Pickleball Gear

Wild Monkeys Spirit - pickleball paddle review

picture of Brandon Mackie
Brandon Mackie

Updated on: Sep 19, 2024

The Wild Monkeys Spirit paddle on a pickleball court

I love when a new brand comes on the scene ready to make a strong statement and Wild Monkeys is the latest one to do just that. Their Spirit paddle is a thermoformed carbon fiber performance paddle at a value price. From its Japanese folklore-inspired branding to its generous add-on goodies, there's a lot to like here.

My main question is: can the Spirit challenge other intermediate paddles at the $150 mark like the Pickleball Apes Pro Line Energy S or is it all looks and no substance? Read my in-depth Wild Monkeys Spirit review to find out.

My verdict4.0star iconThe Wild Monkeys Spirit is a nice step-up option if you're a new intermediate who wants a carbon paddle with all the top tech (thermoforming, foam injection) for under $150. While it's not as impressive or unique as the best intermediate paddle, the Pro Line Energy S, it comes with great freebies that add to the value. The sweet spot is small and inconsistent, so expect an adjustment period, but if you dig the vibe consider this a cheaper alternative to the Bread & Butter Shogun.

Buy or pass?

Buy if:

  • You want a unique paddle design:

    with its Japanese-inspired design and 15 mm core, the Spirit stands out from most paddles on the court.

  • You want a budget-friendly intermediate paddle:

    this is an elongated paddle at a value price with a solid all-court mix of power, control, and spin.

  • You want add-ons that actually help your game:

    the free lead tape strips, paddle eraser, and overgrip will help boost your game right out of the box.

Pass if:

  • You like a larger sweet spot:

    the sweet spot is small, so be prepared for some mishits and lost points in the beginning.

  • You're a beginner:

    the inconsistency will challenge newcomers, so check out the best pickleball paddles for beginners.

  • You don't like a stiff paddle:

    try the Bread & Butter Shogun for a thermoformed paddle designed to play with less stiffness.

Paddle Weight

8.0-8.2 oz

Paddle Length

16.5"

Paddle Width

7.4"

Handle Length

6"

Grip Circumference

4.25"

Paddle Face Material

Thermoformed Raw T700 carbon fiber

Core Material

Foam-injected honeycomb

Core Thickness

15 mm

Sweet Spot

Small

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Review summary

The Wild Monkeys Spirit is made for new intermediates who want a decent carbon fiber paddle with advanced tech without having to pay the usual high price tag. Also, if you're bored of the typical black Amazon paddles, the Spirit has a unique design that'll stand out on the courts.

The Spirit just falls short of being a top-tier intermediate paddle because it lacks the forgiveness and control of the Pickleball Apes Pro Line Energy S. The sweet spot is frustratingly small, even by normal elongated carbon paddle standards.

I frequently mishit volleys, drops, and even routine drives. It's also quite stiff like a lot of thermoformed paddles, so try the Bread & Butter Shogun or Vatic Pro V7 instead if you want a paddle that plays much smoother.

The Spirit redeems itself with its solid blend of power and spin. While my drives aren't hard enough to overwhelm my opponents like they are with my Six Zero DBD Control or Bread & Butter Filth, the pop is good enough to introduce new intermediates to a more advanced power game.

Watch my first thoughts on the Wild Monkeys Spirit:

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This generates a decent amount of spin thanks to the carbon friction surface. The 15 mm core strikes a nice balance between the traditional 14 mm (for power) and 16 mm (for control).

When you add all these factors together, it's a good step-up paddle that offers the right amount of power, spin, and control for anyone leaving their beginner paddle behind.

On top of that, the branding is so unique that it will appeal to a lot of players. It takes inspiration from the spirit monkeys of Japanese folklore, and the message is all about adding "chaos" to the court.

They throw in some of the best add-ons I've seen. The pre-cut lead tape is a real winner for rec players, as you don't need to get out your measuring tape and start experimenting—you can stick them on and go.

The overgrip is already installed and it's one of the best grips I've ever played with. There's also a paddle eraser to help you care for your paddle. If the Spirit suits your game, it's worth the $150 price tag—even without all the added extras.

Pros:

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  • 6" handle is ideal for two-handed backhands.

  • Rare 15 mm core thickness in a thermoformed paddle.

  • Premium overgrip is one of the comfiest I've tried.

Cons:

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  • Small sweet spot leads to mishits.

  • Elongated shape is less aerodynamic and slower at the kitchen.

  • Stiff feel causes challenging control issues.

Features

The Wild Monkeys Spirit is the first in the brand's new Elite series and includes the tech you'd expect in a performance paddle like the JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus, but for $100 less. Let's take a look at some of the features.

Great add-ons

You rarely open your paddle box to find freebies that are actually useful. Wild Monkeys go the extra mile here with a pre-installed overgrip, making the handle one of the comfiest I've ever held. There's a paddle eraser too, but best of all are the pre-cut lead tape strips.

Most rec players don't want to bother with optimizing their paddle as it takes time. You then have the added cost of buying lead tape, then cutting it to size. Not here—these can be slapped straight on to boost the weight. I added a couple to hit my optimal 8.3-8.4 oz weight.

