The Solinco Prototype racquet I’ve been testing for quite a while is released! And here is my Solinco Whiteout 98 Review.
Two new Solinco racquets have been released, one is dealt with in this Solinco Whiteout 98 review, but I will also be play-testing and reviewing the Solinco Blackout 100.
You can purchase Solinco tennis racquets from Tennis Warehouse.
These frames have been developed together with racquet expert Roman Prokes and that is directly evident in the playability of these racquets. I instantly took a liking to the 98 and I’m really curious about the 100.
Tech
- Foam-tech: the frame is foam filled for feel and vibration dampening
- Adjustable weighted butt caps for easy customization
- 40T Carbon fibre used 3/9 o’clock for added strength in impact zone
- Liquid crystal material used in the grip for vibration dampening/feel
They have gone for logical tech that works. Dampening and stability in the racquet head with foam and another material in the handle to mimic the effects of silicone (as used by most pro customizers). Extra weight at 3 and 9 makes a lot of sense to increase stability and I like the added touch of the adjustable butt caps.
Specs
The Solinco Whiteout racquet comes with specs that are right up my alley.
98 sq inch head size
16×19 string pattern
305 grams unstrung
32 cm balance unstrung
21.7mm beam width
My swing weight unstrung was 290 and I would guesstimate the stiffness at mid 60s.
Comparisons
This racquet spec is interesting to compare against a bunch of current racquets.
One obvious comparison is the Wilson Blade 98 V8 16×19, which has a boxier beam, more control, but less free power and spin.
Another interesting close neighbor is the HEAD Extreme Tour, these play pretty close. The Extreme Tour offers a more controlled response/stringbed, while the Solinco is a livelier racquet offering more free depth.
The Tecnifibre Tfight RS 305 is heavier through the air (more stability, but less maneuverability) and offers a more controlled launch angle.
How does it play?
As you can tell, I like this racquet. My only peeve is that the string bed feels a bit lively for my taste. The response is comfortable, plush, powerful, but the downside is that the ball could launch at times. The Solinco Whiteout 98 has a remarkable combination of stability and maneuverability. It feels whippy, yet stable when blocking a volley. Serves are good but nothing outrageous. Overall, it’s a very playable frame.
I did notice it to go through strings pretty quickly due to the open 16×19 string pattern. I tried various different strings like Solinco Hyper-G Soft, Solinco Confidential and Luxilon Alu Power Black. My favorite string in the racquet was Confidential at 52 lbs or 23.5 kg.
For most players I would recommend a deader string to mute some of the liveliness in the stringbed.
Summary
The Solinco Whiteout 98 is a very competent racquet for wide audience. I was thinking about switching to it for a while, that’s how good it is. In the end, I prefer a bit more dependability from the string bed. Maybe a Whiteout 98 18×20 would be ideal?
Great frame if you want relatively easy power/spin in a comfortable and whippy package.
9 comments
The grass court is beautiful!
When and where are they available?
Good question! I will let you know if I figure it out.
Jonas, have you ever tried the Donnay Pro One 97? If so, does it bear any resemblance with the new Solinco 98? The Pro One is of course slightly smaller, more head heavy, and has a tighter 16 x 19 string pattern. However, your first review of the new Solinco reminds me a lot of the Pro One 97. It is also foam-filled, very stable, comfortable and plush, yet surprisingly powerful.
Seems like a TF40 305 with a 16x19pattern?
Kind of!
I’ve been playing with the 305 for a few weeks now. In all my years of tennis I have never broken a bumper guard, but I have somehow obliterated this one already. Seems a little cheaply made. But luckily I live in New York and can take it directly to Roman Prokes for a replacement. Aside from that, I am in love with this frame. I have been on a long and nerdy quest, but I think I may have finally found the one.* Of the 98/305 frames on the market, this has the best feel and match for my specific game. I’m also in the minority that absolutely hates the Extreme Tour**, so take that how you will.
* Yeah right!
** Even with lead, it felt kind of wimpy and underpowered to me.
Now that you have reviewed the new TF40 16×19, how does the Whiteout compare?
Would be awesome with a more in-depth comparison with the Pure Strike 16×19 as well since so many have said that the feel/launch angle/plow is similar!
Lastly, where can we buy this in Europe/Sweden? So much hype, but it’s impossible to find!
I tried the Blackout 300 and the Whiteout 305. Settled on the latter after adding weight. Some silicone inside the handle butt and the 10 gram cap. 4 3” strips of lead tape at 3 and 9 position in head. It’s 11.9 Oz and headlight. Great control and accuracy, but also very lively strung with TourBite 18 @50 lbs.
The handle weights are ordered separately.
The 305 is similar to the Babolat Pure Strike 98 16×19. Very stable and smooth, but more power. I also have a Head Speed MP similarly modded to 12.0 Oz. The 305 fits right in between these racquets in terms of feel and sweet spot, but it swings a little faster and easier. Feels very solid and muted on contact. Not dull, just no vibration or twisting of the frame. I am loving it!
The Blackout has a ton of power and spin while also feeling very stable. It’s an awesome choice for players with lazy feet and poor technique because you barely need to swing at the ball to generate power. Advanced players could also keep one in their bag for when they suffer from small injuries. It had the power and spin of a Bab Aero without feeling stiff at all.