Yonex Grip Sizing - Size Down?

[precision_response]

I'm looking at a VCORE Pro 100 (2021) after years using Volkl / Prince / Wilson (all in 4 3/8, or L3). In hand, the Yonex 4 1/4 (L2) feels and looks like a 4 3/8 (L3).

I've also read online that Yonex comes with thinner synthetic replacement grips (1.6mm vs a more standard 1.8mm or 1.9mm). If I replace the factory grip (which I intend to do), this will only make the grip feel larger again.

Do Yonex grips sizes of recent time tend to run small? By a full size? Bit nervous about ordering such an small size but I'm leaning this way. TIA!

 

[AmericanTwist]

I think Volkl and Wilson are kinda standard in size but if you are ok with the flared Prince butt cap and shape you should be fine with L3 in Yonex. I've tried replacing the Prince original grip with leather and the butt cap really has a pronounced flare (which some like a lot). So my Prince frames have synthetic replacement grips. I've also installed leather grips on my L3 Yonex frames though I do have a few yonex frames in L2 just to try that size. Also, I do have a few L4 yonex frames so I can use those too.

 

[tele]

I'm looking at a VCORE Pro 100 (2021) after years using Volkl / Prince / Wilson (all in 4 3/8, or L3). In hand, the Yonex 4 1/4 (L2) feels and looks like a 4 3/8 (L3).

I've also read online that Yonex comes with thinner synthetic replacement grips (1.6mm vs a more standard 1.8mm or 1.9mm). If I replace the factory grip (which I intend to do), this will only make the grip feel larger again.

Do Yonex grips sizes of recent time tend to run small? By a full size? Bit nervous about ordering such an small size but I'm leaning this way. TIA!

If you are planning to replace the grip with something thicker, 2 sounds like the way to go. However, a gamma high tech on my 2 vcore pro 97 hd felt comparable in size to the 3 in the same racquet, but the shapes were not identical. the 2 had a more square feeling to me. However, if the grip is not changed, yonex 2 should feel significantly smaller than, say, a wilson 3. this is assuming yonex grips have not changed since 2019

 

[A_Instead]

Yonex grips run bigger..
Many threads on this topic..
Their grips do lose their cushioning after use and then feel mostly to true size..

 

[McLovin]

Another possibility is to get the L2 and simply build up the butt cap flare. Or, if you have the tools, replace the Yonex L2 butt cap with an L3 (maybe from another brand that has more flare…like Wilson or Prince).

I did the latter with my VCOREs, although it was L3 with an L4 butt cap.

 

[precision_response]

So, curiosity killed the cat and I picked up my first ever 4 1/4 in the Yonex VCP. I stripped the stock replacement grip and measured the circumference of the bare pallet with a tape and got exactly 100mm. I did the same with with my Wilson Clash Pro 100 4 3/8 and got 101mm. Given 1/8" equates to about 3.175mm, 1mm is about a third of a standard grip size increment. So, I'd conclude Yonex's do run large (at least relative to Wilson), but not quite by a full size. (Obviously there are other factors that impact the feel / size of any grip.)

I probably could have gotten away with 4 3/8 in the Yonex, keeping the rather thin (~1.6mm) stock replacement gip.

 

[Crocodile]

Interesting topic because it seems that the new Percept is lacking a grip 5 option and that’s what I use. I round imagine that at least the H 330 Percept should offer grip 5’s as it’s big guys that will gravitate to this racquet.

 

[drivophd]

Interesting topic because it seems that the new Percept is lacking a grip 5 option and that’s what I use. I round imagine that at least the H 330 Percept should offer grip 5’s as it’s big guys that will gravitate to this racquet.

While I also haven’t seen Percept 3 5/8s in stock anywhere, Yonex lists it as an option on their website. I’m guessing its either not available at launch or you have to place a special order to get it.

 

[Mircat]

Jumping ship from the blade 98 v8 to the ezone 98 2025. Really considering sizing down to a 2 on the Yonex from a 3 on the Wilson.

 

[DJ-]

Apparently on the new ezones the pallets are more "true to size"

 

[Mircat]

May I ask where you read that? On the 2022 it certainly wasn’t compared to Wilson.

