- Sideswipe

First Impressions
The Columbia 300 Sideswipe comes in an attractive Yellow, Red and Black Pearl color combination. At the heart of this model beats the symmetric Nitrous core, which is characterized by a higher RG of 2.550 and a 0.042 differential. The cover is the Bend-It Pearl coverstock, which is taken to a high shine out of the box with 500, 1000 Abralon and a final Factory Finish Polish. This combination of a somewhat higher RG and the smooth shell should let the ball glide extremely freely through the heads while storing a maximum of energy for the backend.
Comparison
Compared to the Columbia 300 Swerve, which uses an early solid cover, the Sideswipe delivers noticeably more length down the boards and reacts considerably sharper at the end of the oil pattern. Against a typical entry-level ball like the Storm Tropical Breeze, the Sideswipe generates a markedly more dynamic hook thanks to its stronger differential. Once the transition sets in and the front part of the lane dries up, the Sideswipe benefits from its pearl shell. It reads friction much later than dull balls and thus carries its energy more efficiently to the pocket.
On the Lanes
The Columbia 300 Sideswipe finds its preferred application on medium to dried-up lane conditions. It is the logical choice if you have to keep moving further inside after the oil pattern breaks down and need a ball that slides through the dry heads without trouble. The late but pronounced hook helps you play steep angles and still generate enough power for optimal carry. On heavily oiled lanes, however, the polished surface lacks the necessary traction, which puts the ball at risk of sliding right through.