Wilson Blaze Tour 16 Pickleball Paddle
Description
Blaze Tour 16 Pickleball Paddle
The Blaze Tour 16 runs 16.5 in long and 7.5 in wide in an elongated outline, with a 16 mm polypropylene honeycomb core and a raw carbon surface. At 230 g it sits in the middle of the weight range, which is what lets it drive without becoming slow in hand.
The elongated outline is a straight trade: more reach and more leverage on drives, against a sweet spot that runs up the face rather than spreading across it. The Thermoformed Edge is how this paddle pays some of that back, wrapping carbon around the perimeter to stiffen the frame, cut vibration and widen the area that plays well - useful, because a 16 mm core is firm enough to let you feel a miss.
Key Features
- Elongated 16.5 in shape adds reach on the stretch and leverage through contact on drives.
- 16 mm core keeps the response firm and quick, which is where the paddle's pace comes from.
- Thermoformed Edge wraps carbon around the perimeter for stiffness and stability, less vibration and a larger sweet spot.
- Raw carbon surface holds the ball for spin on drives and rolls without a coating that wears off.
- Polypropylene honeycomb core is the established construction for consistent, predictable response.
- 230 g / 8.1 oz weight is enough mass to hold up against pace while staying quick in hands battles.
- 64 sq in face concentrates the hitting area in an elongated footprint for players who make clean contact.
Specifications
- Head Size: 64 sq in
- Length: 16.5 in
- Width: 7.5 in
- Thickness: 16 mm
- Weight: 230 g / 8.1 oz
- Paddle Shape: Elongated
- Core Type: Polypropylene Honeycomb
Who It's For
- Competitive players who can already place the ball and want more pace on their drives.
- Players who prefer the reach of an elongated paddle for stretch volleys and singles coverage.
- Players who want a familiar honeycomb feel rather than a solid foam core.
- Anyone looking for a mid-weight paddle at 8.1 oz that is neither head-heavy nor whippy.
- Players who generate their own spin and want a raw carbon face to take advantage of it.
Why Buy This Paddle
This is the honeycomb version of a shape Wilson also sells with a foam core. The Blaze SF Tour 16 matches the 16 mm thickness and elongated outline but swaps to StrikeFoam; if you want the newer construction, that is the one to look at. The case for this paddle is that honeycomb is a known quantity - many players prefer its feel, and it is usually the more affordable of the two.
It is the wrong paddle if you are still building a reliable soft game, where a thicker wide body such as the Vesper SF Control 17 will help more, or if you want maximum pop, which is the Blaze SF Pro 13's territory. Full specifications are listed above, so check the 16.5 in length against what you play with now - the extra reach changes how the paddle feels at the net more than the numbers suggest.
Performance
Skill Level
Intermediate/Advanced
Blaze Tour 16 Pickleball Paddle
The Blaze Tour 16 runs 16.5 in long and 7.5 in wide in an elongated outline, with a 16 mm polypropylene honeycomb core and a raw carbon surface. At 230 g it sits in the middle of the weight range, which is what lets it drive without becoming slow in hand.
The elongated outline is a straight trade: more reach and more leverage on drives, against a sweet spot that runs up the face rather than spreading across it. The Thermoformed Edge is how this paddle pays some of that back, wrapping carbon around the perimeter to stiffen the frame, cut vibration and widen the area that plays well - useful, because a 16 mm core is firm enough to let you feel a miss.
Key Features
- Elongated 16.5 in shape adds reach on the stretch and leverage through contact on drives.
- 16 mm core keeps the response firm and quick, which is where the paddle's pace comes from.
- Thermoformed Edge wraps carbon around the perimeter for stiffness and stability, less vibration and a larger sweet spot.
- Raw carbon surface holds the ball for spin on drives and rolls without a coating that wears off.
- Polypropylene honeycomb core is the established construction for consistent, predictable response.
- 230 g / 8.1 oz weight is enough mass to hold up against pace while staying quick in hands battles.
- 64 sq in face concentrates the hitting area in an elongated footprint for players who make clean contact.
Specifications
- Head Size: 64 sq in
- Length: 16.5 in
- Width: 7.5 in
- Thickness: 16 mm
- Weight: 230 g / 8.1 oz
- Paddle Shape: Elongated
- Core Type: Polypropylene Honeycomb
Who It's For
- Competitive players who can already place the ball and want more pace on their drives.
- Players who prefer the reach of an elongated paddle for stretch volleys and singles coverage.
- Players who want a familiar honeycomb feel rather than a solid foam core.
- Anyone looking for a mid-weight paddle at 8.1 oz that is neither head-heavy nor whippy.
- Players who generate their own spin and want a raw carbon face to take advantage of it.
Why Buy This Paddle
This is the honeycomb version of a shape Wilson also sells with a foam core. The Blaze SF Tour 16 matches the 16 mm thickness and elongated outline but swaps to StrikeFoam; if you want the newer construction, that is the one to look at. The case for this paddle is that honeycomb is a known quantity - many players prefer its feel, and it is usually the more affordable of the two.
It is the wrong paddle if you are still building a reliable soft game, where a thicker wide body such as the Vesper SF Control 17 will help more, or if you want maximum pop, which is the Blaze SF Pro 13's territory. Full specifications are listed above, so check the 16.5 in length against what you play with now - the extra reach changes how the paddle feels at the net more than the numbers suggest.
Intermediate/Advanced