With 538 grams gives you that absolute racing feeling. The proven HydroX blade impresses with the cleanest catch and even draw phase. The pressure build-up occurs very early after piercing and remains consistently high throughout the entire draw phase. The thin shaft (test model: Medium 75; €545) is dainty but non-slip in the hand and appears sufficiently stiff, even if it is not rock hard (different versions are available, including thicker standard diameters). This ensures light damping, which in this form does not feel spongy even when pulled quite hard. However, if you like it hard for racing, there are various shaft variants to choose from.
In the swingthe paddle is super light and the thin shaft offers less wind grip than thicker tubes. A completely new feature of the Black Project is the handle, which feels like a mixture of palm grip and T-grip. Voluminous, but with a fairly straight, wide upper edge. This combines the best of both systems in a very pleasant way.
The hexagonal plug-in connections sit without play, only two small press studs on the back of the shaft are visible.
Conclusion: The Travel Fix is the premium version of the travel paddle for SUPers who know their preferred paddle length exactly or for race paddlers. The difference to a fixed paddle is barely noticeable and barely recognisable.
