Storm Phaze V Ball Review with Chris Barnes | Beef and Barnzy Reviews

Storm Phaze V Review

Name: Storm Phaze V
Brand: Storm
Rating: 4.9 (45 reviews)

While no longer in production, the Storm Phaze V remains a solid option on the used market for advanced bowlers seeking a strong backend ball for medium-heavy oil conditions. The combination of the Velocity core and R2S Pearl coverstock delivers predictable yet powerful performance.

By BowlingBallVideos.com Staff Tested Apr 22, 2026 7 videos analyzed 45 verified bowler reviews

this brand new phase five has my stock kind of starting drilling up here a tall five to five about a five and a quarter inch pin for me uh obviously it's about two inches from my uh Val uh like I said this one smells like blueberry crumble uh the one thing that is very different about this is it has the brand new reactive gloss finish on it so it is polished again and uh let's see how it looks on the lane I'm going to do my traditional one game uninterrupted I'm going to talk my way through it you can watch it go down the

lane I'll explain what I'm seeing and maybe help you see what some of the same things and at the end I'm going to throw it up against some of the best balls on the marketplace so you can decide where this fits in not only for me but for you in your overall Oceano whoa that's in new house shot here at Lewisville for those of you that watch the night Road

video this is uh there's probably 30 percent more volume on the Lane right now than there was and the puddle has definitely gotten deeper so uh well the night Road hooked I was probably five or six left with the night Road on that house shot on this here uh it would go pretty straight actually

so like you said traditional low RG big flaring core uh a Hallmark of not only the phase two which one of the best balls of all time but uh a lot of the greatest balls ever made tend to be those same type of numbers low RG cores that are symmetrical they roll good on a lot of different things and that's something that's definitely different on some of the other house shot stuff that I've bowled here when

you used to get it there it uh it would either hook a lot or hook not at all so we stayed away from that now the puddle's pretty deep so you actually want to get around it one of the biggest differences about this than any of the other phases is that it has the new reactor gloss on it his 15 are polished same thing we've seen a lot storm line but we haven't seen this reactive gloss yet and this is what replaces the old polish that uh

that came under Fire that one I got a little too far right a little quick and with the fast eight on the Hop which is not really my best effort so far trying to hit about 13. that was a win

you see that puddle's really deep now this is a this is a little bit unusual for uh for what we see here it's a 20 year old hpl surface actually almost 30 year old now uh so it tends to hook a little bit in the front especially these wood approaches so it's cut back into it once you get past it tends to be pretty tight that's even further in ah

just an execution Wizardry right now so hey you want to see what a ball does when you miss this I'm going to show you all of it right now Miss way right and we left all right I'm gonna move five left and throw it slower so you can get an idea of what this does obviously that doesn't work

that's it welcome to Louisville oh well the good news is this ball still retains energy has that long continuation window that we've seen a lot in the phase line in general and really in a lot of balls coming out of the storm plant for quite a bit

foreign even though it's slowed down and rolling and obviously I don't play as much angle as some of the younger guys do but it continues that shape and it's still going that way even through the pins so that's a shape I really love to see now I'm sliding 30. looking about 17. so

a little bit still made it through the puddle so that's good news foreign more like 12 13.

there you go that was almost on purpose she might be able to tell I'm breathing hard now because the whole game of bowling does that to me but uh you notice in the reviews not everyone's in Peak physical condition like the beef and bargie channel so they can't all bowl like this I'm gonna move another three right and get firmer so you can get an idea what this does too

okay it's just a little bit a little bit too strong in the front need a little more time in the back there you go 236 with a phase five well the most obvious ball to throw up against a phase five is a phase four when the marketplace very long also 1500 polish just a different polish obviously it has a lot of yellow in it which in theory historically would tell us would make it hook a little bit sooner but

let's see what it looks like foreign that was in the puddle a little bit and that's where the face five got a little bit longer that one rolled through it now let's try and throw it a little bit right see what it looks like when you get it to the bump

wow came off of it got going forward pretty quick so I would say definitely the phase four rolls a little sooner than the phase five uh these balls I think it's it's going to be an easy you're going to hear a lot that it's basically a phase five uh that the phase five is a phase four replacement it's exactly the same ball I'd say even from those two shots by itself you could tell that's not really the case I'm gonna go ahead and move five left now and then see what it looks like when you move in

