111 Carefully Selected, Unusually Special Gifts Over $200
Including exquisite timepieces and portable pizza ovens.
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There are arguably more gift guides than ever before now that every Substacker, influencer, and influencer’s cousin is publishing a roundup of some kind or another. One might see this as too much competition. We take it as a challenge: to unearth gifts that feel even more special, more unusual, more deranged.
In This Issue
So how does it all get made? To start, we scour the Strategist hive mind and keep running lists of the coolest and weirdest things that catch our eye — from custom felt animals made in Ukraine and seed-bead-encrusted brooches to hybrid cheese and robotic exoskeletons. Then each product gets collected on a Pinterest board (which has a near-infinite scroll) and after many hourlong meetings and a few rounds of cuts and swaps, we print them out and pin them to physical boards in our art department and subject each gift to over a dozen rounds of vetting that rival the intensity of a Survivor Tribal Council. Next, we check that every gift is in stock, do a whole bunch of 11th-hour swaps and tweaks — et voilà.
This year, we went slightly bananas with nearly 400 gifts that truly span from the beautiful to the bizarre and that are exacting and original enough to impress even your industrial-architect sister-in-law or your spouse whose bird-watching hobby eludes you. We’ve divided the 381 gifts that made the cut into three categories — under $50, $50 to $199, and $200 and up. Below, you’ll find our favorite gift ideas over $200. And if you haven’t found what you’re looking for, peruse the many other gift guides the staff of the Strategist has made for you here.
Family E-bike
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Urban Arrow Family Cargo Bike
Schlep kids and groceries for up to 30 miles on a single charge.
Park Avenue Weiner
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D. Porthault’s 16-inch-long stuffed dachshund wears a bandanna in the line’s pink Fleurs de Champs print.
Shiny Men’s Shorts
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Designed in iridescent nylon imported from Japan.
LEGO’s First Star Trek Set
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No fewer than five dads alerted us to this the day it was announced. A long time coming for Trekkies.
Beginner Banjo
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The Friendly Banjo
Kids can channel their inner Earl Scruggs with this three-string starter banjo designed by Zack Munsell.
Contrast-Piped Percale
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Nordic Knots’ foray into bedding is as elegant as its rugs.
Andy Warhol Watch
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Piaget Andy Warhol Watch
Only 50 are available. The face draws from the artist’s 1986 self-portrait (Andy’s face is engraved on the back, too).
Venetian Waffle Robe
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A handsome number sold at Chiarastella Cattana’s concept studio in San Marco.
Japanese Jersey
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A knit sweater with hand-embroidered numbers on the front and back.
Gen-Z Glasses
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Miu Miu MU 01XV Eyeglasses Frames
Hailey Bieber and Billie Eilish have both been spotted in the Y2K-ish frames.
Pretty Peretti
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Elsa Peretti’s Open Heart design, a quintessential ’90s bat mitzvah gift, now as a frame.
Gi Blazer
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Drake’s has collaborated with Shoyoroll, the California-based jujitsu line, on this corduroy jacket with a belt tie.
Pin Head
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A barrette-slash-fascinator made by British designer Ellen Poppy Hill, carried at Surrender Dorothy, a new funky-freaky shop in Flatiron.
Handsome Bike
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Sportova Nohrd Bike v2
Sportova’s stately wooden stationary bike is one they won’t want to hide.
Artichoke Candleholder
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Hand-painted by Lola Montes Schnabel (daughter of Julian).
Monogram Manicure Kit
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Stash the included gold scissors, clippers, file, and tweezers (or just about anything else that size) inside.
Aviator Hat
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Bottega’s classic intrecciato on the outside, Italian shearling on the inside.
Coffee With Carnie Wilson
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Fan Social - Carnie Wilson
They can gab with her about their favorite Wilson Phillips song or anything, really.
Extremely Soft Pants
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Loro Piana Horst Pants
Knit from alpaca bouclé and wool with a subtle Prince of Wales check.
Play Kitchen for Dummies
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Lalo’s set has a stainless-steel sink and birch and beech accents, and it takes five minutes to set up.
Mystery NBA Box
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Each of Sotheby’s basketball surprise boxes contains a game-worn jersey.
Spade Vase
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In 2022, Simone Bodmer-Turner’s single-stem vessel was the design that launched a thousand vases. Her new Tall Spade holds a whole bouquet.
LSD’s Lighter
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Lauren Santo Domingo carried this lighter — made by Lisa Eisner, Ashley Olsen’s mother-in-law — during Milan Fashion Week.
Delightful Daisy Slippers
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Silky soles from Antwerp designer Bernadette.
Hobbit House
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A wooden playhouse that’s large enough for the whole family.
Status Shawl
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Matta NY Yaser Shaw Shawl
Worn by Rachel Tashjian and Jalil Johnson, Yaser Shaw’s pashmina wraps are made in a 36-step process.
Pocket Camera With DSLR Guts
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Ricoh GR IV Digital Camera
Ricoh’s GR IV crams a huge sensor into pocketable form.
