Franklin FS Tour Dynasty 14mm Review
Consensus score
One hundred and twenty dollars. Say it again, because the rest of this review will not make sense otherwise. The FS Tour Dynasty 14 is an 8.4-ounce elongated paddle with a T700 raw carbon face, and owners keep comparing it to paddles that cost twice as much. One reviewer likes it better than the Paddletek ALW he bought his daughter for Christmas. Another borrowed one on a Saturday and ordered his own the same day. It is heavy, the spin is mid-tier, and none of that seems to matter. Holy schnikes.
We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page. Our rankings are never influenced by commissions or brand partnerships. Consensus score 85/100 (Excellent) — aggregated Oct 2026 from expert and owner reviews — how we rank.
The consensus verdict
Best for
Power players on a budget, former tennis players who like mass behind the ball, and anyone who measures a paddle in dollars per performance. Reviewers say the value proposition is honestly a little silly.
Not for
Kitchen-speed players who need fast hands, anyone with arm sensitivity (8.4 oz is real weight), and spin artists. The spin here is fine, not special.
Consensus 85/100 · Excellent
Weighted from Total Pickleball's video playtest, JustPaddles lab data, and Golf Galaxy and Dick's owner reviews. Power-per-dollar is the consensus story; weight and mid-tier spin are the tradeoffs.
Specs
| MSRP | $120.00 |
|---|---|
| Shape | Elongated 16.5" x 7.5" |
| Thickness | 14mm |
| Face | T700 raw carbon fiber |
| Core | Polymer honeycomb |
| Weight | 8.1–8.4 oz |
| Handle | 5.6", 4.25" grip |
| Measured (third-party) | Swing weight ~121 (high); spin ~mid-tier per lab data (independent reviewer data) |
Specs from Franklin and retailer listings; measured figures from independent reviewer lab data (unit-to-unit variance applies). Boundary note: $120.00 sits in our $100–200 tier by rule.
What reviewers agree on
Strengths
- The value is absurd. This is the headline. A thermoformed raw-carbon elongated paddle for $120, and owners who have played $200+ paddles keep saying it hangs with them. One reviewer cycled through premium paddles for a year before landing here and stopping.
- Mass-based power. At 8.1 to 8.4 ounces, drives go through the ball rather than bouncing off it. The 14mm core keeps enough liveliness that it does not feel like swinging lumber.
- Reach and handle. The 16.5-inch elongated shape and 5.6-inch handle give two-handed backhands room and add leverage on serves and overheads. The 4.25-inch grip gets genuine praise from owners for comfort.
- Control for a banger. Reviewers note the 14mm core keeps resets, blocks, and third-shot drops precise. It is a power paddle that does not completely forget the soft game.
Weaknesses & caveats
- It is heavy. There is no way around 8.4 ounces. Fast kitchen exchanges get harder, and arm-sensitive players should look at lighter options. The power comes from mass, and mass has a cost.
- Spin is mid-tier. The most consistent performance nit from owners. It grips fine, but it will not shape the ball like the 45-degree C45 faces. If spin is your identity, this is not your paddle.
- Shiny edge guard. A cosmetic complaint that keeps showing up: the glossy edge guard looks cheap to some owners. It does not affect play. Mentioned so you are not surprised.
Synthesized from video playtests (Total Pickleball), lab data, retailer owner reviews, and player-community discussion. How we rank →
Who it's for
Who it's for
- You want maximum paddle per dollar
- Former tennis players who like weight behind the ball
- Baseliners who drive and want elongated reach
Who should skip it
- Your game is fast hands at the kitchen
- Arm issues or fatigue — 8.4 oz is honest weight
- Spin is the center of your game — the rest of the $100–200 tier grips harder
Where to buy
Also at Golf Galaxy and Dick's. Buying through the JustPaddles link supports our work at no extra cost to you.
← Best paddles $100–200 · Grit & spin explained · Paddle shapes explained
Dynasty 14mm FAQs
14mm vs 16mm Dynasty — which one?
The 14mm is livelier: more pop and precision, less dampening. The 16mm is softer and more controlled. Owners pick fast — attackers go 14, resetters go 16.
Is 8.4 ounces too heavy?
Depends on your arm and game. The weight is the power source — drives go through the ball. But fast kitchen play gets harder, and arm-sensitive players should look lighter.
How is it this cheap?
Franklin sells at sporting-goods scale and the FS Tour line skips the signature-player markup of the C45 line. Same T700 raw carbon face, no pro name on the throat.