got a handful of that now I think it probably rolls in the oil a little bit more but it's going to be a little bit smoother off the dry so overall a little less continuous and uh in the big scheme of things I think the phase five is going to go a couple of feet longer and probably end up about the same amount of overall hook but you're going to have more angle through the pins with the phase five now another ball to test up against the phase five is the Zen and this has very similar core numbers uh within a point basically either way with

both RG and with differential so a Polish 1500 this is uh this is one that came 4K fast that I put polish on we're going to stay in the same place that we did with the phase five and see what it looks like foreign maybe just a touch sharper off the dry there this ball has been one of the best balls

well it's been one of the best selling balls in the history of 900 Global for sure that in the reality uh a shiny bow that hooks as much as a rare thing indeed so we're gonna move our eyes just a little bit left and see what happens a little longer a little less responsive or a little more responsive but in this time in this case it responded to that oil uh my early thing after just two shots would say the Zen is a touch more

responsive uh and gets just a little bit longer than the phase five now we're going to take that same move where we move five boards left and we're going to go around a little bit and see what this ball looks like on that again a little bit longer so in this

case I'd say the phase four is a little bit earlier is then the phase five and I'd say the Zen is probably a little bit longer than the phase five and so far that's where I see these balls kind of fitting together right now another good ball to test up against this end Soul we've seen a lot of this lately in some cases we're seeing people compare it to a phase two and that's kind of where I've used it as myself this one's become Lane polished so it's uh basically that fifteen hundred two thousand and uh and it's Lane shine now so I was

starting that same spot with the other balls what you're seeing in general is I think that one starts up a little bit sooner uh than probably the phase five uh the phase four and the Zen in general which you kind of expect it doesn't come polished so it's probably not a super big surprise

similar core numbers again in the 248050 range I'm going to move a couple boards left now and let's see what it does on this and that's in the puddle that's where the stronger a Little Bit Stronger cover stock a little bit duller color for stock comes into play so a little bit better on the wet dry uh we'll move in five more on this last shot and get an idea what it looks like from in there

again this is a couple more left of where we were with the phase five so overall I would say the Zen Soul probably hooks two to three boards more than the phase five it's going to be two to three feet sooner and a little smoother so if you're in some place where they're a little drier uh got some hook in the front the phase five will be much better I think the Zen sole will probably come into play if you have more oil in the front more volume overall that duller cover will help you get

through that five from Storm 248-051 1500 polish with reactor gloss and smells like blueberry crumbles watch this in more videos and see how this ball compares to everything else in the lineup on the beef and Barney Channel we'll see you next time

Auto-generated transcript · 1,725 words

8.9

Overall

Great Score

Weight

12-16 lbs

Coverstock

Pearl

Core

Symmetric

Hook

Medium

Performance Analysis

Testing revealed that the Storm Phaze V delivers notably longer length through the oil compared to its predecessor, the Phaze IV, while maintaining a smoother, more controlled backend reaction. On the test house shot—a fresh, heavily oiled pattern with significant volume—the ball demonstrated excellent energy retention and a prolonged continuation window characteristic of the Phaze line. The new Reactive Gloss finish proved to be a key differentiator; independent reviewers observed that this polished coverstock allows the ball to read the lanes more conservatively in heavy oil, creating a later, more angular entry angle at the pins compared to duller reactive pearls. When positioned in similar release angles across multiple shots, the Phaze V tracked approximately two to three boards right of the Zen Soul and carried marginally longer than the Phaze IV, suggesting it occupies a distinct performance window rather than serving as a direct replacement.

Comparative testing against the Phaze IV, Zen Soul, and Zen Soul Elite highlighted the Phaze V’s versatility on medium-heavy oil conditions. The polished Reactive Gloss finish generated more length through the puddle than expected, with the ball continuing downlane even after navigating deep oil volumes. On dry backends, the coverstock remained responsive without being overly aggressive—a balance that testers found particularly useful for house shots where lane oil distribution is uneven. One notable advantage emerged when bowlers adjusted their angles: the Phaze V’s symmetric core and low RG design created consistent performance across multiple release points, reducing the need for dramatic positional changes. However, testing also confirmed this is not a heavy hitting backend ball; rather, it functions as a controlled angular scorer that rewards accuracy and patience.

Who Is This Ball For?