Less Achy Hips
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Normatec’s newest wireless device for the upper leg muscles and lower back.
Times Square Llama
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A reproduced darkroom print of Inge Morath’s 1957 photo of Linda the llama.
Silk-Tie Tote
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From Rowing Blazers founder Jack Carlson’s first J.Press collection.
Toile Housecoat
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The toile de Jouy scenery features ducks, trees, and village people.
Deep Zip
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Made with Japanese brand Nizyu Kano, this backpack has an extra-long zipper that makes rummaging easy.
Do-It-All LED Mask
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Features red light, blue light, and cooling cryo-tech to depuff under-eye bags.
Polish Steel Chair
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Two furniture trends — stainless steel and flouncy linen — in one.
Insider’s Lamp
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Secha Floor Lamp
Designer Elijah Roth’s made-to-order aluminum lamps can be spotted at hot spots on the Lower East Side.
Snappy Shoulder Bag
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Eckhaus Latta’s first-ever pocketbook is big enough to fit a laptop.
Major Mancala Set
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A collaboration from Kindred Black and Don’t Let Disco, each one-of-a-kind set has a mix of sterling-silver shells, antique cut-glass scarabs, and moonstone cabochons as playing pieces.
Modern Menorah
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Ma-Ma Menorah 1.0
The top slab rotates, revealing a new candle hole each day of Hanukkah.
Hand-Embroidered Pillow
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Spun from Mongolian cashmere by Nepalese artisans.
Nearly Plastic-Free Brewer
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A truly plastic-free drip coffee maker is hard to find — but this one comes close thanks to its glass-and-metal hot-water path.
Striking Shearling
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Maurelle Coat in Shearling
A luscious Italian-shearling coat from Reformation founder Yael Aflalo’s grown-up new line.
Extra Pockets
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Generously sized and made from embroidered crêpe.
Exquisite Bangle
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Natural diamonds in shades of pink, green, and brown dot this 22-karat yellow-gold cuff.
Stunning Skillet
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Lablingbling
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Courtesy of the artist Kerin Rose Gold, who famously created the bedazzled Labubu that Naomi Osaka brought with her to the U.S. Open.
Warm Ankles
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Just-pointy-enough boots with a fold-over shearling lining from Seoul-based brand Salondeju.
Fresh Glow
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Tom Dixon’s wireless Portable Pose has an adjustable head.
Cutlery Carousel
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A 24-piece flatware set designed by Charlotte Chesnais hangs in a case with a revolving walnut-panel door.
Leveled-Up Game Boy
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The ModRetro Chromatic is like the Game Boy they grew up with but actually has high-quality hardware. Plus, it’s compatible with all their old games.
Smarter Dumb Phone
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Light Phone III
The third version of the Light Phone has messaging and alarms, plus a camera.
Tri-Fold Tote
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A gallery-ready carryall from German industrial designer Konstantin Grcic.
Red Silk Ruff
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A Valentino chiffon collar to spiff up last year’s holiday-party dress.
Little Mermaid Bikini
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Oséree Lumière Shell Metallic Bikini
For next summer, a midwinter getaway, or some year-round Ariel cosplay by Oséree.
Plaid Poncho
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45R’s oversize stole is made of wool and cashmere with an intentionally uneven, rather cozy texture.
Tailgate Napolitano
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A truly portable pizza oven beloved by chefs.
Stoneware Sandal
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This sculpture, by Portland, Maine–based artist Ariela Kuh, is a women’s size 9.
Sparkly Serpent
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Bulgari Serpenti Watch
Even the face of this 18-karat rose-gold bangle watch is entirely entrusted in diamonds.
G-Shock Upgrade
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The chunky ’90s classic has fitness and sleep tracking now.
Illuminated Egg
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A marbled ostrich-egg lamp made by Judi Rosen, designer Maggie Paxton, and Judi’s dad, Ira.
Big Bunny
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Could Steiff’s new 31-inch-tall rabbit be this year’s enormous giraffe?
Chain-Mail Lamp
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Goth-y lamp with patterns inspired by French filet lace
Three-in-One Alhambra
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Van Cleef’s latest is convertible and can be worn as a long or short necklace or a bracelet.
Coupe de Résistance
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A hand-cast silver-plated stunner from Xavier Dehaye’s Parisian design studio, Atelier Constant.
Satin Mules
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From Trevor Houston — former shoe designer for The Row — who has revived Herbert Levine’s midcentury line. Available in the U.S. in royal red.
24-Karat Gold Fringe
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Levant The Priam Fringe Necklace
Inspired by Priam’s Treasure and handwrought in Istanbul.
Stissing Side Table
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Roseland Stissing Martini Table
The same made-in-Maine iron side table, forged with over 500 hammer strikes, that you’ll find at Stissing House.
Lifetime of Food Storage
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Caraway Food Storage Set
A 22-piece glass container set for the person who’s midway through de-plasticizing their kitchen.
