Babolat Aero Blast (pictured left)
 
Price: $219
Head Size: 112 sq. in.
Length: 27.5 in.
Weight: 10.1 oz.
Flexibility: Stiff
Balance: 3/5 in. head heavy
Ideal Swing: Short to medium
NTRP: 2.5-4.0
 
Babolat Drive Z-OS (pictured right)
 
Price: $199
Head Size: 110 sq. in.
Length: 27.5
Weight: 9.9 oz.
Flexibility: Stiff
Balance: 1/2 in. head heavy
Ideal Swing: Short to medium
NTRP: 2.5-4.0

SALES PITCH
 
Both the Drive Z-OS and Aero Blast have uniquely shaped ergonomic handles called Smart Grip which gives the player better power and control through a more secure hold of the racquet.
 
COMPARE TO 

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HOW IT TESTED

With very similar specs, it makes sense that playtesters found the Drive Z-OS and the Aero Blast to have comparable playing characteristics. Both are fairly light and powerful with large hitting areas providing good sized sweet spots. Being head heavy racquets, some found the weight to feel more substantial than the scale would indicate. As such there were a few issues with maneuverability, yet both frames still got high marks at the net thanks to volleys with plenty of pop. And the Cortex System located between the throat and handle on the racquets, which is designed to filter out vibrations, seemed to get the job done.
What sets the Drive Z-OS and Aero Blast apart from other racquets are their handles. The theory behind Babolat¹s Smart Grip is that the contoured design (which resembles a slimmed-down hourglass) keeps more of a player¹s hand in contact with the handle. This in turn gives the player a better grip resulting in added comfort and racquet control while requiring less effort for power. Does it deliver? Well, our playtesters were a divided lot. Some just couldn¹t get comfortable with the uneven shape, particularly when a quick change of grip was needed. Others really liked the unique feel and thought it enhanced the racquet¹s performance. A couple playtesters believed the grips ran a little big and suggested that moving down a size could be beneficial. But most of the playtesters actually didn¹t base much of their conclusions on the grip as they didn¹t think it was as important as the racquets¹ other attributes.
 
BOTTOM LINE

Good for a player looking for more power and surface area in a lightweight stick. But the uniqueness of the Smart Grip makes the Aero Blast and Drive Z-OS racquets you may have to spend time getting comfortable with.