The Verdict: 4.5/5 ★ ★ ★ ★
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Easton has long been known for quality baseball bats, and the 2015 Easton XL1 -5 is their latest offering.
The 2014 XL1 was a huge hit so it’s no surprise that the company decided to follow it up with another one. The question is, does the 2015 version offer anything new?
Features of the 2015 Easton XL1 -5
The 2015 Easton XL1 Senior League baseball bat still sports the same two-piece composite design the 2014 edition did, except Easton made some tweaks so there’s an increase in bat speed.
The barrel is still pleasantly large and with IMX Advanced Composite, so hitting that sweet spot is easier than ever.
The XL1 also makes full use of Easton’s 2-piece Conation technology so energy transfer is more polished.
In the picture: The 2015 Easton XL1 -5
Energy transfer is something that new hitters don’t usually think about, but it’s the thing that separates a good baseball bat from the great ones.
If the bat transfers energy well, all the power you release after making a swing goes straight into the bat. No energy is wasted.
That’s exactly what the XL1 does, ensuring that when you take a whack, there’s full power behind it.
Checking the numbers, the composite handle is 29/32″ which is very thin. The barrel comes in at 2 5/8″ in diameter, pretty solid. The bat is also USSSA baseball 1.15 BPF certified.
Design wise, the most noticeable difference is the bat is no longer a vivid yellow as it’s now neon orange, thus looking more like it belongs in the MAKO line.
Learn More About This 2015 Easton XL1 Drop 5 Baseball Bat
Handling
The Easton XL1 Youth Big Barrel has the SIC black carbon handle which Easton baseball claims eliminates vibration.
True enough, the bat feels steady even when you’re making one swing after another. If you’ve never used an Easton XL1 before the handle might take some getting used to, but you’ll get accustomed to it.
The 2014 XL1 was one of the best bats of 2014, and to no one’s surprise Easton kept the best components unchanged for 2015.
The extended barrel is still here and based on test swings it’s as good as before, if not better.
Another nice thing about the XL1 is the end load weight, which is great for players and difficult for pitchers.
What About The Barrel?
The IMX barrel composite works very well for hitters. It’s good to know that the CXN connective element hasn’t been modified much, after all, why fix it if it isn’t broken?
One change that is noticeable from the 2014 edition is the perforated silicon grip. It becomes more comfortable in your hands the more you use it.
The drop 5 is still as light as it used to be. As pointed out above there are a lot of other improvements that have been made with this year’s release.
The 2015 XL1 has taken care of that so there’s no need to buy separate grips anymore.
The second point is that the 2015 is more durable than other bats available today so it’s a good investment.
Given the success of the previous editions however, it’s likely that these will be on many players’ order lists so keep that in mind.
Hitting
Of course all these things won’t matter if your hitting doesn’t improve with it, but it will. The XL1 line has always been known for power and this one is no exception.
The barrel design provides plenty of sweet spot space so even if you hit the ball at a less than perfect angle, it should still carry power.
Since the bat is light your arms and shoulders don’t get weighed down when you swing, great news for heavy hitters.
But besides the large barrel, the energy transfer plays a huge role here because without it you won’t be able to generate maximum power.
Maximum energy transfer has always been present in Easton bats. For 2015 the company seems to have made some adjustments because the bat just feels more powerful.
When you take everything into consideration, it becomes clear that the bat is ideal for different kinds of hitters. In fact, anyone who can swing or takes the time to learn to swing a bat will benefit from the XL1.
Also, this is ideal for anyone who prefers an end-loaded and two-piece bat.
If you’re used to those the Easton will make you feel right at home, but even if you’ve been accustomed to single piece bats, the Easton might just change your mind.
Pros
- Improves your hitting power
- The bat is appropriate for first time and seasoned hitters
- Finely balanced
- Has no vibration
Cons
- The grip can be slippery when used the first time
- Not ideal for those who prefer one-piece bats
What Customers Say
Those who have been able to get a hand on the bat have given generally positive feedback. Alex of Orlando says the XL1 is “finely balanced” and has improved his hitting accuracy.
Dave of Dallas, TX also has positive things to say, pointing out that the bat is vibration free and doesn’t jar your hands.
As the 2015 XL1 Easton becomes more widely available, there should be more reviews coming out, but the early consensus is that the XL1 delivers where it counts, in the hitting department.
And many also agree about the lack of vibration, which is another piece of good news for longtime batters who’ve had to deal with it for years.
Conclusion
The Easton XL1 -5 builds on the success of the 2014 edition and ups the ante. If you’ve got the 2014 edition and you’re happy with it, that’s great.
But the 2015 release offers improvements so it’s something you may want to consider.
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