Sometimes the phrase, “the more things change, the more they remain the same” applies perfectly when it comes to updated equipment. And nothing could be closer to the truth than the latest offering of Prince shoes. The NFS Indoor IV slipped on like trusty old slippers and raced from corner to corner with nary a blip on the radar screen.
Translation? These gum rubber soled, super lightweight puppies will be happily living in any squash players bag just waiting for their next tour of the court.
A couple years ago Prince made a slight alteration to the lacing system whereby loops were added to the inside edge of the uppers (facing the tongue), and the IV is no different. Why bring it up? Because it really does help cinch the leather snuggly around your foot. And for anyone who has slammed their toes into the front of the toe box after charging hard to the front of the court, snug-fitting shoes are a must.
Not much else to tell you. Just feel secure in the fact that you won’t be fussing with your shoes during your next tight match after strapping on the Indoor IV. No reason because they’re as close to perfection as a shoe can get for squash.
Nearly two years ago, Prince introduced the O3 Silver with it’s newfangled O-Port Technology. The result was a racquet that tipped the scales on the stout side but swung effortlessly—and the sweet spot was expanded with stringing patterns that allowed for a more responsive stringbed (i.e., the strings move more than when strung through tiny holes).
But with the introduction of the O3 Black, Prince has launched its line of racquets into the stratosphere. Simply put, the O3 Black feels as close to perfection as one could hope for. The Black (which features a silver frame, by the way—in contrast to the Silver with it’s black frame; yes, a bit strange) has taken the O-Port concept to yet another dimension by not only featuring the gaping holes at the top of the frame but also on either side. So while the stick tipped the scales at 145g (strung) and is decidedly head-heavy, it feels very light; even nimble. The O3 Black also brings back the Power Ring (which was also featured in the O3 Tour) to allow all of the main strings to be longer for enhanced power. The stiffness of the O3 Black simply adds to the excellent feel and control. Bottom line is advanced players with an all-court game will drool all over the O3 Black. We could go on, but you get the picture (there’s more info on the Prince website).
Finally, the O3 Hybrid Ultralite has also been brought to the market. Also featuring the Power Ring and O-Ports at the top of the frame, the Hybrid Ultralite is a bit of a misnomer because it weighed in at 150g (strung)—slightly more than the Black. But, while still head heavy, it is less so than the Black. The Hybrid Ultralite brings plenty of power to the court for those of you looking for more punch. Feel is good but not its primary purpose. Like all of the O-Port sticks, the Ultralite does swing smoothly, but this one isn’t as nimble as the Black.
Both new sticks feature the same string pattern (16 mains and 16 crosses). Headsize on the Ultralite is 450 sq cm while the Black is 470.
For more, checkout www.princesquash.com
