We had the chance to test the two palas from Wilson, the Pro Staff and the Blade. Two high-end palas that we peel to make your choice easier.

At Wilson padel, you have access to 3 ranges of palas; the Blade for the feeling, Pro Staff for precision and Ultra for power. We had the opportunity to test 2 of the 3: the Blade and the Pro Staff.

Composition

The two palas share some similarities. The foam which is a high density FOAM, the surface of the pala with the rough central part, an almost similar design, and their weight of 365 grams.

The Pro Staff is round and made of braided Graphite. The bridge forms a triangle and the edges are rounded.

The Blade is diamond shaped and made of carbon fiber. Her bridge is different with straight lines that would almost make her look like the Joker's smile.

Getting started

We came for that, right? Seeing the palas it looks like they are smaller than the palas we are used to seeing, but no, same dimensions so everything is fine. First impressions are really different between one pala and the other. With the Blade we immediately feel the weight in mind and that we will have to control it so that it does not do what it wants. The Pro Staff on the contrary seems wiser. After a few balls hit you get used to the dry sound of the 2 palas.

Runway background

The basis of padel, defense. In this area, the Pro Staff are really at ease. With both forehands, backhands and defensive window exits, you end up with a glove that lands and drops the balls where you want and to the millimeter.

The Blade is a little more capricious. We need a few strikes to adjust ourselves, to understand its character because it wants to bite right away. The head of the pala requires only one thing, that is to let it work.

Attack runway background

In this chapter we will talk about attacking shots from the bottom such as forehands and high backhands, attacking glass exits (bajadas).

Here the Blade quickly takes the advantage. She wants to hurt. If you have a little hand and you understand that it is the head of the pala which must pass first, this Blade will put you in the best conditions to attack ... and by being precise. This is what surprised us. Being able to accelerate bullets while remaining precise, a precision weapon.

The Pro Staff is not to be outdone, but does not make the difference with the power. It is efficient in precision. We agree that the attack game from the bottom of the track does not always happen at high speed, the Pro Staff knows this and allows you to do so. Lobs are effective, and any shots you make at medium speed will do damage to opponents.

Net

Interesting. The two palas provide great control over the net. We did not take long to make beautiful deep flights with little rebound. Most of the ends we played were waiting, point preparation, trying to move our opponents. Certainly the Blade requires a little control if not it gets carried away, but nothing to say about it, the 2 palas will enchant you.

For bandejas, same thing, at medium speed, the two palas are precise. If you are the badminton player style that hits high flat balls, be careful with the Blade because it has no effect, it is direct in the glass.

Now smashing, a topic that will certainly interest you. The Pro Staff does the job of liftering correctly, finding the angles, but to make par 3 or bring the ball home, the Blade takes the advantage and crosses the line with a head start. She only asks for that, let her work. Once you've got the thing and found the “punto dulce”, that's the end of the point guaranteed.

The service

No double fault during this test. In this hyper important phase of play, the two Wilson sisters are at ease. The Pro Staff is very precise and asks for support, she seems shy, afraid of doing well while she does everything very well. The effects are taken with ease, there are incredible areas, even with a second ball, so no worries.

The Blade, it darkens head down. You like the quick service on the side window, this pala will enchant you. But it must be with effects, beware of flat services which can become uncontrollable. So for those who perform their second service slowly flat, it will either have to be modified, or serve only the first.

Conclusion

We find ourselves in front of 2 high-end and really very interesting palas. As an instructor of padel, I look for precision during my lessons, control on the ball to try to make my students play. In this area, the Pro Staff are the best assistants. Easy to handle, effortless forehands and backhands, well placed, same for volleys and high play, it is a treat. If you are a right-handed player (not left-handed) who likes points to last, who likes to move his opponents by taking the time to organize his game with good tactics, this pala is for you regardless of your level.

The Blade will be my pala in the matches I play on the left. You just have to understand her so that she gives the best of herself. It requires technique, so not all players will find what they are looking for with this pala, but as soon as you start to master the blows of the padel, the Blade will enchant you. Explosiveness would be the word I use. As soon as you allow her to work, she gives, gives, gives, but if you decide to stay in control, you have to impose yourself.

Pro Staff: 300€

Wilson Padel Pro Staff: the precision line

Blade: 270€

Wilson Padel Blade: the line of sensations

Julien Bondia

Julien Bondia is a teacher of padel in Tenerife (Spain). Columnist and advisor, he helps you play better through his tutorials and tactical/technical articles padel.

On the same subject