Tennis Warehouse Playtest: Solinco Whiteout 305 18x20 AND Whiteout 305 XTD 18x20

[TW Staff]

Attention Talk Tennis Members:

As we start the spring season and better tennis weather, we are excited to offer another playtest. For this round, we have the newly launched 18x20 Solinco Whiteout frames in standard and XTD length. This playtest is open to USA Talk Tennis members only.

VERY IMPORTANT: Playtesters will be required to get their test racquet strung. Each racquet will be shipped with two set of strings. Please note that we have two grip sizes available - grip 2 and 3.

Application period is closed. Selected participants have been selected via email.

We have a very limited quantity of racquets to playtest. We select playtesters based on a number of factors, including message board participation and performance on past playtests.

Your review is due by May 19th by 5 pm PST.

Posting a full review by the deadline is necessary to remain in good standing for future playtests. Reviews lacking sufficient effort will resort in disqualification from the playtest program.

Include the following in your review:

String and tension used for test:
Tennis experience/background:
Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley):
Current racquet/string setups:
How many hours did you play with the racquet?

Comments on racquet performance for each stroke (each section should be 3-5 sentences minimum):
-Groundstrokes:
-Serves:
-Volleys:
-Serve returns:

Comments on racquet performance in each area (should be 2-3 sentences minimum)
Power/Control-
Top Spin/Slice-
Comfort-
Feel-
Maneuverability-
Stability-

General reaction/comments on overall performance:

Thanks,
TW Staff

We will delete “request sent” emails, but encourage a lively “pre-game” discussion on the racquets.

 

[SupahMan5000]

I normally toss my hat into the demo ring but I’ve already switched to the XTD!

 

[Thibb]

I normally toss my hat into the demo ring but I’ve already switched to the XTD!

How do like it? I have only hit with the 16x19 Blackout, it offers a ton of power and spin but it is a super light racquet!

 

[TennisHound]

I’m in for the standard 18x20. I’ve got several Prince 100p and Prestiges to compare to

 

[A_Instead]

Enjoy those who get picked for this fun time compliment of TW..

 

[McLovin]

How do like it? I have only hit with the 16x19 Blackout, it offers a ton of power and spin but it is a super light racquet!

Don’t want to muddy the thread w/ Blackout talk, but I can say that it takes weight well. I switched back in October to the XTD. Leaded it up to match my VCORE 98+s. Love the frame, haven’t looked back once.

 

[Soundbyte]

I'll sit this one out. Solinco frames are definitely underrated! Looking forward to more reviews!

 

[Bhagi Katbamna]

I'm sitting this out. Time to give someone else a chance.

 

[dak95_00]

I just switched to the Head Gravity Pro and am loving the 18x20 and extra weight compared to the Head Gravity S I’d been using for 4 years. This ought to be interesting.

 

[Chairman3]

I normally toss my hat into the demo ring but I’ve already switched to the XTD!

Why the XTD over the standard?

 

[time_fly]

Not really my spec. It would be good to get some Blade and VCore Pro HD users on this one.

 

[SupahMan5000]

How do like it? I have only hit with the 16x19 Blackout, it offers a ton of power and spin but it is a super light racquet!

I won’t say it’s the easiest racket to use. But if you’re used to clunkier rackets and hit big. It has ton of power, predictable response from the stringbed, a pretty crisp feel with confidential, and unreal on serves. To quote the youth, if you can wield it it’s sicko mode

 

[2ndServe]

Be interested to see how the XTD plays, been playing with the blade 104 and cx200+. But I always thought an extended racket should be 18x20 to give it more control, is there any 18x20 extended racket on the market beside this?

 

[SupahMan5000]

Why the XTD over the standard?

I have gone into little more depth in this in the Whiteiut 18x20 thread but in short

I’ve always opted for extended options
Pure Control 95+
Pure Aero +
(Almost chose) DR98+

I have no maneuverability issues and the pop you get is something that is unmatched and the way it feels on backhands and serves. The normal 18x20 whiteout in this case was very control oriented. But was very low powered and didn’t possess this easy access to power the XTD did in stock form.

