Curiosity Series 26 — Mizuno ALTIUS 01 FEEL

Karry September 21, 2024 0

Two years ago, I started paying attention to Mizuno, not only because of Ao Yuen Hope’s endorsement but also due to the Altius series’ stunning designs—whether it was the white-gold “Feel” or the white-purple “Speed.” Combined with their jaw-dropping price, they seemed like a perfect package, born elegant. Maybe that’s why there are few reviews of Mizuno’s high-end series in forums.

However, just because something is luxurious doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good—it could even be a “vase” (all looks, no substance). As more people began using it, opinions on the 01 Feel started to diverge: those who disliked it found it unremarkable, weak in attack, and slow to swing; those who liked it praised its ease of use, long-lasting performance, and control. I struggled for a long time but eventually decided to dive into the Mizuno pit, which also marked a small step towards my goal of trying out the flagship products from all neighboring brands (Gosen will have to wait).

Does anyone remember their feelings the first time they bought a brand-new high-end racket? As a gear enthusiast, I’ve had more than a year of experience, and I’ve lost count of how many high-end rackets have passed through my hands. But when I clicked the button to buy the Feel, I still had that same racing heart feeling from when I bought the ZSP right after starting my job. Mizuno really drained my wallet—this is now my most expensive racket.

Specs: 3UG5, with strings, overgrip, and no removal of the original grip, weighing in at 100.8g (my heaviest racket so far). The balance point is at 285mm (marked at the “u” in “Altius”), the frame is normal-sized, with a fluid box frame but with aerodynamic shaping near the T-joint. Full grooves for stringing, 10mm extended shaft, rated medium stiffness, total length 675mm, strung at 26lbs with BG66 Ultimax strings.

First, the paint job—Mizuno rackets’ only undisputed strength is their aesthetics. Every time I browse second-hand markets, Mizuno’s high finish products are always visible. The light blue base color with subtle stripe designs, embossed matte surface treatment, simple tech markings, and the flowing model font on the shaft—it’s unique, understated, yet very pleasing to the eye. At least, I haven’t found another racket with this light blue base that can satisfy both connoisseurs and casual players alike in terms of style. But the paint quality is another story. At the first stringing, I noticed what seemed like a paint compression issue at the 39th hole. Mizuno’s paint is also famously fragile, so this racket needs careful handling. I can’t imagine how I’d feel if a chunk of paint chipped off. So far, their notorious grommet issues haven’t shown up. As for the included velvet cover, it exudes luxury and feels top-notch—one of a kind.

As I get older and my body struggles to keep up, I find myself liking 3U, head-heavy, stiff-shafted, short-shafted, small-frame, and box-frame rackets less and less. However, despite being over 100 grams, this racket doesn’t feel heavy when held, thanks to its balanced design. Swinging it doesn’t feel slow either, which is rare for such a heavy racket— the last time I felt this way was with the Windstorm 9000. Additionally, the solid feel when holding it in hand is similar to the Yonex Astrox series’ rotational generator system, which aids in quick racket positioning.