What's new for this fall with Viking's Paddle lineup you ask?
A new grit treatment for the paddle surface that according to Viking will last longer, even in wet playing conditions (ahem, beach tennis players - this doesn't mean submerged in the ocean please.)
Snow, sleet and rain is a guarantee during the Northeast and Midwest platform tennis seasons. MaxGrit certainly feels securely attached in a layer of clear coat that should help you shred your way through your matches. Strong sales already show that players continue to value grit as an important part of the game to leverage ball spin and control.
Viking has relaunched every paddle in their line with MaxGrit along with new colors of some of their top selling models from 2015. When shopping the paddle line, we have called out "MaxGrit" in the paddle name to minimize confusion over which model you are getting.
See MaxGrit in a Video
And for those of you not requiring the latest innovations, we have plenty of great deals on last season's Viking models with their extremely aggressive SpinTex grit. For you deal-seekers, don't wait - these paddles are available in limited quantities and at the new lower prices, they won't be around long!
SHOP on Viking Paddles on SALE!
Monday, August 24, 2015
Sunday, June 28, 2015
Understanding UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) on Athletic Apparel
Many customers inquire about the specifics of UPF ratings on court apparel that we stock. Having forgotten the details and aware that technology continues to evolve with fabrics utilized in athletic wear, I thought I'd freshen up on my UPF IQ and share what I've found.
What is UPF?
UPF is essentially built-in sunscreen for clothes. The UPF rating is the fraction of UV rays that can pass through the fabric and is based on the content, weight, finish and color of a particular fabric. A UPF of 50 means that 1/50th, or 2% of the sun's rays will hit the skin. All clothing provides some degree of UPF naturally. For instance, it is said that most standard white t-shirts provide a UPF rating of about 7.
Who says so?
In order for apparel manufacturers to (legally) advertise its UPF rating, it has to be ASTM certified either using the U.S.A. or international standards.
How does UPF get into / onto the clothes?
Fabric companies sometimes work sunscreen ingredients into the fibers, and / or use a tighter weave in making these particular fabrics. Early on, this tended to rely more on a coating of the material, however today's UPF rated fabrics tend to be engineered with a tighter weave to accomplish the task. This way it won't wash off over time. The tighter the weave, the fewer holes that sun can penetrate. The more reflective the fabric (shinier rather than a matte finish), the more the UV rays will reflect off rather than absorb into it. The thicker (or heavier) the fabric the more protection it will usually afford as well.
Quick Tips
What is UPF?
UPF is essentially built-in sunscreen for clothes. The UPF rating is the fraction of UV rays that can pass through the fabric and is based on the content, weight, finish and color of a particular fabric. A UPF of 50 means that 1/50th, or 2% of the sun's rays will hit the skin. All clothing provides some degree of UPF naturally. For instance, it is said that most standard white t-shirts provide a UPF rating of about 7.
Who says so?
In order for apparel manufacturers to (legally) advertise its UPF rating, it has to be ASTM certified either using the U.S.A. or international standards.
How does UPF get into / onto the clothes?
Fabric companies sometimes work sunscreen ingredients into the fibers, and / or use a tighter weave in making these particular fabrics. Early on, this tended to rely more on a coating of the material, however today's UPF rated fabrics tend to be engineered with a tighter weave to accomplish the task. This way it won't wash off over time. The tighter the weave, the fewer holes that sun can penetrate. The more reflective the fabric (shinier rather than a matte finish), the more the UV rays will reflect off rather than absorb into it. The thicker (or heavier) the fabric the more protection it will usually afford as well.
Quick Tips
- Lycra, Nylon and Polyester fabrics tend to provide the most UPF protection
- If you are a fan of cotton, wash your garment to preshrink it before wearing in the sun to close the gaps in the weave
- Don't wear a shirt so tight that you are stretching it and opening the weave
- Seek a garment of at least 30 UPF for a fair amount of protection
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Introducing.....Gamma Pickleball Paddles!
NOW IN STOCK...PURCHASE NOW FOR A FREE COVER BAG and FREE 2 DAY DELIVERY!