I’m sure you could weight up the 27” but having the free power from the XTD in stock form is hard to not like

 

[SupahMan5000]

Be interested to see how the XTD plays, been playing with the blade 104 and cx200+. But I always thought an extended racket should be 18x20 to give it more control, is there and 18x20 extended racket on the market beside this?

Pure Control 95+ back in the day was 18x20. But right now no solinco is the only one that I know of

 

[AmericanTwist]

Email sent. My main sticks for now are the Dunlop cx tour 18x20 and Yonex vcore pro 97 HD which I hope to lengthen in future. Own some ezone and vcore 98 pluses too.

 

[Chairman3]

Nice @SupahMan5000
Never used any extended racquets, will have to try some in the future

 

[SupahMan5000]

Nice @SupahMan5000
Never used any extended racquets, will have to try some in the future

definitely a niche and not very popular for a reason, but you might find it something new you look for in a racket !

 

[Fighting phoenix]

I hope to try this one in either std or exd - I played with the 16x19 whiteout for a while and almost switched to it, a solid overall racquet but I’m loving the 315 shift in 18x20. Would be really interested in seeing how it plays in this tighter pattern.

 

[taylor15]

Whiteout 16x19 is a nice stick for sure, the 18x20 should be a great competitor for the blade 18x20 players out there. This is a frame that takes well to a gut/poly setup.

 

[SupahMan5000]

I hope to try this one in either std or exd - I played with the 16x19 whiteout for a while and almost switched to it, a solid overall racquet but I’m loving the 315 shift in 18x20. Would be really interested in seeing how it plays in this tighter pattern.

What didn’t you like about the 16x19? I typically don’t play with 16x19 so I found it launch at times especially at low tensions. But I found the feel too firm at higher tensions with full poly

That’s why the 18x20 “fixed” all the parts I didn’t quite Enjoy. But I want sure if it was a commonly held opinion or it is just me having a string pattern preference

 

[naturalexponent]

I won’t say it’s the easiest racket to use. But if you’re used to clunkier rackets and hit big. It has ton of power, predictable response from the stringbed, a pretty crisp feel with confidential, and unreal on serves. To quote the youth, if you can wield it it’s sicko mode

Dang, is this how the youth talks these days? Kind of into it.

Hoping to get picked for the standard demo. Nothing against extendeds, have just never used them.

 

[2ndServe]

Don’t want to muddy the thread w/ Blackout talk, but I can say that it takes weight well. I switched back in October to the XTD. Leaded it up to match my VCORE 98+s. Love the frame, haven’t looked back once.

What string and tension? Are you using the 16x19 or 18x20

 

[McLovin]

What string and tension? Are you using the 16x19 or 18x20

For the Blackout, there is only 16x19. I'm using 1.24mm Signum Pro X-perience @ 52lbs.

I did get to hit w/ @bleno567's Whiteout 18x20 XTD for a little this morning, and the best way to describe it is (for all of you 'older' people): imagine if the HPS 6.1 Stretch and the Pure Control + "Swirly" had a love child...

Seriously...you take the 18x20 pattern of the 6.1 Stretch, put it in a 98 sq in head size of the Pure Control, and Voila!

4-5 years ago I'd be all over this frame. Solid from the ground, good feel, and a little more flex that it's "imagined parents". But, sadly, as you age you must admit some things don't work as they used to, and my shoulder is most definitely one of them. There is no 'blue pill' for my shoulder, and given the ease with which I can get power from w/ the Blackout XTD, I'm sticking w/ that.

Good luck to everyone who's submitted!

 

[taydbear7]

I'm sitting this one out but I'm interested in seeing which 2 sets of strings they are going to include.

