Wilson Eco-Friendly Rackets

[TypeRx]

So, I receive an email from Wilson this morning featuring their limited edition "naked" line. No paint, dyes, or packaging so COGS should be lower than their existing rackets. They also used algae-based plastics to improve biodegradability. But, I figured due to "exclusivity", they would simply charge normal MSRP like they do with their flipped color lines, etc. So, imagine the shock when I went to see how much they are charging for a "naked" blade.

I like the initiatives Wilson is taking (Triniti balls, "half" caps on ball cans, etc.) but do wonder how much is just for marketing. Their pricing scheme will guarantee commercial failure though. Oh well.

 

[Automatix]

The price tag is sad.
Marketing at it's worst to be honest.

 

[TennisHound]

I guess they figure environmentalists are wealthy lol

 

[CosmosMpower]

LOL do they have Coca Cola doing their marketing and pricing? No one is buying our stuff so we'll charge double!

 

[Purestriker]

So, I receive an email from Wilson this morning featuring their limited edition "naked" line. No paint, dyes, or packaging so COGS should be lower than their existing rackets. They also used algae-based plastics to improve biodegradability. But, I figured due to "exclusivity", they would simply charge normal MSRP like they do with their flipped color lines, etc. So, imagine the shock when I went to see how much they are charging for a "naked" blade.

Go ahead and take a look. https://www.wilson.com/en-us/tennis/rackets/naked

I like the initiatives Wilson is taking (Triniti balls, "half" caps on ball cans, etc.) but do wonder how much is just for marketing. Their pricing scheme will guarantee commercial failure though. Oh well.

The cost is so high due to the limited amount they created, they should have created more or just subsidized the cost. ESG is a big deal right now for publicly traded companies, so I am sure that is what is driving the initiatives.

 

[Automatix]

I guess they figure environmentalists are wealthy lol

Too much Greta on TV. LOL.

 

[harsh_alive]

Wonder if pros will use these?

 

[Lorenn]

So, I receive an email from Wilson this morning featuring their limited edition "naked" line. No paint, dyes, or packaging so COGS should be lower than their existing rackets. They also used algae-based plastics to improve biodegradability. But, I figured due to "exclusivity", they would simply charge normal MSRP like they do with their flipped color lines, etc. So, imagine the shock when I went to see how much they are charging for a "naked" blade.

Go ahead and take a look. https://www.wilson.com/en-us/tennis/rackets/naked

I like the initiatives Wilson is taking (Triniti balls, "half" caps on ball cans, etc.) but do wonder how much is just for marketing. Their pricing scheme will guarantee commercial failure though. Oh well.

I am actually fond of Trinti balls. I buy the Club balls by the case. I like to use them when practicing with friends who don't yet knock the covers off balls or working on drills. It ends up saving money. If someone is very hard on felt they don't give that much savings other then the lack of packaging. My guess with the racquets is this is really a public beta test. Check out durability and check interest. Maybe a little testing of Eco/limitedavailability marketing. This way they can test demand, check for issues with the new plastics and grip and it makes the person buying it feel special.

They also pay for 250 trees to be planted per racquet purchased Don't get me wrong we can debate tons of issues with mass tree plantings...but it is part of the cost. I still just see it as a option to help beta test

 

[TypeRx]

I am actually fond of Trinti balls. I buy the Club balls by the case. I like to use them when practicing with friends who don't yet knock the covers off balls or working on drills. It ends up saving money. If someone is very hard on felt they don't give that much savings other then the lack of packaging. My guess with the racquets is this is really a public beta test. Check out durability and check interest. Maybe a little testing of Eco/limitedavailability marketing. This way they can test demand, check for issues with the new plastics and grip and it makes the person buying it feel special.

They also pay for 250 trees to be planted per racquet purchased Don't get me wrong we can debate tons of issues with mass tree plantings...but it is part of the cost. I still just see it as a option to help beta test

Last winter they had the Triniti club packs on sale (60 balls in a big cardboard box, I think) for <$75 IIRC. I was going to buy to use as hitters/hopper balls but decided against as I already had a couple cases of Pro Penns around. The Triniti balls play ROCK hard but do seem to last.

