Proton
Proton Series Three Project Coyote 15mm Elongated Pickleball Paddle
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Proton Series Three Project Coyote 15mm Elongated Pickleball Paddle
Light in the Hand • Heavy on Contact • All-Court Ready
Proton took the Gen 3 build and put it on a diet. The Project Coyote is a 15mm elongated that comes in around 7.7 oz stock — genuinely light for a paddle that hits this hard. The foam-reinforced perimeter keeps the ball coming off the face hot, and the newly refined throat taper means the transition from handle to face is smooth enough for a real two-handed backhand.
What you feel first is the speed of it. Hands battles at the kitchen line are where light paddles earn their money, and the Coyote resets, blocks, and counters without you having to muscle it into position. What you feel second is that the power is predictable — it's not a trampoline. You know where the ball is going.
And because it comes in light, there's real room to customize. Add lead, add a counterweight, build it into the paddle you actually want. Most players can't do that with a Gen 3 elongated without ending up at 8.4 oz.
Best For
- Players who want power without giving up hand speed — this is the whole point of the paddle.
- Anyone coming off a heavy elongated who's tired of late hands at the line.
- Two-handed backhand players — the 5.5" handle and the reshaped throat give you the room.
- Tinkerers. At 7.7 oz stock you have real weight budget to customize.
- Competitive players who need one paddle that's legal in both USAP and UPA-A brackets.
Skill Level & Play Style
| Skill Level | Solid 3.5 through 5.0+ |
| Play Style | Aggressive all-court — drive, speed up, hold your own in hands battles |
| Shape | Elongated (16.5" × 7.5") |
| Power / Control Balance | Power-leaning, but stable and connected — not a wild paddle |
| Not Ideal For | Players who want a plush, muted 16mm soft-game paddle for dinking and resets above all else |
Why Players Like It
See It In Action
Specs
| Shape | Elongated |
| Core Thickness | 15mm |
| Core | Polypropylene honeycomb with foam-reinforced perimeter |
| Face | Carbon fiber |
| Paddle Length | 16.5" |
| Paddle Width | 7.5" |
| Handle Length | 5.5" |
| Grip Circumference | 4.125" |
| Average Weight | 7.7 – 7.78 oz |
| Swing Weight | 116.8 (manufacturer) / 115 (third-party lab) |
| Twist Weight | 5.9 (manufacturer) / 6.1 (third-party lab) |
| Balance Point | 24.4 cm |
| Certification | Dual-stamped — USA Pickleball + UPA-A |
Swing weight, twist weight and balance point are measured figures. Where two numbers are shown, the second is third-party lab data, not a manufacturer claim. Weights vary unit to unit.
Performance Notes
Power. High, and stable with it. Independent testing clocked a punch volley at 39.1 mph — that's a paddle that finishes points off a block, not just off a full swing. The foam perimeter is doing the work here, keeping the outer third of the face lively instead of dead.
Hands and speed. This is the headline. Sub-117 swing weight on a 16.5" shape means you're not late in a firefight. Coming from a 7.9–8.2 oz elongated, the difference is obvious in the first ten minutes.
Feel. Firm and direct — energy comes back at you fast. Reviewers call it stiff and connected. You'll feel the ball, but this isn't a soft, muted 16mm.
Soft game. At 15mm with this much pop, dinks and resets ask a little more of you than a plush 16mm control paddle would. Nothing you can't adjust to in a session, but go in knowing it.
Customization. The light stock weight is a feature. Two strips of lead at 3 and 9 add stability without killing the hand speed you bought it for.
Quick Buying Summary
Buy it if you want a genuinely fast elongated with real power behind it, you play an aggressive all-court game, you use a two-handed backhand, or you like to customize your own weight.
Skip it if your game lives in the soft reset and you want the plushest, most muted 16mm you can find — or if you specifically want a widebody sweet spot.
How It Compares
| Paddle | Shape / Core | Feel | Pick It For |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Proton Project Coyote 15mm $195.00 |
Elongated / 15mm foam-perimeter | Firm, fast, direct | Hand speed with power — the lightest way into a Gen 3 elongated |
|
AIREO Cyclone 2.0 16mm $199.00 |
Elongated / 16mm PulseFoam | Slightly softer, more dwell | Same shape, more forgiveness on the soft game |
|
AIREO Cyclone 2.0 Hybrid 16mm $199.00 |
Hybrid / 16mm PulseFoam | Wider face, easier target | You want the bigger sweet spot over the extra reach |
All three are in stock at Spinwave. Not sure between them? Take the Paddle Finder Quiz or just call us.
The Technology
FAQs
Is the Project Coyote USA Pickleball approved?
Yes. It's dual-stamped — USA Pickleball and UPA-A. Legal for USAP-sanctioned play and for UPA-A events. No need to keep a second paddle in the bag for different brackets.
When does my pre-order ship?
The first shipment lands at our Great Neck warehouse and ships 9/9 – 9/11. We ship in the order received, so earlier orders go out first.
What shapes and thicknesses does it come in?
One configuration: elongated, 15mm. Proton isn't making a widebody or a 13mm Coyote.
Is it too light?
Depends what you're used to. ~7.7 oz is light for a Gen 3 elongated, and most players find that's exactly the appeal — it's fast. If you want more plow-through, add lead at 3 and 9. That's easier than taking weight off a heavy paddle.
Will it work with a two-handed backhand?
Yes — 5.5" handle plus the reworked throat taper. It's one of the things Proton specifically built into this one.
How does it compare to the Series Three Peacock?
Same Gen 3 family, different mission. The Coyote is the lighter, faster, more power-forward build. If you want a softer, more control-oriented Proton, the Peacock line is the one to look at.
Can I add a grip or weight before it ships?
Yes. Add a Hesacore or an overgrip to your order and we'll install it before it goes out. Call or email if you want something specific done.
Need Help Choosing?
We actually play. Tell us what you're hitting with now and what's frustrating you about it, and we'll tell you straight whether the Coyote fixes it.
Call: 1-888-629-1915 | Great Neck: 516-232-6000
Email: info@spinwavepickleball.com | Mon–Fri 10am–4pm
Or take the Spinwave Paddle Finder Quiz — two minutes, honest answer.
