Racquet Review: Wilson Clash 100 v3

• Price: $249
• Head Size: 100 sq. in.
• Length: 27 in.
• Weight: 11oz.
• Balance: 7 pts. HL
• Swingweight: 310
• RA Rating: 55
• Beam Width: 24.5 mm
• String Pattern: 16x19

What’s New

SI3D technology makes its debut in the Clash. It optimizes the lateral, horizontal and torsional bending in the racquet’s shaft and throat. The Hit Stabilizer places more mass at the 3 and 9 o’clock positions of the hoop for greater stability. The Click and Go bumper and grommet system simplifies the replacement of those parts of the frame.

What Works

The Clash 100 is a unicorn. Despite its rather thick beam it swings easily, has a seemingly limitless sweet spot, produces manageable power and is incredibly comfortable. There’s no frame quite like it, and it just might be the most user-friendly racquet around.

The racquet’s name is derived from its unlikely marriage of a highly flexible beam with top-notch stability at a relatively light weight. When it first hit the market six years ago, its affable nature captured a huge audience. The second installment brought a crisper—relatively speaking—and more connected feel which didn’t sit as well with Clash core. It still wasn’t crisp or connected enough for players who simply don’t jive with the frame in the first place.

“As simple as it sounds, I just made more shots with the Clash than I usually do with my current racquet.” Tester Comment

So for this third installment, Wilson wanted the hitting notes to be closer to the original sheet music. Accordingly, the new SI3D technology softens the racquet in key places for an absolute pillowy feel at contact. More of the frame’s mass has been positioned at 3 and 9 o’clock of the hoop—dubbed Hit Stabilizer—to prevent the racquet from twisting for more reliable shots.

If you’ve hit with a prior Clash, then this one won’t really surprise. The ball sinks deep into the pocket at contact and effortlessly slingshots over the net. It’s a powerful frame in that it rewards a relaxed, medium-paced swing with good depth, and bails out imperfect contact, but doesn’t necessarily put a huge amount of pace on the ball. You can swing out on a first serve or bossy groundstroke, and still maintain a respectable measure of control. It's arm-friendly, too: There’s virtually no shock on impact.

The spread 16x19 string pattern and spacious grommets can generate plenty of spin. With all that dwell time, the ball has an eternity to sit on and move the strings, before getting snapped back into the court. The breezy handling means you can generate racquet head speed to ramp up the rpms. For players with longer, faster swings the access to topspin is helpful for keeping shots inside the lines.

At net, the Clash is a cheat code. Just get the strings in front of the incoming ball and it volleys for days. You'll feel like a wall repeatedly blocking the ball back deep in the court. Angle the face properly, and the volley scoots quickly through the open court. Although touch shots can be tricky due to the muffled response, it shouldn’t prevent it from being a popular option in doubles circles.

In fact, the frame’s overall accessibility makes it attractive to a wide range of players and styles. Among our sample size, it draws high marks from a 3.0 woman just coming back to the game, as well as a former touring pro in his 60s looking for a bit more assistance at this stage of his playing career. For the recreational set, it has that kind of universal appeal.

What Needs Work

The feel of the Clash remains an acquired taste. Contact is so cushioned it can seem like you’re hitting a nerf ball. From a purely sensory perspective that can be a turn off. There’s just not much in the way of feedback, making it tricky to know where the ball is on the string bed or what to expect from certain shots. That said, most players are willing to put up with a numb feel if it results in their shots consistently landing in the court.

From a practical standpoint, though, the lack of connection can limit the creativity of more advanced and competitive players. It’s a machine on routine rally balls, but when flattening out a down the line pass through a narrow window or rolling a tight angle, you can miss the responsiveness. The more you test the boundaries of the court, the less you may trust the Clash.

“It really is remarkable how much bend and flex you feel when you hit the ball, and how stable it still manages to be. The response isn’t my favorite, but there’s no complaining about the performance.” Tester Comment

Bottom Line

The Clash is even more Clash-like. It’s one of the most distinctive and comfortable racquets, capable of giving just about anyone’s game a boost.