Holbrook
Holbrook Mav
The Holbrook Mav is an elongated, all-court paddle with a soft 16mm build. It suits players who want reach, spin, and controlled power without moving to a heavier paddle.
Character from the specs · Balanced
Worked out from core thickness, weight, face and shape using general rules of thumb — not from a play test.
Is this paddle right for you?
4 quick questions, scored from the specs
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It doesn’t change the price you pay.
Overview
The Mav combines an 8.0-ounce carbon-fiber face with a 16mm polypropylene honeycomb core. Its 16.5-inch length and 7.5-inch width give you extra reach while keeping a familiar hitting area. The 5.5-inch handle also leaves room for a two-handed backhand.
The thick core and perimeter edge foam are designed to soften vibration and enlarge the sweet spot. That points toward a more forgiving, controlled feel on resets, drops, and dinks. A reviewer found the paddle stable on off-center contact, while customer comments praise its shock absorption and control. The listed 117 swing weight makes it more head-heavy than its static weight suggests.
Play style
This paddle fits an all-court game that mixes soft hands with baseline drives. The 16mm core favors touch and control, while the elongated shape adds leverage and reach on groundstrokes. Reviewers report good control and spin, with enough power when you accelerate the swing.
The textured carbon surface is intended to increase spin for shaped drives and serves. The tradeoff is hand speed: testing found the Mav slower at the kitchen, with more shoulder strain during long sessions. Look elsewhere if quick firefights are your priority.
Best for
- Players who want extra reach on groundstrokes
- Two-handed backhand players who prefer a longer handle
- Players who value soft resets and kitchen dinks
- Baseline players who want spin and plow-through
- Players upgrading from a basic paddle
Look elsewhere if
- Players who need the fastest hands at the kitchen
- Players sensitive to shoulder strain during long sessions
- Players seeking the lightest, quickest-swinging paddle
- Players who want maximum pop from a thinner core
Strengths
- The 16mm polypropylene core supports a softer, controlled feel for drops, resets, and dinks.
- The 16.5-inch elongated shape adds reach and leverage on groundstrokes.
- The textured carbon surface is associated with strong spin performance by reviewers.
- The 8.0-ounce weight offers a manageable static weight while the 117 swing weight adds drive plow-through.
- Perimeter edge foam is designed to reduce vibration and widen the sweet spot.
Things to consider
- Its head-heavy swing weight can slow hand speed during kitchen exchanges.
- Testing found more shoulder strain over long sessions.
- The elongated shape gives you less width than a wider paddle for fast exchanges.
- The 16mm core favors control over the sharper pop of a thinner core.
- The listed weight can vary by plus or minus 0.2 ounces.
Specs
| Brand | Holbrook |
|---|---|
| Weight | 8 oz |
| Core thickness | 16 mm |
| Core material | Polypropylene honeycomb |
| Face | Carbon fiber |
| Face material | Carbon fiber |
| Length | 16.5 in |
| Width | 7.5 in |
| Handle length | 5.5 in |
| Grip circumference | 4.25 in |
| Handle | Long handle |
| USA Pickleball approved | Yes |
Not listed by the seller: shape.
Specs come from the seller's product listing and may be incomplete or change between batches. Double-check before you buy.