of year. We also have indoor courts of carpet with a bit more bounce,
and I am also a member of a club in Waterford that has that really sandy synthetic surface you see in the Japanese videos(sry, forget what it's called). That is a slower court with great bounce.
I'll play on that sandy court in a few weeks time and give my take. For now, the synthetic from last night.
I played previously with the Clash after an arm injury. The problem with the Clash is though it is rather stable and forgiving, I never felt like I had much control on slice or touch. Serves were great, though.
I've also used a 2013 APD and a 2017 PD extensively for doubles. I rather liked the APD, but it was just too stiff on off center hits, of which I do plenty in doubles. I currently use a Prince 98 tour for singles and an 03 Textreme Tour 290 slightly modded(313g) for doubles.
This RipStick is much closer to the performance of that APD than it is to the Clash. It has at least as much control as the APD do, if not more so, nearly the same power, and is just as stable,
but somehow manages to do it while nearly being plush. And all of this with a very controlled launch angle more like a 98sq in stick. I had virtually no time at all adjusting to it from my 98.
Spin is ample. I would think you would get loads in this thing almost no matter how you string it.
Control is at the top of it's class for a 100 sq in stick. Now, it's not like my 18X20 Blade, but coming from a person that owns one - the control is rather good.
Feel is subjective. I mean, I was using O-Ports before, so I am used to them. And this stick does give you that muted feeling. It's not quite 03 Textreme Tour muted, but it sure is no APD.
On my 98 Tours with ports and my 03 Tours, even strung at 56lbs, on the rare occasion I have no idea where I've hit the ball.
On the Stick, there's a great muted feeling, but I always knew where the ball was. With stiff strings, the feedback is good, but not too direct.
Power is good. But it's not a Pure Drive. In fact, I would say it's a bit less than the Clash how I have her set up.
Compared directly to the 03 290 Textreme Tour - she has more power, a bit more spin, and more direct feedback. She may be a bit more stable. I imagine the 300g version is more solid still.
Oddly, though the 03 290 is rated at a higher RA, I think the 290 is more plush. I dunno, I need to hit more with these to be sure. I've not done a side-by-side in fairness.
I am nit-picking here; both are absolutely fantastic sticks in their own right. I have tried dozens and dozens of racquets through the years, and have settled on these two.
If you haven't hit with a 290 or 310g Textreme tour, O3 or not, you are missing out.
Today my arm feels fine. In the last set, I started to test myself and swing out on all my strokes since I had nothing to lose. No matter how I swung out, I never felt the ball launch.
It was always controlled, and had good power. If I missed, I felt it was my own doing - a feeling I wish I had more with the Clash.
A very good balance in this stick. I've put the 98's aside and will be using this in the future for both singles and doubles.
Thank you, Prince.
Beforehand, I did some hitting with my partner to warm up. All in all, I have about 2 hours on the RipStick now.
I must start my take on the stick by stating that the strings in this thing are set up for control. 16g VCT pre-stretched @53lbs gives you loads of control and spin, but no real power.
And be sure to note the post I put up previously regarding how I set up The Stick. I have also since added 5g of blue tack to the butt for a total weight of 313g - nearly identical to my Clash.
It balances at ~2-3pts HL. Though light, it does not feel whippy like the Clash. It feels solid, yet swings easy.
We play on synthetic grass with sand at my local. It is a fast surface with fairly low bounce this time of year. We also have indoor courts of carpet with a bit more bounce,
and I am also a member of a club in Waterford that has that really sandy synthetic surface you see in the Japanese videos(sry, forget what it's called). That is a slower court with great bounce.
I'll play on that sandy court in a few weeks time and give my take. For now, the synthetic from last night.
I played previously with the Clash after an arm injury. The problem with the Clash is though it is rather stable and forgiving, I never felt like I had much control on slice or touch. Serves were great, though.
I've also used a 2013 APD and a 2017 PD extensively for doubles. I rather liked the APD, but it was just too stiff on off center hits, of which I do plenty in doubles. I currently use a Prince 98 tour for singles and an 03 Textreme Tour 290 slightly modded(313g) for doubles.
This RipStick is much closer to the performance of that APD than it is to the Clash. It has at least as much control as the APD do, if not more so, nearly the same power, and is just as stable,
but somehow manages to do it while nearly being plush. And all of this with a very controlled launch angle more like a 98sq in stick. I had virtually no time at all adjusting to it from my 98.
Spin is ample. I would think you would get loads in this thing almost no matter how you string it.
Control is at the top of it's class for a 100 sq in stick. Now, it's not like my 18X20 Blade, but coming from a person that owns one - the control is rather good.
Feel is subjective. I mean, I was using O-Ports before, so I am used to them. And this stick does give you that muted feeling. It's not quite 03 Textreme Tour muted, but it sure is no APD.