Known for innovations in the racquet string world, Gamma has entered the Pickleball market with new innovations to help it stand out in the ever growing lineup of pickleball paddle choices. Key selling points focus on new designs of the paddle perimeter, bumper and handle system, all of which are areas that are weak points in many products in today's marketplace.For those who have been playing a while, you have probably either experienced (or know someone who has) a wiggly feeling in your paddle's handle. Perhaps you've seen a rimless paddle edge that has been eaten away to expose the inner paddle core? Possibly you've seen a chunk or two taken out of the head of such a paddle as well? Gamma's innovations aim to eliminate these issues by focusing on the weak areas of prior paddle designs and offering a design that will withstand the rigors of pickleball paddle wear over time.
Their one piece molded design on select paddles eliminates the wiggle-jiggle handle problems that crop up with traditional "palletized" handles where there is a handle with wood or composite pallets stapled to it to form the handle shape beneath the grip. Such systems come loose over time as glue breaks down or staples shift or break. With a one piece design, there is nothing to come loose and the handle feels solid and uniform in the hand from top to bottom.
Their Live Periphery TM Frame strengthens the perimeter of the paddles for added durability and their Flush-Fit TM bumper increases the hitting surface (almost making it look like a "rimless paddle") while still providing the durability that a bumper guard is meant to provide.
With four models available now and two more arriving soon, this line has something for every player!
SHOP THE FULL LINE HERE AT WWW.BELLRACQUETSPORTS.COM
Do tell! What do you play with and what do you think of the new technology in these paddles?
Friday, May 8, 2015
A sweet lineup...Get the juice on Selkirk Pickleball Paddles
We are thrilled to welcome Selkirk Pickleball Paddles to our lineup! With crisp, clean graphics, these well designed paddles are as beautiful as they are highly engineered with technologies used in aerospace and other high tech industries. Made in the USA. Stop in to demo one today at Bell Racquet Sports or order on line now with FREE expedited delivery.
Selkirk uses the phrase, "crafters of premium pickleball paddles" to describe themselves, and by all rights, these paddles absolutely have a professional, attention-to-detail look about them that we have yet to see with some other brands. With innovative core offerings including polymer honeycomb and aluminum honeycomb cores as well as highly engineered surface layers and vinyl laminate finishes with UV protection to preserve colors over time, this company certainly pushes the envelope with every detail of its paddles.
Interesting Differentiators
Looking for a quieter pickleball paddle? How about one that doesn't fade in the sunlight? Or perhaps one with size options (shorter / narrower versus longer / wider). All of those and more are incorporated into this paddle lineup.
Who is Selkirk Sport
Courtesy of Selkirk Sport's web site
Located in the beautiful Coeur d'Alene area in North Idaho (a little more than a stone's throw from Bainbridge Island but still a suburb of Eastern Washington's Spokane) and part of the great American Pacific Northwest. We're crafting some of the world's finest pickleball paddles in the traditional styles but with a few tricks up our sleeves. Our paddles are USAPA approved for tournament play and come with a 30 Day No Questions Asked Return Policy and a standard 90 Day Warranty on all purchases as well as a full, One Year Warranty against manufacturer defects when you register your paddle online with us.
Shop the Selkirk Pickleball Paddle line at Bell Racquet Sports, place for pickleball aficionados
Selkirk uses the phrase, "crafters of premium pickleball paddles" to describe themselves, and by all rights, these paddles absolutely have a professional, attention-to-detail look about them that we have yet to see with some other brands. With innovative core offerings including polymer honeycomb and aluminum honeycomb cores as well as highly engineered surface layers and vinyl laminate finishes with UV protection to preserve colors over time, this company certainly pushes the envelope with every detail of its paddles.
Interesting Differentiators
Looking for a quieter pickleball paddle? How about one that doesn't fade in the sunlight? Or perhaps one with size options (shorter / narrower versus longer / wider). All of those and more are incorporated into this paddle lineup.
Who is Selkirk Sport
Courtesy of Selkirk Sport's web site
Located in the beautiful Coeur d'Alene area in North Idaho (a little more than a stone's throw from Bainbridge Island but still a suburb of Eastern Washington's Spokane) and part of the great American Pacific Northwest. We're crafting some of the world's finest pickleball paddles in the traditional styles but with a few tricks up our sleeves. Our paddles are USAPA approved for tournament play and come with a 30 Day No Questions Asked Return Policy and a standard 90 Day Warranty on all purchases as well as a full, One Year Warranty against manufacturer defects when you register your paddle online with us.