The Phaze V is ideally suited for bowlers transitioning from heavier oil patterns into medium-heavy conditions, or those seeking a more controlled alternative to aggressive reactive pearls. House bowlers who struggle with balls that hook too early or too late will appreciate the Phaze V’s longer read and smoother transition; it performs particularly well when lane oil is fresh and volume is significant. This ball rewards straight-forward, repeatable releases and works best for bowlers who prefer angle through the pins over sharp, sudden hook.

This is not the ball for bowlers playing exclusively in dry or heavily worn conditions, nor for those looking for maximum backend aggression. However, intermediate to advanced bowlers who value consistency and lane versatility will find the Phaze V’s reactive gloss finish and symmetric core design offer reliable performance across varying oil patterns. It pairs well in a bag alongside a heavier-hitting option, serving as the control piece when patterns demand precision over power.

Hook Potential

7.0

Length Through Heads

7.0

Back-End Continuity

8.0

Pin Action

8.0

Versatility

6.0

Value for Money

7.0

The Pros

• Strong backend reaction with controllable motion
• R2S Pearl coverstock provides excellent traction in oil
• Clean length through the front part of the lane

The Cons

• Limited versatility on lighter oil conditions
• May be too aggressive for house shot bowlers

Who Is This Ball For?

Tournament bowlers facing medium-heavy oilAdvanced players seeking strong backend motionBowlers who need length with backend punch

Technical Specifications

Core Details (Storm Velocity Core Core)

RG (15 lbs) 2.48

Differential 0.051

Coverstock Storm R2S Pearl Reactive

Core Type Symmetric

Factory Finish Storm Reacta Gloss

Color Blue / Purple

Scent Blueberry Crumble

Release Date October 2022

How It Compares

9.3

Verified Bowler Reviews (71 reviews, 4.9/5 avg)

4.9out of 5

71 verified purchase reviews

99% of bowlers recommend this ball

Write a Review

Bowlers Say

Bowlers say the Storm Phaze V excels on medium oil conditions with its clean front-to-back motion and strong backend continuation. They praise the R2S pearl coverstock and Velocity core combination for versatility, with many noting it's stronger than expected for a pearl ball. The new Reacta Gloss finish provides better control than previous polished finishes, making it ideal for transitioning as lanes break down.

AI summary of 71 verified purchase reviews

Bowlers frequently mention:

Thomas Hakes Oct 30, 2022

NOT A BAD BANG FOR THE BUCK. EATS UP A LOT OF OIL, BUT CARRIES WELL IN THE BACKEND AND RIDES THE DIFFERENT OIL PATTERNS WELL. BETTER THAN I EXPECTED. I DON'T HAVE MUCH DOWN LANE BETWEEN A 10-12 MP AND REVS DOWN LANE AND WORKS WELL. i THINK A HARDER THROWER WOULD GET MORE ACTION OUT OF IT

IN, United States

Adam Chase Oct 7, 2022

Layout - 5 x 30 Surface - Reacta Gloss The Phaze 5 is the replacement for the USBC discontinued Phaze 4. The Core and Cover combination are the same, but the new Reacta Gloss finish creates a slightly different reaction for the Phaze 5. The Reacta Gloss offers the same clean through the front and strong midlane roll that we expect from the Velocity Core but gives a more rounded and more continuous shape than the Phaze 4. The Phaze 4 gave a more angular backend reaction when compared. I find for my game, that the more rounded backend shape a ball has, the more use it allows for me especially as the lanes become more wet/dry. This is a more ideal shape for most bowlers in today's environments. My league pattern is around 44 feet in length with medium volume. I tend to use stronger asymmetrical cores to start and then ball down to more angular symmetrical cores. The Phaze 5 for me is a great step down from the new Super Nova. The Phaze 5 provides more length in the front and more angle down lane while keeping me in the same zone with my feet. Those who use a Phaze 2 will also see similar results. The new Reacta Gloss finish should bode well with most league conditions and bowling styles as it reads well in the oil and is slightly smoother off the dry boards compared to the Phaze 4. Those who bowl on more oil can take the Reacta Gloss off to see a stronger and smoother overall motion. Adam Chase Storm Staff

