Short facts: The Forza Hybrid 5000 in speed category 77 is a hybrid of 3 in 1. The head of the ball consists of a durable composite cork on which a nylon basket has been placed and this has been fitted with 16 natural feathers for better flight characteristics.

During the first practice session with the new Forza Hybrid 5000 balls, most of the players in our team were positively surprised by the good flight characteristics of the clear, drop and smash and confirmed a perceived closeness to natural feather balls. In later regular play, however, this initial euphoria waned and it became clear that it now takes considerably more effort to place the hybrid balls appropriately. In terms of durability, we also acknowledged that the Forza Hybrid 5000 offers a longer lifespan compared to natural feather balls from the cheaper price category, but cannot compete with the indestructible synthetic balls. The decisive point, however, is the unbeatable price-performance ratio. According to our research, this is due to the cheaper use of materials and the shorter manufacturing process. While natural shuttlecocks require 26 steps, the hybrid shuttlecock requires only 6 steps, which justifies the low manufacturing costs.

Conclusion : The BADLAB "racket team" agreed almost unreservedly that the FZ Forza Hybrid 5000 has better flight characteristics than most nylon shuttlecocks and is more durable than most of the natural feather shuttlecocks in the lower price segment. For this reason, it offers the best training conditions for the ideal transition for price-conscious hobby and recreational players who are looking to move away from synthetic shuttlecocks towards natural feather shuttlecocks.

Tip: If you are a coach with a ball machine, you should definitely try the Forza Hybrid 5000, as the sturdy plastic cover makes them ideal for this purpose and they also show little wear and tear.