Winn: WinnDry polymer fishing rod grips

1973: Winn founded by Dr Ben Huang
California: Based in Huntington Beach, USA
WinnDry: Patented polymer that grips in all weather

The story of the brand

From the Saturn V rocket to fishing grips

Winn grew out of an engineer's career, that of Dr Ben Huang. He first worked under Wernher von Braun on the Saturn V rocket, the one that took Neil Armstrong to the Moon. In 1964, the Georgia Institute of Technology asked him to set up its graduate school of aerospace engineering.

A keen tennis player, Ben Huang founded Winn in 1973. The company first brought new ideas to tennis balls, strings and racket grips. In 1996, he turned his polymer know-how to golf and launched the first Winn golf grips. Cycling later used the same materials.

In 2009, Winn carried this work over to fishing with its first rod grips. From Huntington Beach, the brand now uses its WinnDry polymer on spinning, casting, fly and saltwater handles.

Key dates

1973 Dr Ben Huang founds Winn, first focused on tennis
1996 Launch of the first Winn polymer golf grips
2009 Winn designs its first fishing rod grips

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything about the brand

Who founded the Winn brand?

Winn was founded in 1973 by Dr Ben Huang, an aerospace engineer. He had worked with Wernher von Braun on the Saturn V rocket, then set up the graduate school of aerospace engineering at Georgia Tech. Winn first brought new ideas to tennis. The brand launched its golf grips in 1996, then its first fishing rod grips in 2009.

What is Winn's WinnDry polymer?

WinnDry is the patented polymer Winn uses for its fishing grips. It forms the outer layer of the handle, fitted over a high density EVA foam underlisting. This polymer keeps a tacky feel in rain, snow and extreme temperatures. Your hand keeps its hold, even when wet.

What is the AVS technology on Winn grips?

AVS stands for Advanced Vertical Seam. It is a patented way of wrapping the polymer in a single panel. The edge of the polymer is matched to the edge of the underlisting. The result is a flat, sealed and almost invisible seam. Winn uses it on its Saltwater AVS Straight Cylinder grips.

Winn, polymer grips from California

Winn is an American company based in Huntington Beach, California. It makes polymer grips for several sports, including golf, tennis and cycling. Since 2009, the brand has also designed fishing rod grips. These are components made for building a new rod or refitting an old one.

Its fishing range covers every part of a handle. For spinning and casting, Winn designs rear grips, fore grips and split grips. For fly fishing, it makes full well and western grips. A saltwater line is built for sea fishing. The brand also makes overwraps, thin polymer strips that you wind over a handle or a blank. End caps and winding checks are part of the range too. Each model comes in several colors and patterns.

A grip built in two layers

A Winn grip combines two materials. Inside, a high density EVA foam gives the shape and the support. Outside, a thin polymer layer covers this base. This is the part your hand touches.

Winn developed this polymer and several ways to fit it. Here are the main ones, protected by patents.

WinnDry, a patented polymer that stays tacky in rain, snow and freezing cold.
A high density EVA underlisting, light and firm.
AVS (Advanced Vertical Seam), a patented single panel wrap.
Polymer edges matched to the underlisting, for a flat and almost invisible seam.

These grips follow the same approach as Winn golf grips. The brand looks for a steady hold in all weather, with a soft feel and good shock absorption.

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An expert & passionate team

Winn: polymer fishing rod grips, overwraps and end caps

From the Saturn V rocket to fishing grips

Key dates

Products

Winn Rod Overwrap Slim 66"

Winn Rod Overwrap Slim 66"

Winn Western Fly Grip 6.5"

Winn Western Fly Grip 6.5"

Winn Full Well Fly Cap Butt Grip 1.5"

Winn Full Well Fly Cap Butt Grip 1.5"

Winn Full Rear Grip - Long Swell

Winn Full Rear Grip - Long Swell

Winn Winding Checks

Winn Winding Checks

Winn Rod Overwrap 96" Saltwater Tuna

Winn Rod Overwrap 96" Saltwater Tuna

Winn Saltwater AVS Straight Cylinder Grips - 1.25" OD

Winn Saltwater AVS Straight Cylinder Grips - 1.25" OD

Winn Rod Overwrap 96" Dorado

Winn Straight Taper Split Grip 6"