INSUM Try Pickleball Paddle Edgeless - Power Air Series - 3K Carbon Abrasion Surface (CAS),19.6mm Thermoforming PP Core

I was very excited to try the TRY. During my climb through the Beginner and into the Intermediate ranks, the paddles in my bag had been limited to "standard" sizes and shapes. My typical "Amazon discount" racquet would be 15.8" x 7.8", with a 13mm thickness, and a black plastic edge guard surrounding it. Certainly nothing wrong with that, especially for beginners. But, with modern 2023 technology emerging, coupled with my steadily improving game, I felt the time was right to experience a very different type of pickleball paddle, like the Insum TRY.Before I dive into specifics about the paddle itself, let me first offer high praise for the packaging (see photos). The box looked absolutely beautiful (despite the misspelling "PADLE" in the upper right) and came shrink-wrapped. All it needed was a bow to make for an impressive gift. I certainly cannot say the same about the majority of racquets I've researched (even more expensive ones), which too often are packed in nothing more than a flimsy cardboard sleeve, encased in bubble wrap, and held together with a rubber band.So, a huge shoutout to Insum for its packaging. It was not only attractive but functional, as well. When I unboxed the paddle it appeared to be very well-protected, nesting comfortably in its form-fitting foam. The rest of the box contained extra goodies, such as: a wrist band, 3 overgrip tapes, and stickers. I put them all to good use.The inclusion of a paddle cover would have been the icing on the cake. However, I can't be too disappointed, as I've seen many paddles, some even costing over $200, that aren't bundled with a cover or protective sleeve. In this case, I searched Amazon and ended up purchasing a Kathfly 4-piece neoprene racket cover set for around 20 bucks. A great value, and...problem solved! The TRY looks very cozy and well-shielded within one of these well-made, zippered sleeves, which I decorated with the stickers included in the paddle's box.I removed the TRY from its plush perch, then stripped off the protective plastic wrap from its handle, and gave it a few air swings. Then I admired its overall appearance. Visually, the paddle makes a wonderful aesthetic impression. In fact, it looks like a work of art! At the same time, its thickness makes it feel rugged and durable, similar to a high-grade cutting board.From the company's ad copy on Amazon, this TRY Power Air paddle boasts some amazing features: edgeless (no edge guard); unibody construction (for durability); an open (aerodynamic) neck; 3K carbon fiber; textured surface; elongated handle and body; and a 19.6 mm thick core. Wow, that's an impressive list!Of course, being a skeptic by nature, I was very eager to see if the TRY actually measured up to all the hype. Here's what I found:Description says: 3K premium carbon fiber for a muffled sound and durable surface. I will have to take the company's word for the materials used. Yes, the paddle is appreciably quieter than my fiberglass and composite ones. Also, slightly more muffled than most of the graphite (aka: carbon fiber) ones I own, including PP and Nomex cores.As far as surface durability, I did notice some faint wear & tear at the very top portion of one face after 8 hours of play. No other marks are visible anywhere else, so I'm not too concerned; but I'll keep my eye on it for future reference.Description says: paddle thickness is 19.6mm. My measurement was .75" (see photo) which equals 19mm. Still, it's by far the thickest paddle I've played with, topping the more common 13mm to 16mm ones. The TRY's extra thick honeycomb polypropylene (PP) core gave me better control for dinks, drop shots, and resets, without any sacrifice of power.Description says: edgeless unibody construction. I found this to be a valuable feature. No plastic edge guard along the periphery means less stuff that can break or come loose. It gives the paddle a much cleaner look and a more solid feel. The sweet spot area is also increased.Description says: The handle length is 5.11". Elsewhere it is characterized as "elongated."I measured the handle as an even 5" (see photo). Regardless, neither measurement would comprise an elongated handle.That designation is usually reserved for handles in the 5.25" and up range. Many high-end paddle makers go with a 5.5" handle, which seems to best accommodate the two-hand back-handers. My backhand is a one-hander, so a 5" handle length is perfect for my game.Description says: Grip circumference is 4.25".My measurement came out 4.375" for the grip (see photo), but perhaps the ridges made it appear thicker. I ended up applying one of the included overgrips, thus enhancing the circumference to 4.5", which is a very common standard these days. Pickleballers coming from a tennis background should like this, as they are accustomed to the fatter grip of their tennis racquets; but, in my case, with racquetball, squash, paddleball, and table tennis as my main sports over the decades, I would have preferred the thinner 4.25" grip. Yet, I'm getting used to the 4.5" grips because of all the different paddles I've experimented with.The layer of white grip tape around the handle is tacky and ribbed (i.e., it has ridges), which I personally prefer, although other users may not. In general, I eschew white grips because they tend to accumulate dirt from sweat stains. So, it's a big plus that there are 3 bonus overgrips included.In fact, the original grip on my racquet wasn't wrapped perfectly, leaving a small but irritating gap at the bottom of the handle (see photo). Since I tend to hold my racquet very low on the handle (to maximize leverage), the exposed octagonal edges and butt were digging into the fleshy parts of my palm.Fortunately, the extra overgrip rolls that came with the paddle provided an easy solution. I applied one to the existing grip, following the enclosed easy instructions. The result: not only was the gap fully covered, the handle felt even more cushiony and comfy than before...just the way I love it! However, as I previously mentioned, it did thicken the grip circumference to 4.5" (which