PaddleTek ESQ-C vs ALW-C Review
PaddleTek continues to dominate the power category with their hit Bantam Series.
Earlier this year, PaddleTek rose from the ashes with their latest lineup helmed by Anna Leigh Waters, Christian Alshon, and now Andrea Koop. It wasn’t long ago when they were rare, but now, the P-branded paddles are everywhere.
To follow up on their success, they’ve updated the ALW-C and added the ESQ-C. ALW’s revised version and the brand-new ESQ-C are awesome additions, but they confuse me.
Let’s dive into PaddleTek’s questionable route for both of these paddles.
Specs
Price: $249.99 (Code: PBSTUDIO to bring it down to $225, only valid until 11/25/24)
Shape: Standard (ALW-C 16” x 7.9", ESQ-C 15.9” x 8")
Thickness: 12.7mm, 14.3mm
Core: Polymer
Face: Raw Carbon Fiber
Handle: 5.25” (ALW-C), 5.5” (ESQ-C)
Grip: 4.25”
Static Weight: 7.5-7.8 oz (ALW-C), 7.6-7.9oz (ESQ-C)
Swing Weight: 102-103 (ALW-C), 103-106 (ESQ-C)
Twist Weight: 6.5 (ALW-C), 6.8 (ESQ-C)
Warranty: Lifetime
Design: Gen 1
Price Change
Right off the bat, they’ve increased the price from $230 to $250. Regardless, I still recommend these at this price, but it’s a tougher pill to swallow.
Previously, $207 with code PBSTUDIO was reasonable. But the new $20 bump changes the previous easy recommendation to one that is tougher.
Either way, these paddles are still unique among what’s out currently. So if these are what you’re looking for, then you don’t have much of a choice. On the plus side, these include a lifetime warranty and you won’t struggle with the same core issues of thermoformed paddles.
Ultimately, it’s up to you if it’s worth it or not.
ALW-C Changes
PaddleTek made two heavily sought-after updates to the ALW-C. The butt cap was updated, the handle length was increased.
Picking up this new version, you’ll immediately notice the addition of an octagon butt cap. This increased the total handle length by 0.25”, going from 5” to 5.25”.
Now, the butt cap isn’t the awkward nub that it used to be, and it matches the growing trend of having longer handles on standard and wide-body paddles. Two-handed backhands are better feeling and easier.
The other change is the added weights, similarly used in the more powerful TKO-CX models. They still claim these are “carbon steel twist weights,” but in reality, they look like a steel ball similar to the fishing weights they used to use with putty. Not sure why they choose to market it with a steel plate when it isn’t (at least in my units).
With the good, comes the bad. These updates mean the options to choose from are lessened.
Players who want a very short handle length are now out of that configuration. And not only that, but PaddleTek removed the thinner 4” grip circumference option. Like the TKO, you can only select 4.25” now.
Difference between ESQ-C & ALW-C
Now, going back to the ESQ-C. Originally, I was led to believe this was going to be the long-handled version of the ALW-C. But now that both models are out, the difference between the two is minimal.
Besides the barely noticeable overall dimensions, the ESQ-C tapers more at the neck. This gives you a small amount of increased handle length, which could make a difference to someone sensitive to this.
If you were choosing between these two paddles, you have to ask yourself three questions:
Do I want the longest handle possible for this type of paddle?
Do I want the biggest sweet spot possible for this type of paddle?
Do I want the most pop/power possible for this type of paddle?
Answering yes to any or all would lead you to choose the ESQ-C over the ALW-C. But truly, these paddles are tangibly the same, and you really can’t make a wrong choice between the two.
To me, it would’ve made more sense for PaddleTek to keep the shorter handle on the ALW-C, and then release the ESQ-C as the long version. This would make more people happy with more options.
With all this overlap, it’s confusing for players to choose between the two. But all that aside, these are still two great paddles.
Paddle Performance
There isn’t much new information to provide on paddle performance compared to previous iterations. A vast majority of my old review still stands true on the ALW-C and can apply to the ESQ-C. The appealing low static, balance, and swing weight have remained the true identity of both paddles.
As before, these are some of the hardest-hitting paddles on the market even with their Gen 1 construction (not thermoformed & no foam). They excel at the net for counters and putaways all while packing a punch from the baseline.
Dominance in both these aspects is very unique. The paddles’ low swing weights plus incredible power make them the best choice for someone wanting versatility.
But with great power comes great responsibility. People will struggle with control while using these paddles. The combination of their Gen 1 sweet spot (which is smaller than a lot of paddles today) plus extra poppiness makes for a difficult soft game.
This isn’t a warning to stay away. Instead, it’s something to keep in mind when making your decision, and the upside can be very high. A controlled soft game paired with the versatility of the ALW-C or ESQ-C is a threat on the court.
The good news is there’s still plenty of opportunity for endless customization. If you find your control lacking or can’t get used to the smaller sweet spot, then you have the freedom to increase the stability with weighted tape.
These characteristics stand true for all variations of these models. The 14.3mm will be slightly more player-friendly, while the 12.7mm will be all gas no brakes.
Personally, I prefer the thinner variant and love how the ball comes off. It’s crisp, fast, feels good, and even sounds good. Everything about it is very fun, but I acknowledge that I probably don’t play my best pickleball with it.
Closing Thoughts
Like my previous review on the PaddleTek Bantam Series, these are some of the best power paddles you can buy right now. And these newer models further add to their extreme versatility while suiting anybody willing to work with them.
Their combination of lightweight, low swing weight, and low balance make them nearly unmatched. It’s hard to argue their performance.
You should buy the ALW-C & ESQ-C if:
You like an aggressive playstyle.
Prefer standard-shaped paddles.
Have a larger budget.
You should choose the ESQ-C over the ALW-C if:
You want as long of a handle as you can get.
Want its larger sweet spot and pop/power.
Otherwise, choose the ALW-C if you don’t care about the handle length or marginally extra face width.
While these two latest releases could have used more distinction, both are smashing add-ons to PaddleTek’s already big hit. Players now have even more options that match the current state of the game.
Interested in buying one?
If you plan to pick one of these up, you can use code PBSTUDIO to save 10% on your order with the link below.