Gamma RCF-Airbender 16 Paddle Review: My In-Depth Thoughts

(Picture Kip Lacey)

Overview

The RCF-Airbender 16 is the latest pickleball paddle from Gamma.  The Airbender is constructed from tried and true components. The new Gamma paddle sports a state of the art 16 mm polymer honeycomb and a Toray T-700 carbon fiber face. The Airbender is thermoformed with a foam injected perimeter and a foam filled handle. The aerodynamic neck of the paddle has two openings for the air to travel through with a middle beam for structural support. What makes the Airbender different from other paddles on the market are the set of weighted shock buster dampeners that easily slide in and out of the aerodynamic neck and another set of weighted end cap weights for customization on the fly. These kits are sold separately. 

My Experience

Consistency/Accuracy

The Gamma Airbender 16 is quite accurate and consistent. No matter the shot, whether a dink, drive, third, serve or return you can swing away with confidence that your shot will land where you intended. The Airbender really shines in this area.

Power

Another area where the Airbender 16 did exceptionally well is power. The new Gamma averaged an impressive serving speed of 51.2 mph (expected range 48-50). Because of this power the Airbender 16 offers up easy depth on serves and returns. 

Spin

Yes, the Gamma Airbender 16 excels here too. There is plenty of dwell time and the soft feel of the Toray T-700 Carbon Fiber Face really grabs the ball and spins it effectively. You can hit top spin dinks and drives with confidence and slice returns with ease. Along with the Airbender’s maneuverability, roll volleys really grab and are an ease to hit.

Defense to Offense

Once again, the Gamma Airbender does very well, especially once lead tape is added at the 3’o’clock and 9’o’clock positions, easily placing the ball into the non-volley zone without effort. The maneuverability and quick feel allow you to go from defense to offense quickly.

Feedback/Feel

The feedback and feel are luxurious with the Airbender. There is a soft plush feel and nice dwell time on centered shots. The dampener/shock buster in the neck of the paddle and the foam filled handle diminish all vibration making the new Gamma paddle a plush ride. 

Sweet Spot

The sweet spot of the Airbender is quite large and easily accessible. When the ball misses the sweet spot the shots will not be affected badly, but as with all 16 ½ inch paddles the tip of the paddle is not the place to hit and performance will suffer.

Looks/Design

The clean, precise, edgeless look of the Airbender is immediately distinguishable from other paddles on the court. The white and black combination are timeless, and the edge has a nice honeycomb design to add to the appeal. The adjustable weight design indicates where pickleball paddle technology is likely headed. I’m excited to see how this technology advances in the future, especially on the side and tip of the paddles. 

Additional Thoughts

The Gamma RCF-Airbender 16 is surprisingly good! Seemingly, from every location on the court, the Airbender feels at home. The new Gamma paddle can handle any shot that you want to make, and you can do so with confidence. I do wish that the weight placement had more variety, as this paddle is head light and needs some assistance toward the tip of the paddle. You can’t go wrong with the Gamma RCF-Airbender 16.