Specs at a glance:
| Balance: | Head Heavy |
|---|---|
| Construction: | Hyperfibre XT |
| Factory Strings: | Dunlop Silk |
| Head size (cm): | 490 cm |
| Stringing pattern: | 14 x 19 |
| Unstrung weight: | 128 grams |
| Price | Approximately £100 (April 2020) |
In a few words: This is a head heavy racket designed to generate power with ease. It will favour ‘traditional’ squash players who rely on perfectly weighted shots played to a solid length. Beginners may struggle with the head heavy balance, however intermediate and above players may really enjoy using this racket.
With a recently updated cosmetic, the Dunlop Hyperfibre XT Revelation Pro is one of Dunlop’s latest and greatest rackets, currently endorsed by none other than former world number one Ali Farag.
For those unfamiliar with this racket, it weighs in at 128g with a noticeably head heavy balance.
This means that on the scales this is quite a light racket, though due to the balance, some may find this actually feels a lot heavier in the hand – this is what’s known as the ‘swing weight’ – it’s a hugely important metric when defining the feel of a racket that unfortunately is rarely measured.
The new version for 2019 features an updated cosmetic – the paint on the frame follows the shape of the dunlop logo on the strings, and looks really cool. The new version is also billed as being more durable, which in the game of squash is always welcome.
Comparing this to the older version, I really struggled to feel a great deal of difference, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing as the older racket felt great to play with. If you’re not overly worried about cosmetics or durability, at the time of writing, the older version can be picked up for just £59.99 on PDHSports.com – a relative bargain.
What do I like about this racket?
Looks – From a cosmetic point of view, as well as the cool new paintjob, the frame has a unique shape that I’m yet to see on another racket outside of the dunlop range. It’s definitely a smart looking piece of kit.
The stock grip, or more specifically, what’s underneath it – This is something I’ve never seen seen or noticed before. Under the grip, there’s a silver strip that has a ‘gel’ type feel to it, which gives the frame a really nice feel in the hand, and it stays in place when you regrip the racket too. I have no idea what it is, but I like it. Kudos, Dunlop.
Power – The balance of this racket means it’s perfect for those players looking to generate extra power through their shots. when you properly hit through the ball with this racket, you’ll know about it. If like me you occasionally enjoy the sound of the ball trying to break through the front wall, you’ll probably like this racket. It’s easily the most powerful frame on sale today.
Control and accuracy – This racket really does favour the ‘traditional’ squash player – playing good, consistent squash by hitting straight, tight and well weighted drives instantly feels second nature. Thanks to the ‘Aeroskin’, it’s smooth through the air and through the ball, and with the extra weight in the head, the ball goes exactly where you’d like it to. The same can be said for drop shots – I found taking the ball in short was equally straightforward with this racket.
What’s not to like?
There’s a bit of a double edged sword here, to truly access this racket’s power and control, you have to be well prepared with your swing – if you find your coach shouting ‘racket up’ every time you step on court, then this racket’s probably not the one for you. Unless you have a strong wrist, you might find the balance beginning to hinder your accuracy.
I personally found myself struggling with this racket particularly when under pressure. If you’re playing someone who likes to send you the wrong way, playing ‘reactive’ squash becomes a little more difficult than with an evenly balanced or head light racket. Prepare your arm for a workout in these kinds of games. It’s not impossible to use though, and my arms are far from ‘strong’, so it might just be me.
If you’re the type of player who likes to play deceptive squash, you may also struggle with this racket – head heavy rackets tend not to favour the more ‘tricky’ player, so if that’s you, you might not find much enjoyment with this particular frame.
To sum things up
Metaphorically speaking, I’m going to compare this racket to the Hammer of Thor. Hear me out.
For a modern racket, it has an inescapably heavy swing weight. Even with the advertised 128g frame weight, it feels far heavier. If you’re good at keeping your racket up, or have a strong enough in the wrist to manoeuvre this racket under pressure, the returns the Dunlop Hyperfibre Revelation Pro XT offers are fantastic.
It’s well worth giving this racket a try, it’s certainly unique in a market where manufacturers are making rackets as light as possible, often too light for the majority of players.
The great news is that if you do find it to be too heavy, the ‘lite’ version of this racket may be right up your street – being almost identical cosmetically but with a more head light balance. Dunlop really has thought of everything!
Squash Gear Reviews 