Let’s start with the TLDR with the Gearbox Pro Power Fusion:
This is the most fun and unique paddle I’ve ever used, and I’m convinced this is a true gen 4 paddle.
Gearbox crafted a truly unique paddle with the upcoming Pro Series, which includes Pro Power and Pro Control models. Both have two shapes available: Fusion and Elongated. Fusion looks to be a new shape that is “fused” from Gearbox’s traditional quad and elongated face shapes. I currently have the Fusion Power model.
The first thing that you notice, especially if you’ve owned Gearbox paddles in the past, is the addition of an edge guard. Now, it’s not like normal edge guards. You’ll notice it’s very minimal and flush against the edge of the paddle. This design approach helps keep the aesthetic of an edgeless paddle.
Second is the drastic move to a new face grip. Since the paddle isn’t publicly available, some details have not been shared. This is one of those details. Whatever it is, it works well for spin. The feel is almost like rubber from a table tennis paddle, only if it were thinner and on top of Gearbox’s SST core. With how smooth it feels, I’m surprised by the spin performance.
Third is the sound. If you simply bounce a ball on the paddle face, you won’t notice too much of a difference from a traditional paddle. But once you hit your first serve, drive, or dink, you hear a satisfying dampened thunk. I was thrown off by the sound of my own paddle with the first serve. As soon as I made contact, I was sure that ball was going to sail out. But it didn’t. In fact, my serves had more pace and top spin that I racked up more aces than usual from a two hour open play session. After dialing in the serve, I came away with a dozen or so where the ball bounced only an inch off the ground and went just under my opponent’s paddle. Each time was met with a ball investigation for cracks. I was convinced they’d approach the net to question my paddle. Never happened. I do expect this to happen in a tournament. Thankfully, it’s officially approved.
The more I play with the Gearbox Pro Power Fusion paddle, the more I’m convinced it’s the first approved paddle with EVA in the core. I’ve used EVA paddles like the Ronbus EV series and the Diadem Vice. Those paddles have a similar thunk sound. And the power is certainly there when you activate it. Dinks feel identical too. However, it’s incredibly obvious why those paddles are not approved for league and tournament play. They’re too powerful and fast. People have gotten injured. EVA has its benefits though. Anyone with tennis elbow will tell you they have immediate relief playing with EVA paddles. Communities are happier with the dampened sound. So there was a quiet race to be the first officially approved paddle using EVA tech in the core.
Look, I’m not saying this paddle 100% utilizes EVA in its core. Those details were not shared with me, I couldn’t share that info if I knew it at this time, and I’m not going to open up the only paddle I have to figure it out. All I can do is compare it to the paddles I’ve used, and it has a lot of similarities. For all I know, Gearbox could have developed a new core tech that has similarities to EVA, but tones it down.
Any time a new paddle releases, most people ask about adjustment time. That’s important. You’ve likely been playing with the same paddle for a year or so and it has become an extension of you. Some paddles have short adjustment periods, others are longer. It’s all based on the player though. For me, this paddle will be a short adjustment period. I expect to have it dialed in after six days of three hour sessions. Serves were immediately dialed in. Forehand dinks were also immediately dialed in. Drives will benefit from a few drill days. I prefer drives that dip right as it reaches the top of the net, and this paddle will require a slightly different form than I’ve been using with the Diadem Edge 18K. Backhand dinks will require some drills for sure. There were quite a few oopsies where I thought I hit a soft backhand dink, but it popped up more than I intended. It could have been me gripping too tight on the backhand dink. But it was likely a mixture of that and whatever this new core tech is. Once fully dialed in, this is going to be a devastating paddle.
My favorite shot during my first game session with the Gearbox Pro Power Fusion was a half drive, half drop that barely sails over the net. This shot, without fail, landed at opponents’ feet and caught them off-guard because it had more pace than this shot would typically have. A close second favorite shot was the volleyed dink taken out of the air well into the red zone below the top of the net. Usually, at least for me, I’d attempt this and would hit the net or it would go just out-of-bounds. Here, I would hold the paddle at the lightest grip, meet the ball with a very compact movement, and watch as the ball beautifully hurdled the net like a high jumper while landing close to the net in the opponent’s kitchen.
I’m excited to use this paddle more. It’s already my go-to.