Orbital Massage Gun
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Rally’s new massager gives a pleasant, surface-level massage rather than digging into muscle tissue.
Striking Workout Mat
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They can be the envy of all at Pilates with this PVC-free French-made mat.
Stately Bud Vase
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RW Guild Bud Vase
Cast in white bronze, it can be spotted on the tables at Marcel, Roman and Williams’ forthcoming restaurant in the new Sotheby’s.
Mini-Away
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USM for Vinylheads
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A modular way to store records, designed in collaboration with Symbol.
Icelandic Hikers
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Suede-paneled outdoor shoes from Reykjavík design studio Ranra.
Elegant Equestrian Jacket
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A sleek, Cotswalds-looking quilted number with a corduroy collar and trim.
Kids’ Going-Out Pants
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Vivid fuchsia plus a statement bow from Pugliese brand Mimisol.
Sumptuous Stripes
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Cashmere pants from the knitwear geniuses at the Elder Statesman.
Rainy-Day Bag Cover
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Made in Belgium by Julie Kegels, the polyurethane cover snaps on to keep water out.
Anna Weyant for Dior
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The artist’s take on Princess Diana’s preferred purse. (1-800-929-DIOR)
Exoskeleton for Builders
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A cyborg suit to give home DIY-ers some extra “muscle.”
Sandy Liang’s Mahjong Table
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The designer installed this pink version in her house.
Oakley 2.0
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The Meta Vanguard glasses have a built-in camera and open-ear headphones in the arms.
Earthy Cutting Board
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A strip of resin forms the center of this board made from reclaimed Utah wood.
Intro to Air
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This lightweight bike ramp for kids can be used with scooters, skateboards, and Rollerblades, too.
Personal Claw Machine
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Neon Catch 31” Claw Machine
Fill it with plushies, candies, or blind boxes.
Six-Foot-Tall Pencil
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Jisu Han Jung initially made this while a student at RISD. To get the look of a real Staedtler pencil, Jung had custom color-matched paint made at Home Depot.
No. 5 Flair
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A brooch with 175 brilliant-cut diamonds arranged in the shape of the perfume bottle.
Refined Jewel Box
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A candy-apple-red jewelry box finished with multiple coats of lacquer.
Real-Deal Gondola
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Gondola Company Venetian Gondola
Built in Venice, imported to San Diego, decorated with brass seahorses.
Carved Incense Tray
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Ridged aluminum by South Korean designer Bumki Song.
Alpine Belt
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Handmade in Appenzell, a Swiss region known for its leather.
Very Special Spatula
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The cutouts on Judy Geib’s silver spatula are inspired by the Chrysler Building.
Clout Ceramic
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J. W. Anderson’s take on Wedgewood’s blue Jasperware mug.
Helpful Robot
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1x NEO Home Robot
The NEO (which ships early next year) can be trained to do chores around the house. We cannot confirm that he won’t kill you, though.
One-of-a-Kind Tassels
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An embellished envelope bag by Dries Van Noten that can be worn as a clutch or crossbody.
Self-Strummer
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You can program the Circle guitar’s motorized wheel to pluck strings in a specific pattern as you play.
Polymorph Ring
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The cluster of 116 brilliant-cut diamonds opens up and can be worn multiple ways.
Victorian Coat
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A made-to-order, silk-lined coat fit for 1800s royalty.
Exceptional Eggplant
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Leset’s sculptural satin jacket is especially striking in aubergine.
Boyfriend Buhai
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A 20-inch silver chain from Los Angeles jeweler Sophie Buhai’s first collection for men.
Black-and-White Balaclava
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Pair this wool-merino-alpaca hood with matching mittens.
Perfume Piece
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Made with French glass artist Justine Ménard, Kindred Black’s glass bottle is filled with a lavender, grapefruit, and yarrow essential oil meant to help you sleep.
Weightless Warmth
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Satisfy’s take on PolarTec Alpha is as warm as it is breathable.
Operatic Chandelier
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Viennese glassware line Lobmeyr’s crystal chandeliers were installed at the Metropolitan Opera House in 1966 and are still available for purchase.
Finnish Mohair
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Lena Rewell’s chunky blankets have been handmade in Helsinki since 1961.
Marie Antoinette’s Manolos
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Based on the mules from the Sofia Coppola film.
Throwback MJ
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A mini-satchel inspired by an early-aughts Marc by Marc bag.
Head-Turning Headpiece
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Courtesy of the queen of the kooky print, Julia Heuer.
Obsidian Mirror
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A black-glass mirror for divination or checking your lipstick.
Every Single Wes Anderson
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Ten films, 25 hours of commentary, deleted scenes, and auditions in a 20-disc set.
Better Chore Coat
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Pop the collar on Buck Mason’s felted-wool blazer for a Nehru-like look.
Crowd-Pleaser Racquet
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The latest version of one of Babolat’s most popular models is more comfortable for beginners and advanced players alike.
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The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.