They will be lucky to sell many of these naked rackets at all. At $500/racket, the consumer base is simply miniscule. Their marketing teams know this so perhaps they are selling this "flagship" racket more for PR than anything else. Its too bad because the "naked" look is pretty cool....but maybe not such a great idea since it will make it much easier for the graphite to chip, crack, etc. than if there is a sacrificial layer of hardened paint and clear on top.

 

[tennistiger]

Only 103 Clash Naked left. I got two.

 

[1HBHfanatic]

I am actually fond of Trinti balls. I buy the Club balls by the case.......

-i was also behind the notion/idea of the trinity ball!, but the "real life/world" application failed for me
-the ball got dirty fast for me!!, to the point where i could no longer play with them, the color turned green/yellow!!
-is this an issue for you as well??!!
-do you play them indoors/outdoors??!!

 

[Clash Ah ah]

What have they used for the “I’m not painted”?

 

[1HBHfanatic]

-to the OPs post
-this racquet is a lot uglier than i imagined!!
-the price is also
-it is a talking point for WILSON imo,, so in that regard, well done
-now lets see the v8 blades!!

 

[TypeRx]

I do wonder where they add the weight to account for the reduction from no paint/clear and how that might affect the balance of these rackets relative to a painted one.

 

[TypeRx]

-to the OPs post
-this racquet is a lot uglier than i imagined!!
-the price is also
-it is a talking point for WILSON imo,, so in that regard, well done
-now lets see the v8 blades!!

I think I like the "naked" look but who knows until you see them in person.

RE: v8 blades -- NO! I dont want them to release anything new because then I will inevitably demo, like, and end up buying more rackets LOL

 

[Fxanimator1]

$500 is pretty steep per racquet. Wilson probably gets some big government kickback if they at least try to be more eco friendly and they came up with this.

 

[ChaelAZ]

So, I receive an email from Wilson this morning featuring their limited edition "naked" line. No paint, dyes, or packaging so COGS should be lower than their existing rackets. They also used algae-based plastics to improve biodegradability. But, I figured due to "exclusivity", they would simply charge normal MSRP like they do with their flipped color lines, etc. So, imagine the shock when I went to see how much they are charging for a "naked" blade.

Go ahead and take a look. https://www.wilson.com/en-us/tennis/rackets/naked

I like the initiatives Wilson is taking (Triniti balls, "half" caps on ball cans, etc.) but do wonder how much is just for marketing. Their pricing scheme will guarantee commercial failure though. Oh well.

So they save on all the processing and charge twice as much? WTH! $500 for a $249 Blade is reeeeedonkulous!

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

They should have included a donation to the environment, even if it was a deceptive percentage like 1% of all sales goes to this fund etc., would make it more "believable".

 

[Dartagnan64]

Is this virtue signaling at it's finest? If only the 1 percent can be eco friendly, how does this do anything for the planet, save assuaging some rich folks guilt?

You need to be both cost friendly and eco-friendly if you are going to make this world better. Boo Wilson. Do better.

 

[tennistiger]

I do wonder where they add the weight to account for the reduction from no paint/clear and how that might affect the balance of these rackets relative to a painted one.

Paint is only a few grams and there is a claer coat. I think it will be more in specs than the normal Clash because most of them are too head heavy.

 

[RVAtennisaddict]

You guys are missing the point. This racket will never get a paint chip. It is priceless and fixes a lot of their quality control!

 

[BenC]

-i was also behind the notion/idea of the trinity ball!, but the "real life/world" application failed for me
-the ball got dirty fats for me!!, to the point where i could no longer play with them because the color turned green/yellow!!
-is this an issue for you as well??!!
-do you play them indoors/outdoors??!!

you need to wash your balls more often

 

[Crocodile]

Well I guess the paint would have chipped off anyway so might as well get these.

 

[1HBHfanatic]

you need to wash your balls more often

-i do, then they get all soggy
-no one likes playing with soggy balls

 

[Chezbeeno]

I love this idea - Tennis is horrible when it comes to sustainability...but $500 is absolutely insane, and making it a limited run really indicates that this isn't actually about trying to be more sustainable, just to look like it. If this were anything more than a marketing stunt they would just employ these ideas for all of their lines going forward and make it the norm for their racquets.

 

[JoaoN]

Lets follow some wilson logic here:

A regular Blade v7 is sold for 219usd; Which is a "naked" version with the regular PJ added;

A custom made blade v7 is sold for 259usd; And as i can understand here they grab a "naked" frame and paint the racquet with the PJ selected by the costumer, which takes up to 6 weeks.

