The Storm Match Up Solid is the only polished solid bowling ball on Storm’s current release list, offering an intriguing evolution from the original Storm Match. Our Storm Match Up Solid review will look at this hook-heavy bowling ball from every possible angle, giving you a panoramic view of Storm’s latest offering before making a potential investment decision.
How does the revamped core design of the Storm Match Up Solid stack up when compared to the original Storm Match? How versatile is the Storm Match Up Solid when faced with various oil pattern lengths and densities? Read our extensive Storm Match Up Solid bowling ball review for the answer to these questions and more!
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Overview
The Storm Match Up Solid is less of an update of the original Storm Match and more of a natural evolution. A lot of this has to do with the new Stinger 2.0 symmetrical weight block which offers a higher overall RG and differential than the original Stinger weight block inside the original Storm Match and Storm Match Pearl.
This revamped core design means a noticeable increase in hook potential and flare potential over the original Match. In addition, this ball allows bowlers to get a bit more creative in opening up their angles while experiencing increased pin carry once they’ve slotted the Storm Match Up Pearl into the pin pocket.
The true draw of the Storm Match Up Solid is the level of performance it delivers at such a reduced price point. While it’s not exactly a true high-performance bowling ball, it’s a fantastic step down strike ball for when oil patterns depleted or when starting out on a dry or medium-dry lane. This ball does a lot more than you’d think for a lot less money.
If you need a ball that goes long on depleted oil conditions while offering some impressive angularity and back-end theatrics, there aren’t too many balls better out there than the Storm Match Up Solid. This ball has aggressiveness to spare while also being controllable enough for intermediate bowlers to tame and get something out of it.
Features, Specs & Materials
FEATURES:
The Storm Match Up Solid’s Reactor Solid Reactive cover stock is the only polished solid reactive cover stock in Storm’s current lineup. It offers impressive reactivity and energy-storing capabilities, sharpening its angles at the breakpoint for some extraordinary pin entry possibilities!
What really bring the Storm Match Up Solid to a whole new level at its price point is the introduction of the Stinger 2.0 symmetrical weight block. It provides a near-perfect dichotomy of impressive lane length in depleted oil conditions coupled with added flare potential and back-end firepower.
If you’ve played with a recent Storm bowling ball release out of the box, then you’re quite familiar with the Storm Match Up Solid’s standard 1500 Grit Polished factory finish. You’ll love how this box finish garners traction and turns it into extra hook on medium oil patterns.
SPECS:
Color: Black, Aqua, Lime
Core: Stinger 2.0 (Symmetrical)
Coverstock: Reactor Solid Reactive
Finish: 1500 Grit Polished
RG: 2.57
Differential: 0.035
Flare potential: Moderate to Substantial
Recommended Lane Condition: Dry, Medium
MATERIALS
While not as durable as its cousin, the Storm Match Up Pearl, the Storm Match Up Solid still offers fantastic play life thanks to the reinforced constitution of its Reactor Solid Reactive cover stock. Make sure you clean it thoroughly and regularly in order to maintain its overall reactivity and sharpness off the spot.
While higher-rev bowlers won’t feel a distinct difference between the original Stinger weight block and the new Stinger 2.0, lower-rev bowlers will love the possibilities and angles opened up by the increased RG and differential of the Storm Match Up Solid’s new core.
Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages:
The Storm Match Up Solid offers a ton of performance capabilities at a very palatable price point. The overall hook potential and back-end firepower has been dialed up a few notches over the original Storm Match, pushing this mid-performance bowling ball to the absolute limit of what such a ball is supposed to do.
One thing you’ll notice right away about the Storm Match Up Solid is just how smooth and long it rolls when lane conditions are either depleted or start off dry. This ball is built to turn a little bit of oil into a lot of fuel, clearing the fronts with ease and using whatever oil it finds for a very impressive back-end crash.
The angularity of the Storm Match Up Solid at the breakpoint is truly a sight to behold, especially within the supposed limitations of a mid-performance bowling ball. The core/cover stock combination leads to some impressive entry angle possibilities and will give a variety of different bowlers the creativity to create some otherworldly pin trajectories.
In short, the Storm Match Up Solid is a big performer which would have easily sold for double its price point just a season ago. This ball does so much and is a perfect “step down” ball for when oil patterns start to deplete. If you’re a marathon player or you’re primarily playing on dry or medium oil patterns, the Storm Match Up Solid is a very worthwhile investment and then some.
Disadvantages:
Stay away from medium-heavy to heavy oil patterns with the Storm Match Up Solid. The ball gets gummed up and submerged in such conditions, losing the majority of its lane length and seeing its breakpoint angularity muted badly. It just isn’t meant to swim in the heaviest of oil patterns.
In addition, this ball can get a little bit lost on longer oil patterns regardless of the overall depth and density of the oil. We recommend this ball for shorter oil patterns and that you keep a more efficacious strike ball on hand for longer, more complex oil patterns.
Our Thoughts
The Storm Match Up Solid offers a ton of advancements and worthwhile tweaks to the formula of the original Storm Match. Its limitations are there, but they’re not pervasive or troublesome enough to take away from this ball’s stature as a sneaky top performer for its price point.
If you want increased angularity and lane length without having to break the bank, order yourself a Storm Match Up Solid as soon as you can.
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Overall Score: 8 out of 10