Shop the Selkirk Pickleball Paddle line at Bell Racquet Sports, place for pickleball aficionados
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
K-Swiss Ultrascendor Replacement - K-Swiss Hypercourt Express LTR
We get asked daily about the new shoe replacing our #1 selling paddle & tennis shoe, the K-Swiss Ultrascendor. Well, it's called the K-Swiss Hypercourt Express LTR (leather) and let's get it right out there that it is a real makeover, with little design resemblance to the Ultrascendor other than the side stripes.
Fit:
For those of you passionate about the Ultrascendor due to its generous width throughout, you may find this new style a bit narrower. While I always considered the Ultrascendor a "go to" shoe for players who need added width, this shoe runs average to a bit wide, but not as wide as its predecessor. As for the shoe length, it runs true to size and you can comfortably order the same size as you did in the Ultrascendor.
Construction:
For those of you passionate about the Ultrascendor due to its Aosta 7.0 durable rubber out sole which made it a standout for paddle, you'll be pleased to know that the out sole material remains unchanged, despite the new tread pattern and midsole Plantar Support Chassis for stability. This new style also carries forward DragGuard in the toe and heel for added durability. And one of the few Leather tennis shoes still available, this will satisfy the needs of those who only desire leather.
Overall, we are pleased with the makeover and players have been able to seamless transition into this style. There are many more detailed specifications offered on our web site, so to read all about it and watch a video of the Hypercourt Express LTR, click on the shoes below.
Questions? Call us at 1.800.724.9439 or order on line at www.BellRacquetSports.com
Fit:
For those of you passionate about the Ultrascendor due to its generous width throughout, you may find this new style a bit narrower. While I always considered the Ultrascendor a "go to" shoe for players who need added width, this shoe runs average to a bit wide, but not as wide as its predecessor. As for the shoe length, it runs true to size and you can comfortably order the same size as you did in the Ultrascendor.
Construction:
For those of you passionate about the Ultrascendor due to its Aosta 7.0 durable rubber out sole which made it a standout for paddle, you'll be pleased to know that the out sole material remains unchanged, despite the new tread pattern and midsole Plantar Support Chassis for stability. This new style also carries forward DragGuard in the toe and heel for added durability. And one of the few Leather tennis shoes still available, this will satisfy the needs of those who only desire leather.
Overall, we are pleased with the makeover and players have been able to seamless transition into this style. There are many more detailed specifications offered on our web site, so to read all about it and watch a video of the Hypercourt Express LTR, click on the shoes below.
Questions? Call us at 1.800.724.9439 or order on line at www.BellRacquetSports.com
Pretty, Functional, Longer Tennis Skorts
Hard to find? Yes. Impossible? No. As tennis skorts have become shorter and shorter and the shorts beneath are seen more than the actual skirt, we are bringing you as many LONG options as we can find. They aren't many, but we do have one of the largest collections of 14 inch and longer tennis skirts on the market. Check out our top selling options and let us know what you think! Questions? Call us at 1.800.724.9439 or shop at www.BellRacquetSports.com.
SHOP OUR LONGER TENNIS SKIRTS
SHOP OUR LONGER TENNIS SKIRTS
Thursday, September 25, 2014
E-Force Apocalypse Racket for 2015, Racquetball's newest weapon!
Check out the all new E-Force Apocalypse Rackets to maximize your power potential on the racquetball court! In four weights, including a 160 gram, 170, 175 and 190 gram option, there is one for every player. Stiff, powerful and boasting E-Force's PowerBooster G2 (second generation Power Booster) grommet system to maximize string bed deflection, the amount of power is complemented by the laser precision this racquet offers.
Check out a video of it on our YouTube site
Buy it on line at www.BellRacquetSports.com or by phone a 1.800.724.9439.
SPECIAL LIMITED TIME OFFER
FREE Customizations including racquet guard tape, Bell Band dampener installed, and FREE installation of a rubber grip with grip purchase.
Check out a video of it on our YouTube site
Buy it on line at www.BellRacquetSports.com or by phone a 1.800.724.9439.