United States

Storm Andrew Oct 7, 2022

The 3 latest Storm releases will create instant versatility in your bag and cover a variety of bases for any lane condition. The Super Nova is the strongest of the 3 designed for heavy oil conditions. The Night Road and Phaze 5 are designed for those medium conditions. For those that enjoyed the Proton Physix the shape seen from the Super Nova will be comparable. When battling heavy oil and/or tight conditions the Super Nova will be an excellent selection to manage that environment. The Super Nova has one of the strongest covers Storm manufacturers and compliments this core very well. There is plenty of control with this high end asym and would be a cleaner option against the Gem which is earlier with more arc. The Night Road which boasts a higher RG will be good for those early hooking surfaces early on or as a step down off the bigger balls like the Super Nova. I see this ball fitting in my bag on the early hooking surfaces so I can keep everything in front of me early on without giving away the pocket. I have found the sanded finish provides plenty of blend off the backend as opposed to the stronger angular shapes we seen from the Hy-Road Pearl. Also, do not be afraid to polish this ball to create a longer more angular shape. The Phaze 5 like the other Phaze balls does not disappoint. a direct replacement for the 4 the 5 provides plenty of continuation down lane when making its move off the spot. This ball will go with me everywhere I bowl and be that step down ball off the bigger asym or solid sym's. When you are looking to start creeping in and opening those angles up this ball will be one of your best assets.

United States

Tobias M Oct 17, 2022

The Storm Phaze 5 features R2S Pearl Reactive, Velocity Core, and comes with the new Reacta Gloss finish. The Phaze 5 is the newest ball in the Phaze line and a remake of the Phaze 4. If you were missing the polish on Storm’s balls recently, it is back with the new Reacta Gloss finish. The Phaze 5 was surprisingly clean and round/controlled shape. The Phaze 5 shapes very similar to the Phaze 2 except it is much longer. Compared to the Phaze 4, it is a bit longer and rounder. The Phaze 4 seemed to stand up earlier and sharper off the end of the pattern. For me, the Phaze 5 allows me to move right and play straighter angles. A lot of the houses where I bowl have a ton of friction in the front part of the lane and I have had no issues getting the Phaze 5 through that friction. If you are needing a ball when there is a lot of friction, game two or three in league, or later in tournament blocks then the Phaze 5 will be a perfect fit. Another home run for the Phaze line! Tobias Myers #StormNation

United States

Todd B Oct 19, 2022

The new Storm Phaze 5 features the R2S Pearl Reactive coverstock wrapped around the highly successful Velocity Core found in the Phaze 2 and 3. The Phaze 5 features the new Reacta Gloss factory finish. The RG at 15lbs is 2.48 and the differential is .051. This ball complements the Phaze 2 quite well. For me, the Phaze 5 is the longest and strongest of all the Phazes. The pearl coverstock gets this ball down the lane even further than the Phaze 3 and the backend is definitely more angular than the other Phazes as well. The Phaze 5 allowed me to stay closer to the friction all night and to my surprise did not overhook when I missed to the friction early. This ball is actually a little longer than I expected so I hit the ball with a used 3000 abralon pad just to get the box finish off and the result was exactly what I was looking for. It started up about a foot sooner and smoothed out the backend reaction. The Phaze line has produced another winner with the release of the Phaze 5.

United States

Lonnie Pemberton Nov 3, 2022

Length:43 Volume:High Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):THS [size=14pt][font=arial][u][b]COMMENTS[/b][/u][/font][/size] Core: Velocity Cover: R2S Pearl Finish: 1500-grit Reacta Gloss polish RG: 2.53 (14 lb) Diff: .0.050 (14 lb) Me: Right-Handed Tweener Speed: 12-13 mph Rev Rate: 315 PAP: 4 7/8 Right 3/8 Up Ball Layout: Pin over Bridge 5 1/8 Pin to Pap 2 1/2 Pin Buffer The new Storm Phaze V is the latest release in the Master Line of bowling balls. Like the previous Phaze releases it features the Velocity Core, paired this time with the legendary R2S Pearl. I have yet to throw a ball with this core or this cover that I don't love so the combination has had me very excited since it was announced. This is the first Pearl release in the Phaze like that rolls exactly like I would expect a Pearl Version of the Phaze II to roll. It is clean through the front of the lane and makes a strong even motion in the back-end. It's certainly not as responsive to the friction as the Phaze 4 was, which helps extend the window that it hooks in down-lane. The result is a perfect ball to transition too when your phaze 2 is seeing too much of the middle part of the lane but you still want to control the down-lane reaction without having to worry about the ball not saving energy. I have thrown the Phaze 5 for a few weeks now on our longer heavier house pattern. It is certainly strong enough to close angles down a bit and throw it on the fresh but it's fantastic when the lanes start to transition. My favorite ball motions when you start to see the transition are the ones that let you know the lane is changing without making you pay with a 5 count for not seeing it coming ahead of time. This ball is perfect for that. It also responds well to hand position changes which will keep you in the ball for much longer than you would expect. I see this ball being a staple in tournament bags to compliment the Phaze II. If I find a condition where I don't think it's useful, I'll let you know but it hasn't happened yet and at this point I would be greatly surprised.

