Best Towel Grips for Badminton Players
One of the primary reasons people choose a towel grip is its exceptional sweat-absorbing properties. As badminton is a physically
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Raquex Evolve Overgrip Vs Wilson Overgrip Review
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Raquex Evolve Overgrip
The Evolve Overgrip by the Raquex company, founded in the UK in 2019, is “Amazon’s Choice” with over a hundred 5-star reviews. In our review of the Raquex Evolve Overgrip, we found that it is a great starting point for beginners but let’s see how it fairs against a more established brand like Wilson.
Wilson Overgrip Tape
Now enter the competitor, the Wilson Overgrip, a grip for those fashionistas who don’t want to break the bank. A soft overgrip, most often used in tennis, the Wilson Overgrip is perfectly well placed to also be used in other racket sports such as badminton. Sporting durable material for long-lasting, consistent performance with an absolute abundance of colors and styles, let’s see how it compares to the new kid on the block.
Raquex Evolve Overgrip
Pros
- Affordable Price
- Variety of Colors and Styles:
- Ease of Application
- Suitable for Beginners
Cons
- Lack of Comfort
- Durability Concerns
- Absorbency Issues
Wilson Overgrip Tape
Pros
- Durable Build
- Style Variety
- Affordability
Cons
- Limited Tackiness
- Absorbency Issues
- Thin Grip
We performed several tests and rated each grip we tested according to 7 different categories. If you want to see exactly how we tested them, check out our article Best Badminton Grips.
Tackiness
Raquex Evolve Overgrip
- 7/10
- SLIGHTLY TACKY
- SOFT FEEL
The Raquex Evolve Overgrip has a slightly tacky finish with a soft feel. It doesn’t have extreme tackiness but it is good enough that it makes an amazing difference when you go from a worn-out grip to a new grip.
Wilson Overgrip Tape
- 5/10
- NOT TACKY
- SMOOTH FEEL
The Wilson Overgrip isn’t as tacky as we would have expected this from an overgrip. Unfortunately, we found that the grip was quite slippy, affecting powerful shots as it lacks the grip for a secure hold and moves in your hand. Round 1 to the newbie.
Comfort
Raquex Evolve Overgrip
- 6/10
- NICE TEXTURE
- THIN FEEL
- SHOULDN’T USE ALONE
We found that the Raquex Evolve Overgrip is relatively thin meaning that there isn’t much padding on the grip, not unsurprising as it is an overgrip. We found that due to the thinness of the grip it shouldn’t be used as a solo grip. It is best used in combination with a replacement grip, a second overgrip, or applied over the top of your existing base grip.
Wilson Overgrip Tape
- 6/10
- NICE FEEL
- THIN OVERGRIP
- SHOULDN’T USE ALONE
The Wilson Overgrip has a nice feel and texture to it. We found that the Wilson Overgrip is relatively thin meaning that there isn’t much padding on the grip which can be beneficial for those players whose style favors touch and deception. But, similar to the Evolve Overgrip, we wouldn’t advise using it as a stand-alone grip. The best way is to use the grip in combination with a replacement grip, a second overgrip, or apply it over the top of your existing base grip.
Durability
Raquex Evolve Overgrip
- 6/10
- LOSS OF TACKINESS
- DURABLE-ISH
- WEAR AFTER ONE GAME
The company claims a high level of durability thanks to its premium material construction but we found that the durability was middle of the road. We found that even after just one game, we could see wear on the handle at the base.
Wilson Overgrip Tape
- 7/10
- DURABLE
- WHITE MARKED EASILY
The Wilson Overgrip demonstrated good durability, and the quality and reliability of the Wilson Brand is clear to see, beating out the Evolve Overgrip. However, we noticed that the white grip that we used got marked easily, just from being carried in my badminton bag before the grip even made it onto the court.
Style
Raquex Evolve Overgrip
- 7/10
- 5 DIFFERENT COLORS
- DIFFERENT PATTERNS
- PERFECT FOR FASHIONISTAS
Supplied as a pack of 5, Raquex Evolve Overgrip comes in blue, red, yellow, orange, and black. In addition to colors, you can also get them in various patterns such as stripes and camo the Raquex Evolve Overgrip is highly ranked for style.
Wilson Overgrip Tape
- 10/10
- LOTS OF COLORS AND PATTERNS
- MINION COLLAB AVAILABLE
- PERFECT FOR FASHIONISTAS
But then enter the Wilson Overgrip. This is the first round that clearly goes to the Wilson Overgrip. Its standout feature, the Wilson Overgrip’s style variety makes it a go-to choice for players who want to match their grip to their racket. With numerous colors and even a Minions collaboration grip, Wilson caters to fashion-forward badminton enthusiasts.
Absorbency
Raquex Evolve Overgrip
- 6/10
- MINIMAL ABSORBANCY
- SLIPPY WHEN WET
We felt that the absorbancy of the Evolve overgrip wasn’t fantastic. The grip was slippy after wetting the hand, unlike grips which have good absorbency, which may be due to the thinness of the grip tape. Although Raquex claims to have good absorbency properties due to its “Unique arrow design to direct moisture away from the surface of the grip”, this is not what we found.
