Pro Skins

Easy to apply. Average grit, probably restore back to 50% of the original level. Increase the static weight quite a bit. $20 is an okay price. Even the core life of most paddles to be about 6 months, not sure if the application is worth it.

PIKKL SKINS - REPLACE THE FACE!

The face of my Holbrook Mav Pro was getting a little smoother, and I wasn't getting as much spin as when it was new, so I was curious to try these stick-on paddle faces. Just by chance the shape of the applique was very close to that of my paddle face. I basically stuck it on and trimmed the edges with a razor blade using the edge guard as a guide. I was probably done in five minutes. I weighed my paddle before and after and the difference was 18 grams total. Now, I like a heavier paddle, but I already had 12 grams of lead tape on the lower corners. I peeled that off and the net weight gain was only 4 grams. The unaccounted for two grams were probably in the edge tape going around the entire perimeter. In hand, I could actually feel the extra heft of the paddle since the weight was distributed more toward the top. I had expected the texture of the PIKKL SKINS to be gritty, but it actually felt smoother than the carbon paddle face. I'll tell you now, the grit ain't it- It's the secret sauce in the material that provides the bite. You can feel the friction just by rubbing a ball across the surface under medium pressure. The difference is noticeable. I verified that today during rec play. I was getting good dive on serves, and my opponents were having a hard time dealing with the slice, just like when my paddle was new. The manufacturer says they're getting 1800 rpm's of spin with these skins, and I believe them. Oddly, a side effect was that my paddle sounded noticably more muted on shots, but it didn't change the feel. I still had good power and touch. I am very impressed with PIKKL SKINS, and I think the product has a future. Personally, I can't quite get past the extra head-heaviness for my game, but I think the product has a place for many players. The company has plans for a much lighter skin in the future and I think that's doable. The backing on the sticker is pretty substantial, so I think there's room for improvement. As for it's place in the current market, just imagine all the cheap first paddles out there whose spin could be improved as beginners level up their games. It could also be useful for someone who has a very light paddle that's seen better days. And here's the kicker: they will be able to put any graphics you want on your paddle face. Your own design, your dog, your enemy, anything. I didn't think PIKKL SKINS will catch on for players above about 4.0, but let's face it, the majority of us aren't in that
group. All things considered, it's a pretty cool product, and the price is under twenty dollars!

These should come in more texture ranges