I had the chance to use the Saga Bloom 14mm paddle during a recent meetup with some friends, and I wanted to share my first impressions.
Right away, I noticed the power this paddle has—definitely more than the Saga Flash 16mm, in my opinion. I actually had to dial it back a bit so I wouldn’t overshoot the service box. That added power can be a big plus for players who struggle to generate pace on their serve. Personally, I can usually generate power on my own, but having the option to conserve energy and still get strong serves is a nice bonus.
Touch & Dinks:
It took me a little time to adjust to the feel on dinks, but that’s more because I’m coming from the Saga Flash 16mm, which is a very different paddle. Once I settled in, I found it solid. The paddle offers good touch and control, though it has a bit more pop than what I’m used to. I was cautious at first, and that led to some short dinks into the net, but again—that was on me, not the paddle.
Handle & Feel:
I personally prefer the shorter handle on the Flash and V7 models, but the Bloom’s handle still felt good in hand. I experienced little to no vibration, likely due to the widebody shape helping absorb impact. It gave me fast hands at the kitchen and great response during hand battles.
Weight & Balance:
I played with the paddle unweighted, and it felt very light and balanced—not top-heavy like the Saga Flash 16mm can be. I may consider adding a bit of lead tape to the sides for more stability and a larger sweet spot, but even stock, it performed really well.
Performance Highlights:
One thing I really liked was how well it handled drops. The ball traveled cleanly over the net with good consistency. The paddle had enough touch for resets, though if you’re overly cautious with its power like I was, you might leave some balls short early on.
Recommendation:
This paddle is excellent right out of the bag. I can see why the 14mm version sold out over the weekend (they’re back in stock now). I’d recommend it for players who enjoy widebody paddles, appreciate a slightly longer handle, want a generous sweet spot, and prefer a lighter paddle overall.
I’ll definitely be keeping this one in my bag alongside my Saga Flash 16mm. My closest comparison to this paddle would be the Prism Bloom 16mm, which I also enjoy for its plush, high-end feel during dinks, volleys, and swings.
I wouldn’t recommend the Saga Bloom 14mm for absolute beginners, but for advanced beginners or intermediate players—especially those who lack power and have soft hands for resets—it’s a fantastic option.
If you have any questions, feel free to leave them below. Don’t forget to check out my recent YouTube quick review of the paddle!
Disclosure:
I am a Vatic Pro ambassador, but this review is entirely my own. I was not paid for this, though I did receive a discount and still paid over $100 plus tax for the paddle. If you’re in the market for a high-quality, widebody paddle at a great price, head over to the Vatic Pro website and use my name JONATHANTORRES for a discount at checkout.
Thanks for taking the time to read my review—looking forward to more dinks, volleys, and serves.
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