In this review, I put the Proton Series 3 under the microscope and explain why you’re seeing it in the hands of PPA pros like Kaitlyn Christian, CJ Klinger, and Alex & Angie Walker. The big story here is “pro-level power and spin” in a paddle that’s built like a lot of today’s top performers—think thermoformed unibody construction and an elongated shape for extra reach and leverage—plus a rough raw carbon fiber face that’s designed to grab the ball and rip heavy topspin. I also get into the numbers and what they mean on-court. My test paddle came in at 8.3oz with a high swingweight (123) and a solid twistweight (6.7), so it feels stable and ready right out of the box—especially on counters, drives, and aggressive cross-court dinks. The 15mm hybrid core helps keep things from getting too wild despite the power. My main knock: the stock grip wasn’t my favorite, but tossing on an overgrip made a noticeable difference. If you want a powerful, spin-friendly elongated paddle with a splash of color, the Series 3 is absolutely worth a look.