Solinco Whiteout V2 Review – 16/19 and XTD

The Solinco Whiteout V2 is the update to the popular Solinco Whiteout that captured many players interest. Here is our Solinco Whiteout V2 Review, dealing with 16/19 and XTD versions.

Solinco are more famous for the strings like Solinco Tour Bite or Hyper G, but have had success with their racquets too like Blackout (100) and Whiteout (98). The new Whiteout V2 racquets are available to buy today. Check them out from our friends at Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe and Tennis Only. List price: $229.99

The Solinco Whiteout V2 is white like the previous Whiteout, but now with so-called “tiger camo” design. We will briefly go through the tech and specs below.

Tech and what’s new

The Solinco Whiteout V2 is updated with a carbon fiber layup called the Arch-2 Construction that allegedly improves the racquet’s power, feel, and precision-based performance. The other technologies were present in the Solinco V1 (see my review here)

Foam Tech Core: PU density foam fills the head of the racquet to reduce vibration and enhance overall feel.

40T Carbon Fiber: 40T Hi-Modulus Carbon Fibers placed at the 3 and 9 o’clock positions enlarge the sweet spot by enhancing the racquet’s stability on off-center shots.

Liquid Crystal Technology: Liquid Crystal Fibers optimize flex and reduce vibration and shock in the handle.

Weight Control Module: Interchangeable 5 gram and 10 gram butt-cap plates increase the overall weight and decrease the balance of the racquet.

Models

The new lineup features three models: 305g and 290g standard length versions, and a 305g extended 27.5-inch option called XTD.

I am sure we will see an 18/20 string pattern option with extended cousins further down the line. I am unaware of the RA rating, but will update this shortly.

Solinco Whiteout 305 16/19 Review

The key model for the new Solinco Whiteout 305 16/19 Review is the standard length one.

Specifications

As you can see, the swing weight is quite high, but for advanced players, that is a good thing. It offers a good balance of power and stability for a control racquet.

The balance is more similar to a Wilson Blade 98 16/19, so some players who prefer a more head-light balance might want to add some weight in the handle. What is great with Solinco racquets is that you can purchase the weighted end cap to add 5 or 10 grams to the handle to make the racquet heavier, but not less maneuverable. I tend to prefer a more head light balance and did that for my Solinco Whiteout V2 play-test. But I did also try it in stock form.

How does it play?

I enjoyed the Solinco Whiteout V1 a lot, but it was a little stiff and launchy at times. I ended up preferring the 18/20, so that is what I mainly look forward to testing from the new Whiteout racquets.

I would say the Whiteout V2 has improved comfort and more power with its new carbon layup. Some might find it too dampened and at times that bothered me, but I did enjoy the extra power, stability and comfort over V1. The sweet spot did feel larger and the racquet played more forgiving, so I completely understand what they tried to accomplish with V2.

You get surprising stability and power for a 98 with the Whiteout V2. This part is an improvement over the V1. I think I prefer the raw feel of V1, but the V2 is easier to use, which tends to win in the long run.

I struggled a bit with the launch angle, as the pattern is quite open for 98. But for modern ball strikers this might not be a problem, more for an old-school striker like me, since the Whiteout 18/20 still provided good spin potential for a dense pattern 98.

However, the racquet plays nicely for a 98 and if you enjoyed the V1 but want more comfort/power/stability, the V2 is the way to go. This will be a very difficult decision if you are pondering between the Wilson Blade 98 V9 16/19 and this one. The best idea is to demo and see which one performs the best for you. The possibility to add weight in the handle with the weighted butt cap is a clear benefit for me.

Solinco Whiteout V2 16/19 XTD Review

You want more power than the standard V2? Are you used to longer racquets or ready to make the adjustment (sometimes more difficult to do for play-testers and reviewers), then this one can be interesting.

Longer control frames like the Solinco Whiteout V2 16/19 XTD does not give you the rocket launch power that Pure Drive Plus or Ezone 98 plus will give you. It’s more about control with more power and reach. You do notice it most on serves, where the extra length delivers that bit of extra pop when being able to more easily contact the ball in a higher position.

In my experience, longer frames work better for double-handed backhand players. I get a bit lost with the contact point with a 27.5 inch racquet. However, if you like a longer frame and treasure getting some extra on serve, while accepting a compromise in terms of maneuverability, the Whiteout V2 16/19 is something to try.

It is one of few longer racquets on the market that maintains a sub 330 strung swing weight, and that is a good thing.

Specifications

The specifications of the Solinco Whiteout V2 XTD are pretty much identical. They managed to keep the swing weight the same, which is impressive.

Summary

A solid update from Solinco. Better comfort, dampening and power. But perhaps too much of the dampening and launch for my liking. If you are a Blade player and interested in trying a competitor with the ability to easily customize the handle weight, then the Solinco Whiteout V2 should be tried.

It’s an enjoyable racquet with lots to like and should be demoed or considered alongside the Blade 98, the Heysil Tour 98 16/19, the Tecnifibre Tfight 300, and the HEAD Radical MP. I am sure there are several 98 16/19 racquets on the market that I forget to mention. It is one of the most popular categories for advanced players.

Have you tried the Solinco Whiteout V2 16/19? How did you like it? What was your experience with V1 if you played that?

We are keen to hear your thoughts in the comments.