Yonex Astrox Nextage Review
This review's subject is the Astrox NEXTAGE — literally "next era." Yonex is clearly trying to carve out a new Astrox branch. The matte black frosted base has …
Test data
| Spec | 4U/G5 |
|---|---|
| Empty weight | 81 g (strung with grip 92.1 g) |
| Empty balance | 305 mm |
| Length | 675 mm |
| Holes | 80-hole design |
| Shaft diameter | 6.8 mm |
| Swing weight | ~87 |
Overview
This review's subject is the Astrox NEXTAGE — literally "next era." Yonex is clearly trying to carve out a new Astrox branch. The matte black frosted base has serious metal texture — heavy, solemn presence — and instantly sent me back to the Voltric Z-Force II hype from nine years ago. Fluorescent green dots add a cyber-mecha edge. Unlike past asymmetric Astrox paint, NEXTAGE goes symmetric for the first time. Whether that resets Astrox cosmetics long term, we'll see. The paint breaks old limits; the frame breaks conservatism too. First 80-hole layout on an Astrox, and the frame moves from the usual box shape to a multi-stage wind-cut design. Is Yonex building a speed sub-line inside Astrox? Close inspection: sharp diamond wind-cut at the head, fluid box through the mid, trapezoid stability at the throat — familiar language, just not from Yonex. NEXTAGE's three-stage inverted trapezoid differs from rivals: top and bottom use AERO SHAPE (less drag, faster swing, more attack); the mid uses AERO+BOX SHAPE (speed plus solid feel). The least Astrox-like Astrox yet. Composite frames like this need real engineering depth. Yonex is experimenting while keeping its fluid-box tradition — but debuting this on Astrox raises eyebrows. Wide wind-cut geometry and a thin head wall feel more Nanoflare than Astrox.
Technology
Shaft: NANOMESH NEO + SUPER SLIM SHAFT — light carbon with nano mesh resin NEO, thin profile, low drag, tough and elastic, comfortable on contact. Frame: carbon + VDM + tungsten for higher overall rigidity. VDM (Vibration Dampening Mesh): elastic mesh around handle graphite filters vibration for cleaner touch and precision; at the frame base, paired with inner foam, it cuts excess hit shock — tech borrowed from tennis. Cone: E-B.CAP Plus power-transform cap, unchanged.
Parameters
Compared 7 rows across .
Stringing
I strung EXBOLT-63 — 0.63 mm high-strength nylon multifilament, metallic crack on impact, rated 27–29 lbs. More friction than BG66UM, less shifting, better durability and tension hold. For a thin string it hits harder than most thin lines — part of why I like it. Hardness sits between BG80 and BG66UM: speed with some hold. Paired with NEXTAGE it feels like a turbo upgrade, though control dips slightly. Want more finesse? Try BG66UM.
Control experience
80 holes mean relatively high bed pressure. Small swings stay stable and firm; full whip at high bed pressure feels stiffer than 76-hole frames; net spins and soft touches benefit from a stable face — solid, planted feedback. Same story as other 80-hole frames I've used: high bed raises forgiveness but cuts wrap. Stability is NEXTAGE's headline; control is the trade-off.
Attack
Hard-to-ignore downward press is one of the few traits that still screams Astrox. High balance plus VDM damping lowers face shock on heavy smashes. No new-dimension carbon, but the NEO shaft lowers the drive bar — shaft bend is visible. Multi-shot placement and rebound speed still trail top Astrox models, but nothing obvious lags in chains. Lower entry bar — friendlier for beginners and intermediates. Wind-cut frame adds speed and papers over some shaft continuity limits. High balance, but less drag — especially in fast doubles it feels decisive. Overall attack: marketed beginner/intermediate, yet press feel can rival AX100ZX penetration — one-shot kill energy; small spot slices struggle to use bed hold.
Defence and forgiveness
80-hole ISO large face grows sweet spot and forgiveness — off-centre hits stay usable, less instant collapse. High-bed rebound feels different from your usual racket; needs adapt time. Chaining and passive escapes are stronger — can salvage ugly contacts. Stable face plus friendly shaft rebound — head-heavy NEXTAGE is not alienating on first touch. Easy-attack territory; singles suits it best.
Summary
My stereotype of Yonex: never stingy on materials, always shy on pure speed frames. NEXTAGE's new frame and bed layout feels like a staged experiment — not a revolution, not a jaw-dropper for me. Missing new-dimension carbon on an Astrox stings. Still, frame and hole count are genuine firsts. NEXTAGE trades Yonex's fine control for stable power. Mid-high positioning works, but some delicate Yonex flavour is gone — not perfect. Plenty of new bets mean a new chapter for Yonex rackets. Long road; first step taken. | Astrox NEXTAGE | | |---|---| | Frame material | Carbon + VDM + Tungsten | | Shaft material | Carbon + NANOMESH NEO | | Length | 675 mm | | Spec | 4U/G5 | | Recommended tension | 20–28 LBS |