Weight
90g
Thickness
6.5mm
Plies
7-ply
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Sprint Carbon
Ariex Sprint Carbon is engineered for aggressive players who demand both speed and control. This 7-ply hybrid blade uses a 5+2 construction with two carbon layers to boost power and expand the sweet spot, making it exceptionally effective for mid to long-distance looping. Its lightweight build, typically between 85-95 grams, and 6.5mm thickness provide excellent maneuverability and precision for rapid shot execution. As an OFF+ rated blade, it delivers significant power and spin potential with a solid feel, perfectly suited for intermediate to advanced players looking to elevate their offensive game.
The blade features a 5+2 construction, meaning five layers of wood and two layers of carbon fiber. This configuration is typical for modern offensive blades, aiming to provide the stiffness and speed of carbon while retaining some of the feel and control offered by wood plies. The carbon layers are placed internally to provide stiffness and speed without compromising the outer touch.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Ariex Sprint Carbon is explicitly rated as an OFF+ blade, indicating very high speed potential. The inclusion of two carbon layers significantly contributes to its stiffness and speed-generating capabilities, making it ideal for aggressive, attacking play. This speed is particularly beneficial for powerful loops and fast drives, allowing players to dominate rallies with explosive shots.
For an OFF+ rated blade, Sprint Carbon offers a commendable level of control. Its balanced construction and moderate thickness help players manage the high speed effectively, enabling precise shots, especially in mid to long-distance rallies. Many players find it provides enhanced control for looping, making it a versatile choice for offensive play that still requires accuracy.
Ariex Sprint Carbon delivers a solid and direct feel due to its carbon layers. It provides good feedback without being excessively hard, maintaining a connection with the ball during strokes. TTSensei experts note that players should avoid overly light rubbers to preserve power, as the blade's feel is optimized for controlled aggression.
The combination of carbon and wood plies, geared towards offensive play, typically results in a medium-high throw angle. This facilitates powerful looping shots with a good trajectory, allowing players to generate effective topspin and clear the net comfortably during aggressive exchanges.
With carbon layers present, dwell time is moderate. It offers enough time for the ball to sink into the rubber for spin generation during powerful strokes, but the carbon stiffens the blade, reducing prolonged dwell compared to all-wood blades. This allows for a quick release with high speed, ideal for fast offensive play.
The inclusion of carbon layers makes the blade relatively stiff, contributing to its speed and power. It is not a flexible blade, which is characteristic of offensive carbon blades designed for powerful, direct shots that prioritize quick response over bending.
The carbon layers typically reduce vibration compared to all-wood blades, offering a more direct feel. However, Sprint Carbon is not described as excessively stiff or dead, suggesting a moderate level of vibration feedback that aids in ball control and provides useful tactile information during play.
Players report superb construction, indicating a high level of build quality. The materials and assembly appear well-executed, contributing to the blade's consistent performance and durability. This attention to detail ensures reliable play and a premium feel that meets the expectations of serious competitors.
Technology
Ariex Sprint Carbon utilizes a 5+2 ply construction, integrating two layers of carbon fiber with five wood layers. This hybrid design is engineered to deliver the superior speed and stiffness associated with carbon, while the wood plies aim to retain a degree of elasticity and feel crucial for control in offensive play. The carbon layers are strategically placed to maximize power and create a larger sweet spot, facilitating consistent high-performance shots, particularly for looping and aggressive attacks from all distances.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Viscaria
Viscaria is a highly popular blade with a similar 5+2 construction using Arylate-Carbon layers and an OFF+ rating. It is known for its speed, spin, and control, making it a benchmark for offensive, carbon-infused blades. Players looking for the performance characteristics of Sprint Carbon, such as its speed and looping ability, might find Viscaria to be a comparable alternative, though the specific feel and exact performance nuances would differ based on material composition.
Tibhar Stratus Power Wood
Stratus Power Wood is an all-wood, 5-ply blade often compared to composite blades for its offensive capabilities. It provides good speed and spin with a softer feel and more dwell time. If a player likes the offensive output of Sprint Carbon but desires a wood blade feel with enhanced control and spin, Stratus Power Wood could be an alternative to explore, offering a different playing experience focused on touch and consistency.