Holbrook Aero X 14mm In-depth Paddle Review
| Verdict |
|---|
| Holbrook has recently launched the Aero line featuring edgeless designs and embedded perimeter weights. The Aero Series includes six different specifications. Among them, the Aero X 14mm (alongside the Aero T 14mm) is the lightest option. After playing with it for about ten days, I can confidently say this paddle is exceptional. It delivers power, pop, spin, control, feel, and accuracy—it truly performs as you desire. It features a great grip and handle, and in my opinion, it has good aesthetics as well. I’ve found my new favorite paddle. |
| Specs | Description |
|---|---|
| Paddle Weight | 7.8 oz |
| Paddle Face Material | Unibody Force-Tec Unidirectional T700 Carbon Fiber |
| Paddle Core Material | Unibody Edgecraft Foam Injected Polypropylene |
| Paddle Shape | hybrid |
| Paddle Length | 16.5 in |
| Paddle Width | 7.5 in |
| Grip Size | 4.25 in |
| Handle Length | 5.25 in |
Unboxing – Looks and Feels
The Holbrook Aero X 14mm arrived in a branded padded plastic bag within a branded shipping envelope. Once out of the bags, you see the cardboard packaging suitable for retail display. It does not come in a bespoke box and lacks extras like overgrips, stickers, or edge tape (which I would appreciate). While the packaging does not detract from the paddle itself, it doesn’t evoke the kid-on-Christmas-morning excitement of New Paddle Day.
Once unwrapped, the quality is evident. The edgeless design features a generally black face with obvious but not obnoxious Holbrook branding and a white grip also branded. While looks are subjective, I believe Holbrook struck a good balance between being visually appealing and not overly complex. The paddle has a solid feel, good balance, a comfortable grip, and you can quickly appreciate its lightweight and easy-to-maneuver nature.
Background Research
About Holbrook Pickleball
Holbrook is a family-owned business based in Logan, Utah. It was founded in 2021 by brothers Breygan and Kasen Holbrook, along with their father Brody Holbrook.
The Aero Series represents Holbrook’s newest and most advanced line of paddles. The company originally entered the market with good-looking paddles with marginal performance, but quickly transitioned to producing top-quality, performance-first paddles that deliver excellent play while maintaining an attractive design.
Discounts and Customer Service
First-time buyers can enjoy a 10% discount when purchasing through Holbrook’s website. Customer service is handled via email, and there is a dedicated returns department offering a 30-day return policy.
Holbrook warranties their paddles against defects and delamination, though the timeline for the warranty is not explicitly clear. Consumers are encouraged to contact the company with any issues. At checkout, customers can opt into the Re:Do platform, which provides hassle-free returns with free shipping if needed.
Edge Guard & Dynamic Weight
All models in the Aero Series are edgeless and feature similar technologies. I chose to review the Aero X 14mm prioritizing a low swing weight while hoping for a decent sweet spot and control. Generally speaking, edgeless paddles tend to have smaller sweet spots compared to their edged counterparts (figure 1), while heavier or thicker paddles often yield larger and sweeter sweet spots.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the Aero Series design is its Dynamic Weight Technology, which incorporates lead weights into the frame with the claim of “expanding the sweet spot and maximizing power with every hit.” I take some issue with the term “dynamic,” as the weights are embedded during manufacturing and are, by definition, static. However, despite the semantics, this innovation appears to be highly effective. Looking at the paddle face as if it were a clock, Holbrook has infused 0.1 oz weights at the 10 and 2 positions, and 0.05 oz weights at the 8 and 4 positions. This design aims to provide more stability and power by adding mass to the perimeter, resulting in an expanded sweet spot.
Although the paddle edge is protected by a thin layer of plastic, it is not a traditional edge guard. I recommend adding some edge-guard tape for scratch protection. In my opinion, Holbrook should include branded edge tape with the paddle or at least sell it on their website, but there are plenty of third party edge-guard tapes to choose from for a fun, custom look.
As we expect from high-end pickleball paddles today, this paddle is constructed using the thermoforming process. Thermoforming is a manufacturing method in which plastic is super-heated and shaped in a mold, resulting in lighter, more durable, and more consistent materials than those produced by traditional layered manufacturing processes.
Paddle Face
The paddle face is made of “Unibody Force-Tec Unidirectional T700 Carbon Fiber.” There are quite a few terms to unpack here:
- “Unibody”: This means the paddle is made from a single unified structure rather than being pieced together.
- “Force-Tec”: Honestly, I couldn’t find anything on this term. If anyone out there knows more about it, feel free to share!
- “Unidirectional” Carbon Fiber: This refers to the alignment of fibers in a single direction. The alternative is “woven” carbon fiber, which is generally considered weaker—by a factor of two, no less.
- Material Composition: Carbon fiber infused with polypropylene plastic is used in the thermoform mold.
- T700: This refers to the tensile strength of the fiber. T700 is a blend of strength and flexibility and has become the industry standard.
