Engage Pursuit MX Review
The Engage Pursuit MX is a top-of-the-line pickleball paddle that offers a unique blend of power and control. The carbon fiber surface and proprietary graphite skin provide plenty of pop and power on shots, while the black core and foam edgewall technology offer stability and a large sweet spot. The generous 5-3/4 handle is comfortable and allows for double-handed backhands. The paddle is well-balanced for both attacking and control play. However, it is on the heavier side and may not be suitable for all players, and its price point may be higher than some other options on the market. It may take some time to adjust to the extra power and pop on shots if you are not used to it.
Pros
- Carbon fiber surface and proprietary graphite skin provide plenty of power and pop on shots
- Black core and foam edgewall technology offer stability and a large sweet spot
- Generous 5-3/4 handle is comfortable and accommodating allows for double-handed backhands
- Sleek and modern design
- Well-balanced for both attacking and control play
Cons
- Heavier side, which may not be suitable for all players
- Some players may find it difficult to maneuver quickly
- Price point may be higher than some other options on the market
- May take some time to adjust to the extra power and pop on shots if you are not used to it.
General Thoughts
I have been playing pickleball for several years now, and I have had the opportunity to test and play with many different paddles. The Engage Pursuit MX is one of the most impressive paddles I have come across. It is a high-quality paddle that is designed for high-level play, and it delivers on its promise of power and control.
The first thing I noticed about the Pursuit MX is its unique design. The paddle features Engage's proprietary graphite skin that is specifically developed for this paddle to work with the brand's black core. The rough texture of the skin gives a nice grip and does not wear out easily. The handle is comfortable to hold and the weight of the paddle feels well-balanced.
I found that the Pursuit MX offers a great balance of power and control. The graphite surface provides a good amount of pop, but the soft core helps to keep the ball from flying out of bounds. I am impressed with the level of craftsmanship that went into creating this paddle. The attention to detail is evident in every aspect of the paddle's design.
Paddle Design
The Engage Pursuit MX is available in three weight ranges to match your preferred play style: featherweight, lite, and standard weight. I found that the standard weight (7.9 - 8.3 oz) was perfect for me as it provided the right balance of power and control. The core measures 1/2 inch thick which also helps to balance power with the control offered by the graphite face. The generous 5-3/4 inch handle provides space for double-handed backhands and a more racquet-like balance.
Another great feature of the Pursuit MX is the Hyper-Foam Edgewall technology. This is a new paddle technology that Engage introduced. They injected foam around the perimeter of the head. This helps to increase the sweet spot and improves stability. I found that the paddle performed well in both of these areas, which is great for intermediate players like myself.
Lastly, I want to mention the Carbon Forged Handle technology. This is another new technology that Engage introduced. It allows the company to have complete control of the shape of the handle. It also adds some flex to the throat of the paddle which increases the power the paddle can produce. I found that the handle felt very comfortable in my hand and the extra flex helped me generate more power on my shots.
Attacking
I found that the Engage Pursuit MX was great for attacking shots. The graphite surface provides a good amount of pop, which helped me hit the ball harder and with more precision. I found that I was able to generate more power on my shots without sacrificing control. I also found that the soft core helped to keep the ball from flying out of bounds.
The weight of the paddle also helped me when attacking. I found that the standard weight (7.9 - 8.3 oz) was perfect for me as it provided the right balance of power and control. I was able to move the paddle quickly and hit the ball with precision. I also found that the generous 5-3/4 inch handle provided space for double-handed backhands which helped me generate more power on my shots.
Overall, I found that the Engage Pursuit MX was a great paddle for attacking. The power and control that it provided helped me to hit the ball harder and with more precision. I also found that the weight and handle size were perfect for me and helped me generate more power on my shots.
Control
The Engage Pursuit MX is great for control play as well. The soft core helps to keep the ball from flying out of bounds, which is great for intermediate players like myself. I found that I was able to place the ball where I wanted it to go with ease.
The Hyper-Foam Edgewall technology also helped me with control play. I found that the foam around the perimeter of the head increased the sweet spot and improved stability. This helped me to control the ball and place it where
The weight of the paddle also helped with my control play. The extra weight allowed me to add power to my shots without losing control. I found that I could hit harder shots with the Pursuit MX than with other paddles I have used in the past.
The handle is also well-designed and comfortable to hold, which made it easy for me to play for extended periods of time without experiencing any hand fatigue
