The Innova Metal Flake Thunderbird takes the Thunderbird, a control driver that shares bloodlines with the Teebird and Firebird, and casts it in sparkly Metal Flake Champion plastic.

Flight Numbers: 9 / 5 / 0 / 2

Metal Flake Champion carries the same durability as standard Champion plastic with visible glitter mixed in, and the blend runs stiff, which actually helps grip on cold mornings when softer plastics turn slick. It holds up to years of tree hits without chunking or losing its shine.

New, this disc flies close to straight with a touch of high speed stability and a gentle, controlled fade at the end. It is not the fastest or furthest flying driver in the bag, but it is the one you can reach for no matter the shot in front of you, especially tunnel shots where a wilder driver would clip a branch. Forehand throwers like the way it sits in the hand for a sidearm release, and with the right nose angle it holds a straight line into a headwind better than most fairway drivers at this speed.

Need a workhorse for tunnel shots? The Star Thunderbird gets you the same flight in a grippier plastic, and the Halo Thunderbird adds extra heft to the rim. Shop the rest of the Thunderbird collection.

Speed 9, glide 5, turn 0, fade 2. Diameter 21.2 cm, rim width 1.9 cm, max weight 175 g.