Racquet Review: Volkl Vostra V10 (320g)

Volkl Vostra V10 (320g)

• Price: $250
• Head Size: 98 sq. in.
• Length: 27 in.
• Weight: 11.9 oz.
• Balance: 7 pts. HL
• Swingweight: 325
• RA Rating: 65
• Beam Width: 20.5mm / 22.5mm / 20.5mm
• String Pattern: 16x19

What’s New

The primary innovation for the Vostra family of racquets is Volkl’s Red Cell technology. It’s a composite of the carbon fiber V-Cell that carries over from the previous generation with REVA (Revolutionary EVA) dampening resin. The Red Cell is placed in strategic locations on the hoop and throat of the frame to improve its performance and feel at contact. The V10 has also been updated with a return of the V-shaped throat (V-Engine) to help stabilize that part of the frame.

What Works

Volkl’s V10 remains one of the tried-and-true advanced player’s lines. While each generation looks to tinker with its performance dials to address more modern demands, it never strays far from its roots. Which is to say it’s a solid, accurate and trusty frame that lets skilled all-courters fully express their games without getting in the way.

Few racquets these days match the V10’s 320g weight. That said, the combination of its thin beam and friendly head-light balance allows it to handle rather effortlessly. It accelerates smoothly through the hitting zone on ground strokes and serves. The heft provides enough oomph to power shots and substance to defend them, without feeling cumbersome or onerous.

While the pop is there to punish a short ball or step on a serve, pace is primarily user-generated. Compared to many 98s, the needle is pointed more toward the control side of the playability scale thanks to its reliable targeting and predictable response. Rather than knockout blows, it favors throwing a combination of punches to soften up opponents. It’s one of those frames that does exactly what you ask it to do, so you feel confident attacking with court position, changes of direction and varied shot selection.

Like power, the frame offers respectable spin generation for players who know how to put work on the ball. If you’ve already got a heavy forehand, you’ll be able to exploit it. More delicate shots such as dipping angles or bringing a topspin lob down into the court can be pulled off without too much difficulty. Kick serves don’t explode off the court, but there’s enough life to keep opponents honest. And if you like to knife a slice backhand, this racquet can cut it rather sharply.

The variable beam is slightly thicker at the 3 and 9 o’clock positions to bolster its backbone. This is also were the SuperGrommets reside. They have a figure-8 shape to promote more string deflection for a deeper pocket and better spin. The overall response seems slightly more flexible and comfortable than its predecessor, but carries added swingweight to compensate in the power and stability departments.

The feel is still frame, but not unyielding, even with a full bed of poly (Volkl Cyclone 17g). Volkl frames are generally arm-friendly thanks to all dampening technologies. The V10 has the V-Tex butt cap made of silicone polymer and the V-Sensor pin in the handle to lessen harsh vibration. The feedback at contact is a little muted, but gets through well enough to know where the ball is on the strings.

This shows up at net where the frame is a standout volleyer. Its weight and sturdy composition stand up to and redirects incoming pace with relative ease. Just like from the baseline, the fine control encourages you to be greedy when aiming your volleys. Touch isn’t quite the same as a plusher, more flexible frame, but won’t hold you back when taking pace off the ball, as well as playing those tricky in-between midcourt shots. Skilled doubles players and attacking all-courters should have no issues employing their full arsenal.

What Needs Work

The V10 takes effort. Not because of its dimensions, but because you’ve got to be on top of your game to make it hum. Other frames let you get away with a little sloppiness, but this one isn’t fond of cheaters. It has a smallish sweet spot and not much inherent power to bail you out of trouble. If you’re not consistently on-time at contact with fluid, technically proficient strokes, it could be a long day. In other words, the racquet is really best-suited for advanced players who don’t want much—if any—help from their racquets. Which is what you should expect from the most demanding 10 in the Volkl lineup.

The V10 also has narrow shoulders. Many of the recent 98s—especially lighter models—are wider and beefier across the top of the hoop. This can raise the sweet spot a little bit, which can be helpful if you have more vertical, topspin-heavy strokes. However, contact in that part of the frame on the V10 can feel a little dead.

Bottom Line

All in all, the Vostra is another strong update to the venerable Volkl 10 family. If you’ve got some serious all-court chops, it has all the ingredients needed to show them off.