I can live with); plus, it added ~.2 ozs, making this paddle's total weight 8.3 ounces (see photos). That's considered to be a medium-weight paddle, and it was even within the stated weight range of 8.11 to 8.38 ozs. While my preference heretofore had been for lightweights (the 7.5 to 7.8 ozs range seemed ideal for my game), the TRY paddle felt well-balanced, and not too heavy. My backhand flicks, slices, block shots, and overhead smashes seemed effortless. Plus my arm and wrist weren't fatigued at all. I figure the most likely reason for that is...Description says: "Aerodynamic throat. Reduce air resistance and improve agility." I found their claim to be absolutely true! The wide vent above the handle is actually quite functional, making this 8.3 ounce weapon feel much lighter and speedier. This "open throat technology," as it's called, was first developed for pickleball by Selkirk, and is featured in its highly-regarded Vanguard Invikta model. But be prepared to pay over $200 for that one. Thankfully, manufacturers like Insum and a handful of others are incorporating the open throat into their paddle lineup, and at roughly half the cost of a Vanguard Invikta!Description says: Paddle length is 15.6" and paddle width 7.79".I assume this is a typo in their ad copy because Insum actually short-changed themselves on the length statistic. As my photo indicates, the length is clearly a good 16", which would qualify it as an "elongated" paddle. The extra length (vs. the 15.8 inchers I was used to) definitely helped me reach more balls in the kitchen and near the sidelines. Yet, even at 16", the TRY isn't as elongated as some of the 16.5 inchers I've seen and competed against.But here's the thing...USA Pickleball guidelines state that racquets must strictly conform to a 24" maximum total dimension. For companies to meet this criteria, either the length, or the width, must be compromised. Longer paddles must be built skinnier, while the wide-bodies need to be shorter in height. It's a matter of individual preference whether a player favors one style over another. The TRY's dimensions (of 16" X 7.75" according to my tape measure) should suit the majority of Beginner, Intermediate, and even Advanced picklers who crave a larger sweet spot and a more forgiving paddle.Description says: "Ultra-spin texture; create more spin on the balls." Initially, I experienced a slight letdown in this department. When I ran my fingernails along the surfaces they were indeed textured; but they felt smoother than some of the more grippy, gritty carbon fiber based paddles I've seen and held. However, the proof is in the playing, and the TRY pleasantly surprised me. It consistently enabled me to create enough friction for effective topspin, backspin, and sidespin shots. While nobody will ever mistake me for Morgan Evans, I must admit that more than the usual number of my wicked sidespin and screwball serves went for aces. So, once again, the TRY lived up to its bold claims.The Insum TRY carries the "USA Pickleball Approved" inscription on both sides. Yet, as of this writing (June 2023) the TRY is not yet listed on the USA Pickleball approved list. The racquet seems to meet all the guidelines, so USA Pickleball approval may be pending. But until officially given the seal of approval, the TRY may not be allowed as yet in sanctioned tournaments.While on that subject, many newbies have asked me about the difference between "USAPA Approved" and "USA Pickleball Approved." The answer is: they are both essentially the same thing. "USAPA Approved" is the older designation, before the 2020 name change. In fact, if a racquet says USAPA on it, there's a good chance it's an older model.The Insum product line includes many paddles; but currently (as of June 2023), the only model that's officially "USA Pickleball Approved" is their flagship T500A-X16-Pro. That paddle, by the way, has a one-year warranty; all the others in the Insum line (including the TRY) have a 6-month warranty, which is industry average.In sum (pun intended), here are the pros and cons I found with the Insum TRY:PROS:Gorgeous packaging, with high-quality, useful extra goodies included;Edgeless, unibody construction is rugged and durable;One of the thickest cores available;Aesthetically pleasing shape, eye-catching graphics, overall impressive look;Aerodynamic throat reduces air resistance and increases paddle speed:Laminated foam core; blow molding; and thermoforming technology (seems to be the wave of the present and future for pickleball paddles);Carbon forged handle for stability and comfort;Cushiony grip (especially with the included overgrip I applied); Aerodynamic teardrop design, and a lightweight feel;Well-balanced combination of Power, Speed, Control, and Spin.Textured surface, although not very "gritty," produces awesome spin.Responsive and caring Customer Servicedepartment.CONS: Some stated descriptions were not accurate;Slight degradation of paddle surface after a few hours of use;Handle not lengthy enough for most two-handed players;Warranty of 6 months is only average;No paddle cover included;Does not yet appear on the USA Pickleball Approved list.Everything considered, the "pros" far outweigh the "cons." In my opinion, the TRY deserves a big thumbs-up, and a star rating in the 4.5 to 4.75 range. I am rounding it up to 5 stars because of how impressed I am with their customer service.I usually carry four different paddles in my bag when I go to the club, and then select one to play with based on my mood. The TRY has certainly earned its coveted spot as one of those four paddles.At a list price of $129.99, there are many decent alternatives on Amazon within that same range. But, if you happen to catch a sale on the Insum TRY, especially if it drops to around $100 or below, my advice would be to not hesitate a single moment, and grab one!UPDATE 7.19.23: As far as wear and tear on the surface of the paddle that I described above, I have not noticed any further marks. This is after playing about 50 games with it. The Insum Try remains as one of my favorite paddles and it has secured its place in my pickleball bag whenever I go to the club. Still highly recommended!

