After the recent release of the Wilson Shift tennis racket range, I thought it would be interesting to compare the new rackets to the Clash 98 (V2), which has similar specs.
Wilson Clash 98 vs Shift 99 – Specs Comparison
For the below comparisons, I have used the V2 (released in 2022) of the Clash 98 and the V1 of the Shift tennis rackets (released in 2023).
The Shift currently comes in two versions (a 300g unstrung weight version and a 315g unstrung weight version), so I have compared the two versions to the Clash 98 separately below.
Clash 98 vs Shift 99 (300g Version)
Main Differences: The Shift 99 300g has a larger head size (99in vs 98in), a lower strung weight (11.2oz vs 11.5oz), a lower swing weight (320 vs 327), a less head light balance (6 points HL vs 8 points HL), a higher frame stiffness rating (68 vs 60), and a slightly thinner beam width (23.5mm vs 24.0mm).
Similarities: Both rackets have the same length (27in), and string pattern (16 x 20).
| Specs: | Shift 300g | Clash 98 |
|---|---|---|
| Year Released: | 2023 | 2022 |
| Design: |  |  |
| Head Size: | 99in | 98in |
| Length: | 27in | 27in |
| Strung Weight: | 318g (11.2oz) | 326g (11.5oz) |
| Unstrung Weight: | 300g (10.6oz) | 310g (10.9oz) |
| Swing weight: | 320 | 327 |
| Balance: | 6 pts HL* | 8 pts HL* |
| TW Stiffness Rating: | 68 | 60 |
| Power: | Low to Medium | Low to Medium |
| Player Level: | Intermediate to Advanced | Intermediate to Advanced |
| Beam Width: | 23.5mm | 24.0mm |
| Colors: | White | Red and Black |
| String Pattern: | 16 x 20 | 16 x 20 |
| Main Skips: | 7T,9T,7H,9H | 7T,9T,7H,9H |
| Grip Type: | Wilson Pro Performance | Wilson Pro Performance |
*HL=Head Light
Clash 98 vs Shift 99 (315g Version)
Main Differences: The Clash 98 has a smaller head size (98in vs 99in), a lower strung weight (11.5oz vs 11.7oz), a lower swing weight (327 vs 329), a more head light balance (8 pts HL vs 6 pts HL), a lower frame stiffness rating (60 vs 68), and a slightly thicker beam width (24.0mm vs 23.5mm).
Similarities: Both rackets have the same length (27in), and string pattern (16 x 20).
| Specs: | Shift 315g | Clash 98 |
|---|---|---|
| Year Released: | 2023 | 2022 |
| Design: | | |
| Head Size: | 99in | 98in |
| Length: | 27in | 27in |
| Strung Weight: | 332g (11.7oz) | 326g (11.5oz) |
| Unstrung Weight: | 315g (11.1oz) | 310g (10.9oz) |
| Swing weight: | 329 | 327 |
| Balance: | 6 pts HL* | 8 pts HL* |
| TW Stiffness Rating: | 68 | 60 |
| Power: | Low to Medium | Low to Medium |
| Player Level: | Intermediate to Advanced | Intermediate to Advanced |
| Beam Width: | 23.5mm | 24.0mm |
| Colors: | White | Red and Black |
| String Pattern: | 16 x 20 | 16 x 20 |
| Main Skips: | 8T,10T,8H,10H | 7T,9T,7H,9H |
| Grip Type: | Pro Performance (Wilson) | Pro Performance (Wilson) |