Wild Monkeys Spirit pickleball paddle
Wild Monkeys Spirit pickleball paddle

15 mm honeycomb core

I was curious to see how a 15 mm paddle performed. Landing between 14 mm (for power) and 16 mm (for control), this paddle hits surprisingly hard while still supporting my soft game.

Edge guard

The added protection from the edge guard makes me confident that the paddle face will hold up well.

Carbon friction surface tech

This is pretty standard for performance paddles these days. The T700 carbon fiber and Carbon Friction Surface (CFS) mean you can easily hit topspin, sidespin, and backspin.

How Wild Monkeys Spirit plays

8/10

Power

7.5/10

Control

8/10

Spin

7/10

Forgiveness

8.5/10

Weighting

10/10

Grip

8.5/10

Durability

7.5/10

Aerodynamics

Power - 8/10

The Spirit's power is good, but it didn't blow me away. The paddle is thermoformed, so your shots will naturally have some pop. However, my drives don't have the oomph to overwhelm my opponents when I try to rip a winner or intimidate their blocks.

As pickleball gets faster and faster, I need more in the power department. Check out the best power paddles if you're a banger like me.

Control - 7.5/10

Despite its 15 mm core doing some work to boost my control game, I had to knock this paddle down a couple of points. It's challenging to dial in touch shots like drops because of the pop and inconsistent sweet spot.

Brandon Mackie with the Wild Monkeys Spirit pickleball paddle
Brandon Mackie with the Wild Monkeys Spirit

Spin - 8/10

This is a carbon paddle so the spin is what I expected. Topspin, sidespin, and backspin all work well enough but they're not on the same level as the Pickleball Apes or Bread & Butter Filth.

Forgiveness - 7/10

The sweet spot is surprisingly small and I have a frustrating number of mishits on almost every type of shot, including drives, dinks, and drops. While it's not as inconsistent as the Gearbox Pro Power, it's not far off.

Weighting - 8.5/10

The Wild Monkeys Spirit has a good stock weight of 8-8.2 oz, feeling solid without being sluggish. I'm adding a half-point for the included pre-cut lead tape strips that let you customize the weight to your liking.

Grip - 10/10

Aside from the Spirit, the Selkirk LUXX Control is the only other paddle I've scored 10/10 for its grip. The difference is the LUXX costs just over $100 more. The Spirit nails it thanks to the pre-installed overgrip. I've never seen this before, so I hope other paddle makers take note.

The grip is white, so it does get dirty over time. That doesn't bother me personally as I don't care as much about looks, but some players might.

The Wild Monkeys Spirit pickleball paddle
Wild Monkeys Spirit

Durability - 8.5/10

From what I can tell, the Spirit is made from high-quality materials and feels durable. Even with the paddle's low price, I'm confident it will hold up well. The edge guard will help protect the paddle face as well.

Aerodynamics - 7.5/10

The elongated shape makes it less aerodynamic. It plays noticeably slower at the net when compared to Six Zero Ruby and other hybrids. If you like playing with two hands, you might not mind this as much.

Is the Wild Monkeys Spirit worth it?

Rating:

At $149, the Wild Monkeys Spirit is right in competition with the $150 Pickleball Apes Pro Line Energy S. As well as being one of the best intermediate paddles, the Energy S also has a similarly unique design to the Spirit.

Compared to the Energy S, though, the Spirit doesn't perform well enough across the board for me to recommend to most players. That said, the Spirit will definitely appeal to some—especially if you like the sound of the free add-ons.

If you're a new intermediate looking for a solid step-up paddle, you might prefer the Spirit as the others might be too advanced for you. I usually recommend the Energy S to rising intermediates who want a paddle that pushes them toward the advanced level.

The Wild Monkeys Spirit can introduce power and spin to your game without overwhelming you, making it a nice transition for beginners as they progress to intermediate level.

If you don't mind spending $150, this paddle is worth it—especially with so many good add-ons and an eye-catching design. It will definitely stand out on the courts.

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Alternatives to the Wild Monkeys Spirit

If the Wild Monkeys Spirit isn't for you, check out these alternatives:

More power

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Bread & Butter Filth

Need more power? Check out the Bread & Butter Filth, my top all-court paddle this year and a 10/10 on power.
Save 15% with code PICKLEHEADS15
Read my deep dive

Better intermediate

Photo of the Pickleball Apes Pro Line Energy S pickleball paddle

Pickleball Apes Pro Line Energy S

If you're a rising intermediate, check out the Pickleball Apes Pro Line Energy S, one of the best intermediate paddles going. It offers great spin and great control—all for just $137 with our discount.
Save 10% with code PICKLEHEADS

Control & forgiveness

ProXR Zane Navratil "Standard" pickleball paddle

ProXR Zane Navratil "Standard"

If you don't need the extra reach of a long handle, check out the ProXR Pickleball Zane Navratil "Standard" instead for more control and forgiveness.
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Save 10% with code PICKLEHEADS

What even more options? Try my 30-second quiz and I'll recommend the best paddles for your play style and budget.

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Find the perfect paddle

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About the author
Brandon Mackie
Brandon is an avid writer and co-founder of Pickleheads™. Once a competitive tennis player, Brandon can now be found these days honing his dinks on pickleball courts near Phoenix, Arizona.
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