Innovations in paddles are evolving in three key areas—strategic interior weighting, core materials, and paddle surfaces. Over the past six months, I’ve been closely following how brands are pushing boundaries in these spaces.
Recently, our contact at Holbrook Pickleball offered us a chance to test their latest release, the Pro Aero T Metallic, an upgrade in their Pro Aero T series featuring advancements in weighting and surface technology. The moment I saw it online, I knew I had to try it—this edgeless paddle boasts a metallic poly carbon weave face, and let’s be honest, shiny objects always grab my attention! More importantly, I’m a sucker for gritty paddle surfaces that enhance spin, control, and touch.
After three weeks of playtesting, I’m giving this paddle 4 out of 5 balls. Read on to find out why!
Metallic Surface – Durable, textured face for spin and control.
Dynamic Weighting – Bigger sweet spot and faster swings.
14mm Core – Power, touch, and reduced vibrations.
Light & Quick – 16.5” length, 7.85oz for easy handling.
Video Review
By The Numbers
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Length | 16.5” |
| Width | 7.5” |
| Core Thickness | 14mm (16mm returning soon) |
| Grip Length | 5.5” |
| Grip Circumference | 4.25” |
| Weight | 8.05oz (Marketed as 7.7-8.0oz) |
| Price | $219.99 |
Nuts And Bolts
- Unibody edgecraft foam inject poly core
- Dynamic Weighting Technology – internal weighting system
- Metallic Poly Carbon Fiber Weave surface
- Dual foam channels
- Perforated tacky grip
- USA Pickleball-approved
First Impressions
When I first saw this paddle online, I was immediately intrigued. The woven, metallic face and sleek edgeless design had a serious cool factor, paired with sophisticated graphics that made it stand out. But when I finally got it in hand, it looked even better—sleek, well-balanced, and well constructed.
The medium-low static weight and moderate swing weight, combined with the long, tacky grip, had me itching to hit the court. A few air swings in, and I was more than ready. But before diving in, I took a closer look at the paddle’s standout technologies, which are worth highlighting first:
- Dynamic Weight Technology – Selectively placed weights along the corners. Expands the sweet spot and maximizes power.
- Metallic Poly Carbon Fiber Weave – Designed for superior spin, touch, and control.
Beyond that, the paddle features an elongated edgeless shape, a foam-injected core, and a long handle—all elements that add to its overall playability.
Game On… The Play Testing
My first session with the Holbrook Aero Metallic T started with some practice serves and a hopper full of balls on an indoor court. The power and pop were above average for a 14mm paddle, but nothing jaw-dropping.
Where the paddle really stood out was spin. Whether I was ripping a slice serve or trying out the “Pat the Dog” serve (which we recently shared in our newsletter), the spin was insane. Fast, low serves? Check. Slower, nasty spinning serves? No problem. The paddle gripped the ball beautifully, making it easy to put ridiculous movement on my shots.
First Game – Finding My Groove
After warming up, I was eager to test the Dynamic Weighting Technology and 14mm core to see if they delivered on power and a larger sweet spot. The day before, I had played with the Bread & Butter Invader, so switching to this paddle took some adjustment.
Even after a solid warm-up, my first game felt like a learning curve—I wasn’t yet in sync with the paddle’s feel.
Second Game – Spin Wins, but Where’s the Power?
By my second game, things started clicking. My serves, drives, and drops were landing well, and I was getting some incredible spin on my shots. But one thing stood out—I wasn’t really feeling the large sweet spot Holbrook promotes. The paddle had good control and touch, but I didn’t experience the standout power or extra stability I expected from the weighted tech and 14mm core, especially on drives and deep baseline shots.
This was particularly noticeable at the kitchen line for dinks. While the touch and control were above average, they weren’t exceptional compared to some other paddles at a lower price point. Holbrook does offer this paddle in a 16mm version, which would likely help with control and touch, but it’s currently sold out.
Quick Hands & Fast Volleys
One major plus? Agility. The paddle’s lightweight design made hand battles and quick reaction volleys a breeze. The edgeless shape also helped with maneuverability, making it feel fast and effortless in fast-paced exchanges at the net.
Overall, the spin potential was a standout, but the power, sweet spot, and stability didn’t quite live up to expectations—at least for me.
Comparison to Similar Paddles
The Aero T Metallic performed similarly to the Holbrook Mav Pro 2.0, offering slightly better power and control, but significantly better spin. However, given its higher price tag (over $100 more than the Mav Pro 2.0), I expected a bigger leap in performance.
For gritty surface paddles, the Bread & Butter Shogun and Invader both feature an electroplated poly carbon weave face for excellent spin. Despite their 16mm cores, they provided better power and control—and cost $30 less.
For an edgeless, elongated all-court paddle, the Diadem Warrior V2 is a solid comparison—though it offers a bit less spin, it’s an overall stellar performer and is $55 less than the Aero T Metallic.
The closest match in design, weight, and surface grit? The Stinger MC 3 Paddle—which performs well across the court and costs $70 less than the Aero T Metallic.
The Final Score
| Category | Rating (Out of 5 Balls) |
|---|---|
| Design/Build | 🎾🎾🎾🎾✨ (4.5) |
| Grip | 🎾🎾🎾🎾✨ (4.5) |
| Control | 🎾🎾🎾🎾 (3.75) |
| Spin | 🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾 (5) |
| Power | 🎾🎾🎾🎾 (3.75) |
| Price Point/Value | 🎾🎾🎾 (3) |
| OVERALL | 🎾🎾🎾🎾 (4) |
If you’re looking for a light, fast, edgeless paddle with impressive spin, the Pro Aero T Metallic 14mm is worth testing. It delivers manageable power and better-than-average control, but at $220, there are solid all-court alternatives at a lower price point.
Personally, I’d love to try the 16mm version, as it might offer the performance I’m looking for. Holbrook deserves credit for pushing surface and weighting technology forward, and I have no doubt they’ll continue to innovate in future designs.
Pickle on my friends, pickle on…