SPECIAL LIMITED TIME OFFER
FREE Customizations including racquet guard tape, Bell Band dampener installed, and FREE installation of a rubber grip with grip purchase.
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
How to choose Pickleball & Platform Tennis Eyeguards, aka court goggles!
Let's start by saying that we've come a long way from the "mad scientist", "do-I-really-have-to-wear-those?" goggles for the court. Let us also agree that when it comes to platform tennis, that ball is nasty and is the last thing you want connecting with your eyes, period. Cold, heavy & hard, it will hurt like #%^@# and more importantly can cause severe eye damage. But for every player that stops in our store to purchase court eyeguards that have had everything from a close call to a severe eye injury, there are many more that SHOULD be coming in to invest the $10-$30 to safeguard their eyes. The common theme? They know they should have been wearing eye protection but just didn't bother.
Don't be one of them! Please, please, please wear certified court eyewear when you play.
Not the easiest thing to select over the internet, agreed. I'm going to set out a few pointers and top picks based on our last 20 years of selling these things. To make things easier, I'm going to point you to styles that are available now and have proven to be the safest bets without trying them on. Hopefully this will be the next closest thing to being in the store having me whip them on and off your face testing the fit!
Oh, before I do that, let me tell you what I think are the most important attributes specifically for Platform Tennis and that I have based the following recommendations on:
- Best ventilation (for the least fogging on those blizzarding nights)
- Best vision (least distortion)
- Most comfortable / best fitting
BEST ALL AROUND for most any player!
 |
| Wilson Vents Eyeguards |
 |
| Prince Rage Eyeguards |
BEST COURT EYEGUARDS FOR LADIES
Scopa Slim & Scopa Slim Pink / Black
 |
| Scopa Slim, Pink/Black |
 |
| Prince Scopa Slim |
 |
| Dunlop Junior / Ladies Eyeguards |
BEST COURT EYEGUARDS FOR A BROAD FACE (i'm trying not to say big head)
 |
| HEAD Pro Elite |
 |
| Head Raptor with Multi-lens |
-----------------------------------------------
BEST COURT EYEGUARDS FOR A NARROW FACE (men or ladies)
See Ladies section above! These work for juniors, men with a narrow head, etc. as well!
OK, so if you have questions about narrowing the field even more, please call us at 1-800-724-9439 to discuss! You can also find a selection of Prescription Capable Goggles and Over-the-Glasses style guards on our site under our Platform Tennis Eyewear category.
We'd love to hear what you think. What is your favorite style and what / who inspired you to wear them?
Please share your comments-
Sunday, June 29, 2014
NEW 2015 Wilson Platform Tennis / Paddle Tennis Paddles
What's new in Platform Tennis paddles this season?
We're happy to share the four new platform tennis paddles / paddle tennis paddles for this fall from Wilson.
There are also several carry-overs from 2014 that will continue forward. There are models being phased out that will be on closeout at huge price reductions.
The most notable new technology is called Pro FoamTM - a new high density foam found in the brand new 2015 Juice Pro paddle. As with the two Juice models from last season, the Wilson Juice Pro paddle is available from the factory in both a 4-1/4" and 4-1/2" grip size.
The new additions to the 2015 Wilson paddles:
Wilson Juice Pro BLX Paddle 2015 - high density for competitive players
Wilson Lite Stick BLX Paddle 2015 - light, soft & oversized for control & maneuverability
Wilson Big Stick BLX Paddle 2015 - mid weight & oversized for a perfect blend of power & control
Wilson Hope Lite BLX Paddle 2015 - light, soft & oversized for control & maneuverability, & pretty!
Carry overs from 2014 that continue forward:
Wilson Surge BLX Paddle 2014
Wilson Champ Paddle 2014
Wilson Xcel Paddle 2014
Wilson Juice Paddle 2014
Wilson Juice Lite Paddle 2014
Priced from $100 to $169 there is something for everyone in this exciting paddle lineup.
Looking to save some green? Take advantage of our closeout paddles from last season while they last.
WATCH PRODUCT VIDEOS on our YouTube Channel...see all the paddles and gear.
Contact us at www.BellRacquetSports.com or by calling us at 1-800-724-9439 with questions.
