Volair CMD First Impressions
Volair has done something very interesting with the release of their new paddle, the CMD. Instead of joining the race to develop their own durable grit surface from scratch, they’ve licensed Hexgrit directly from 11Six24 to lay over their own paddle construction. It is a smart move to leverage a tried-and-true solution rather than spending time reinventing the wheel
Specs, Shape, and Construction
For now, the CMD is only available in a curved-top hybrid shape with a slightly longer-than-average 5.6-inch handle.
Here is what we are looking at for the out-of-the-box metrics:
Swing Weight: 112
Twist Weight: 6.45
On paper, this leans toward the lighter side for this specific shape, meaning it will feel fast in the hands but might lack a bit of stability in stock form.
Unlike the 11Six24 paddles that originally popularized Hexgrit, the CMD features a different internal construction. It utilizes an EPP core surrounded by Volair's patent-pending flex tech, finished off with EVA foam.
Playability and Comparisons
Because of that internal construction, the CMD plays much more like a floating EPP core paddle than an 11Six24 offering. You get that signature stiff, hollow ball feedback, but it is noticeably more muted.
To see exactly where it sits in the market, I put it head-to-head with a few other popular models:
Vs. Sword & Shield J2CR: Both generate very similar levels of spin. However, the J2CR has a stiffer, poppier feel and noticeably more overall firepower.
Vs. 11Six24 Vapor Power 2: The Vapor Power 2 has an even more muted feedback than the CMD, but it also comes out ahead when it comes to raw firepower.
On my personal firepower scale, I would place the CMD right at the high end of "all-court" and the low end of "power." You can get decent plow-through on your drives and put-aways, but if you compare it to true high-tier power paddles like the Boomstik or the Mark Unmarked, it is definitely outmatched for raw pace.
My Personal Setup and Verdict
For a first impression, this is a very solid offering from Volair. The Hexgrit guarantees high-level spin and longevity, and the overall performance easily keeps up with other top performers in the current market.
If you know me, you know the curved hybrid isn’t my favorite shape. Because the paddle feels so light in stock form with that 6.51 twist weight, I did have to add weight to bring up the stability and maximize the performance. Underneath my Ninja Turtles edge guard tape, I ran 3 grams of 0.5g/inch tuning tape from the throat of the paddle up the sides. That small adjustment was necessary for my game and made a massive difference.
While the shape isn't my personal preference, I know it’s a highly popular one. The CMD is a great option if you want a durable grit paddle that offers controllable firepower without feeling overly stiff or harsh. You get reliable put-away power, but it remains manageable, meaning you won’t have to fight too much excessive pop during your resets and dinks at the kitchen line. Ultimately, it is a much more beginner-friendly option than many of the other highly aggressive enhanced-grit power paddles out there today.
The CMD is currently available for preorder on the Volair site and is expected to ship in mid-August. Let me know down in the comments if you plan on picking one up or if you're sticking to what's currently in your bag.
Volair CMD: https://bit.ly/3CTdvKT
Code: DMVPBALL
*Code Won't be active until 12PM EST 9/18