So obviously a "naked" version costs way less for them than the regular or the customized version (219~259usd), and is sold for 500usd, more then twice the price of the others.

It is clear that the only sustainability wilson is targeting is the sustainability of their profit.

P.S: Don't make the mistake i made of typing "wilson naked" on google search.

 

[Lorenn]

-i was also behind the notion/idea of the trinity ball!, but the "real life/world" application failed for me
-the ball got dirty fats for me!!, to the point where i could no longer play with them because the color turned green/yellow!!
-is this an issue for you as well??!!
-do you play them indoors/outdoors??!!

I will try to pay more attention. We play outdoors, but our courts are exceptionally nice/new/well taken care of...I have not noticed it being an issue.

Last winter they had the Triniti club packs on sale (60 balls in a big cardboard box, I think) for <$75 IIRC. I was going to buy to use as hitters/hopper balls but decided against as I already had a couple cases of Pro Penns around. The Triniti balls play ROCK hard but do seem to last.

Pro penns are the other ball I purchase and what I used for practice before Trinti balls. I don't find them rock hard like Tretorn preasureless, but they take one session to be reasonable.(maybe 20 minutes really). SO I might use them for warmups or a hitting session then hopper them. I tend to have a spare case I rotate in as needed. They are fun to play with in cold weather when canned balls tend to fail. I consider Pro penns eco friend because you can normally get double+ the time of most other balls. If I am playing someone who kills the felt I will use Propenn. If playing a talented friend I might stick with Propenn, unless it is cold weather then Trinti. Drills depends on person I am playing if Propenn or Trinti. Nice thing is I know people desperate for reasonable balls who will take most Trinti balls off my hands. SO I get them to two thirds worn then hand them out. Makes me feel better then buying US Open Balls and wanting to throw them away before a challenging set is over I was happy with just Propenn balls and feel using them helps. If they stopped making Trinti balls. I think the case with coupon codes might have been less then 75, I might have picked up a few Just hard not to give them a serious go when they reduce packaging so much... build quality could be a we bit better, but easy to quickly switch them out as it is not like you are opening a new can.

Overall it is a limited edition Racquet and they are definitely trying to make it feel special. I would agree if 2% went to a recycling charity/thinkthank or something...They the extra price you pay feels like eco charity. The Blade 98 is actually tempting.(I would likely custom order first) The charity part is the 250 trees. I didn't notice anything else. Smart move to get fans to pay for R&D Question is would the clash 98, RF97, Blade 98 18x20 be better options? Oddly the more expensive an item is priced the better some value it...

Some are just looking for an excuse to pay more and others like to feel charitable. Feels like a good mix, but I agree they need a percentage to go to a charity or all of the proceeds to go to charity. Maybe one they control, but still...by making it a limited run it just might work and allow them to test new ideas.

 

[longtimelurker]

$500 for Wilson's Naked quality control, no thanks

 

[Ryebread]

Wilson..... what are you thinking?

 

[lim]

Lmao wilson. I‘m all for this idea but but then they go and charge you an arm and a leg ...

That pro staff tho

 

[vsbabolat]

I like the fact they are charging more for no paint. Reminds me of Porsche charging more to omit the radio, sound deadening materials, and AC on their “track ready” cars. Good scam to charge more

 

[Novichok]

Not more eco friendly than buying a used racquet or keep playing with your old one. And that price.... LOL!!!

 

[tennistiger]

Still not sold out .....

 

[hypervox]

Even though this is crazy expensive they will still be sold out, and then the next time it will be sold for even more because people where willing to pay $499

 

[SpinToWin]

I guess they figure environmentalists are wealthy lol

Let's be honest, they're right. Most super conscious eco pushers I know tend to be rather loaded. Their net worth gives them the financial freedom to care I suppose

 

[Dartagnan64]

Let's be honest, they're right. Most super conscious eco pushers I know tend to be rather loaded. Their net worth gives them the financial freedom to care I suppose

And the privilege to virtue signal through electric cars, buying bottled water then recycling the bottles, spending more on "sustainable" gluten free vegan groceries, flying to expensive "ecotourism" vacations.

It's largely all window dressing. And I'm sure the people that do all these things will be pulling out their Wilson naked with that smug satisfaction that all these 1% eco warriors display constantly.

