Details
- Elongated, 16mm core, foam-reinforced edges, open throat with weighted shock absorber, and raw carbon fiber face.
Heavyweight/Small Grip
GAMMA Raw Carbon Fiber Airbender 16mm Pickleball Paddle
Packed with innovations sure to draw attention, the GAMMA RCF Airbender 16mm Pickleball Paddle offers a fantastic balance of control, spin, power, and precision that helps players feel in control of the game point after point. Immediately, GAMMA's innovative approach to an open throat design on this 16.5" long paddle caught our eye. There are two openings, the smaller of which arrives plugged with a 7 gram (0.25 oz.) shock-absorbing weight. Remove this plug to drop the paddle's static weight to about 8.25 oz. (on average), or leave it in place to gain all the benefits of its vibration-mitigating materials and the full plow-through ability of the Airbender's 8.5 oz. (+/- 0.2 oz.) static weight. Plus, GAMMA offers an RCF Airbender Weighted Shockbuster Kit which provides three more weight options. Finally, the handle's end cap is removable, enabling players to further customize their Airbender by adding end cap counter-weights. So many features!
The vibration-reducing foam-molded 5-3/8" long handle of the Airbender 16 from GAMMA Pickleball works in conjunction with the injected foam around the outer edge of the 16mm (0.63") thick polypropylene honeycomb core to help add stability, consistency, increased twist weight, and plow-through ability with every strike. The thick core provides a supple, controllable feel to every drop shot and mid-court reset, while working to keep your dinks low. To complete the package, a 7-3/8" wide Toray T700 Raw Carbon Fiber (RCF) hitting surface provides dwell time that allows you to utilize the carbon's natural texture to impart spin, while also helping you play in control with strategic precision. The perforated and cushioned GAMMA Honeycomb Grip offers ample moisture control for your hands, too, so you can battle on the court all day long.
Actual grip sizes may vary up to 1/8"
Reviews of the RCF Airbender 16 Paddle by Pickleball Central Staff:
"The Airbender marks the largest innovative leap in GAMMA pickleball technology to date, and they nailed it. The Airbender is a fantastic Control/All-Court paddle that makes even off-center hits feel 'solid.' Construction quality is at a premium, from the perfect-fitting adjustable weighting system to the well-formed solid octagonal handle. The paddle is on the heavier end of the spectrum even without the additional Shockbuster weights, but players who can wield it will be rewarded with premium control and forgiveness uncommon in an elongated paddle. Last but not least, the raw carbon fiber face often left out of edgeless paddle designs is a great finishing touch by GAMMA, and shows that they listened to the market and delivered in a big way."
PickleballCentral Play Test Team
Specifications
Average Weight: 8.5 ounces
Weight Range: 8.4 - 8.6 ounces
Grip Circumference: 4 1/8" (Small) Actual grip sizes may vary up to 1/8"
Grip Style: GAMMA Honeycomb
Grip Manufacturer: GAMMA
Handle Length: 5.375" (5-3/8")
Paddle Length: 16.5" (16-1/2")
Paddle Width: 7.375" (7-3/8")
Paddle Face: Toray T700 Carbon Fiber
Core Material: Polypropylene Honeycomb
Core Thickness: 16mm (0.63")
Edge Guard: 1/8" Overlapping Paddle Face
Manufacturer: GAMMA Pickleball
Made in China