Wilson Overgrip Tape
- 4/10
- POOR ABSORBENCY
- SLIPPY WHEN WET
After the highs of the last round, disappointingly the Wilson Overgrip “slips”, in both rankings and in the hand when wet. Surprisingly, we found that the Wilson Overgrip performed poorly on the absorbency test. We found that it became very slippy when wet making the Raquex Overgrip look much better in comparison.
Ease of Regrip
Raquex Evolve Overgrip
- 7/10
- OK TO REGRIP
- INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED
- SPEED – 2 MIN 17 SEC
We found that the Raquex Evolve Overgrip was OK to regrip. We were provided with instructions, a pre-cut, self-adhesive, starting end, and finishing tape to secure the top end. It also has an online instructional video to help you re-grip your racket. However, we found it the fiddliest grip to regrip. As a result, it was the slowest grip out of all the grips to regrip in our speed trial.
Wilson Overgrip Tape
- 7/10
- SECOND SLOWEST IN SPEED TEST
- INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED
- SPEED – 1 MIN 38 SEC
Here we compare the two slowest grips to regrip in our tests. Regripping the Wilson Overgrip is a straightforward process, featuring both a pre-cut start position and finishing tape. Although it ranks second slowest in the speed test (though not by much), the grip’s ease of application compensates for the slight delay. There isn’t anything to split the two grips when it comes to the regripping process.
Price
Raquex Evolve Overgrip
- 7/10
- GOOD VALUE FOR BEGINNERS
- PRICE RANGES
- PAY MORE FOR STYLE
One of the standout features of the Raquex Evolve Overgrip is its affordability. The price ranges from £2.30 – £3.00 depending on the number of grips bought. It offers good value for players who want to maintain a reliable grip without breaking the bank, with enough colors to keep your racket feeling new. While not as cheap as the Wilson Overgrip, it provides an effective and budget-friendly solution for players of all levels.
Wilson Overgrip Tape
- 7/10
- CHEAPEST
- CHEAP TO TEST
- BULK BUY AVAILABLE
The Wilson Overgrip is incredibly good value and the cheapest grip we have tested. Of course, it varies depending on the color and pattern you choose and whether you buy it in bulk, but we saw prices as cheap as 80p per grip when bought in bulk! For 80p you can get the prestige of the Wilson brand without breaking the bank.
Summary
Raquex Evolve Overgrip
The Raquex Evolve Overgrip is a cost-effective solution for beginners seeking to move on from their racket’s starter grip. Its affordability makes it a practical choice for those looking to enhance their performance on the court without a significant investment. Style-conscious players will love the extensive color and pattern choices available, allowing you to make your racket more personal to you. However, this was blown out of the water when compared to teh Wilson Overgrip. But the Raquex Overgrip was in fact tackier the the Wilson Overgrip, a crucial factor for making precise shots in badminton. They were pretty much neck and neck for comfort durability, ease of regrip, and value for money. In summary, the Raquex Evolve Overgrip is an ideal cost-effective solution for beginners.
If you want to see how it stacks up against the other grips we tested, check out our article Best Badminton Grips.
Is this your next grip?
Wilson Overgrip Tape
The Wilson Overgrip caters to players valuing style and affordability. With a vast array of colors and patterns, including a Minions collaboration, it allows players to express their personality on the court. While its tackiness and absorbency aren’t to the level of the Raquex Overgrip and might not meet the standards of certain players, its durability, ease of regrip, and budget-friendly pricing make it a compelling choice for those entering the world of badminton grips. In summary, the Wilson Overgrip is a cost-effective option for players seeking variety in style and the assurance of the Wilson brand. Its limitations in tackiness and absorbency are compensated by its durability and affordability, making it a worthy consideration for budget-conscious badminton enthusiasts.
If you want to see how it stacks up against the other grips we tested, check out our article Best Badminton Grips.
Is this your next grip?
The Winner
It's A Draw!
Both grips score the exact same in 3 out of the 7 categories and only have a 1-point difference in the 4th category. The Raquex Overgrip edges ahead of the Wilson overgrip in both tackiness and absorbency but the Wilson Overgrip reels it back in when it comes to style.
The Raquex Overgrip is a steady customer ranking either 6 or 7 in every category, whereas the Wilson grip has a massive swing from 4 to 10 between its highest and lowest scores. So, depending on whether you value style or not may determine which grip you land on as the winner.
Or, considering both are so cheap, why not give both a try and find out for yourself which one is the best?!
If you want to find out more about each grip, see out reviews for both the Raquex Evolve Overgrip and the Wilson Overgrip. Or if you ae ready to buy one, check out the price of each grips below.
If you wish to purchase any of these grips, using the links in this article means that we receive a commission from the company on your purchase at absolutely no cost to you. So by clicking these links, you help support the free content we provide here.
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