Wilson SHIFT | Which one For You?

Maybe the most exciting racquet I have seen from Wilson in a while. I owned the LABS Shift Pro for a while and I'm well acquianted with these. Side by side comparisons with some real hitting and machine give me the full picture. I know which one I would pick but what about you? Let me know.
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⏱️TIMESTAMP⏱️
00:00 Intro
03:05 Parking Routine
04:04 Ball Machine Thoughts
04:59 On The Court
06:18 Launch Angle Comparision
08:33 Observations
10:08 Returning the Demo
11:49 Lead Tape and Grommets
14:26 Final Words

[@robertwarren20]

Very nice review! I had previously purchased the Shift Pro as I loved the "plow through" from a little heaver racquet. I had purchased this because of the spin potential. Today I went to a ball machine to test the regular Shift 99. Both racquets are capable of incredible spin, but the regular Shift 99 seems to be easier to produce that spin. Because of the weight, the Shift Pro needs to hit the ball in a more precise manner. I really noticed that on the serve. Both racquets can put a LOT of sllice and kick, but the Pro version can sometimes put too much forward thrust on the ball causing it go long. The same thing can also happen with the regular Shift, but not as often. I bought the regular Shift 99 today and now have both racquets.

[@time410s]

Very nice! And thank you. If I were to pick now, I'd surely pick the regular 99 but I'd weigh it up a bit on my own.

[@geoffchriste1703]

The important thing to remember with the Shift frames is that unless the user has sufficient swing speed, they will not gain the effects of the unique flex of the racquet. Sub NTRP 3.5s hitting Eastern FHs and flat two handed BHs are not gonna magically get monster spin from these frames. Higher level players with more modern groundies and modern swing speeds .. then yeah you will get better than expected spin production especially if you are using a string with good snap back. All things being equal, I still feel the regular Aero, the Dunlop 300SX and the Artengo TR990 produce easier spin than the Shift frames.

[@time410s]

The 300 SX is a monster! I'll have to see if I feel that way about the 99 but you might be right.

[@Richibald1]

Ok but I get awesome spin on Shift X with western or semi-western grip. My theory is it's not my credentials (definitely not) but a 16X20 string pattern. I don't see any 16X20 string pattern in the Shift or Shift Pro. Maybe time to clean my glasses this month? 🤷 That Shift man could do shots not possible on Shift or Shift Pro, or any other racket for that matter. Shift X didn't mess with my shoulder either just lacked some plow through and stability. My game plan is Pinch a Shift X demo on sale this fall and weight the head until happy. Either that or pray to the Wilson Labs boffins they need a 16X20 Shift Pro 🙏

[@geoffchriste1703]

@@Richibald1 you understand that the 16x20 string pattern is more control oriented than the 16x19 more open pattern in spin frames like the Aero. The greater the number of cross strings you have, the more control and lower launch angle you get. The Shift Pro and the Labs 315g versions only come in 18x20 patterns because they are geared to advanced players who don't need the string pattern to help them generate spin. Frames with 16x18 and 16x19 string patterns will be the easiest to generate topspin with regardless whether you use a smooth poly or a textured poly.

[@time410s]

I agree with this. However, I think the spacing of the strings matter a lot. If you compare a 16x19 to a 16x20 and the first is much more densely spaced especially in the mains, you very well might get more spin than with the 16x20 It's the same reason not all 18x20s are equally spin friendly as the next or some racquets with the same pattern and headsize can still vary a lot with launch angle and spin potential. But as a rule of thumb, it's pretty correct but there are many exceptions and it's because the truth is not that simple. Like I'd say the shift 99 is more spin friendly than the EZONE 98 or 100 even though they have a less "dense" pattern.

[@geoffchriste1703]

@@time410s and that extra spin friendliness, compared to the EZone frames, would be due to the flex in the throat of the Shift (per Wilson's marketing). But you need sufficient swing speed to make the frame flex. If you are a club player with a flat Eastern FH hit at 50 mph you ain't gonna feel a thing. If you are an advanced player with a modern semi Western grip and swing path, and can hit your FH in the 65 - 70 mph range, yeah you will feel the flex and extra dwell time. Its easily apparent that the flex in the Shift line or frames is way less than the noodly Clash v.1 line of frames (the v.2 line was stiffened up slightly esp in the top of the hoop). If the Shift was as revolutionary as Wilson claims, and is a spin monster, you would have WTA and ATP pros falling over themselves to use it. Other than Seb Korda who has been using a blacked out Wilson frame for about a year now, no one on tour is swinging the Shift. (No one has said what Korda is testing).