 

[Newby]

Been a bit curious about Solinco rackets since I’ve never tried them (big fan of their strings though). I’ve played with Pure Strikes on and off my entire playing career (most recently the 18x20) and keep hearing that the Whiteout is in between a Pure Strike and Blade. Would love to give a standard length one a go.

 

[dandruffkb]

Already have the XTD 18x20! Might just post my review eventually on it here just for fun!

 

[SupahMan5000]

First Impressions: 5.0 player former college, big hitter typically flat (slower rally balls I typically hit high and heavy)
- Played 2 sets one of the better 4.5 Players in my area who is fast and a serious counterpuncher and hits sharper angles
- both 27" and 27.5" strung Confidential 16L @ 45lbs

the XTD is the star here. I thought the XTD would be an unwieldy low powered dud and the regular length would shine. but it was the reverse and the XTD shone like crazy

there is so much free power. I can hit through from the baseline and there is a lot of spin potential. as mentioned above the string pattern is pretty open for an 18x20 and especially paired with the Confidential there is so much pocketing and a great deal of spin. rally balls can be with a lot of confidence just keeping the shots heavy and deep. and as expected the backhand has a lot more pop and confidence with the extra length. on the forehand I found the only "problems" were ones you would typically experience with extended rackets. if the ball comes a bit close to you and you dont have time to move around it you do this awkward scooping motion close to your body. and if approach shots or put away shots are a little high up, the unwieldiness can send the shots quite long.

I am a horrible volleyer. it is what made me a lower ranked junior than I shouldve been. I could swing from the baseline and set up short balls and then dump the easiest volleys into the net or send it into the curtain. somehow, my volleys were rock solid with this racket. maybe the extra length allows me to just block it back instead of feeling the desire to swing at it.

serves were as good as you would expect with an extended racket. bombs and big kicks. returns can be a bit twisty and some 3 and 9 weight could help with the stability, but its not that bad.

slices were surprisingly super solid. sometimes if you dont slice through the ball enough the extra length sends the slice to a weird trajectory. approach shots can also be a bit tough to feel confident in. I tend to overhit with the amount of free power that is here so I end up rolling the approach shots in but there just isnt enough pace when rolling it in. this is something that might need to take time with this racket and is more mental

i switched to the regular length after the first set to comapre both. there is a shocking lack of free power in the regular length. I needed to compensate the lack of plow through by sending the ball higher and slowing down the pace but that is not how I play. there were some mental games at play here too so i dont want to discredit the regular length but off the bat the XTD has much more power and is much "easier" to use. for those not used to extended rackets it could still well be not an option

overall fantastic racket. I look forward to getting in a few more hits with both models. the XTD seems to be great as is in stock form, the 27" might need some help but will see tomorrow when I hit with my student.

edit: adding my ranking of the Whiteout 305 Lineup

WO XTD 18M
WO 16M
WO 16M XTD
WO 18M

Cross posting my review of the XTD and a brief review of the 18x20

 

[Fighting phoenix]

What didn’t you like about the 16x19? I typically don’t play with 16x19 so I found it launch at times especially at low tensions. But I found the feel too firm at higher tensions with full poly

That’s why the 18x20 “fixed” all the parts I didn’t quite Enjoy. But I want sure if it was a commonly held opinion or it is just me having a string pattern preference

I actually really liked it - had a connected feel, nice control with some pop, and volleys in particular were very stable. I guess I never went with it since there wasn't a stand out feature to the racquet, but maybe the more control oriented string bed would give me more confidence to swing all out.

 

[SupahMan5000]

i think I will be doing string wise on my 3 incoming Whiteout 18M XTDs:

Hyper-G 17g @45lbs
Confidential 16L @45lbs
Razor Code 17g @45lbs

Racket will be in stock form for now

 

[mhkeuns]

Thank you, TW & Solinco. Looking forward to playtesting the Whiteout 18x20. It appears to be a powerful 18x20, so I’m thinking about comparing it with the Blade Pro 18x20.

