Gear + paddle reviews for everyday playerS
Real, relatable, and practical paddle + gear reviews for everyday players---through the eyes of real players, not just pros.
This month, we tested the PKOLL Touch 2 Model, a paddle that’s part of PKOLL’s unique "Progression" series, designed to enhance speed, control, and reaction time.
But does its narrow face and long handle help or hurt? Our reviewers had very different takes—read on to find out!
Reviewer #1: A paddle that brings the speed
"It’s like surfing on a shortboard—quick, snappy action!"
First Impressions
➤ Look & Feel: Cute, fun, and lightweight with a balanced feel.
➤ Surprises: The small face and long handle stood out. Felt quick in hand but had concerns about control.
Playing Performance
➤ Control
✅ Dinks: Excellent touch and precision, made quick exchanges feel effortless.
✅ Drop Shots: Required an adjustment due to the smaller surface area but worked well for top/slice/side spin.
❌ Blocking/Resets: A challenge. The small face meant more edge hits, and resets took extra effort.
➤ Power & Spin
❌ Drives: Performed better with my usual paddle.
✅ Overhead Smashes: A highlight! Snappy wrist action created accurate, powerful putaways.
✅ Spin: Decent spin, especially on serves, which felt slightly better than usual.
Breaking It Down: The Good, The Challenging, & The Right Player Fit
Reviewer #1: A paddle that brings the speed (continued)
➤ Maneuverability & Feel
✅ Extremely quick at the net—opponents noticed the difference.
✔️ Light weight made it easy to react but also led to more edge mishits.
✅ No fatigue or strain after playing.
➤ Who This Paddle is Best For
• Intermediate and aggressive players who like a fast, maneuverable paddle with a long handle for extra wrist action.
• Players comfortable with a smaller paddle face and willing to adjust.
Reviewer #2: Not the right fit
"I like a wider paddle face for more surface to cover. This just didn’t work for me."
First Impressions
✔️ Handle: Long—could be good for two-handed backhands but felt a bit too much.
✅ Grip: Comfortable circumference.
❌ Weight & Balance: Handle end felt heavier than expected.
❌ Paddle Face: Too narrow—the biggest issue.
Why It Didn’t Work
• The paddle’s narrow face made it difficult to hit clean shots.
• The weight distribution felt unbalanced, especially at the handle.
• After a few attempts, felt too uncomfortable to continue playing.
➤ Who This Paddle Might Be Good For
• Advanced beginners or intermediate players who have experience testing different paddles.
• Not ideal for beginners due to the narrow hitting surface.
• Best suited for someone without mobility issues who can adjust quickly.
Final Verdict: A Paddle That Divides Opinion
The PKOLL Touch 2 Model sparked two very different reactions.
✔️ One tester found it fast, powerful, and maneuverable, a perfect fit for aggressive players.
❌ The other struggled with the narrow face and found it difficult to control, ultimately deciding it wasn't the right fit.
Since this paddle is part of PKOLL’s "The Progression" system, it may require an adjustment period. Players who enjoy quick hands, longer reach, and a snappy feel may love it, while those who prefer a wider paddle face and balanced feel might struggle.
Should You Try the PKOLL Touch 2?
If you’re open to experimenting and want a quicker, more maneuverable paddle, the PKOLL Touch 2 might be a great fit—especially if you’re an intermediate player looking to level up your speed and reaction time.
However, if you prefer a wider paddle face and more traditional weight distribution, this may not be the paddle for you.
Curious about "The Progression"?
Visit PKOLL's website to learn more about how their paddle designs aim to shape the future of pickleball.