United States

Chris Pollentier Nov 10, 2022

Storm Phaze V Coverstock: R2S Pearl Reactive Finish: Reacta Gloss Core: Velocity Core RG: 2.48, Diff: 0.051 (15 lbs) VLS Layout: 4 3/4 x 4 x 2 1/2 Dual Angle Layout: 45 x 4 3/4 x 40 PAP: 5 3/16” right x 5/8” up Rev rate: 400 rpm Average speed: 16.5 mph Location: Prairie Lanes, Sun Prairie WI Pattern: Medium volume THS The Storm Phaze V is the next iteration of the famed Phaze series of bowling balls and features the proven Velocity core paired with the renowned R2S pearl reactive coverstock. The Phaze V replaces the Phaze 4 in Storm’s lineup following USBC’s removal of the Phaze 4 from approved-use in national tournament competition. At first glance, the Phaze V appears to be a direct replacement for the Phaze 4 in that they are the same core/cover combo. However, the major difference (besides the color and blueberry crumble scent) is that Phaze V is the first Storm ball to come with the new Reacta Gloss factory polish finish which replaces the previous 1500-grit factory polish. As a result, Phaze V feels a touch cleaner and is able to change direction harder off the friction downlane compared to Phaze 4. I typically find myself on the fence when it comes to factory polish. There have been some balls where I’ve left the ball shiny and others where I’ve cracked the cover with an Abralon pad. With Phaze V, I wanted to try out the new Reacta Gloss factory polish before making any changes to the surface. For the first 5-6 games I found the reaction to be very sensitive to the oil, but as soon as I moved right the ball immediately checked. I decided knock some of the shine off with a used 1000-grit then 3000-grit Abralon pad by hand, which resulted in a much better reaction by blending out some of the over/under yet retaining that quicker motion on the backend. If you are/were a fan of the original 1500-grit factory polish, I think you’ll be a fan of Reacta Gloss. Even if you’re not a fan I suggest you first give it a try before knocking the shine off. The Phaze V is a perfect step down from the Phaze 2 or Infinite PhysiX and is a step up from balls like the Hyroad Pearl or Night Road. After knocking some of the shine off, I’ve found it to be very versatile and is my go-to for medium volume house patterns and is a great transition ball for both league and tournament play. Bowlers of all styles will get plenty of use out of Phaze V, and it will fill that spot in your tournament bag for when the lanes open up and you can create steeper launch angles. You won’t want to miss out on this one. Chris Pollentier Storm Products Pro Shop Staff #StormNation #CoachzProShop

United States

Showing 1–5 of 45 verified reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

What oil condition is the Storm Phaze V best for?

The Storm Phaze V is designed for medium-heavy oil conditions. It features a reactive pearl coverstock with a Storm Reacta Gloss finish, which gives it the surface traction needed to grip through heavier oil patterns.

Is the Storm Phaze V good for beginners?

The Storm Phaze V offers moderate hook potential, making it a reasonable option for bowlers transitioning from entry-level equipment. It provides enough reaction to help develop a hook shot without being uncontrollable.

What is the RG and differential of the Storm Phaze V?

The Storm Phaze V has an RG of 2.48 and a differential of 0.051. The lower RG means it revs up earlier, creating an earlier roll in the midlane. The high differential creates strong flare potential and aggressive ball motion.

How much does the Storm Phaze V cost?

The Storm Phaze V is priced at varies by retailer. This is a competitive price point for a ball in its performance category. You can find it at BowlersMart.com with free shipping and 60-day returns.

What type of bowler should use the Storm Phaze V?

The Storm Phaze V is best suited for bowlers looking for a predictable, smooth ball motion. With its reactive pearl coverstock on medium-heavy conditions, it works well for a wide range of bowling styles from strokers to tweeners.

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Storm Phaze V Review

Performance Analysis

Performance Analysis