Weight
82.5g
Thickness
7.1mm
Plies
7-ply
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Cat
JOOLA Cat is a hybrid blade crafted for all-round players who want a perfect marriage of control and offensive capability. Its unique construction pairs Texalium—a high-density material harder than carbon—with a lightweight Balsa core. This combination creates a large, forgiving sweet spot for exceptional accuracy while keeping the blade nimble and responsive. It delivers a clean, direct feel with reduced vibration, making it a superb choice for players who value consistency and precise placement in their all-round attacking game.
The blade uses a 7-ply construction, though the listed materials describe a 5-layer sequence. It features a symmetrical build with Limba outer plies, Texalium fiber layers beneath them, and a Balsa wood core. This design aims to offer a large sweet spot and enhanced control, with the Texalium providing stiffness and the Balsa contributing to a lighter weight and improved feel.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
JOOLA Cat delivers a speed well-suited for an all-round offensive style. It provides enough pace for powerful loops and drives without sacrificing stability. Our testing shows it offers a balanced speed that supports aggressive play while maintaining the control needed for consistent placement and tactical variety.
Control is where this blade truly shines. The Texalium and Balsa core construction creates an exceptionally large and forgiving sweet spot. Players report outstanding accuracy and ease of placement, making it a highly reliable blade for executing precise shots and maintaining consistency during rallies, which is ideal for all-round strategies.
The feel strikes a balance between the stiffness of the Texalium and the cushioning effect of the Balsa core. It offers a direct, clean contact with the ball, providing enough dwell for spin generation while minimizing excessive feedback, resulting in a controlled and predictable sensation.
JOOLA Cat produces a medium-high throw angle. The blade's construction helps impart good lift and arc on the ball, making it easier to generate heavy topspin and clear the net with consistency, which is advantageous for loop-oriented play.
Despite the presence of stiffening fibers, JOOLA Cat maintains good dwell time. The softer outer wood veneer and the Balsa core work together to hold the ball slightly longer on the rubber, which is beneficial for generating spin on loops, serves, and touch shots.
The blade leans toward the stiffer side due to the Texalium layers, providing a direct and linear response. However, the wood plies and Balsa core introduce a slight, controlled flex, preventing it from feeling completely rigid and aiding in power generation during full strokes.
Vibration is notably low. The Texalium material is highly effective at damping oscillations, resulting in a very clean, almost feedback-free feel upon ball impact. This characteristic is great for players who prefer a solid, direct connection without extra sensation.
JOOLA Cat reflects the brand's reputation for well-crafted equipment. The use of specialized materials like Texalium suggests a higher-tier construction focused on performance. While specific details on finish are limited, the overall impression from user feedback points to a solid, reliable build quality that holds up to regular play.
Technology
JOOLA Cat's core technology is the integration of Texalium™, a proprietary composite material described as harder than carbon fiber. This aluminum-coated fiber embedded in resin provides increased hardness and density. It's paired with a lightweight Balsa wood core known for enhancing ball feel. This combination is engineered to maximize the sweet spot, deliver superior control, and significantly reduce unwanted vibration, creating a blade that supports precise, offensive all-round play.
Similar Blades
JUIC Texalium
Players looking for a blade with similar technology might consider the JUIC Texalium. It also utilizes Texalium fiber in its construction, which suggests a comparable focus on creating a large sweet spot and controlled, dampened feel. Direct performance comparisons are limited, but the shared material makes it a logical alternative to explore.