Harrow Vapor

Comments

1. Steven says

   (August 16, 2021)

   Looks Daryl Selby has gone to Harrow rackets, playing with it at British Open

   Reply

2. Stephan says

   (August 2, 2021)

   Is this a popular racquet at your club?

   Reply

   • Pierre says

     (August 2, 2021)

     Not lately

     Reply

3. Daniel says

   (March 14, 2020)

   Hi Pierre!

   Big fan of Squash Source. Great work!

   I’d like your advise. I have a Harrow Vapor racket that I usually play with and like, but I am looking for something similar with a bigger head size (same head shape), more forgiveness and a bit more stiffness (for more access to power). I play singles squash on an intermediate/advances lever. I am not a big hitter, more of a attacking volley-guy that like to put good pace on the ball.

   How about the Harrow m-140? Is that maneuverable enough in tight back corner? How is the feel of the balance and weight between this and the Vapor? I know about the specs, more interested in your option on the perceived balance and weight.

   Or what about the Harrow Stellar? I know this too is a doubles racket. But it if works, it works 🙂

   I like the head size of the Vibe, bit the frame has too much flex. Feel free to give input on other brands than Harrow too.

   Looking forward to your reply.

   Thanks!

   Reply

   • Tor says

     (March 14, 2020)

     Check out Pierre’s take on the Xamsa Obsidian maybe? Similar to Vibe and a stiff frame. Have played with it myself and it’s a great racket.

     Reply

   • Pierre says

     (March 15, 2020)

     As I was reading your question the first racket that started coming to mind was also the M-140. It’s just a little bigger head size than the Vapor but it will feel familiar. The frame is the same sort of convex shape as the Vapor, so you get the same stiffness. Stiffer than the Vibe I’d say. Off the top of my head I think the M-140 will feel a little head-heavier but it’s hard to say for sure without testing them back to back. I think you should be fine in the back corners. Any time you move to a bigger frame it always feels a little tighter back there but the trade-off seems appropriate to me.

     Reply

     • Daniel says

       (March 16, 2020)

       Much appreciated response Pierre. Thanks!
       The other option might be the Stellar – and since you have them both (saw your doubles review video). What made you like the m-140 over the Stellar? From what I understand from your videos you like a touch of head heaviness to carve the shots. I personally like even balance/head lighter rackets a bit more, so my only concern is that the m-140 is a bit too head heavy for me compared to my Vapor. And therefore the Stellar is the better option. What do you think? Is the m-140 significantly head heavier than the Vapor? Thanks!

       Reply

       • Rod says

         (March 17, 2020)

         Are you married to the idea of sticking with Harrow rackets? Based on the shape, weight and size of racket you are looking for there would seem to be options beyond Harrow such as Ashaway (Venom X-Flash/Powerkill 110SL/Powerkill 120ZX), Black Knight (Ion-Element PSX/HEX Phenom) and Eye (X-Lite series).

         Reply

         • Daniel says

           (March 19, 2020)

           Thanks Rod! Not married to the idea of sticking to Harrow, so I’ll definitely check out your suggestions.

       • Pierre says

         (March 18, 2020)

         Good question but at the moment I only have the M-140 in my closet and not the Stellar or Vapor and I can’t remember them well enough to compare the balance from memory

         Reply

     • Tor says

       (March 19, 2020)

       I gave an answer here a few days back. Appears it didn’t go through the censorship?

       Reply

       • Pierre says

         (March 19, 2020)

         Oops you’re right it got caught in the filter. The original comment is now here. Thanks Tor

         Reply

         • Tor says

           (March 20, 2020)

           Phenomenal. Awaiting this beauty from Phil Head at blade.hk https://ibb.co/WWW0k0r

4. Casper says

   (August 30, 2019)

   Looks like the new harrow vapor is out: https://www.harrowsports.com/collections/squash-racquets/products/new-harrow-vapor-squash-racquet

   Reply

   • Andrew says

     (October 24, 2019)

     Can anyone recommend a string upgrade and tension for the Vapor?
     Would like to see the various options

     Reply

5. Nick says

   (July 10, 2018)

   Harrow Vapor White/Royal/Yellow 146g (factory new, minus cardboard including plastic wrap on handle).