On my 98 Tours with ports and my 03 Tours, even strung at 56lbs, on the rare occasion I have no idea where I've hit the ball.
On the Stick, there's a great muted feeling, but I always knew where the ball was. With stiff strings, the feedback is good, but not too direct.
Power is good. But it's not a Pure Drive. In fact, I would say it's a bit less than the Clash how I have her set up.
Compared directly to the 03 290 Textreme Tour - she has more power, a bit more spin, and more direct feedback. She may be a bit more stable. I imagine the 300g version is more solid still.
Oddly, though the 03 290 is rated at a higher RA, I think the 290 is more plush. I dunno, I need to hit more with these to be sure. I've not done a side-by-side in fairness.
I am nit-picking here; both are absolutely fantastic sticks in their own right. I have tried dozens and dozens of racquets through the years, and have settled on these two.
If you haven't hit with a 290 or 310g Textreme tour, O3 or not, you are missing out.
Today my arm feels fine. In the last set, I started to test myself and swing out on all my strokes since I had nothing to lose. No matter how I swung out, I never felt the ball launch.
It was always controlled, and had good power. If I missed, I felt it was my own doing - a feeling I wish I had more with the Clash.
A very good balance in this stick. I've put the 98's aside and will be using this in the future for both singles and doubles.
Thank you, Prince.
tennispro492
Rookie
Excellent review! I feel the same way, I used to play with a Pure Drive and loved the power, but had to retire it due to arm issues. The Ripstick is the first Prince stick I have played which brings me back close to that power level whilst not destroying my arm. I'm using the 300 with an overgrip and the spin and control are insane. This racquet does it all, no need to experiment further.
WYK
Hall of Fame
I should have added to the last post that I started the journey trying to find a more controlled version of the Clash.
What I ended up doing was finding a more forgiving and easy swinging version of the Aero Pro Drive. Something I didn't dare to hope for.
I'm very impressed.
tennispro492
Rookie
Incredible stick, surely the best tweener on the market. Powerful, excellent spin, very manoeuvrable, great control and extremely comfortable. What's not to like?
calmrottweiler
Rookie
Which strings do you have on it?
WYK
Hall of Fame
So this happened since my last review:
tt.tennis-warehouse.com
I've extended my 280g RipStick to 27.5". It's turned it in to a pleasure to serve with. It's still not too head light, so has a good swingweight for it's over all weight.
It's currently strung with HyperG 130 in the mains crossed with ALU power. It's super spinny, but a bit more stiff than I care for(though I wouldn't call this racquet stiff over all).
I am going to put VSquare in the mains and try her again in the future here.
Will It Pallet?
And why the hell does Wilson need to come up with so many different damn hairpin shapes?!? long ago they bought a German racquet company for their tech. One of the things they did was mold the graphite of the hairpin to the grip size. The profile, hammer, steam and other lines all had...
tt.tennis-warehouse.com
I've extended my 280g RipStick to 27.5". It's turned it in to a pleasure to serve with. It's still not too head light, so has a good swingweight for it's over all weight.
It's currently strung with HyperG 130 in the mains crossed with ALU power. It's super spinny, but a bit more stiff than I care for(though I wouldn't call this racquet stiff over all).
I am going to put VSquare in the mains and try her again in the future here.
Last edited:
calmrottweiler
Rookie
I've got HyperG 1.3 on mine (300 gms.) No mods so far. Lot of suggestions to add 5-6 grams in the handle. Might try this out....So this happened since my last review:
Will It Pallet?
And why the hell does Wilson need to come up with so many different damn hairpin shapes?!? long ago they bought a German racquet company for their tech. One of the things they did was mold the graphite of the hairpin to the grip size. The profile, hammer, steam and other lines all had...
I've extended my 280g RipStick to 27.5". It's turned it in to a pleasure to serve with. It's still not too head light, so has a good swingweight for it's over all weight.
It's currently strung with HyperG 130 in the mains crossed with ALU power. It's super spinny, but a bit more stiff than I care for(though I wouldn't call this racquet stiff over all).
I am going to put VSquare in the mains and try her again in the future here.
tennispro492
Rookie
Cyclone tour 1.20 at 44 pounds, good power for a poly. I added an overgrip to make the balance even more favourable
threeseatercouch
New User
Any thoughts on the Ripstick 300 vs the Phantom O3 100X. Anyone tried both? Is the ripstick just a bit more power (stiffer and thicker beam) and less control than the Phantom?
ericykchan
Rookie
WTA player using RipStick!
PBODY99
Legend
@threeseatercouch
The Ripstick much more powerful frame than the Phantom O3 100X.
In the old Prince system, 800 for the Phantom O3 100X vs about 1100 for the Ripstick.
Control is up to the player IMHO.
