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Holbrook has outdone itself with their new Arma Pro paddles. The Arma line is their latest release, and it is {{chef’s kiss}}. These paddles are the perfect marriage of precision and power, which is why the Arma is currently the best Holbrook pickleball paddle.
There are many power paddles on the market. I would argue that many of the companies claiming to have power in their paddles bank on the player’s power matching the construction and features. Holbrook has figured out how to put the power in the paddle and let it work for the player instead. Every time I pick up a new Holbrook, I am in awe of the power, and I have to remind myself that it’s there for me.
In addition, the Arma is the best Holbrook paddle, and the paddle is incredibly $100 for Black Friday (50% off) with code BENTBFCM50. It just started, but I would estimate that these paddles will sell out before actual Black Friday.
“Dual Density” is Holbrook’s new patent-pending approach to ensuring players hit with ease, power, and accuracy. This is the merging of two honeycomb cores – high-density (10mm) and low-density (8mm) honeycomb cores. The low-density cells cover most of the traditional sweet spot to drive power and consistency. These cells are surrounded by low-density (8mm) cells, which reinforce the energy and provide stability.
In this article, I’ll cover my first impressions, the design, the playability, how the Arma compares to the Aero T Metallic and Aero K, the specifications, and how I also love the brand that is very family driven, giving my readers a 15% discount code (bepickleballer) which is the best I could find (and even better than what Holbrook provides on its website).
First Impressions
Here’s a picture of the front:
Here’s the back:
If the high-density honeycomb is not enough innovation for you, the core is encased in FLX-Foam (Gen 3) fill to the paddle edges, resulting in added power and one of the biggest sweet spots in today’s paddles. The foam is wrapped in carbon for added durability. What does all of this mean on the court? I am not an engineer, but I can relate to fewer dead spots and mis-hits with the massive sweet spot of the Arma.
Did you see Quang Duong playing with an Arma paddle at the PPA in Atlanta (May)? According to Instagram, this was due to another paddle not receiving certification in time for the tournament.
But let’s be honest, there are a zillion choices out there, and he chose the Arma.
The Design
Holbrook continues with its sleek, minimalist design, which I love. The black graphics are exactly what I am looking for – simple and understated. I would rather performance speak for itself.
A change in the Holbrook’s Arma paddles is the grip. Gone is the white grip as Holbrook has gone back to a black leather-like grip. The new grip has the Holbrook logo stamped throughout the grip. It’s a subtle nod to brand stewardship.
This is something that some may never notice, but I, as a former marketing executive, find impactful and heart-warming to see a small company stay so committed to their brand.
The court play was a very different experience. If I am to be honest, the first few hits with the Arma T were wonky for me. I felt like I was driving my first manual transmission.
Unsure of the clutch and how much gas to give. But the moment I found that flow of trusting myself to release inhibitions and trust the paddle, the wind was in my hair, and I was driving fearlessly down the court. Literally.
Playability
Control
Holbrook introduced internal weighting with their Aero series, and I saw this as the answer to my paddle prayers. Previously, I weighted my paddles with lead tape – eyeballing each side and hoping to get the strips evenly placed. Now I have learned to trust Holbrook’s construction and weight placement.
There are internal weights on the two corners and along the side nearest the handle. Holbrook refers to this as “dynamic weight distribution,” which adds stability to each shot. After playing with the evenly four-corner weighted Aero, I initially questioned this change. Then I hit a drive – you know the kind of low, whizzing drive that makes a statement. The one that makes people on the sidelines ohhh and ahh. That drive. I hit another one and another one, and that is when I realized that the Arma T was next-level playable. I have not felt this level of control from any other paddle.
Like Holbrook’s other “T” models, the Arma T has a 5.5” handle for those of us who go after backhands with both hands. Forehand or backhand, this paddle is all power and performance. Another note about the Holbrook handles – skip the overgrip. These handles are designed for quick reaction time, and if you add width to your handle (unless, of course, you have large hands and require more thickness), you risk slowing down your paddle, especially at the net.
By the way, this is true of some of the heavier edge tapes. I stick to a small strip of electric tape to put my name on the paddle and keep the weight exactly where I want it. These paddles are made for quick hands and fast responses. Do not sabotage your game before you even hit the court.