[@vladivital4356]

I agree with many things you said. I am coming from Pure Aero VS and just ordered the 300g Shift. You just confirmed they are super similar just as I expected and felt. I also agree big time on that its hard to pick and actually attack / put power on a lower ball with an 18x20, thats mainly the reason why i moved away from my Head apeed pro Auxetic. And yes, as you mentioned, having head apeed pro and pure aeto vs, i feel the Shift family is right where i had to go and I feel the 300g one will solve the issues i had with the former 2 (pure aero vs started giving gofers elbow kind of pain, especially on harder hit serves, the pain wasn't much, but didn't want to deepen it)

[@time410s]

Nice! Yeah, the shape you can put on for those low balls is so nice!! Opens the door to attack more even on a low/short ball. Literally just not as possible with the denser patterns (unless they are crazy spin friendly somehow, this is a limitation) The PA98 might be worth a try if the VS was not to your liking, if you are still looking! It's definitely a bit more comfy than the VS.

[@vladivital4356]

@@time410s Thanks for the reply! Thats interesting. I was considering the PA98 too but finally went for the Shift. What I like about the Wilson rackets is their precision, something i don't really find with Babolat rackets. It will be interesting to hear your opinion on that when doing the comparison. For me precession is the blend of directional control and depth control, its when you aim for a specific spot on the court, to be able to send the ball exactly there.

[@time410s]

I felt that with both but in different ways. It's a great racket though kinda hard to go wrong with either for the style it is!

[@vladivital4356]

@@time410s Just had an amazing hit with the Shift today and I felt i had to share with you the setup I used, you might find it interesting. I strung it with Head Lynx tour on the mains at 23 kg and Yonex poly tour pro at 22 kg on the crosses, also added about 2 grams of lead at 12 o'clock and man the racket played amazingly. It had insane feel, especially for slices / touch / drop shots, those worked like a magic. Excellent bite on thr ball because of the lynx tour and great dwell time because of both the strings, control was spot on, there was even more power than I expected. Try it out someday if you feel like having some fun. I really loved it and i feel like i will stick with this setup for some time. Cheers!

[@vladivital4356]

Oh forgot to mentioned, i used grey Lynx Tour and blue poly tour pro. Let me know if you try it some day, would love to hear your opinion on it and how it compares to other strings you tried in the Shift. Cheers!

[@davej.2761]

Thanks for the review. Could you please tell us which ball machine (model) you are using?

[@time410s]

The Slinger Bag. Most Basic model. I guess I should always mention it since some people ask and might be new to it or my channel haha IDK why I assumed it went without saying. Thanks for asking! I have a video on it but I'm meaning to make another one

[@AlexTennisChannel]

Nice video!!

[@time410s]

Thank you!

[@randysutjiadi1115]

Curious about that comparison between Shift 300 and Pure Aero 98 as well. I got the Shift 300 and Pure Aero 100, and i like ke lighter feeling of Shift 300 maybe because of Shift 300 is headlighter than the aero 100. The Shift 300 feels more controlled than the powerful Aero 100. The Pure Aero 98 have the same HL point as the Shift 300, so curious about that difference, hope to see your review soon

[@time410s]

Yeah I'll work on it sometime soon!

[@clotzo]

I got the Shift 300g as a present but am more an intermediate player and not yet advanced. Do you think I can still handle the raquet?

[@time410s]

totally! It's an easy to use racket with friendly traits across the board that you can grow a lot with.

[@matthewmurray1970]

Your trajectory with the regular shift 99 was a bit higher than the baseline shot with the pro 18-20 !

[@time410s]

Agree

[@meowmixmeowmix]

Isn't there more recycled materials in the eco than restring zero. I thought the only restrings packaging was made from recycled materials

[@time410s]

Probably! You mean that green lux string? ReString achieves it's goal by being much more durable and lasting than most of the competition while additionally taking steps to reduce carbon footprint via the shipping but also packaging materials. I'd say zero lasts twice as long as most polys if not a little longer. Can't say that for the Eco string, personally. And I'm not sure about the rest of the narrative but honestly I wasn't prioritizing this string for the Eco conscious reasons. That is just icing on the cake.

