MUVN 16X & 13S - Don’t sleep on these paddles from GRUVN

Will Chaing
Will Chaing
November 7, 2023

Exploring the Versatility of GRUVN's MUVN Paddles

If you're a pickleball enthusiast, you're likely always on the lookout for the perfect paddle that suits your playing style. Enter GRUVN and their impressive MUVN paddle lineup. In this article, we'll delve into these paddles, explore their features, and share our thoughts on their performance.

YouTube video

A Legacy of Value

GRUVN has made a name for itself as a pioneer in offering high-quality carbon fiber-faced paddles at affordable prices. Their Gen 1 paddles were a game-changer, providing excellent performance options when the choices were limited to CRBN and Electrum. Soon after, Joola joined the scene.

What sets GRUVN apart is their commitment to offering a variety of shapes, handle lengths, and core thicknesses. This diversity allows players to tailor their paddle to their specific preferences and playing style.

MUVN Paddles: Evolution at Its Finest

GRUVN has recently ventured into the thermoformed paddle category with their MUVN paddles, and the improvements over their Gen 1 paddles are remarkable. The MUVN paddles excel in terms of power, spin, and build quality.

When it comes to performance, MUVN paddles can go head-to-head with the likes of Vatic, Ronbus, Joola, Selkirk, Volair, and CRBN. However, it's important to note that you won't find anything groundbreaking in terms of performance; the competition is fierce, and all these paddles offer exceptional playability.

In the world of pickleball paddles, it's increasingly challenging to find a "bad" paddle. What truly matters is finding the one that aligns with your personal preferences and playing style.

Choosing Your Perfect Paddle

GRUVN and MUVN paddles shine when it comes to providing options. The choice of shape, handle length, and core thickness allows you to fine-tune your paddle to suit your specific needs on the court.

If you value reach, power, and high spin from the back of the court during serves and drives, an elongated paddle shape might be your best bet. The extra length provides added leverage, helping you generate more spin with your swing.

On the other hand, if you prioritize agility at the kitchen line, where quick reactions and precise spin control are vital, shorter, standard-shaped paddles might be your preferred choice.

MUVN 16X: A Familiar Feel with Added Balance

The MUVN 16X offers a familiar feel for those experienced with thermoformed paddles. Its elongated shape strikes an excellent balance between pop, power, and touch. Performance-wise, it's comparable to the Vatic V7 Pro but with a slightly less hollow feel, a more muted sound, and a tad less spin. However, it still ranks among the top tier in terms of spin.

What sets the MUVN 16X apart is its all-around performance. It excels in every department, making it a reliable choice for any pickleball player.

MUVN 13S: Surprising Speed and Versatility

The MUVN 13S surprised me with its unique combination of traits. As a 13mm thermoformed paddle, it offers speed and maneuverability in spades. This feature, coupled with its pop, provides a significant confidence boost at the kitchen line. Whether it's volleys, flicks, rolls, or aggressive shots, the MUVN 13S handles them intuitively.

Despite its smaller core size, the MUVN 13S impresses with its touch, making it suitable for delicate shots like dinks, resets, and drops. It's similar in style to Anna Bright's Joola Scorepeus 14mm paddle but offers a bit more power and pop at a more attractive price point.

The Perfect Stock Grip

Before we conclude, it's worth mentioning that GRUVN's stock grip is a standout feature. It's comfortable and grippy, making it a viable choice even without an additional overgrip.

Specifications

MUVN 16X

  • Paddle Length: 16.5”/ 419.1mm
  • Face Width: 7.375”/ 187.3mm
  • Handle Length: 5.5”/ 14cm
  • Grip Size Circumference: 4.125”/10.5cm
  • Grip: 3D Perforated Cushion Grip
  • Weight: Average weight of 8.0 oz (+ or - 0.25 oz)/0.5 lbs/227g
  • Face/Paddle Surface: T700 Raw Carbon Fiber
  • Paddle Shape: Elongated
  • Core Material: Polypropylene Honeycomb
  • Core Thickness: 16mm/0.63”
  • Honeycomb Cell Size: 8mm/0.3”
  • Edge Guard: Black
  • Spin Rate: 1889RPM
  • Swing Weight: 117 (results by PB Studio)
  • Twist Weight: 6.36

USAPA approved for sanctioned tournament play

MUVN 13S

  • Paddle Length: 15.7”/398mm
  • Face Width: 8.1”/205mm
  • Handle Length: 5.3”/13.5cm
  • Grip Size Circumference: 4.125”/10.5cm
  • Grip: 3D Perforated Cushion Grip (Orange Underneath)
  • Weight: Average weight of 8.0 oz (+ or - 0.25 oz)/0.5 lbs/227g
  • Face/Paddle Surface: T700 Raw Carbon Fiber
  • Paddle Shape: Wide Body
  • Core Material: Polypropylene Honeycomb
  • Core Thickness: 13mm/0.51”
  • Honeycomb Cell Size: 8mm/0.3”
  • Edge Guard: Black
  • Spin Rate: 2008RPM
  • Swing Weight: 99
  • Twist Weight: 6.4

USAPA approved for sanctioned tournament play

Conclusion

In summary, if you're in the market for a new paddle and have specific preferences for core thickness and shape, GRUVN's MUVN lineup is definitely worth considering. With their commitment to variety and performance, it's likely that they'll continue to expand their MUVN offerings to cater to even more players' needs. Until next time, play better, peace!