Is the grip on your racquet wearing down? Well, it’s time for a new one. If you were satisfied with the one you previously had, stick with it.
If you want something better, perhaps a slight improvement over your previous grip, have a look at some of the best racquetball grips that are used by professionals.
IMO Python racquetball grips are the best because they seem to last forever. They also make those tacky grips that look a lot like the Ektelon Vision II. That being said, Ektelon has a lot of catching up to do if they want to be on par with Python grips.
Choosing a grip for your racquetball racquet is an important part of your equipment decision because it’s the connection between your hand and the racquet.
Grips aren’t that expensive, so it’s easy to experiment with a bunch of them and stick with the one that you feel the most comfortable with. With the correct one, your racket will become an extension of your arm.
That being said, here is a list of some of the top-performing racquetball grips that are known for their performance and durability. If you are new to this and don’t even know what type of grip you want, there is a definitive buying guide section that explains everything in a detailed manner.
[wptb id=2668]
If you already know what you want to get and want to narrow down your list, here is a quick chart.
[amazon table=”1072″]
Top 7 Best Racquetball Grips To Choose From
Here is a list of the top 7 best racquetball grips that should help you narrow down your choice.
1. Python Racquetball Replacement Rubber Grip
[amazon box=”B0189J7LDC”]
2. Head Tacki-Mac Serrated MT Racquetball Grip
[amazon box=”B002LGB1C2″]
3. Ektelon MaxTack Racquetball Grip
[amazon box=”B002EB71ZA”]
4. E-Force Vapor Wrap Black OverGrip
[amazon box=”B0064F25Z8″]
5. Gearbox Smooth Wrap Grip
[amazon box=”B004DFZC06″]
6. Ektelon Vision II Grip
[amazon box=”B0062F5JQW”]
7. Friction ProKennex Rubber Slip-on Grip
[amazon box=”B071LS5B82″]
Buying A Racquetball Grip | What You Need to Know
If you have been using a factory grip and never replaced that, you are missing out on a lot of good stuff. Read on as I break down exactly what you have been missing.
What Type of Grip Are You Using Now?
There are two different grip types. Wrap grips and rubber grips. Both have their own benefit and downside, but, in the end, it’s all about personal preference.
1. Wrap Grips
Wrap grips come standard on Head, E-Force & Gearbox racquets. These are a type of synthetic leather grip that you wrap around the handle, starting from the butt cap.
The advantage of using this type of grip that it has greater absorption, natural cushion, and leads to less slippage. The downside is they have a shorter lifespan and limited tackiness.
2. Rubber Grips
Rubber grips come standard on Pro Kennex, Ektelon, and Wilson racquets. It’s a rubber tube that you slide over an un-gripped racquet handle. The grip is secured with an adhesive. The advantage of this type of grip is increased tackiness.
You will also have a better grip from the available tread, but they have very limited absorption. They become slippery when wet might increase the handle size. Try getting used to your new handle size before you start competing with others.
Determining the Best Racquetball Grip Type for You
Now that you know about the two grip types let’s dive deeper and see what each style has to offer.
Wrap Grip Types
When it comes to wrapping grip types, there are four categories to choose from.
1. Smooth: It’s the thinnest grip type available and gives your maximum handle feel, but the downside is that it’s less durable and has less traction.
2. Perforated: To reduce slippage, this type of grip is used. It has increased ventilation and absorption, but they tend to be thicker.
3. Contoured: The contoured grip has ridges that add texture and grip, but that also makes it thicker.
4. Tackified: Thanks to its tackified coating, it has increased grip, but they are harder to make quick grip changes.
Rubber Grip Types
Rubber Grip Types
Rubber grip types have three different categories. They are:
1. Smooth: It’s the thinnest rubber grip available and has a higher thickness, but that also makes them less durable. When it gets wet, it has the highest amount of slippage.
2. Extruded Tread: If you want the most aggressive grip type available, this is the one. It has higher durability but since it’s thick, it will increase handle size.
3. Recessed Tread: This type of grip is able to increase grip without increasing the thickness; however, it does have a moderate amount of slippage when wet.
With Gloves or Without Gloves?
Getting complicated? Don’t worry, that is all the information you need to know when choosing a grip that will be the best for you. Oh, one last thing. Do you wear gloves when you play?
Of course, you do. I’ve never seen anyone play without gloves before. But if you do not wear one, stick with a wrap-style grip. Because your hands will get sweaty and holding a rubber grip with sweaty hands means your racquet will be flying across the court.
Installation
Now that you have made your decision, it’s time for installation. Now, do you want to do it yourself or have it professionally installed?
For the home installer, wrap grips are easier to install. However, when it comes to the installation of rubber grips, there is definitely a learning curve here. However, it’s not that difficult. Here is a video that shows you how to install a rubber grip.
Supplies you will need rubber grip installation:
- New grip
- Adhesive
Here is the video for wrap grip installation.
Supplies you will need for wrap grip installation:
- New grip
- Scissors
Final Thoughts
Now that you know what the best racquetball grip for you will be, it’s time to take it out and rip some balls. Once you install your new grip, it will make a significant change in grip styles.
Make sure to play a couple of practice matches to get used to your new handle feel. Eventually, you will get the hang of it and end up with a better performing grip if you pick the right one that is.
Hopefully, this guide will help you find the correct grip for your racquetball racquet. If you have any further questions, please drop a comment below.