[@kieransmith6533]

Why the glove when driving? Great video as always!

[@hungrylance]

leaving a comment here cuz i am curious too lol

[@time410s]

Lol so I don't smudge my touchscreen on the Tesla. Basically never have to clean it this way. And now you see my obsessive tendencies carry beyond the racquets 😅

[@time410s]

Hope you saw the answer

[@hungrylance]

@@time410s Oh! that actually makes sense haha! ;p

[@time410s]

Practical, right? Haha thanks

[@jorgetirado3201]

Do you feel like the pro hits a heavier ball though? Spin is one thing, but so is how heavy your balls are and therefore harder for your opponent to handle

[@time410s]

In stock form in the right hands, I can see that. But no reason the 99 can't be weighted up to have a similar weight to the ball. Or somewhere in between where the easier access to head-speed can cause for a heavy ball too. Hard to say, I can't say that is entirely the case.

[@jorgetirado3201]

@@time410s Got it - yeah I can see that with the 300 and a little more weight added to the hoop. When you compare it to the PA98, you might want to do that to get the swingweights closer to compare.

[@wilsoch]

I actually did weight up the regular Shift to match my Pro. I was curious which I would like more. To be honest, I don't think the regular Shift works quite as well with weight. The Pro still hit a heavier ball, and I think the spin production on the regular one suffered with the added weight.

[@prophetmargin7497]

Its too bad you didn't get a chance to try ReString Zero in either frame, the spin must be blinding in a regular Shift 99 16x20!

[@time410s]

They are both very spin friendly and the 99 especially. The Pro very much so for an 18x20.

[@wilsoch]

I'm astonished by the amount of spin I get with the Pro (with Restring Zero). Interestingly, I don't get much more spin with the regular Shift, and the ball isn't as heavy, so I've found no need to go to the regular one. The Pro fits my needs.

[@time410s]

@wilsoch it's a scary spin string you're trying! I'm glad you've seen for yourself. I'm still excited like I was ever since I discovered that level of snapback haha.

[@bruno_mart]

You wear driving gloves, bare foot shoes, drive an electric car… I feel like I can no longer trust you lol 😂

[@time410s]

Because of one of those things or all of them? Ha. And it's just 1 glove! If that helps my case lol

[@jimj7333]

One glove is cooler…. HA

[@Nopanop]

First , lets gooo , not watching the review coz i know its gonna be in super detail

[@time410s]

Fair

[@paullee9982]

Shift reminds me of the Stream 99…

[@time410s]

If I recall this feels pretty different but have you tried both?

[@paullee9982]

⁠yeah i used to use the stream for a few years so know it well. Both sticks pocket really well, similar pop and control imo. I loved the stream but cracked the frame and couldn’t find another new racket that played like it. Ultimately settled on the Ezone 98 which is good for 95% of the time but is a bit unpredictable on slices (not sure if anyone else has experienced this)

[@time410s]

I did

[@eloneatmyshorts]

If you’re shanking balls off the frame removing the lead tape in the process, you’ve got no business tweaking a racquet.

[@time410s]

You say that like after a certain level of tennis you are just immune to this happening. It happens once or twice and that's enough to displace the tape Under grommets is nice anyway for aesthetics and protection. Not just of tape but from you touching. I'd personally be more critical of someone thinking shanks just never happen at higher levels than someone who has the occasional shank And someone customizing racquets doesn't even have to be a great player. They can just be good at customizing racquets. Just had to pick this comment apart. It's too full of holes.

[@feistybastard]

Marketing a string because it's made from recycled materials is a reason for me to NOT buy it. I don't know who is looking for an 18X20 99" thick beamed racket. Too heavy for 99% of the players after 1 hour. Thanks, no thanks.

[@geoffchriste1703]

Wilson has quite a few WTA players who still use the old Wilson Steam 99 (e.g., Emma Raducanu). It's possible they are attempting to make a replacement for that frame but one which is much easier on the wrist joint than the Steam line of frames was.

[@time410s]

If it's not a detriment to the string, I can get behind it. I also think this is being marketed in a slick and dishonest way but maybe it's just bad phrasing. However, I think it's intentional, not bad. Yeah the target SW could be like 5-8 units lower. I think that would be great.