We're happy to share the four new platform tennis paddles / paddle tennis paddles for this fall from Wilson.
There are also several carry-overs from 2014 that will continue forward. There are models being phased out that will be on closeout at huge price reductions.
The most notable new technology is called Pro FoamTM - a new high density foam found in the brand new 2015 Juice Pro paddle. As with the two Juice models from last season, the Wilson Juice Pro paddle is available from the factory in both a 4-1/4" and 4-1/2" grip size.
The new additions to the 2015 Wilson paddles:
Wilson Juice Pro BLX Paddle 2015 - high density for competitive players
Wilson Lite Stick BLX Paddle 2015 - light, soft & oversized for control & maneuverability
Wilson Big Stick BLX Paddle 2015 - mid weight & oversized for a perfect blend of power & control
Wilson Hope Lite BLX Paddle 2015 - light, soft & oversized for control & maneuverability, & pretty!
Carry overs from 2014 that continue forward:
Wilson Surge BLX Paddle 2014
Wilson Champ Paddle 2014
Wilson Xcel Paddle 2014
Wilson Juice Paddle 2014
Wilson Juice Lite Paddle 2014
Priced from $100 to $169 there is something for everyone in this exciting paddle lineup.
Looking to save some green? Take advantage of our closeout paddles from last season while they last.
WATCH PRODUCT VIDEOS on our YouTube Channel...see all the paddles and gear.
Contact us at www.BellRacquetSports.com or by calling us at 1-800-724-9439 with questions.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Court Shoe Review - K-Swiss Ultra Express for men and ladies
It's new, it looks cool, and I wanted to share my two cents regarding this radically different tennis (and paddle) shoe from K-Swiss!
First off, the Ultra Express is DIFFERENT. Being a fan of running shoes for well, you name it, everything except court sports this shoe intrigued me from the get go. When my sales rep said it incorporated some design features from running shoes, I was eager to hear more. What I heard about and subsequently saw was a bright colored, lightweight upper made mostly of mesh fabric and some other synthetics grounded by a semi-traditional court outsole.
What I felt when I tried it on was a super lightweight shoe with really good heel cushioning. It runs a bit wide for my narrow foot, as K-Swiss shoes typically do which caused some bunching of the mesh fabric when I laced it up. I also noticed that it laces up really high on the top of the shoe which holds the tongue down well and differentiates it from a running shoe by giving that feel of lateral support. It has a lot of padding around the ankle which is good, as long as it hits you in the right places. Back to the heel cushioning...with every step, I really felt the springiness of the heel. I like that.
When I mentioned the semi-traditional outsole, I meant that the tread is fairly traditional - based on what has been proven to work well for court sports. However, there is less rubber overall, which keeps the weight of the shoe down. While this makes me happy, our customers who grind away for hours at a time at tennis camps and on paddle courts will be the true testers of durablity. This shoe does not carry an outsole guarantee (nor do most lighter weight court shoes).
Let us know what you think when you try it on or put it thru its paces.
First off, the Ultra Express is DIFFERENT. Being a fan of running shoes for well, you name it, everything except court sports this shoe intrigued me from the get go. When my sales rep said it incorporated some design features from running shoes, I was eager to hear more. What I heard about and subsequently saw was a bright colored, lightweight upper made mostly of mesh fabric and some other synthetics grounded by a semi-traditional court outsole.
What I felt when I tried it on was a super lightweight shoe with really good heel cushioning. It runs a bit wide for my narrow foot, as K-Swiss shoes typically do which caused some bunching of the mesh fabric when I laced it up. I also noticed that it laces up really high on the top of the shoe which holds the tongue down well and differentiates it from a running shoe by giving that feel of lateral support. It has a lot of padding around the ankle which is good, as long as it hits you in the right places. Back to the heel cushioning...with every step, I really felt the springiness of the heel. I like that.
When I mentioned the semi-traditional outsole, I meant that the tread is fairly traditional - based on what has been proven to work well for court sports. However, there is less rubber overall, which keeps the weight of the shoe down. While this makes me happy, our customers who grind away for hours at a time at tennis camps and on paddle courts will be the true testers of durablity. This shoe does not carry an outsole guarantee (nor do most lighter weight court shoes).
Let us know what you think when you try it on or put it thru its paces.
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