   Reply

   • Pierre says

     (July 18, 2018)

     Thanks Nick, I’ll add these measured weights into the posts

     Reply

     • Andrew says

       (November 8, 2019)

       Hi Pierre,

       Ive just got hold of a black/red Vapor,my first ever.
       It weighs 139g all in,cant wait to play with it.
       Was wondering if you know or anyone what strings this model has?
       They are thin,18g,black about 26lbs tension,possibly Ashaway factory strung?Dont look like Harrows Barrage,T2 etc.
       There is no markings on the string.
       Cheers ,Andrew

       Reply

       • Pierre says

         (November 8, 2019)

         That red/black one is a beauty. I’m actually not sure what the factory strings are on that one. Normally would be either Ashaway or more recently Harrow-brand string (as you mentioned).

         Reply

6. Sherif says

   (May 25, 2017)

   It seems Raneem’s custom harrow is launched

   Link: http://www.harrowsports.com/harrow-vapor-squash-racquet-custom-raneem-el-weleily-white#.WSdK34WxWEc

   Sttrung with Barrage Pro
   Weight: 135 g
   Balance: 380 mm

   Reply

7. BA says

   (March 28, 2017)

   Hey Pierre. Awesome site!
   Wondering in all your testing what may be the closest in feel to the Vapor. Harrows seem a bit fragile…Looking for the alternative.

   Reply

   • Rod says

     (March 29, 2017)

     I would strongly recommend the BK Ion Psx Element (the black non Selby version). A tremendous blend of power, feel and durability. I’ve been rotating through 3 of these rackets for the last 2 years and haven’t suffered any breakage or cracks.

     Similar in terms of head shape and size but probably a fraction heavier.

     Reply

     • BA says

       (March 29, 2017)

       Thanks Rod, I will try and demo one of those.

       Reply

       • rob says

         (April 5, 2017)

         I’ve played with the BK Ion Storm XT which has identical specifications to the Ion PSX Element and I wouldn’t say it feels similar to the vapor.

         On my scales the new white vapor is 10 grams lighter and has more of its weight in the head. The vapor is very “smooth” on contact with the ball, and going back to the XT feels really stiff (but easier to generate pace with).

         Reply

8. Matt says

   (February 11, 2017)

   Anyone know if Harrow quotes strung weight including the grip?

   Just picked up a new Vapor and put it on my scale in stock configuration….barrage pro strings, and their PU grip…came in at 152g. Perhaps they added a bit more material to strengthen the newer mold to deal with some of the past breakage issues..or I just got an outlier.

   Reply

9. josh says

   (January 4, 2016)

   I’ve heard that Chris Simpsons Karakal Racquet is a painted vapour

   Reply

   • Pierre Bastien says

     (January 4, 2016)

     Interesting. I haven’t tried Chris’s Karakal Tec Pro Elite but from the picture I think there’s one less cross string versus the Vapor.

     Reply

10. Michel Goulche says

    (January 4, 2016)

    Just purchase the black and red, very light 141g on my scale versus 150g for my tecnifibre 125S. Really love it

    Reply

    • Andrew says

      (December 3, 2019)

      My red black vapor weighs 139g all in!
      Will get it restrung in green technifibre string 1.1mm,probably get the weight down to 136g I reckon.

      Reply

11. Muzakkir says

    (November 18, 2015)

    Can I know the material used for Misfit? (I hope it Graphene/graphite)
    Considering it to be my first racket but some of my peers recommend Graphene/graphene rackets as it is strong. Eg dunlop and Head

    Reply

    • Pierre Bastien says

      (November 18, 2015)

      Yes, it’s made of graphite. Almost all squash rackets are made from graphite, except for a few heavy beginner rackets made of aluminum. Graphene is a term that Head use in their branding, but those rackets are also made of graphite. The Harrow Vapor is a high-end racket and I love it, but since this is to be your first racket, I recommend you find something less expensive to start with, something around US$100.

      Reply

12. Dan Gianfagna says

    (October 23, 2015)

    Hi Pierre, thanks for the great squash website. The original Vapor also came in a pink and lime green version that they called ‘The Prep’, which has a paint scheme that the Ultralite Retro may be in homage towards. It’s funny to think of 2006 as being ‘retro’, but hey, I guess in terms of rackets that’s a long time. Here are some links that I found in trying to learn more about ‘The Prep’ which I recently bought a gently used version of on eBay for less than what it costs to have my rackets restrung. They are right when they call the Vapor “extremely playable” in the last paragraph of the article about Harrow’s Mark Hayden.

    http://squashgear.stores.yahoo.net/havasqra.html
    http://www.amazon.com/Harrow-Prep-Green-Squash-Racket/dp/B000G8XB34
    http://www.greenwichmag.com/g/June-2006/Not-Your-Same-Old-Racquet-and-Stick/index.php?cparticle=1&siarticle=0#artanc

    I know that the cosmetics have changed over the years for the Vapor, but do you know if the frame (balance, weight, head-size, string pattern) itself has remained primarily the same otherwise? If so, I’d get another one, probably not for less than 40 dollars this time, but also probably not in pink either.

