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Thrive Project Fury First Impressions | A JOOLA Pro IV Clone?
I just got my hands on the new Thrive Project Fury, and I’ll be sharing my first impressions on it.
To put it simply, this paddle is basically a JOOLA Pro IV if you added fiberglass and wrapped it in a hybrid shape.
So let’s go over it and see what’s different, what works well, and what to look out for before buying.
Table of Contents
Save 10% using code: PBSTUDIO at checkout.
Retailing for $199, but with the code, it drops to $180, and using it helps support the channel so we can keep making reviews like this.
Design & Build
If you look at the X-rays, the internals are nearly identical to the Pro IV.
The only noticeable design change is Thrive’s added foam weighting in the bottom corners.
In theory, placing the weights a little closer to the edge guard would have boosted stability. Either way, the paddle still plays solid, and the sweet spot is fine.
The Fury uses a carbon fiber/fiberglass/ carbon fiber layup, while the Pro IV is all carbon.
That fiberglass layer makes the Fury stiffer, poppier, and more aggressive than the Pro IV.
The added pop really shows up at the net. Flicks feel quick, hands battles feel explosive, but you do give up some control, especially when compared to the JOOLA Pro IV.
Price, Specs & Warranty
Retailing at $199 with discount code PBSTUDIO, it drops down to $180.
So, it’s about $100 cheaper than the Pro IV.
Performance Specs
General Specs
Playability & Choosing Swing Weight
Playability
The Fury has more pop and aggression than the Pro IV.
It feels quicker, sharper, and more explosive at the net. I found it fun and very effective for flicks and hands battles.
But that extra pop comes at a cost: resets, dinks, and soft touches are harder to control than with the Pro IV.
Choosing Your Paddles Swing Weight
One thing I like about Thrive is that you can choose your swing weight between 111–113.
The range isn’t huge, but if you plan to buy multiple paddles, it guarantees consistency on something that’s usually left up to chance.
On court, the Fury feels sharper and more explosive than the Pro IV. The added fiberglass gives it extra pop, which makes flicks and hands battles a blast.
The tradeoff is that resets, dinks, and soft touches become harder to control.
Where the Fury Falls Behind
Durability
The Fury is likely to face the same core crush issues as the Pro IV.
One of my units even had a rattle right out of the box, and another developed one after just a few hours of play.
It didn’t affect performance, but it’s not a great look for long-term confidence.
Warranty
For some players, the $100 savings on the Fury will be worth it, but if you tend to stick with a paddle for a long time or value coverage, that shorter window is a real drawback.
Control Tradeoff
The fiberglass layer makes the Fury feel faster and more aggressive, but it also makes the soft game less forgiving. Resets and dinks take more discipline compared to the Pro IV.
Who The Thrive Project Fury is and isn’t For
✅ For Players Who:
❌ Not ideal for Players Who:
The Thrive Project Fury is a great paddle, but in the same way as the Pro IV already was.
It’s essentially a more aggressive Pro IV in a hybrid shape, sold at a lower price.
If you wanted a Pro IV turned up a notch and don’t mind a shorter warranty, the Fury is going to deliver. But if warranty is a top priority, you may be better off sticking with JOOLA.
Save 10% using code: PBSTUDIO at checkout.
Retailing for $199, but with the code, it drops to $180, and using it helps support the channel so we can keep making reviews like this.