 

[DJ-]

From two users I know that are currently using the standard ezone 98, I even tried one in hand and felt way smaller than 2022 which I used. Maybe yonex responded to complaints after users needed replacementnt grips and hen found themselves with large grips after changing...

 

[Mircat]

Hmm very interesting. First I hear about it. Best I check out the 2025.

 

[fritzhimself]

I also had two new percept 100s to string.
I also thought that the grips were getting a bit smaller, just like all the other manufacturers.
I will continue to observe this.

 

[Steeez]

I typically use L3 for all manufacturers, but I have two VCORE 98 Tours (L3) and the grips indeed felt bigger. I replaced the factory grips with Wilson FeatherThin then applied an overgrip - grips feel perfect now.

 

[Mircat]

I typically use L3 for all manufacturers, but I have two VCORE 98 Tours (L3) and the grips indeed felt bigger. I replaced the factory grips with Wilson FeatherThin then applied an overgrip - grips feel perfect now.

Yes this has been established. But now I'm curious if they made changes to the 2025 Ezones. Anyone chime in here? 2022s felt as before (similar to your Vcore).

 

[Newcastle17]

Came across this thread when researching this topic. Since 2020, have played various Head rackets in L3 (Speeds, Extremes, etc.). Just got a new 2025 Ezone 98 in L3 and immediately you can feel the grip being a lot bigger. Annoyed with myself that I didn’t try the grip out on a store prior to buying. When I compare the pallets from the new Ezone to any of my speeds, the Yonex looks and feels drastically bigger. Should have gotten an L2.

 

[Grafil Injection]

I noticed all the demo sticks at an event were L2, so I guess they are larger.

 

[naturallight]

Yes this has been established. But now I'm curious if they made changes to the 2025 Ezones. Anyone chime in here? 2022s felt as before (similar to your Vcore).

I feel like the 2025 Ezone and 2023 Vcore grips in size 3 are slightly smaller than Head size 3 and Babolat size 3 (I have been demoing some racquets recently)

 

[Newcastle17]

I feel like the 2025 Ezone and 2023 Vcore grips in size 3 are slightly smaller than Head size 3 and Babolat size 3 (I have been demoing some racquets recently)

Interesting because my 2025 Ezone 98 in size 3 is significantly larger than all my Head size 3 rackets. Wonder if there’s QC issues.

 

[RussJ]

Official answer from a Yonex rep when I emailed this question on their website:

EZONE 100 grip sizes are generally not considered normal; they are widely reported to run large, with some users finding a Yonex grip to be a half-size larger than other brands like Wilson or Babolat. To compensate for this perceived larger size, many players size down their grip or apply an extra overgrip to achieve their preferred fit.

Why Yonex Grips Feel Different

• Pallet Shape:
  Yonex racquets feature a unique pallet shape and handle bevels that can make the grip feel larger than its measured size.
• Lack of Butt Cap Flare:
  The absence of a flare at the butt cap, a feature on some other brands, can also contribute to a larger perceived grip size.

 

[tele]

Official answer from a Yonex rep when I emailed this question on their website:

EZONE 100 grip sizes are generally not considered normal; they are widely reported to run large, with some users finding a Yonex grip to be a half-size larger than other brands like Wilson or Babolat. To compensate for this perceived larger size, many players size down their grip or apply an extra overgrip to achieve their preferred fit.

Why Yonex Grips Feel Different

• Pallet Shape:
  Yonex racquets feature a unique pallet shape and handle bevels that can make the grip feel larger than its measured size.
• Lack of Butt Cap Flare:
  The absence of a flare at the butt cap, a feature on some other brands, can also contribute to a larger perceived grip size.

To me, that reads like it was written by an AI. Also odd that "sizing down" and "applying an extra overgrip" are presented as alrernatives to each other despite having opposite effects.

 

[dje31]

I haven't used an overgrip for a couple of decades now...just replace the OEM with leather, suede side out, a la Lendl, build up the butt cap by as couple of layers of electrical tape, and I'm good to go.

Got two EZ98 Aqua Nights in 4-1/2 from a great guy here on TTW, feels perfect to me. Before that, I had a 4-3/8 with a half-size shrink on it, that worked as well.