The Best Axiom & MVP Understable Drivers
MVP and Axiom have such a wide selection of understable drivers, it's hard to decide where to begin. I curated this list of their best options, from slow control drivers that carve up the woods to super fast speed demons that flex across open fairways. But first, let's answer the question: why throw an understable disc at all?
What makes a driver understable?
Discs with a negative turn, high glide, and low fade ratings are considered understable. This combination of flight characteristics make understable discs ideal for hyzer flips, turnovers, and rollers. For a deep dive into how flight ratings work, check out my post Disc Numbers Explained Simply.
Because of their extra turn and glide, understable discs are the best options for beginners and low-power players. These drivers take less speed and spin to achieve maximum distance. For advanced arms, these discs are still handy for maximum distance flex shots, tailwind drives, uphill throws, and rollers. However, because of the low fade ratings, they are less predictable.
MVP Relay
Flight Ratings
- Speed: 6
- Glide: 5
- Turn: -2
- Fade: 1
Dimensions
- Height: 1.4cm
- Diameter: 21.1cm
- Rim Depth: 1.1cm
- Rim Width: 1.6cm
Popular Plastics
- Neutron
The underrated Relay has the exact same specs as an Innova Leopard, which is a disc that has long been one of the most popular beginner drivers on the market. With solid turn and a comfortable rim, the Relay is a perfect introduction to the MVP/Axiom lineup.
This versatile disc offers maximum control and accuracy. Unlike the faster and more aggressive discs on this list, the Relay is great for playing conservative and keeping it in the middle of the fairway, especially on heavily wooded courses.
We have a number of Relays available now in beautiful Cosmic Neutron plastic.
Axiom Crave
Flight Ratings
- Speed: 6.5
- Glide: 5
- Turn: -1
- Fade: 1
Dimensions
- Height: 1.4cm
- Diameter: 21.1cm
- Rim Depth: 1.2cm
- Rim Width: 1.7cm
Popular Plastics
- Plasma
- Nuetron
- Fission
- Proton
While it has a subtle turn, the Crave's lack of low speed fade and high glide potential allow it to hit lines that are traditionally reserved for very understable discs. With moderate power it will hold a turnover line, and with full power it will flip up to flat and glide straight. It is slow and controllable, so players of all skill levels will find success with the Crave.
Axiom has pumped out the Crave in a wide variety of plastic blends. For a very understable version, check out the Fission Crave, available in our store now. This unique lightweight blend has air bubbles in the rim. The turn rating will be much higher in this plastic. We also have it available in the more stable Plasma blend.
MVP made big news by signing popular pro Simon Lizotte earlier this year, and he put the Crave in his bag for the 2023 season. In his "In The Bag" video he explains how he likes it for hyzer flips shots that get a bit of anhyzer drift:
Axiom Rhythm
Flight Ratings
- Speed: 7
- Glide: 5
- Turn: -2
- Fade: 1
Dimensions
- Height: 1.5cm
- Diameter: 21.2cm
- Rim Depth: 1.2cm
- Rim Width: 1.7cm
Popular Plastics
- Neutron
The Rhythm is a beginner-friendly disc released in 2022. This point-and-shoot control driver is meant to be thrown straight in the 250-350 foot range. When thrown with moderate power, it has enough turn to get a little flip and glide. The Rhythm is relatively slow for a driver, but that means it comes with a narrow and easy-to-grip rim.
This is the type of disc that is meant to be thrown on heavily wooded courses. A bit of turn and minimal fade allows players to fly down a tunnel without worrying about the disc skipping off fairway on the finish. Just make a smooth and controlled throw and let the Rhythm's natural inclinations take over.
As a newer model, the Rhythm is in short supply, and has only been released in Neutron plastic. We have a number of Special Edition Neutron Rhythms in stock now, so grab one while they're still available.
Axiom Virus
Flight Ratings
- Speed: 9
- Glide: 5
- Turn: -3.5
- Fade: 1
Dimensions
- Height: 1.4cm
- Diameter: 21.1cm
- Rim Depth: 1.1cm
- Rim Width: 1.9cm
Popular Plastics
- Neutron
The Virus is the second-most understable distance driver in the MVP/Axiom lineup. Its shallow rim and extreme turn make it great for novices or juniors. It doesn't take much power to get the Virus gliding down the fairway.
Developing players will be able to practice hyzer flips, turnovers, and maximum distance lines with the Virus. It has a very shallow rim that will accommodate even the smallest hands. We have it availabe now both the Neutron and Proton varieties.
For players who only throw backhand drives, the Virus is an excellent option for laying down rollers when faced with tricky lines. 2021 World Champion James Conrad is famous for being backhand dominant, and he describes his uses for the Virus in his recent "In the Bag" video.
Check out our review of the Axiom Virus to see how it flies:
MVP Inertia
Flight Ratings
- Speed: 9
- Glide: 5
- Turn: -2
- Fade: 2
Dimensions
- Height: 1.4cm
- Diameter: 21.1cm
- Rim Depth: 1.2cm
- Rim Width: 1.9cm
Popular Plastics
- Neutron
- Plasma
The Inertia is a great introduction to the distance driver category. For newer players, it has the enough turn and glide to instantly add some extra distance. It won't take a lot of power to get it riding on a straight line, making it the perfect disc for beginners to learn high-speed hyzer-flips and turnover shots.