I really liked the value I got. Coming from a tennis background, I found the power shots felt great. The spin control was awesome. However, my soft game was a nightmare. I either had lots of dinks getting mishit short or carry too high. I will continue to test it out. I will likely keep a spot in my bag for it based on value and power, but beginners might want something more forgiving with a larger sweet spot (most newbies dont need to hit hard, but just make less mistakes).

Like the paddle a lot for the price. Good quality & think it has improved my game some. Lightweight & easy to maneuver. Only suggestion would be to change the grip to a tan color because the white gets dirty so fast!

I had initially bought a PB paddle from Walmart to get started back last November 2023. Decided to upgrade but did not want to pay a lot. For the price, this paddle is super worth it. Been using for about a week and already can hit way better, I like that there is no edge. Definitely recommend this paddle!

I am an advanced player and wanted to to try an open neck paddle without breaking the Bank with Selkrik. I currently use the conventional CFS 16mm paddle. Insum came very well packed in a sturdy box with some added items like a grip. Nice touch. The paddle is light weight and feels balanced. It has a good pop and you need to have good control else the ball can go long and wayward. Hence I think it is not a good beginner paddle. I did not feel much difference due to the open neck design vs the conventional paddle in terms of swing speed or any added benefit. I did feel the spin was lacking. The surface does have friction but did not seem as effective as CFS. I am returning to my CFS as I did not feel any great benefit in the open design or this paddle in specific. Hope this helps your decision.

I have been using this paddle for a few months now, and I am extremely happy with it. It’s much lower cost than some of the fancy ones, but I really like the large, sweet spot, the longer handle, the edge, list, design, and good texture on the surface to add spin.

I tried it because it had the same exact specs as the $249 Selkirk line. Weighs in at 8 oz on the nose. 41/4 handle thickness (I don't like the handle to be any thicker) and 5.11 in length. Exactly how I would construct my perfect specs. So then I hit with it. I have been playing for 6 years and actually teach a senior beginner clinic. I know my way around paddles. This is well balanced and hits like a dream, making this 73 year old look good. Not only do I recommend it, but I will be suggesting this paddle to all my students.

I love everything about it. My husband was using engage pursuit and actually liked his resets in transition zone better with this paddle. Unfortunately it started rattling after first day which is a common issue with honeycomb core paddles. I suppose the honeycomb broke inside which makes it less effective. Therecis also a funny sound like a “tink” when i don’t hit the small ish sweetspot. I live the spin/swing weight and power of this. It puts pace on the ball, is lightweight. I think it is a dupe of the Luxe. A great dupe(my feiend’s luxe also rattled after a few uses).I would really like to use my 90 day warranty but am not sure how to contact the company. I will persist thiugh bc i like the paddle enough to keep as long as it doesn’t rattle. I would give it 4.5 stars if it were an option. I just hate the rattle.

Love this paddle! Every bit as good as a similar Selkirk in my opinion! Fir much less $$

Great Racket for the price, works great.

Très bien

handle is a bit short