- Atlas

First Impressions
Released in July 2023, the Columbia 300 Atlas is designed as an absolute heavyweight for massive oil volumes. Visually, its striking color combination of yellow, teal and black catches the eye immediately. Technically, it marks the debut of the new asymmetric Atlas core, which features a low 2.485 RG, a high 0.054 differential and a strong 0.024 intermediate differential (at 15 lbs). These numbers guarantee an extremely early revup and massive flare potential. This strong engine is wrapped in the Formula 1 Solid Reactive coverstock. This special, chemically aggressive blend comes out of the box with a rough 500/2000 Siaair Micro Pad finish. The result is a ball that practically digs into the lane surface and creates maximum traction instead of skidding across the oil.
Comparison
Within the Columbia 300 lineup, the Atlas positions itself as the strongest "hook monster" in a long time, surpassing even the Columbia 300 Speed in overall hook. While the Speed (and its successors such as the High Speed) emphasized more length and a stronger backend reaction, the Atlas reads the lane considerably earlier. Compared to a segment leader like the Roto Grip Gem, the Atlas is similarly dominant in the midlane, but in the transition into the roll phase it often looks a touch rounder and more continuous. Taking the Hammer Black Widow 2.0 as a reference, the Atlas offers noticeably more traction in oil thanks to its rougher surface and more massive core block, along with a more stable, heavier roll phase, but it gives up some of the Widow's typical late aggressiveness off the backend.
On the Lanes
The Columbia 300 Atlas is the ultimate solution for heavy oil and long sport patterns. It absolutely requires oil in the heads so it doesn't burn up its energy right away. Its main job is to create traction when other balls are skidding. It works excellently at the start of a tournament on fresh oil, to read the boards and establish a line. If you throw the ball fast (speed dominant), it's an indispensable tool, since the ball slows down and hooks on its own without you having to manipulate your hand position. Once the heads dry up, though, it should be put away, as it will then roll out too early and lose carry.