Paddle Core
The core features “Unibody Edgecraft Foam Injected Polypropylene” with a honeycomb pattern. Let’s break it down:
- Unibody: You already know what this means—one unified structure.
- Edgecraft: I couldn’t find any references to this term other than a knife sharpener company. If I’m missing something, let me know!
- Foam Injected Polypropylene: This is part of the thermoforming process. My understanding? Inside the mold, the carbon fiber polypropylene acts like a skin, while foam (probably EVA—ethylene vinyl acetate) gets pressure-driven against it, forming a rim of EVA around the entire perimeter.
Now, unless I’m completely off base here, don’t come @ me—I’m not a materials science engineer, just a dude trying to figure this stuff out.
Handle and Grip: A Favorite Feature
Let’s talk about the handle and grip, which is one of my favorite parts of this paddle:
- Handle Lengths:
- Aero X: 5.25 inches
- Aero T: 5.5 inches (for those who like a longer handle)
- Aero S: 5.0 inches (a little shorter)
- Handle Shape: The octagonal shape is ideal—it has just enough edge definition to let you find your grip quickly without looking, but it’s still rounded enough to feel super comfortable.
- Grip Improvements: Other reviews have pointed out that older Holbrook paddle grips were more “flattened,” meaning they only worked well with a Continental grip. The Aero line fixes that, giving you more grip options.
- Circumference: Exactly as advertised at 4.25 inches.
- Material: High quality, striking a great balance between tackiness to keep it from slipping (even during sweaty matches) and smooth transitions between grips.
Personal Preference
Even though this is one of the best out-of-the-box grips I’ve ever tried, I tend to prefer a larger circumference. So, I’ll probably add an overgrip, which will definitely come in handy during Florida’s endless summer sweatfest.
My Experience
Lightweight, Fast, and Surprisingly Forgiving
Here’s the deal. Because the paddle is thin (14mm) and edgeless, it is light, easy to swing, and fast in the hand—just as you would assume. You might also assume a small sweet spot and jarring feedback, but this is where the paddle surprises. I had my doubts about the “Dynamic” Weight Technology, but the effect seems to be substantial. The sweet spot is as large and extends as high as any paddle I have used, and off-center contacts are quite forgiving, especially near the paddle tip and top corners.
Quick Hands, No Paddle Lag
I have quick hands, but nothing is more frustrating than anticipating an opponent’s speed-up or drive, getting into position, and then having your sluggish, head-heavy paddle lag behind, sending the ball out of bounds. From forehands to backhands, and chicken wings to scorpions or any other shot you can imagine, the Aero X is balanced and lightning quick to help you play defense and win hands battles.
Shotmaking: Dinks, Blocks, and Everything in Between
When it comes to resets and dinks, the Aero X 14mm allows you to place the ball right where you want it with great feel and intuitive response. For blocks, swinging volleys, and overheads, the Aero X provides satisfying pop and put-away power. For serves and drives, the low swing weight allows for good paddle velocity, while the “Dynamic” Weight System, core, and face materials compress the ball well, delivering better-than-average dwell time and considerable power from the baseline.
Many high-end paddles deliver excellent spin, and the Aero X 14mm is no exception. I’ve also been pleased by its accuracy; I can aim for smaller sections of the court—like a fifth shot drop right into the backhand corner of the kitchen, finding sharp angles on volleys, or serving down the T. And lobs! With its combination of maneuverability, spin potential, dwell time, and intuitive feel, I’ve never lobbed better with any paddle.
Aero X vs. Aero T vs. Aero S
The Aero S only comes in 16mm thickness and has a traditional shape at 8 inches wide. The handle measures 5 inches, which is too short for my hands to do a two-handed backhand. If you have smaller hands or exclusively use a one-handed backhand, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this paddle.
The Aero X is also available in 16mm, which I imagine offers a slight upgrade in sweet spot and stability, but with a trade-off in lower swing velocity and maneuverability.
The Aero T 16mm primarily differs from the X (16mm) in having a 0.5-inch longer handle and a correspondingly smaller hitting surface. The Aero T is also available in 14mm, which I find compelling. Initially, I thought that the embedded weights might make the Aero T feel overly head-heavy, but given my satisfaction with the Aero X 14mm, I wouldn’t say no to an extra half-inch of handle to accommodate my Twoey.
Updated: Kevlar-Faced Aero Paddles
Updated: Holbrook is now advertising a Kevlar-faced Aero subset. Surely, they need people to try those and review them too. Holbrook, are you reading this? You could totally send me a Kevlar Aero T 14mm, and I’ll review it for you promptly… at no cost to you.
Final Word – My New Bestie
In full disclosure, I received this paddle for free to review, but I am not affiliated with Holbrook nor I receive any benefits from leaving a positive (or negative) review. That said, I could not be more pleased with this paddle. Typically, after a review, I either return the paddle back to the company, pass it on to someone else to review, sell it cheap, give it away, or it lays around my house. Not this one. This is my new number one favorite bestie. If you see me on the court in the near future, you’ll see me with the Holbrook Aero X 14mm (or maybe the Kevlar T if they send me one – LOL).
