The new Volkl V-Feel racquets are here, replacing the previous Volkl V-Sense racquets. What is new and what is different and are they worth having a look at?
Volkl V-Feel racquets are out in the shops and they come in 6 different racquet models, the Volkl V-Feel 9
, the V-Feel 8 315g
, V-Feel 8 300g
, V-Feel 8 285g
, V-Feel 4
and V-Feel 6
. Volkl have always been a bit of an outsider brand when it comes to tennis. You can read more about the company in this post.
Let us have a look at the various different models among the Volkl V-Feel racquets. What unites them is the V-feel technology which is based on a cellulose material called V-Cell that is supposed to improve feel and responsiveness. The handle has also been reinforced with a technology called REVA which is supposed to increase shock absorption.
Volkl V-Feel Racquets – Volkl V-Feel 9
There is nothing unique about the spec of the V-Feel 9. It comes with 100 sq inches, 16×19 string pattern and around 310 grams unstrung. What is “impressive” is the measured stiffness rating at 74 strung! This is one stiff racquet. Can the V-Cell and REVA technology mute it enough to make it friendly for arms and elbows? I have not tested the racquet myself but for players looking to buy or test this racquet, I sure hope so.
Strung Specifications
| Head Size:100 sq. in. / 645.16 sq. cm. | ||||
| Length: 27in / 68.58cm | ||||
| Strung Weight: 11.5oz / 326g | ||||
| Balance: 12.99in / 32.99cm / 4 pts HL | ||||
| Swingweight: 323 | ||||
| Stiffness: 74 | ||||
| Beam Width: 24mm / 26mm / 23mm / | ||||
| Composition: Graphite/V-Cell | ||||
| Power Level: Low-Medium | ||||
| Stroke Style: Medium-Full | ||||
| Swing Speed: Medium-Fast | ||||
| Racquet Colors: Black/Silver | ||||
| Grip Type: Volkl VSENSE Grip | ||||
String Pattern:
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| String Tension: 50-60 pounds |
Volkl V-Feel Racquets – Volkl V-Feel 8 315g
The V-Feel 8 315g is not far away from the V-Feel 9. It is softer, has a thinner beam, a slightly higher weight and a more open string pattern. This is the one I am personally more curious about, but in general I feel Volkl has lost their way a bit with this new, stiff racquet. Without massive marketing dollars and endorsements it will be a hard (impossible) fight to win. Ideally, they should focus on finding a niche where there is not so much “noise”, such as arm-friendly, flexible frames. This slight shift is not surprising, but frankly, a little disappointing.
Strung Specifications
| Head Size: 100 sq. in. / 645.16 sq. cm. | ||||
| Length: 27in / 68.58cm | ||||
| Strung Weight: 11.6oz / 329g | ||||
| Balance: 12.76in / 32.41cm / 6 pts HL | ||||
| Swingweight: 319 | ||||
| Stiffness: 69 | ||||
| Beam Width: 22mm / 24mm / 22mm / | ||||
| Composition: Graphite/V-Cell | ||||
| Power Level: Low-Medium | ||||
| Stroke Style: Medium-Full | ||||
| Swing Speed: Medium-Fast | ||||
| Racquet Colors: Red/Black | ||||
| Grip Type: Volkl VSENSE Grip | ||||
String Pattern:
|
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| String Tension: 50-60 pounds |
Volkl V-Feel Racquets – Volkl V-Feel 8 300g
The V-Feel 8 300g is not far from its heavier brother, the 315g version. Just a little faster (lower swing weight) and stiffer to compensate the loss in weight, but otherwise pretty much the same.
Strung Specifications
| Head Size: 100 sq. in. / 645.16 sq. cm | ||||
| Length: 27in / 68.58cm | ||||
| Strung Weight: 11.1oz / 315g | ||||
| Balance: 12.99in / 32.99cm / 4 pts HL | ||||
| Swingweight: 315 | ||||
| Stiffness: 70 | ||||
| Beam Width: 22mm / 24mm / 22mm / | ||||
| Composition: Graphite/V-Cell | ||||
| Power Level: Low-Medium | ||||
| Stroke Style: Medium-Full | ||||
| Swing Speed: Medium-Fast | ||||
| Racquet Colors: Red/Black | ||||
| Grip Type: Volkl VSENSE Grip | ||||
String Pattern:
|
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| String Tension: 50-60 pounds |
Volkl V-Feel Racquets – Volkl V-Feel 8 285g
The V-Feel 8 285g has similar specs as the two cousins above, but it has a different paint job and at its low weight it caters for people looking for really light racquets. I rarely recommend people to play with these really light and stiff racquets. They might feel easy to use in a way, but there is a risk you will not apply the proper mechanics to your game and just arm the ball all the time. But it could be something for veteran double players. Perhaps.
