What do baseball and pickleball have in common? Well, according to Warstic - the tools used in sports are mere accessories compared to the warrior's mindset that transcends all stick-based sports.

Originating in Dallas, TX in 2011 - Warstic became one of the fastest-growing brands in baseball and softball and quickly expanded into lacrosse, snow sports, and now pickleball. (Fun Fact: They also happen to be co-owned by professional baseball player Ian Kinsler and rock star Jack White)

Their products are rooted in a performance-driven mindset with paddles that are designed for battle. If stepping on the pickleball court feels like you're preparing for war - this is the paddle company for you.

"We offer the lethal combination of original design artistry and high performance, precision sports weaponry made for all out battle on the field"

With that said, let's lock and load on this paddle review.

WSPB Elite Paddle Series

We got our hands on two Warstic paddles, their WSPB3E standard shape paddle and the WSPB4E elongated shape paddle.

We work to design products that inspire stic athletes to attack the ball and life with the mindset of a warrior hunting prey.

Specs & Tech

Both paddles are built with polypropylene honeycomb cores which is an industry standard for paddles. Their faces are graphite which comes with a gritty texture for adding spin to the ball.

Aside from the obvious size difference between the standard and elongated paddles, the elongated paddles have a much thicker core at 13mm vs the 10.5mm standard paddle. I will talk more about how this affects gameplay in the control section below.

Standard Paddle Stats [WSPB3E]

Elongated Paddle Stats [WSPB4E]

Control

The series is built with graphite faces which affords a great amount of spin without adding a ton of weight to the paddle. Both the paddles we tested came in under 8oz which you can definitely feel while maneuvering.

The standard paddle has a 10mm polymer core which is on the thinner side as far as paddles go. I found this reduced the amount of deflection from the paddle so I needed to swing a little harder to adjust. While this didn't suit my game specifically, I could see this being a huge benefit to a newer player or someone who loves to really drive through the ball.

The elongated paddle comes in at 13mm and has great reset capabilities. I was able to defend the transition zone with resets all day. If you're someone who loves the third shot drop and getting into dinking rallies, this paddle will not let you down.

Power

Since the series leans on the lighter side of paddles, I wouldn't call them power paddles. Out of the two, the elongated version came with a lot more pop, which made my drives land much further in the court. If I were to play with these paddles full-time, I'd probably add some lead tape to increase the swing weight.

If you're someone who doesn't drive the ball a lot, though - the standard issue on these paddles will be right up your alley.

Touch & Spin

Both paddles come with a graphite face which adds a ton of texture to generate spin on the ball. Paddle companies are experimenting with different surfaces like carbon fiber and Kevlar but a graphite texture is still one of the best ways to create a gritty surface on a paddle. I had no problem creating topspin on some roll volleys with either paddle.

The best touch came from the elongated paddle as I've mentioned previously. Having a thicker paddle allows for more dwell time and allows for better resets on the ball.

Aesthetics

There's no questioning that Warstic got the aesthetic right. Their logo, which appears on all their paddles, is designed to urge individuals to clear their minds, trust their training, and stay present to overcome distractions and succeed in battle. If that wasn't enough, you can even go full-on camoflage with their 'mossy oak' design.

Price

At the $189 per paddle price point, the series is smack in the middle of paddle price ranges. Each paddle also comes with a Warstic cover which definitely adds extra value you wouldn't get with other manufacturers.

The company offers a 14-day risk-free guarantee, which is plenty of time to see if the paddle is right for you - or whether you want to swap out the standard for the elongated.

Conclusions

The Warstic WSPB3E & WSPB4E paddles have something for everyone, whether it's your first time picking up a paddle or you're a seasoned tournament player.

Their designs hit hard and you'll have no problem finding a design that feels right for you while also turning heads on the court.

My recommendation for newer players would be to go with the standard paddle that has forgiveness in power and control areas. This paddle will let you swing fast without knocking the ball out of the park.

For more seasoned players who are looking for great transition zone resets, I'd recommend the elongated paddle. The thicker 13mm core absorbs the ball well and gives you much more control at the net.