Ep. 05 — Grip Size: 4.125 vs 4.25
4.125" or 4.25" — what an eighth of an inch actually changes, who it fits, and which paddles come in each.
Grip size is the distance around the handle. It's the one factor that has nothing to do with how the paddle plays and everything to do with how it fits your hand — and a bad fit shows up as a tired forearm or a sore elbow before it shows up in your game.
Two sizes cover most paddles on the market: 4.125" and 4.25". The difference is an eighth of an inch, and you'll feel it.
Narrower (4.125")
More wrist movement and easier grip changes. A slimmer handle lets your wrist snap through on serves, drives and spin, and makes it quick to switch from forehand to backhand at the kitchen.
Light in the hand. Fingertips wrap all the way around.
Smaller hands, and players who like a lot of wrist in their game. If you're unsure, start here and add an overgrip if you need more.
- JOOLA Scorpeus Pro V · Anna Bright 14mm
- CRBN 1X 14mm
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond 14mm
- Thrive Surge
- Mark OneX
- Neonic Flow
See all 19 paddles
Standard (4.25")
More stability. A fuller handle keeps the paddle solid through contact, especially on blocks and off-center hits, and stops the wrist from over-rotating. The trade-off is a little less wrist freedom.
Filled-in and secure. Nothing moves when the ball hits.
Most adult hands, and anyone who squeezes too hard on a thin grip.
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V · Ben Johns 14mm
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V · Ben Johns 16mm
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV · Ben Johns 16mm
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-C
- Selkirk Vanguard Control Invikta
- Thrive Smoke
See all 17 paddles
- JOOLA Hyperion Pro V 14mm
- JOOLA Hyperion Pro V 16mm
- JOOLA Hyperion Pro IV 16mm
- JOOLA Scorpeus Pro V · Collin Johns 16mm
- JOOLA Scorpeus Pro IV · Collin Johns 16mm
- JOOLA Kosmos Pro V · Staksrud 16mm
- JOOLA Andre Agassi Pro V 14mm
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C
- Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C
- Selkirk Amped Pro Air Epic
- Selkirk Amped Pro Air Invikta
Check your fit
- Fingertips digging into your palm? The grip is too small. Size up, or add an overgrip.
- Handle feels bulky and hard to close your hand around? The grip is too big. Size down.
- Relaxed and secure? That's a good fit.
So which grip is yours?
Grip size is the fifth factor.
Shape, core thickness, face material and handle length came first. Weight is the last one, and it's next in the Daily Drop series.
Want a shortcut? Sona's free PaddleMatch™ quiz looks at all six factors together and suggests one paddle for how you play.
Get fit. Take the PaddleMatch™ quiz