Strung Specifications
| Head Size: 100 sq. in. / 645.16 sq. cm. | ||||
| Length: 27in / 68.58cm | ||||
| Strung Weight: 10.7oz / 303g | ||||
| Balance: 13.18in / 33.48cm / 3 pts HL | ||||
| Swingweight: 310 | ||||
| Stiffness: 70 | ||||
| Beam Width: 22mm / 24mm / 22mm / | ||||
| Composition: Graphite/V-Cell | ||||
| Power Level: Low-Medium | ||||
| Stroke Style: Medium-Full | ||||
| Swing Speed: Medium-Fast | ||||
| Racquet Colors: Red | ||||
| Grip Type: Volkl VSENSE Grip | ||||
String Pattern:
|
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| String Tension: 50-60 pounds |
Volkl V-Feel Racquets – Volkl V-Feel 4
The Volkl V-Feel 4 is a different animal than the V-Feel 9 and 8 racquets. This one comes with the same technologies, but an oversized head at 105 sq inches, an extended length (27,6 in), a thick beam all around (25 mm), a low weight of 275 grams unstrung, a 16×19 string pattern and a swing weight that I do not really understand (305). This is a very easy-to-swing extended racquet, but it will not be very stable. I think these types of over-sized, light racquets need more weight in the hoop and a more head-heavy balance to play well. Maybe I am wrong in this case…
Strung Specifications
| Head Size: 105 sq. in. / 677.42 sq. cm. | ||||
| Length: 27.6in / 70.1cm | ||||
| Strung Weight: 10.3oz / 292g | ||||
| Balance: 13.18in / 33.48cm / 5 pts HL | ||||
| Swingweight: 305 | ||||
| Stiffness: 69 | ||||
| Beam Width: 25mm / 25mm / 25mm / | ||||
| Composition: Graphite/V-Cell | ||||
| Power Level: Medium | ||||
| Stroke Style: Medium | ||||
| Swing Speed: Medium | ||||
| Racquet Colors: Black | ||||
| Grip Type: Volkl VSENSE Grip | ||||
String Pattern:
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| String Tension: 46-60 pounds |
Volkl V-Feel Racquets – Volkl V-Feel 6
The Volkl V-Feel 6 is another light weight frame (275 grams), this one with 100 sq inches and a more head-heavy balance (1pts HL strung). Coming to the sixth racquet in this new release of Volkl V-Feel racquets I keep wondering why there are six of them since they are all quite close in specs, but unless you can customize your frame (not the demographic here), the difference in grams or length makes sense I guess.
Strung Specifications
| Head Size: 100 sq. in. / 645.16 sq. cm. | ||||
| Length: 27in / 68.58cm | ||||
| Strung Weight: 10.3oz / 292g | ||||
| Balance: 13.38in / 33.99cm / 1 pts HL | ||||
| Swingweight: 307 | ||||
| Stiffness: 70 | ||||
| Beam Width: 24mm / 26mm / 23mm / | ||||
| Composition: Graphite/V-Cell | ||||
| Power Level: Low-Medium | ||||
| Stroke Style: Medium-Full | ||||
| Swing Speed: Medium-Fast | ||||
| Racquet Colors: White | ||||
| Grip Type: Volkl VSENSE Grip | ||||
String Pattern:
|
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| String Tension: 50-60 pounds |
Volkl V-Feel Racquets – Summary
I have not play-tested any of the new Volkl V-Feel racquets, but looking at the specs, I am not the most excited to do so either. It is definitely a line of racquets trying to compete with Babolat Pure Drives and Wilson Burns, but like I wrote above, with nothing near the brand recognition, marketing budgets or sponsored athletes of their competition. If I would have consulted Volkl on their development of their tennis products, I would have moved in another direction. They could have either battled on price (these racquets does not cost less than other brands), or tried to position themselves more towards ProKennex with more arm-friendly technologies. With these kind of stiffness ratings I have a hard time seeing these playing comfortable, but I hope I am wrong. Otherwise, they simply do not stand out enough to be noticed by the tennis loving crowd.
For most racquetholics, the Volkl brand is all about legends and gems such as the Volkl C10 Pro
(still available) and the Volkl Powerbridge Mid 10 (used to play and love this racquet). Their new direction to be more “modern” is understandable, but my gut-feeling says it is not going to be the best one business-wise. The racquets do look good though, so for some buyers this will be enough for a purchase. But for people who are into tennis racquets, this is not the most exciting release of 2018.
Am I too harsh? Should I be more interested in the new Volkl V-Feel racquets? Please comment below!
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3 comments
74RA of VF9 is impressive… How high is this vibration frequency is key to know the feel for whose don’t have chance to test thiz Schläger.
No, you are not being harsh. I’ve hit with all these racquets and they are very un-Volkl like in that they are too stiff. The 9 is way to stiff, the 8’s are a carry over from the V Sense line and the 6 and 4 are too light, the 4 actually is quite comfortable. I hope they fix things up with the new 10’s and V1 Pro otherwise they Will have strayed from what they were famous for..
At present their best offerings are the C10
Pro, PB 10 mid and V Sense 10 mp 325 and probably the V Sense V1/V 1 Pro.
As it stands the racquets left to offer the comfort is the Pro Kennex Q plus Tour 325, Angell TC 97 in s 330g option, Head Touch Prestige mp and hopefully the Yonex V Pro 97 330..
In stock form the Wilson Ultra Tour, Prince Phsntom 100 models and Dunlop Srixon CX 2.0 Tour are too light and therefore require leather grips and lead tape to get them to be more respectable.
The v-feel 4 is a beast. Yes, its lite, but with a twist weight of 15.15, it is stable at the net. You just went feel that heavy oomf when you hit a ball, but I can assure you the ball travels just as fast. This racquet swings and maneuvers easier than most shorter and lite racquets. Make no mistake based on just looking at a spec sheet. This racquet is an epic tool finely designed by engineers who knew exactly how they wanted this racquet to perform. I want to point out that the catapult system does seem to work. This is why this racquet can be +5 head lite, 292grams strung, and still have power like a heavy racquet. Because it is lite, it is also one of the best platform racquets to modify.