11Six24 Vapor Jelly Bean Pickleball Paddle Review
The Vapor Jelly Bean excels in control and feel. It offers good maneuverability, pace absorption, and spin.
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Overview
The 11Six24 Vapor Jelly Bean offers control and comfort at an exceptional price. Designed for players up to a 4.5 skill level, this paddle delivers a unique blend of feel and performance. It forgoes the thermoforming process for a cold-pressed construction with foam, creating a softer, denser feel. This review explores its strengths and weaknesses to see if it’s the right paddle for you.
Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Surface | 11SIX24 CFC (2 layers Toray T700 Carbon Fiber, 1 layer Fiberglass) |
| Weight | 8.0-8.3 oz |
| Length | 16.25 inches |
| Width | 7.75 inches |
| Grip Circumference | 4.125 inches |
| Grip Length | 5.75 inches |
| Core Thickness | 16mm |
| Swing Weight | 114-117 |
| Twist Weight | 7.0 |
| Price | $90 (with MADNESS) |
Performance
The Vapor Jelly Bean excels in control and feel. It offers good maneuverability, pace absorption, and spin. While not a power paddle, it provides ample pop for most players. If you are someone who is able to generate a lot of your own power this paddle may be a good option to increase control. If you are someone who struggles with power, any of the Jelly Bean paddles from 11Six24 will likely be too soft for you.
The widebody shape and fiberglass layer contribute to forgiveness while also providing stability. Widebody paddle typically have better twist-weights meaning that the paddle is less likely to unintentionally twist in your hand when making contact with the ball. While the Vapor is not a true widebody, its hybrid shape draws some DNA from the widebody shape. The Vapor is one of the most stable and high-performance hybrid shapes on the market.
The softer feel of the Vapor Jelly Bean is comfortable and confidence-inspiring, especially if you are someone who struggles with softer shots like dinks and drops. For people who are able to channel natural strength into drives and put aways, the less powerful Jelly Bean series will allow for more spin due to increased dwell time. Since the ball does not rocket off the face of the Vapor Jelly Bean like it does with the Vapor power, you will have more time to shape the direction and spin of the ball.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent control
- Comfortable, soft feel
- Good spin generation
- Forgiving widebody shape
- Exceptional value for the price
Cons
- Not as powerful as thermoformed paddles
- Softer feel might not be preferred by all players
The 11Six24 Vapor Jelly Bean is a fantastic option for players seeking a control-oriented paddle at an affordable price. Its blend of feel, forgiveness, and spin makes it a great choice for players up to a 4.5 level. While it may not have the raw power of some other paddles, its strengths lie in its precision and comfort. If you’re looking for a high-performing paddle that won’t break the bank ($90 with code MADNESS), the Vapor Jelly Bean is definitely worth considering.
