What Paddle to you use?

[Bud]

I heard that all the top paddles in 2026 have a foam core, no more honeycomb.

The Joolas are still HC and the best paddles on the market IMO. Hopefully, they stay with HC as they will be the only top paddle company in the space.

I'm surprised they haven't introduced a line a full foam core paddles yet.

 

[thenewbig3]

Most of the current most popular paddles are foam cores … either EPP or MPP. But … many don’t like the feel of foam … and JOOLA is still top polypropylene core paddle.

They went to foam because poly cores tend to crush (break) … foam has shown to be more durable.

So sad I know this

@ByeByeTennis username is still available

 

[ByeByePoly]

@ByeByeTennis username is still available

ByeByePoly -> ByeByeTennis -> ByeByeWiffle -> ByeBye

 

[ByeByePoly]

The Joolas are still HC and the best paddles on the market IMO. Hopefully, they stay with HC as they will be the only top paddle company in the space.

I'm surprised they haven't introduced a line a full foam core paddles yet.

I hope they get the HC market to themselves and can’t do anything else because of other’s patents.

 

[ChaelAZ]

I heard that all the top paddles in 2026 have a foam core, no more honeycomb.

 

[bobleenov1963]

Most of the current most popular paddles are foam cores … either EPP or MPP. But … many don’t like the feel of foam … and JOOLA is still top polypropylene core paddle.

They went to foam because poly cores tend to crush (break) … foam has shown to be more durable.

So sad I know this

People still buy Joola V paddles even though they are still core crushed because it is still the best paddle, and you can send it back under the warranty. Foam paddles really suck. That's why you do not see many PPA players with foam paddles.

 

[ByeByePoly]

People still buy Joola V paddles even though they are still core crushed because it is still the best paddle, and you can send it back under the warranty. Foam paddles really suck. That's why you do not see many PPA players with foam paddles.

PPA Selkirk Boomstiks (foam) … Jack Sock ,Tama Shimabukuro, Kiora Kunimoto … and in my two indoor facilities Selkirks outnumber JOOLA 10 to 1. Boomstiks multiplied like rabbits … before that it was the JOOLAs. I have not seen a JOOLA Pro V at the courts yet. Not all foam cores are equal … the floating foam cores feel pretty close with bigger sweet spots. I don’t think any paddle feels that great.

 

[nyta2]

just picked up the diadem hush for fun....
if you're a basher/tennis player, hate 3rd/5th shot dropping, can't/won't reset, and don't play tournaments,... this is the paddle for you
spins like crazy (3k rpm says the internet), tons of power (more than my "poor man's boomstick" the ronbus quanta + weights)...
it's like playing with a spongy table tennis bat.

that said, don't get addicted to it, if you do play to play legitimately... but is definitely fun to goof with... ideally 4 hushes on a pb court... becomings a blend of tennis & touch tennis ;P

 

[ByeByePoly]

just picked up the diadem hush for fun....
if you're a basher/tennis player, hate 3rd/5th shot dropping, can't/won't reset, and don't play tournaments,... this is the paddle for you
spins like crazy (3k rpm says the internet), tons of power (more than my "poor man's boomstick" the ronbus quanta + weights)...
it's like playing with a spongy table tennis bat.

that said, don't get addicted to it, if you do play to play legitimately... but is definitely fun to goof with... ideally 4 hushes on a pb court... becomings a blend of tennis & touch tennis ;P

I haven’t ever seen or hit the hush paddle … was always curious. That would be a quick no with the groups I play with now. I don’t play tournaments but many in the groups do.

I was considering buying one of the new durable grit paddles (11six24 Power 2, Spartus P1, Honolulu) … spin lasts longer because grit doesn’t wear off quickly. But lost interest when the actual initial spin gain is marginal. Same spin but longer doesn’t excite me. USAP or USA-A actually allowing 2500+ RPM would. They need to cap or even reduce power (mainly reduce the pop at the kitchen), but up the spin. In rec doubles besides guys banging Boomstiks at each other all game, you would get more test of shot making skills (baseline and transition shot making skills … dinking is boring more spin or not). It would definitely make the PPA pro men’s doubles more entertaining to watch rather than the current dinkfest.