Players with 275-350 feet of power will be able to hyzer flip the Inertia for maximum distance. Those with more power can use it for towering flex lines, but with an accompanying loss of control. It flies true to the flight numbers in the premium Neutron plastic available in our store now.
Axiom Insanity
Flight Ratings
- Speed: 9
- Glide: 5
- Turn: -2
- Fade: 1.5
Dimensions
- Height: 1.4cm
- Diameter: 21.1cm
- Rim Depth: 1.1cm
- Rim Width: 1.9cm
Popular Plastics
- Neutron
- Proton
- Plasma
- Fission
The Insanity is flies like a beaten-in Inertia, meaning it is easier to turn and has a bit less fade. Beginners will love this disc for its shallow and comfortable rim. It's a great disc to help learn how to throw a variety of distance lines.
For most recreational players, the flight will be relatively straight, and even a bit stable in a premium plastic like the durable Proton availabe in our store now. We also have it in the more understable Fission blend, as well as the Neutron and Plasma blends.
MVP Orbital
Flight Ratings
- Speed: 11
- Glide: 5
- Turn: -4.5
- Fade: 1
Dimensions
- Height: 1.4cm
- Diameter: 21.1cm
- Rim Depth: 1.1cm
- Rim Width: 2.2cm
Popular Plastics
- Neutron
No, that's not a typo. The Orbital has a ridiculous -4.5 turn rating. This makes it one of the most understable distance drivers in the world. As such, it serves a niche function in the bag for most players. For beginners and juniors, it will help develop turnover and roller shots.
For situations where you absolutely must have an anhyzer finish, the Orbital can be relied upon to turn hard and never come back. You won't need it every hole or even every round, but in certain situations it will come in handy. We have a number of Neutron Obitals in stock today.
Axiom Vanish
Flight Ratings
- Speed: 11
- Glide: 5
- Turn: -3
- Fade: 2
Dimensions
- Height: 1.5cm
- Diameter: 21.1cm
- Rim Depth: 1.1cm
- Rim Width: 2.2cm
Popular Plastics
- Neutron
- Proton
The Axiom Vanish fills a stability slot between the MVP Orbital and MVP Wave. It has significantly less turn than the Orbital, but will still flip to flat and get a little anhyzer drift right out of the box. As it breaks in, it will develop more and more turn, eventually becoming a reliable roller disc.
Players with 300 feet of power will use the Vanish for maximum distance and a variety of turnover lines. It's a bit too fast to recommend to beginners, but it is a solid introduction to the wide-rimmed max distance driver category.
It will fly very understable in Neutron plastic, especially in some of the lighter weights we have available now. We also have the more overstable Proton plastic version, which will have a more relliable fade and allow for a wider variety of shot shapes.
MVP Wave
Flight Ratings
- Speed: 11
- Glide: 5
- Turn: -2
- Fade: 2
Dimensions
- Height: 1.4cm
- Diameter: 21.1cm
- Rim Depth: 1.1cm
- Rim Width: 2.1cm
Popular Plastics
- Fission
- Neutron
- Plasma
Best described as a faster and longer version of its cousin, the MVP Inertia, the Wave brings a stable to understable flight profile that is power responsive and workable. This disc requires a bit of extra snap to get up to speed, particularly in Neutron and Plasma blends.
Confident beginners should try a Wave in Fission plastic in the 160-170 gram window if they're looking for their first distance driver. Fission has air bubbles in the plastic, allowing for different weight distribution through the disc and enhancing the "gyro" effect MVP is known for.
Watch Sarah Hokom, one of the most prolific female pros in history, extolls the virtues of the Wave in this video:
MVP Catalyst
Flight Ratings
- Speed: 13
- Glide: 6
- Turn: -2
- Fade: 2
Dimensions
- Height: 1.9cm
- Diameter: 21.1cm
- Rim Depth: 1.2cm
- Rim Width: 2.3cm
Popular Plastics
- Neutron
- Proton
Most discs from MVP and Axiom have flat tops and low profiles. This is not the case with the high-domed Catalyst. This gives it extreme 6 glide for such a fast disc. In tailwinds and calm conditions, it will hang in the air and soar down the fairway.
Best suited for intermediate players, the Catalyst will give you easy distance, but it must be earned with some solid power and clean technique. This is a maximum distance workhorse best suited for open fairways that allow for a lot of room for error.
Plastic selection will make a big difference with the Catalyst, as the premium Neutron blend starts off stable and allows for some seasoning for extra turn and glide. The more durable Proton version will have less turn and a more fade, making it useful for straight or even hyzer shots.
MVP Relativity
Flight Ratings
- Speed: 14.5
- Glide: 5.5
- Turn: -3
- Fade: 1.5
Dimensions
- Height: 1.9cm
- Diameter: 21.1cm
- Rim Depth: 1.2cm
- Rim Width: 2.5cm
Popular Plastics
- Neutron
The Relativity is by far the fastest disc on this list, and has a very thick rim to match its extreme speed. It won't be the easiest disc to get a good grip on, but if you can get ahold of it, the Relativity will go very far very quickly.
There is great glide potential with this disc, but it may exacerbate poor release angles. If you miss, you will really miss. But in the right situation, such as a ripping tailwind or an extreme uphill shot, the speed and understability of the Relativity will become very useful.
We have the Relativity availabe now in premium Neutron plastic.
You can shop all of our disc golf discs here.
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