Paddle Review: Engage Pursuit Pro1 Innovation 12.7mm & 15.2mm

by Jason Flamm on April 7, 2025

Bottom Line:

The Engage Pursuit Pro1 Innovation paddles are bold, powerful, and designed for players who want to push the pace without losing control of their drive or fast counters. With perimeter weighting, raw carbon fiber surfaces, and Engage's new SpinCore Technology, both the 12.7mm and 15.2mm options bring plenty of explosiveness, but most importantly, some weight balance that seemed missing from previous Pursuit versions. 

While they may not quite match the plushness of Gen 2 thermoformed paddles or the pop of the more recent Gen 3 "floating core" paddles, they manage to deliver raw power and heavy spin that aggressive players will love. Plus, they're designed and manufactured in the USA! Overall, Engage has managed to build a paddle, using tried and true coldpressed technology, that competes at the highest level with some of the top paddles in the market.

Models Reviewed: Pursuit Pro1 Innovation 12.7mm & 15.2mm
Manufacturer: Engage Pickleball
Paddle Type: Power/All-Court
Spin: Very High - Grit was noticeable to the touch
Player Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Thickness: 12.7mm (more pop), 15.2mm (more control)
Weight: 7.8 - 8.2 oz

Surface: Raw Toray T700 Carbon Fiber w/ Next-Gen Inner Layer

✅ Pros

• Top-tier spin performance
• Power-loaded drives and serves
• Noticeably larger sweet spot than previous Engage models
• Lots of room for two hands on the grip–these paddles seem really big

❌ Cons

• Some noticable dead spots near the top of the paddle on some misshits
• Currently only available in an elongated shape, so for players used to wider paddles, these feel quite narrow and long.

Playtesting Insights

Power and Pop
The Pro1 Innovation series lives up to its name. Whether you're wielding the 12.7mm or 15.2mm, there's plenty of firepower at your fingertips. The 12.7mm version plays faster and hits harder, with a more aggressive "whip" feel on full swings. The 15.2mm still brings heat but adds stability and forgiveness, especially on off-center shots.

Players who like to dictate pace with big drives, serves, and overheads will appreciate the explosive response. Both paddles feature Engage’s Advanced Torque Acceleration to enhance head speed, and during testing, it felt especially noticeable on aggressive topspin shots.

Spin and Surface Feel
With raw Toray T700 carbon fiber and a gritty inner layer, these paddles grip the ball exceptionally well. Roll volleys, dipping dinks, and spinning drives all benefited from extended dwell time. Engage's new SpinCore Technology seems to do its job here, offering great spin without sacrificing too much control.

Sweet Spot and Stability
Both versions feature improved perimeter weighting through Engage's ProFlex Weighting system, and it works. The sweet spot is larger and more forgiving than previous Engage models. That said, you may still find occasional dead spots near the top of the paddle, a known issue in non-thermoformed builds. Still, for a Gen 1 (cold-pressed) construction, it feels very solid.

The Handle
The paddle features a somewhat wider, tennis-style octagonal handle shape—which some players will love and others may not. If you like a smaller, rounder handle, these paddles will take some getting used to. But, if you often find yourself adding extra overgrips to your handle, these will feel great right of the box.

Design and Aesthetic
Engage, known widely for their signature "bullseye" graphic on both sides of the paddle face, took a slightly different approach with these Innonvation Paddles. While you'll find the classic bullseye on one side of the paddle, the other side is clean, modern, and stealthy. You'll instantly be able to tell this paddle apart from all other Engage paddles on the market. The paddle comes in three different color options too (Fierce Red, Arctic Gold, Carbon Sky) which look sharp in your hands.

Like most of Engage's paddles, the Innovation paddles are proudly designed and manufactured in the USA. 

12.7mm vs 15.2mm: Which Should You Choose?

12.7mm Pro1 Innovation (my personal favorite)

• More offensive
• Greater pop off the face
• Slightly more maneuverable for faster hands

15.2mm Pro1 Innovation

• More stable and forgiving
• Slightly larger sweet spot
• Better for soft game and blocking
• Preferred if you value control and reset consistency over power

Final Thoughts

The Engage Pursuit Pro1 Innovation paddles are a confident step forward for Engage. While they might not break ground with new construction methods, they deliver real improvements in feel, sweet spot size, and spin from earlier models. And again, like most of Engage's paddles, the Pro1 Innovation is proudly designed, and manufactured in the USA—a nod to Engage’s commitment to quality and innovation.

If you're a longtime Engage fan or someone who prefers Gen 1-style paddles with powerful cores and big spin, this lineup offers serious performance. Again, competitive with most of the top paddles in the market today.

At $259.99, these paddles compete with top-tier models, plus the Gen 1 build almost ensures greater durability and logevity. If you want a paddle that hits hard, spins big, and gives you tools to play aggressively without sacrificing too much touch, the Pro1 Innovation deserves a spot on your shortlist.

Check them out here:
Engage Pursuit Pro1 Innovation 12.7mm Paddle
Engage Pursuit Pro1 Innovation 15.2mm Paddle

Prices accurate as of April 25, 2025.