Spin
The Arma Pro paddles appear to utilize the same Unidirectional T700 Carbon Fiber surface that is found on the Aero and Power Pro series. This is a gritty surface that is molded onto the paddle to enhance spin power and control. The Arma T’s T700 surface is durable and will last longer if cleaned periodically. These surfaces can be cleaned with any carbon fiber eraser to keep the surface fresh and gritty.
Holbrook paddles are certainly not the only carbon fiber surface choices. There are other paddles with a carbon fiber surface, but some are sprayed onto the surface instead of molded into the construction. One way to tell if your paddle surface is a sprayed or a molded construction is to rub it with a carbon paddle eraser. If it does not clean the surface or makes it look dirtier, that is likely a sprayed surface. A carbon paddle eraser should refresh the paddle’s surface by removing carbon buildup and dirt. You should be able to see and feel the difference.
Power
All Arma models come in a 14mm thickness. This alone is a sign that this paddle is designed for power.
The Arma’s Dual Density core and FLX-Foam core change the game to one highlighted by precision and power. The power is truly explosive. When you hit that ball head-on, you feel it, and there is no stopping you.
What stood out to me was that even those hits that are not dead center are still hitting a sweet spot, and therefore, all of my hits came through with more power and speed. I even surprised myself a few times. At first, I had a difficult time judging the power I was getting outside of the normal-size sweet spot. My mis-hits came because I underestimated that even the edges were designed to deliver power.
Then there were the drives. Honestly, most of my drives came fast and furious, as if they were all intentional. It was a different feeling that is difficult to describe. It felt like pure motion, not forced. I wasn’t winding up for a kill shot; I was merely in motion and making a connection. That connection was a soft touch (not to be confused with the soft touch of a dink), and not an arm-burning, ripping kind of shot. Yet, the result was effortless. The ball sailed each time, low and fast. It felt like perfection.
Get 15% Off the Arma Paddle!
Holbrook has done well to keep its paddles priced competitively. But innovation comes at a price, and the new Arma series has both innovative technologies and a higher price point.
You can grab the Arma T and Arma S paddles for $259.99, but the metallic surfaces (Arma T Metallic, Arma S Metallic, and Arma x Metallic) run higher at $279.99.
The pricing of the Arma series is very much in line with the majority of advanced paddles in the market today, and still under the $300 price tag of some of its competitors.
Thankfully, the Holbrook family has been super kind to my readers with a 15% discount code: bepickleballer that takes off almost $40 off the price.
Paddle Specifications
The Holbrook website describes the high and low, dual-density core but casually omits the material of the honeycomb cells, likely due to the “patent pending” note in the description.
Arma T 14mm Specs:
- Weight: 8.0 oz
- Grip Length: 5.5 in
- Grip Circumference: 4.25 in
- Length: 16.5 in
- Width: 7.5 in
- Thickness: 14 mm
USAP Approved. Designed for high-level play.
Arma S 14mm Specs:
- Weight: 8.0 oz
- Grip Length: 5.25 in
- Grip Circumference: 4.25 in
- Length: 16 in
- Width: 8 in
- Thickness: 14 mm
USAP Approved. Designed for high-level play.
How Does The Arma Compare to the Metallic T and Aero K?
Holbrook does not have a shortage of innovative and fantastic paddles, so consider reading my article cover the Metallic T vs Aero K pickleball paddle to see whether the Arma is the best option for you.
Should You Purchase The Holbrook Arma Pickleball Paddle?
Overall, the Holbrook Arma Pro series offers power and touch across the entire paddle. Players who have tried the Arma T are pleasantly surprised by the amount of power that the paddle brings to the game. If anything, I am learning to dial back my effort and let the paddle work more for me, and my arm appreciates the break.
At the end of my first day with the Arma T, a couple of frequent partners and opponents commented on my play, leveling up. The consistency I felt when playing with the Arma T was noticeable. After a few hits, I was able to use the power to my benefit, both in resets and my soft game at the net.
For players looking for different paddle shapes, choices include the Arma T (elongated handle), the Arma X (elongated face), and the Arma S (standard widebody). For players with a need for more grit for spin and a little more money to burn, the woven metallic surface in the Arma Metallic series is for you.
The Arma series is designed for players who thrive on a power game. For me, I cannot put my Arma T down.
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