The Legacy Pro—a thermoformed paddle that's way cheaper than the top brands' paddles—is getting a lot of attention. I've seen it used more and more by top players at my local courts and noticed it generates really good spin.
I was excited to try it out and see if it really is great value for money. Check out my honest Legacy Pro review below.
My verdict4.5
After playing with the Legacy Pro, I have no doubts that it's the current 'king of spin'—I even chose it as the best for spin in my list of the best paddles in 2023. If you're coming from tennis (like me), you'll like this paddle. At $150, it's one of the best value paddles in the game right now. My only con was I expected it to hit harder, though the control and forgiveness more than make up for it.
Buy or pass?
Buy if:
You love to play with spin:
this is our top spin paddle of 2023, with an RPM (rotations per minute) over 1,900.
You're a former tennis player:
if you're coming from tennis, you'll really like the topspin you get off this paddle.
You don't want to spend $200:
this is on a par with some $250 paddles, but costs just $150.
Pass if:
You're a hard-hitter:
while this one has solid power, the CRBN-3X and B&B Filth hit harder in my opinion.
You want something more aerodynamic:
there's some head heaviness and lag with this, so maybe try the Volair Mach 1.
You don't like thermoformed paddles:
the Vatic Pro PRISM Flash is an affordable, high-performing paddle that's not thermoformed.
Paddle Weight
8-8.4 oz
Paddle Length
16 ½"
Paddle Width
7 ½"
Handle Length
5 ⅓"
Grip Circumference
4 ⅛"
Paddle Face Material
Toray T700 raw carbon fiber
Core Material
Honeycomb polymer core
Core Thickness
16 mm (0.63")
Sweet Spot
Large
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Review summary
The best thing about this paddle is its spin. From my first testing session, I was impressed. You can do just about anything you want in this department, and the topspin you get is better than any paddle I've ever played with.
This is particularly fun if, like me, you're coming from tennis where you're used to playing with lots of topspin. You can also put the kind of spin on the ball where your opponents let a shot go, thinking it's going to sail, only to watch it dip right on the line.
I had lots of these shots with the Legacy Pro and it was such a satisfying feeling to win those points.
Watch my first thoughts on the Legacy Pro:
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Pros:
Excellent control
Super-forgiving with a large sweet spot
Premium carbon paddle that will last a long time
Cons:
A bit sluggish in the kitchen zone
May tire out some players
Plays softer than I expected
Features
Legacy has won over a lot of fans with this paddle. Priced at just $150, it plays right up there with paddles from top brands like JOOLA and Selkirk. Let's check out some of the tech and materials they use to achieve this.
T700 raw carbon fiber face
Legacy's layering technique creates a woven pattern in its raw carbon fiber face, which is different from something like the CRBN-1X and is meant to improve the spin. It certainly works, as it gets wicked spin—better than any other paddle I tested this year.
I talked to the team at Legacy and they said this recent batch in August 2023 offers the highest spin yet.
Brandon Mackie holding the Legacy Pro pickleball paddle
Thermoformed sealed edges
This is a thermoformed paddle with foam injected into the edges. This is supposed to add stability, and I'm happy to say that the Legacy Pro feels a lot like the JOOLA Hyperion. It's solid, stable, and can take pace off the ball.
The other function of this technology is to extend the sweet spot. While this doesn't always work out in other paddles, the Legacy Pro has a nice, large sweet spot. This helps it to play more forgiving than many other thermoformed paddles.
Elongated shape
This one has a classic elongated shape (16 ½"), which not only gives you more reach at the net but also brings more all-round control to the paddle. The only problem is there's no real aerodynamic tech built into the paddle, so expect some head heaviness.
Performance
7.5/10
Power
9/10
Control
10/10
Spin
9.5/10
Forgiveness
8/10
Weighting
8/10
Grip
9/10
Durability
7/10
Aerodynamics
Power: 7.5/10
I'd been hearing from other players that this paddle hits hard, so I felt a bit let down by the amount of power I could generate. It definitely plays on the softer side, in my opinion.
I felt this mostly on overhead smashes—the ball was a little too slow coming off the face. This gave my opponent the chance to reset when the point should be won.
You can still play a powerful game as this is a thermoformed paddle. Just don't expect the same power you'll find on the CRBN-1X Power Series or paddle.
Control: 9/10
Despite a few flyers and pop-ups, I felt really at home with my touch shots on this paddle. Everything from topspin drops to simple drops on my third shot were easy to hit. I had no problem going 4-, 5-, or 6-shot dink rallies and can usually outlast my opponents with patience.
I still think the Vatic Pro PRISM Flash and Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power are slightly better as pure control paddles, but I was still impressed with the Legacy's control.
The Legacy Pro paddle resting on the pickleball court
Spin: 10/10
This paddle really shines when it comes to spin. It lives up to its reputation as a spin machine as I could easily hit big topspin serves and nasty backhand rolls.
I've seen spin ratings of over 1900 RPM (revolutions per minute) from Chris at Pickleball Studio. You can load so much topspin that you'll be able to hit the ball as hard as you like, which anyone coming from tennis will especially love.
Forgiveness: 9.5/10
The Legacy Pro also has great forgiveness, with one of the largest sweet spots I've ever seen on a thermoformed paddle. What's great about this is you get all the benefits of a thermoformed paddle (spin and pop) while still playing a controlled game with fewer mish*ts.
Lots of intermediates will do great with this paddle. While I'd put the Vatic Pro Flash just ahead of this on forgiveness, you're getting more spin with the Pro.
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Weighting: 8/10
You can choose your paddle weight (8-8.4 oz), which will suit anyone who liked the JOOLA Hyperion but found it too heavy. The Legacy still feels a little head heavy, especially compared to the Six Zero DBD, and I was hoping the weight would generate more power than it did.
I can see this paddle tiring out less-athletic players without giving you a lot of oomph in return. However, if you're an advanced player, this won't be a big issue.
Grip: 8/10
The Legacy Pro has a solid, comfortable octagonal grip. While there's nothing particularly special to report here, it holds up well in hot summer testing sessions.
Durability: 9/10
I just know from the materials and construction that this paddle will last a long time. It's built from premium carbon materials and feels solid and durable in play.
Aerodynamics: 7/10
As a classic elongated paddle, the head feels a bit bulky and, unfortunately, there isn't any tech added to help with aerodynamics. If you're specifically looking for an aerodynamic paddle that rips through the air, check out the Selkirk Power Air Invikta.
Is this paddle right for you?
Before buying a paddle, it's important to make sure it fits your game. That's why I created a 30-second quiz that recommends the best paddles for your play style and budget.
Give it a try and see if the Legacy Pro makes the list:
Find the perfect paddle
I've personally tested over 80 paddles. Take the quiz to see which ones fit your game best.
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Pricing
The Legacy Pro currently sells for $150 but is built similarly to the JOOLA Hyperion (around $220).
Value for money
At $150, this is a steal in my opinion. It delivers top performance on par with JOOLA paddles but is 30-50% cheaper. It's a premium, high-performance paddle, so for the price, it has great value for money.
I'd put it right alongside the Vatic Pro Flash as the best value in all of pickleball this year.
The Legacy Pro paddle resting against a pickleball net
Bottom line
The Legacy Pro is the ideal upgrade option for a player coming out of the beginner phase who's learned to hit shots like drops and is playing with more spin. Players coming from tennis like me will also love how good the topspin is.
I'd say look at alternatives from Bread & Butter and CRBN if you're looking to add power to your game. However, any spin player right up to advanced level is going to like this, and that's why it's my top paddle choice for spin in 2023.
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