OWL Pickleball Paddle Review | Quiet Pickleball Paddle

[@be-kind00]

Two things. Owl just told me today that the paddles have been approved for tournament play. They also have another version that has more power that I purchased recently.

[@PickleballMedicine]

I just heard this.. what a big change of events!! I wonder what exactly needed to happen with the rules to make these allowable because it previously seemed pretty clear these did not meet current standards ok certain rules, like deflection.

[@PickleballMedicine]

I just tried to look it up on the official USAPA website, but it's not there... maybe they haven't updated it on the official USAPA website yet?

[@racketrick]

Opening a can of worms, I reckon. Wait until someone like Diadem takes advantage of the "relaxed" regs(given their early entry into the "creative" materials arena).

[@maryannadelman4438]

Seems usapa is being disingenuous about their equipment standards and making themselves irrelevant in the pball world once again. No one is going to pay attention to you when you put forth specific standards (see their Equipment Standards manual) and then refuse to follow those standards to approve an obvious illegal paddle for tourney play.

[@maryannadelman4438]

@@PickleballMedicine usapickleball.org/docs/eec/Equipment-Standards-Manual.pdf This is the usapa equipment standards manual. The usapa seems to be ignoring the very precise standards for paddle surface

[@AMurderOfLobs]

To drill in my house without my neighbors thinking the DEA was trying to bust my door open with a battering ram, I actually made my own paddle like this by taping a heavy duty paper towel to the surface. It became remarkably quiet, played fine, and i was even shocked at the durability of the paper towel.

[@maxwellsimpson3486]

I have the control elongated and the power square shape. I was able to put electrical tape all around and tuck it into the handle under my overgrip. I then put my tungsten tape on the electrical tape and it's been working great. I've been playing with the power version more and can say I really like it. Pop is there and am able to control the ball when needed. Spin is top tier. If this is the first iteration of quiet paddles, im excited to see whats next.

[@PickleballMedicine]

That's not a bad idea, thanks for sharing! I agree that it performed pretty well.

[@be-kind00]

Can we see a see a free pics or clip of how you covered the edge with the two layers?

[@mesasomer2392]

thanks for such a thorough and thoughtful review! would love to see a comparision with the vice, which i use for its dampening on a wrist that is disintegrating on me.

[@PickleballMedicine]

No problem at all, I'm glad you enjoyed it! I've actually never hit with the vice, but it seems different from the norm for sound, too!

[@ashevillescarborough]

Thanks for the review, been wondering about this one!

[@PickleballMedicine]

You are very welcome, thanks for the support!

[@weallknownothingpodcast3952]

It recently just got approved by USA pickleball not just USA pickleball quite. On the website it says it’s been officially approved for USAP tournaments, league and events.

[@PickleballMedicine]

Thats what i hear, but I dont see it on the official USAPA website yet, which is going to be the only truly reliable source of information... if it does appear on the official usapa website approval lost, that would be quite the change in events!!

[@weallknownothingpodcast3952]

@@PickleballMedicine I emailed owl and yesterday they confirmed they just got full approval. We will see if it shows up on website approval list soon

[@SailCamaraderie]

All 4 showed up today on the UASpickleball list. Don't know how this can happen with that surface and the PREVIOUS opinion on the original paddle of their head testing guy.

[@weallknownothingpodcast3952]

@@PickleballMedicine it’s on the USAP website of approved paddles now

[@evidencebased1]

Don’t see why they can’t put a regular edge guard to solve those issues you mentioned. That strip will not hold up. It seems they didn’t think some things through before going to manufacturing. Btw, what is the material? Wool, cotton, synthetic? I would like to see how that holds up as I think most people like to get at least a couple years from their paddle. Maybe put the sound deadening on the ball instead since those get replaced and should be cheaper.????