 

[PaddyDutch]

Price tag is an issue, but I dig the look of these!

 

[zipplock]

Charging MORE for LESS is always a genius marketing plan.

 

[Lorenn]

And the privilege to virtue signal through electric cars, buying bottled water then recycling the bottles, spending more on "sustainable" gluten free vegan groceries, flying to expensive "ecotourism" vacations.

It's largely all window dressing. And I'm sure the people that do all these things will be pulling out their Wilson naked with that smug satisfaction that all these 1% eco warriors display constantly.

It is depressing what percentage of water bottles end up recycled even if you get it to a recycle center. I will have to live with my stainless steel bottle and refill when available.

 

[Deleted member 780836]

So how long until $500 rackets become the norm? 10 years? A few years ago $199 could get you a top of the line racket, now it's in the $240 to $260 range.

 

[kojihan]

Maybe I can just sand down one of my Blades and have my very own "naked" Blade.

 

[A-Rich]

They look pretty cool. But why does less additives and ingredients cost more

 

[Diablo XP]

Is this virtue signaling at it's finest? If only the 1 percent can be eco friendly, how does this do anything for the planet, save assuaging some rich folks guilt?

You need to be both cost friendly and eco-friendly if you are going to make this world better. Boo Wilson. Do better.

Quoted for truth. First and so far only member to identify virtue signaling.

 

[Fxanimator1]

I love this idea - Tennis is horrible when it comes to sustainability...but $500 is absolutely insane, and making it a limited run really indicates that this isn't actually about trying to be more sustainable, just to look like it. If this were anything more than a marketing stunt they would just employ these ideas for all of their lines going forward and make it the norm for their racquets.

The irony of course, is that these racquets are produced in the country with the worst pollution on the plant. So until Wilson addresses that, by moving their production to a country that takes the world’s cleanliness seriously, I can’t take Wilson’s eco-friendly stance seriously.

 

[chrischris]

The irony of course, is that these racquets are produced in the country with the worst pollution on the plant. So until Wilson addresses that, by moving their production to a country that takes the world’s cleanliness seriously, I can’t take Wilson’s eco-friendly stance seriously.

Good point. But at the same time they are better than most other rackets that are made at the very same factor, arent they?

 

[Lorenn]

Quoted for truth. First and so far only member to identify virtue signaling.

I think it was implied in quite a few posts. I tend to hate using such key words as they have tons of implied bias.

They look pretty cool. But why does less additives and ingredients cost more

Limited production run, maybe better quality control, To make them feel exclusive, part of the price goes to planting trees, testing new features...

 

[Racingclub]

This maketing effort from wilson is insulting to all eco-activists with the surreal promise “1 million trees planted”.
it would be an awesome if Nadal or Djokovic (or subsidized by their sponsor even they don’t need this) buys all these rackets and donate to 3rd world countries to charity tennis clubs and give their middle finger for this shady wilson marketing team by obligating the company to do what they promised and not letting this crappy product manager gets any bonus from this stupid initiative.
yes, I am mad after looking at the price tag of this naked racket with their “false” promise.

 

[SinneGOAT]

Can Wilson stop screwing around with their money and actually produce some grommets instead of make these stupid paintjobs? Wilson grommets for all their big racquets have been out for months, I’ve not seen blade grommets in a year. I’m half expecting them to push back the grommets until they literally just say they are not making them.

 

[Strayfire]

The most sustainable thing you can do is buy/fix up/maintain used tennis racquets instead of new ones.

Wilson refusing to sell grommet sets for older frames is evidence they only support eco friendly initiatives on the surface.

If Wilson really cared, they would continue allowing us to fix up old frames easily so we wouldn't need to throw them away and create waste.

You don't need to spend energy/materials making a new frame if you can reuse an old one after all.

 

[TypeRx]

What Wilson should do RE: the whole tree planting thing is NOT pass that cost on to the consumer. That should be a CSR expense if they see it as being important/worthwhile and want to be a good corporate partner and citizen. There should also be some sort of recycling program for old rackets. Give customer's $50+ for turning in their old Wilson racket (when purchasing a new one) and take the old one and donate to a region of the world where people can't afford tennis rackets. Keep the old ones out of landfills if they can't be recycled/reused in other ways.