    Cheers,
    Dan

    Reply

    • Pierre Bastien says

      (October 23, 2015)

      Thanks Dan, that was an interesting article on the Harrow founder. I’ve only played with the red and black Vapor — I don’t know whether the models have changed much over the years. I understand that changing the paint job can have a subtle effect.

      Reply

13. michel goulche says

    (October 21, 2015)

    Hello

    What is the head size ?
    And with harrow have the biggest head size ?

    Thanks !

    Reply

14. Tim says

    (October 14, 2015)

    Is there any difference between the new Vapor MisFit and the Red Black one? Other than the colour that is. The Red/Black one did have a modification on the previous model.

    Reply

    • Pierre Bastien says

      (October 15, 2015)

      Not sure… what was the difference between the red/black one and the previous model?

      Reply

      • D says

        (October 15, 2015)

        Hey, there is no difference between the new Misfit, and the previous red/black one.

        I can also say that there was no difference between the red/ black one and the older model with the green at the top of the head (I asked Harrow by email a few years ago).

        I’ve been playing with the Misfit one with the skull for over a year now. It apparently started as a custom paint job for a squash club. When Harrow had extras, my local club bought some of them instead, and they quickly sold out and more shipments were ordered. I’m guessing more than one club bought these, and they were so popular Harrow decided to make them standard.

        I have both black/blue Misfit and black/red and play with them interchangeably.

        Reply

        • Tim says

          (October 15, 2015)

          I was told by the agent in the UK that the Red/Black Vapor had an improved balance and weight when compared to the lime/black model.

          Thanks for clarifying the situation with the Misfit. It seems there is a premium for this racket over the red black Vapor so i wanted to make sure.

          I have been using the Harrow Vapor since the dread model. All I noticed was the move from a gloss paint job to a mat finish with the racket remaining the same.

          If I have one complaint they are rather fragile. Otherwise absolutely love them. Only other racket that cam close was the Dunlop Elite that let me down when the introduced the lime green version (the one after the bronze version) that was a very different racket.

          Reply

      • D says

        (October 15, 2015)

        I can say though that Harrows no longer come with Ashaway strings, which is disappointing. The strings they have now are inferior in my opinion.

        Reply

15. Lucas Nicolau says

    (August 23, 2015)

    I’ve just bought the harrow vapor Dread II.

    Let’s see how it works on court. I sold my Head Rackets and now I’m “heading” to Harrow Rackets. I got impressed by the Harrow Spark Kasey Brown, my first choice, and choose the vapor as a second racket because it’s very similar to the Spark.

    As soon as I test I’ll send you a review.

    Reply

16. michael berry says

    (May 8, 2015)

    When are the new ones going to be available in stores

    Reply

    • Pierre Bastien says

      (May 8, 2015)

      They’re already available in the US (see Affiliate Links) but I have not seen them outside the US yet

      Reply

      • David Wong says

        (May 21, 2015)

        They already have it in Malaysia quite a time

        Reply

        • Ibrahim says

          (May 22, 2015)

          Link please.

          Reply

17. Ibrahim says

    (May 7, 2015)

    Marwan Alshorbagy is one of harrow’s team now.

    Reply

    • Pierre Bastien says

      (May 7, 2015)

      Thanks Ibrahim, I didn’t know that!

      Reply

      • George says

        (May 8, 2015)

        Yeah he revealed it on twitter!

        Reply

18. Michel Goulche says

    (May 5, 2015)

    I’am a bit confuse with the weight of the racket cause they are given fully equipped. Can you tell me what is the lightest ?

    Thx

    Reply

    • Pierre Bastien says

      (May 5, 2015)

      I think the strings add about 10 grams, so this would be a 130 gram racket.

      Reply

19. George says

    (May 5, 2015)

    Alan Clyne uses the vapour aswell.

    I personally prefer the spark looks dope in blue though

    Reply

    • Pierre Bastien says

      (May 5, 2015)

      Nice one, I added a picture.

      Reply

20. M says

    (June 9, 2013)

    Low Wee Wern of Malaysia also uses this racket strung with tecnifibre 305 strings. Thought you might wanna know.

    Reply

    • Pierre Bastien says

      (June 10, 2013)

      Thanks M, I’ve updated the post!

      Reply