[@PickleballMedicine]

I think some ideas have been thrown out there about the ball being changed, but I dont know what has actually been tried in that avenue! As for the actual material, it really doesn't say what it's made from,, specifically... 🤷‍♂️

[@scottiehoang]

What a hoot!!! Love the personal feedback from your testers! Need more of that! Great content as usual!!! Do you think the felt material is going to collect alot of debris/dust/etc etc etc and that will affect the playability? I know there's a ton of jokes coming this way (lint roller, carpet shampoo) but you can't use a carbon eraser but what happens if the paddle gets wet?

[@PickleballMedicine]

Thanks Scottie, wouldn't be possible without you! To your question, after all the times I played with it, it never got dirt or collected ANY noticeable ball residue, surprisingly... I do think it remains to be seen how it will do if it gets wet, though..

[@marvwest8457]

The reviewer is wrong about lead tape. You can add lead tape to the owl paddle. You just have to add edge tape as well and let the adhesive set overnight before using the paddle again. Played for 2+ hours last night with no problem. The paddle definitely needs more power, and the lead tape gives it some needed punch.

[@woodsonsanders1112]

Very good review. I’m impressed.

[@PickleballMedicine]

Thank you, im glad you enjoyed!

[@caddiedaddy1]

Thank you for a very interesting review.

[@PickleballMedicine]

You are more than welcome, thank you for watching!

[@maiac.colucci8415]

Any follow-up on the edge after more play? I just got one and the edge they sent with it is not sticking at all. How's it going? Thank you.

[@PickleballMedicine]

I haven't played with it since the review, but I wish I could tell you more! All I know by way of updates js that they are now approved for tournaments through the usapa

[@maiac.colucci8415]

Hhmmm not going to be a rourmnaplayer any time soon. Just wanted to know if it lasted... Worth the $$ Thank you

[@PickleballPursuit]

Dope! So It seems to be a pretty decent performing paddle, I'm in complete shock

[@PickleballMedicine]

Haha me too, man! I would actually be pretty comfortable playing with it regularly if it was tournanent approved and didn't have some questionable durability at this point!

[@gg80108]

Anyone know the length and width of paddles? Oops not on the Web site.

[@TanMan1]

Really good review. One other comment from someone who played against this paddle, the noise that it does make (or the lack thereof) was a little distracting honestly. You don't realize how much you use sound to try and determine how hard they are hitting the ball.

[@PickleballMedicine]

Yeah I actually heard that from people, too.. it is definitely a change of pace most people aren't used to, haha

[@Knubs01]

Are the Owl paddles thermoformed ?

[@PickleballMedicine]

I don't think so.. I uncovered the handle and its covered by a sort of edge tape type thing, but not encased like a thermo full-body would be.

[@AMurderOfLobs]

what's "competition pricing"?

[@gg80108]

Use Velcro on the back of lead tape.

[@PickleballMedicine]

I laughed a little at first.. but the more I think about it, the more I think it may be a good idea..!

[@AMurderOfLobs]

@@PickleballMedicine I doubt it would stick. It might be okay just to dial in the weight you want but honestly I'd just glue on whatever lead tape I was happy with.

[@kimleith1378]

I stick with my VICE.

[@PickleballMedicine]

Whatever works for you, my friend!

[@michaelwang8195]

I guess i dont understand the point of this if its not tournament approved and theres already high performamce non tournament quieter paddles made with eva foam (ie vice)

[@PickleballMedicine]

I think that's a good observation, and I would speculate on two thoughts there.. 1: I'm not sure how many (or if any) other paddles have been officially tested for sound specs by the USAPA, so not sure if other specific paddles would meet the EXACT (though not really publicly specified) perameters for spind limits, and 2: while the performance standards are different, they are still regulated and from what I've heard, the EVA foam paddles likely play way too powerful to meet the performance aspects these USAPA approved paddles are still held to.

[@gg80108]

More don't play tournaments than do.

[@weallknownothingpodcast3952]

It recently just got approved by USA pickleball not just USA pickleball quite. On the website it says it’s been officially approved for USAP tournaments, league and events