The 2027 Easton Dub Darkside looks like the 2026 Dub in a new black finish, not a new performance platform. Easton keeps the USSSA two-piece composite Double Barrel formula, and the retail copy describes the familiar Dub feel and sound carrying into the Darkside edition. Our 2026 Dub experience is the useful baseline here: the heavier drops are its stronger argument, while the -10 is less distinctive. We have not tested the Darkside bats separately, so a new graphic is not evidence of a new performance gain.
Models Overview
Darkside is listed in USSSA drops -10, -8, and -5, each at $399.99. Our current retailer-backed catalog has the -10 in 28 through 31 inches, the -8 in 30 and 31 inches, and the -5 in 30 through 32 inches. The -10 is the control-first choice; the -8 adds mass without jumping all the way to -5; and the -5 is for a hitter who can keep a heavier bat on time. Check the exact retailer size menu before buying because availability can change around launch.
Construction & Technology
This is a two-piece composite USSSA bat with a 2 3/4-inch barrel. Easton's 2X Double Barrel system pairs a lower-compression outer barrel with an inner barrel. Retailers also list ConneXion Max, an Opti-Flex handle, and the Gen2 In2uitiv soft knob. Those are design claims, not measurements from a Darkside test. The black DUBLVZN finish is the visible change: its top graphic is designed to reveal more artwork with use.
Performance Comparison
The 2026 Dub is the direct comparison, not the older Hype Fire. The Darkside's listed build and three-drop structure match the Dub platform, and no confirmed barrel or connection redesign appears in the available retail information. Our 2026 testing found a firmer, power-leaning bat that made its best case in -8 and -5. That is a reasonable buying baseline, but we will not transfer a measured result or durability verdict to the Darkside until we swing it. Our catalog records $500 for the 2026 Dub and $399.99 for Darkside; compare current checkout prices, not just MSRP.
Comparable Bats
Start with the 2026 Easton Dub because it is the closest known bat. The 2026 DeMarini Zen is the lighter-swinging USSSA alternative for a hitter who prioritizes easy barrel control. The 2024 Rawlings Icon is another premium composite comparison if the hitter wants to test a different barrel feel before choosing the Dub platform.
Overall grade: A
Overall grade: A
Overall grade: A
The Bottom Line
Darkside is a familiar Dub proposition with a distinctive finish and a lower listed price than the original 2026 Dub in our catalog. Treat it as a cosmetic edition until a side-by-side test shows otherwise. The -8 and -5 remain the most interesting drops for players who can handle them.