2016 Louisville Slugger Xeno Review

The Xeno Plus featured iST Technology with additional mass strategically placed in the barrel. The zero-friction double disc connection minimized vibration while maximizing energy transfer.

The 2016 XENO PLUS, like previous year's versions, is a balanced bat with a gigantic sweet spot and reduced vibration. The bat continues to have the smashing sound that has made it recognizable on ballparks across America. The 2016 Xeno, like previous years as well, continues to be a double walled bat. This structure allows the outside and inside layer to work for maximum allowable pop with the right amount of durability. This year's XENO, when compared to the 2015 version, comes with a thinner walled outer shell. This newer composite design is referred to a PLUS Composite---hence, the XENO PLUS name. This thin walled PLUS composite gets the bat much closer to maximum performance standards straight out of the wrapper. Some hitters are claiming they need no work in period on the composite barrel for. Our experience appeared to confirm this---although it is impossible to really tell with just one bat.

The most similar bat to the 2016 XENO PLUS is its sister bat: the 2016 Louisville Slugger LXT PLUS. Both bats are full composites with light swing weights, double walls, and the hot out-of-the-wrapper feel (because of the PLUS composite). The XENO, in comparison, is more forgiving on mishits with its vibration dampening connective piece. On the whole, Collegiate teams tend to flock more towards the LXT because of its truer feedback with vibration while younger players tend to prefer the Slugger XENO PLUS. But, of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. If we were forced outside the brand to find a similar bat, we'd suggest, maybe, the 2016 2 Legit from Worth.