 

[PhxRacket]

I am pleased to have been selected to play test the Whiteout 18x20. I demoed the 16x19 Whiteout a couple of months ago. I must say, I was smitten. I have used 18x20 racquets for some time now. Recently, I lurched into the 16x19 rabbit hole and am looking to get out…if possible. Maybe this stick will hold the key. I will compare it to my v7 Blade 18x20.

 

[SupahMan5000]

I’d imagine TW sends Hyper-G and X-Natural?

I'm sitting this one out but I'm interested in seeing which 2 sets of strings they are going to include.

 

[lulo]

Interested in being a playtester

 

[taylor15]

In this one, really enjoyed the WO16x19 but ultimately ended up back with ultra tour/ultra pro 18x20. This will be fun to compare to them, I plan to string the same way - 17g gut/hawk rough at 52/48.

 

[djkahn86]

Thank you, TW & Solinco. Looking forward to playtesting the Whiteout 18x20. It appears to be a powerful 18x20, so I’m thinking about comparing it with the Blade Pro 18x20.

Same here. I have the blade pro and a clash pro stock 18x20s. Looking to see how this compares

 

[dak95_00]

Based upon the No new updates, I’m guessing the emails haven’t gone out yet.

Anyone receive one?

 

[Icsa]

The emails went out and you must respond by Monday to confirm participation. Always check Inbox and Junk/Spam folder just in case.

 

[cmkim88]

I was looking on to testing this one. Maybe I will demo it

 

[TennisHound]

Certainly worth a demo if we don’t get chosen

 

[taydbear7]

I’d imagine TW sends Hyper-G and X-Natural?

I was thinking Hyper-G Soft and X-natural.

 

[TW Staff]

The strings are Hyper-G and Vanquish.

Thanks,
Brittany, TW

 

[TennisHound]

Vanquish. That’s one I haven’t heard

 

[PhxRacket]

Vanquish. That’s one I haven’t heard

I used it in a Hyper G/Vanquish hybrid. Great for that purpose.

 

[!<-_->!]

Off by 1 gram, not bad. Don't have a reliable way to measure the balance and swingweight unfortunately. Sidenote, cool that a cap and a couple overgrips were included.

 

[SupahMan5000]

Off by 1 gram, not bad. Don't have a reliable way to measure the balance and swingweight unfortunately. Sidenote, cool that a cap and a couple overgrips were included.

Solinco is a great company to work with they really stand by their products and hope people will catch on that they're serious about making rackets right now

 

[OnyxZ28]

Thank you TW and Solinco for including me in this test. My XTD also came in today! I put it through some quick measurements:

With Card And Shrinkwrap:

• Static Weight: 317g
• Swingweight: 323
• Balance: Forgot to Measure Orz

Without Card And Shrinkwrap:

• Static Weight: 306g
• Swingweight: 300
• Balance: 315 mm

Pretty close to the target specs and the other poster's static weight measurements above.

 

[!<-_->!]

Strung weight with Pro's Pro Eruption 1.18mm

Strung w/ the provided overgrip

Initial impressions:
* Feels quite even balanced / has a higher swingweight than the listed 324. More sluggish than my Blade Pro v8 when swinging through the air.
* Nitpick 1: The stickers in the throat for grip size and the Solinco hologram sticker are both crooked
* Nitpick 2: The tension range isn't printed on the frame. Or I'm blind and couldn't find it anywhere.
* Nitpick 3: The plastic shrink wrap for the overgrip sticks onto the sections where the logo are imprinted
* Pro / Con: The all white looks good. The all white also gets dirty really easily.

 

[SupahMan5000]

My package from solinco is also coming tomorrow. Excited

 

[PhxRacket]

Wait so your demo package included, racket and strings plus overgrips and a hat? If that’s the case, I hope I really gel with the stick as I am very seriously considering switching after an extended demo offered to me e couple of months ago. I really liked the standard Whiteout.