Vulcan Sporting Goods Co.

 

Vulcan 8′ Practice Pickleball Net

The Vulcan practice net comes with a sling style carry bag. The bag does the job of keeping everything together although it isn’t very supportive. Also it would be more convenient if it had a zipper top like a duffel bag.  

Setup of the net is easy.The two upright frame poles have a spring button connection. Other poles just fit together small end into large end. The net sleeves slide on each end of the the frame and an elastic bottom keeps it taut.  The net stands an inch taller than regulation height of 34″.  I place a tie trap around the bottom of the net and pole to compensate for this and bring the net down to 34 inches. 

It is very lightweight so there is a hint of a wobble. It’s not a hefty system but it does the job. For the price, it is a nice little net. A great way to practice drills and dinking when you are away from the courts. Use on any flat surface indoors or out. Store indoors.

Vulcan Sporting Goods Co. provided the practice net to help facilitate the writing of an honest review. A positive review is not guaranteed, and all opinions are my own. No other compensation was received.

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OnCourt OffCourt

Since 1994, OnCourt OffCourt has become the tennis and pickleball industry leader in creative training tools, training aids, and practice equipment.

PickleNet Mini

A smaller version of their popular PickleNet system.

It is regulation pickleball height at 34” at the center of the net. This net system measures 10 feet in length for practice away from a court location such as a garage, driveway, basement, and similar flat surface. For use indoors or out but store indoors for best care. Oval tube frame keeps net system straight. It is lightweight and easily portable. The convenient storage/ carry bag has velcro tabs inside and a storage sleeve on both inside sides. I keep the net in one of the side sleeves and lay all the frame tubes in the middle. All frame pieces have a small number sticker which is helpful for the first time assembling. Very easy and quick to put up. We use chalk to mark the kitchen line (7′ feet from net). 

It gets my stamp of approval as something a pickleball player would actually use! 

OnCourt OffCourt provided the PickleNet Mini to help facilitate the writing of an honest review. A positive review is not guaranteed, and all opinions are my own. No other compensation was received.

 

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Selkirk

 

 

 

Selkirk’s newest paddle – Amped Epic. It boasts both power and control. 

Power and control are two characteristics you would expect from a pickleball paddle and yet, before AMPED,  Pickleball paddles were designed for either power or control, not both. Selkirk set out to change that.

Determined not to sacrifice one characteristic by focusing on the other, we were relentlessly uncompromising in the creation of a paddle that delivers both characteristics you need to win the game.

To achieve this, the AMPED Series pioneered an entirely new technology, never before seen in the Pickleball industry. Combining a state of the art FiberFlex™ Fiberglass face with a thicker Polypropylene X5 Core™, AMPED paddles revolutionized the sport we all love and continue to amplify your power and your control.

 

FiberFlex™ Fiberglass face/ Polypropylene X5 Core™

Available in a mid-weight or light-weight and three color options.  Amethyst Purple looks great.

One week into my review of Selkirks’ Amped Epic I find it performs great for placement shots. The handle is comfortable and the grip keeps my hand feeling dry. The surface is pretty thick but the paddle is not heavy at all. There is no vibration. The thickness of the paddle gives my hand a different feel. The first few times with it, my plays felt kinda soft and serves felt solid but not necessarily powerful.  For me, it will take a few more times with it on the courts to get the power part of it. It’s coming. 

Have you tried this paddle? What has your experience been? Leave your comments below.

Selkirk offers several paddles. Details and specs are given for each of the paddles so that you can select what you want. A local sports store has pickleball paddles for beginners but they do not offer a quality paddle for intermediate + players.  I highly recommend the Selkirk high-performance paddle brand. 

Made in the USA. USAPA Approved.

Selkirk provide an Amped Epic Pickleball paddle to help facilitate the writing of an honest review. A positive review is not guaranteed, and all opinions are my own. No other compensation was received.

 

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gogglemate®

Floating goggles with a super-comfy strap

Okay, so this product isn’t “green” and it isn’t made in the US 😦 But, it was invented by a mom and purposeful if you swim with goggles 🙂

Gogglemate Straps. Thick, soft covers (made from neoprene) for your goggle straps. They slide easily over your head and eliminates hair yanking from the grabby rubber goggle strap. (a girl concern) Stays in place. Comfortable, colorful, AND they float.

Easy to attach to any goggles. (easy enough for most kids to put on themselves) Blue wave strap shown below.

[last pic just for kicks]

Notes From Dawn received the blue wave strap from gogglemate® in exchange for an honest review. A positive review is not guaranteed, and all opinions are my own. No other compensation was received.

 

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Drifter™

All Drifter Products Made With Pride in the USA.

Established in 1977, Drifter Sport and Travel Bags, Inc. began as a parachute rigging business. Our main customers, skydivers, demanded that their parachutes be made of the highest quality material available. Their lives depended on the quality of our products.

Later, the idea to create bags using these materials came to mind. “Who wouldn’t want a bag that is sturdy and durable, but light enough to carry?” And with that, production began and Drifter bloomed. For the last 35 years, Drifter has continually grown and adapted to the changes, as everyone has. But one thing that has not changed, is the desire to create the perfect bags for people everywhere, the kind of product that can prove itself to be sturdy, durable, and lightweight.

Expertly crafted in the Buckeye state, Drifter bags are made with outstanding quality. Styles are pretty amazing, too. There’s a Drifter bag for you whatever your occasion.

I LOVE IT♥ The Drifter Daypack is the best back pack I’ve ever used. (tested from coast to coast – Malibu to Myrtle Beach) Just as claimed, this pack proved to be durable and lightweight. I love the simplistic look. With 2 pockets, it offers uncomplicated handiness for my stuff. Comfortable padded straps fit snug without binding. Hope you’re good at making decisions since it’s available in 24 colors. 

RIDICULOUS. Just So LIGHTWEIGHT i FORGET it’s back there.

The Drifter Daypack is my “hands-free” favorite. 

Notes From Dawn received a Daypack from Drifter™ in exchange for an honest review. A positive review is not guaranteed, and all opinions are my own. No other compensation was received.

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Butterfly Wallet

The Butterfly Wallet was created to be “an ultralight wallet for people like me who prefer to walk, hike, ski, bike, and backpack than sit in a car.”

The Butterfly Wallet is made from ripstop nylon. It weights only .2 oz (less than a quarter) and is 3 mm thin when empty.

My Review – Simple design. Durable. Lightweight! It is an easy back pocket fit, giving a nicer appearance than big bulky wallets. Yes, girls can use it, too. I love it for teeny handbags!

The Butterfly Wallet is a trifold design with three pockets for credit cards and one large pocket for cash. Each slot can hold up to five cards. I’ve found that with just a few cards in the wallet, they can slip out but putting five in each keeps them snug.

above is an empty Butterfly Wallet

below is a full Butterfly Wallet

They come in five color choices. I’ve “lightened up” with the blue and my son has with the black. We recommend it for everyday and especially for outdoor activities. The Butterfly Wallet would make a nice graduation gift.

I received the Butterfly Wallet to help facilitate the writing of an honest review. A positive review is not guaranteed, and all opinions are my own. No other compensation was received.

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