Review: GAMMA Mirage Composite Pickleball Paddle
Hey Pickle People!
I got my hands on the GAMMA Mirage Composite Paddle this past week and have been playing with it constantly over this past week. My buddy lent me his paddle to try out while I lent him my Bantam TS-5 so it has been quite a difference but I have been loving the different qualities this paddle brings to my game. It’s been a little while since I have used such a heavy paddle and I now remember why people use these power paddles all over the country. I’ve played about 15 games with this paddle so this review will be my overall impressions of the Mirage’s playability.
Head
The first thing I noticed about this paddle is the size of the head. The Mirage has a longer and larger than average head and you can really tell that the sweet spot is a little bit bigger and it easier to get certain balls around the court. Now this also means this paddle is a little bit heavier than many of the other paddles on the market. Where this paddle excels is in its power shots and solid feel through the head. The core is a little harder and almost feels like Nomex, but apparently is a Polymer core. It doesn't love the control shots and I found myself hitting more for power when trying to win a point, but you can definitely play all over the court with this paddle. I think you could play a pretty good finesse game with this paddle too, but I wouldn’t buy this paddle thinking you are going to only play a totally control game.
Handle
I really do like the grip on this handle. It feels really nice to hold and the grip feels secure and completes the paddle as a whole. It is a bit on the shorter side, so there will be no two handed backhand shots. Because it is a little heavier than the other paddles I usually use I did feel my wrists getting a little bit tired by the end of our runs, but nothing too significant. The best part of the handle is when you are hitting power shots on the sweet spot. It has a nice “pop” feeling that you can feel through the handle and in the power game is where the paddle really shines. I like the included grip tape, but I know it is not for everyone and the re-grip process is very easy.
Overall Impressions/Specs
Great power paddle
Ability to play all over the court (not a pure control paddle)
Can be a bit heavy for some
Overall this is a premier power paddle in the mid-tier price range. It really feels solid through all of its strokes and the control and power is amazing in the large sweet spot. This paddle (although not as good as some others) can be played all around the court, but I would be wary of the weight and the hardness of the paddle if you are trying to play a finesse game. Some balls might get away from you because of the harder surface. If you are looking for power and range, with the ability to play other games too, the GAMMA Mirage is definitely a great pick up.
Similar Paddles:
Specs:
Weight Average: 8.0 ounces
Weight Range: 7.8-8.2 ounces
Grip Circumference: 4 1/8” (Small) Actual grip sizes may vary up to 1/8".
Grip Tack: Medium
Grip Style: Cushion, perforated, ribbed
Grip Manufacturer: Gamma Honeycomb Grip
Grip Length: 4 3/4"
Paddle Length: 15 7/8”
Paddle Width: 8"
Paddle Face Finish: Textured composite
Core Material: Sensa Poly Core
Here is the Amazon link if you wanted to check the paddle out!
![Top 5 Pickleball Paddle Sets Under $100 [UPDATED 2023]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e065eda6a291b5b4e9c7d01/1685187414001-Y6S4N472VX9NYISBO763/SLK.jpeg)
DISCLOSURE: My posts may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of those links, I might get a small commission, without any extra cost to you.
This is a quick impression and review of the VUFOXT Pickleball Paddles Set