 

[bobleenov1963]

PPA Selkirk Boomstiks (foam) … Jack Sock ,Tama Shimabukuro, Kiora Kunimoto … and in my two indoor facilities Selkirks outnumber JOOLA 10 to 1. Boomstiks multiplied like rabbits … before that it was the JOOLAs. I have not seen a JOOLA Pro V at the courts yet. Not all foam cores are equal … the floating foam cores feel pretty close with bigger sweet spots. I don’t think any paddle feels that great.

I play PB in Beverly Hills, Maryland, DC, and Virginia and Joola outnumber all others like 10 to 1.

 

[PistolPete23]

PP honeycomb has a core crush problem in Gen 3 construction because when they thermoform, everything is heated, the perimeter foam expands, and the softened core is under compressive stress that compromises its structure. You can actually cold form a very durable Gen 3 paddle that won’t core crush nearly as easily. Gearbox’s new honeycomb paddle is an example. There’s also a honeycomb structure that hasn’t been tried before; it could be Gen 5+, but my lips are sealed.

My current favorite paddle is foam core, the Friday Aura elongated. But it took a while for me to break it in. Every other foam paddle feels too planky and hollow in comparison. They feel worse on my elbow than full bed poly strung at high tension in a tennis racquet. No wonder I’m seeing more folks getting tennis elbow playing PB.

 

[ByeByePoly]

PP honeycomb has a core crush problem in Gen 3 construction because when they thermoform, everything is heated, the perimeter foam expands, and the softened core is under compressive stress that compromises its structure. You can actually cold form a very durable Gen 3 paddle that won’t core crush nearly as easily. Gearbox’s new honeycomb paddle is an example. There’s also a honeycomb structure that hasn’t been tried before; it could be Gen 5+, but my lips are sealed.

My current favorite paddle is foam core, the Friday Aura elongated. But it took a while for me to break it in. Every other foam paddle feels too planky and hollow in comparison. They feel worse on my elbow than full bed poly strung at high tension in a tennis racquet. No wonder I’m seeing more folks getting tennis elbow playing PB.

Aura or Aura Pro? I haven’t hit them yet but see they are getting good reviews. The Aura is the diving board and pro full floating.

In my mind … I divide the stiff 1) paddle 2) core (like rackets and strings … but cruder ). By definition thermoformed is stiff … and the foam cores vary within the stiff frame. For example … put CRBN Trufoam on the least stiff core end and RPM Q2 on stiffest end. I find my Vatic V Sol less stiff than the Q2, but much prefer it over Trufoam that I can’t feel enough contact. I have hit the Enhance Turbo EPP and I would say less stiff (more muted) than V Sol Pro. Good … but prefer V Sol Pro.

 

[ByeByePoly]

PP honeycomb has a core crush problem in Gen 3 construction because when they thermoform, everything is heated, the perimeter foam expands, and the softened core is under compressive stress that compromises its structure. You can actually cold form a very durable Gen 3 paddle that won’t core crush nearly as easily. Gearbox’s new honeycomb paddle is an example. There’s also a honeycomb structure that hasn’t been tried before; it could be Gen 5+, but my lips are sealed.

My current favorite paddle is foam core, the Friday Aura elongated. But it took a while for me to break it in. Every other foam paddle feels too planky and hollow in comparison. They feel worse on my elbow than full bed poly strung at high tension in a tennis racquet. No wonder I’m seeing more folks getting tennis elbow playing PB.

I can’t wait for Gen “we ain’t talking about grit anymore”

 

[PistolPete23]

Aura or Aura Pro? I haven’t hit them yet but see they are getting good reviews. The Aura is the diving board and pro full floating.

In my mind … I divide the stiff 1) paddle 2) core (like rackets and strings … but cruder ). By definition thermoformed is stiff … and the foam cores vary within the stiff frame. For example … put CRBN Trufoam on the least stiff core end and RPM Q2 on stiffest end. I find my Vatic V Sol less stiff than the Q2, but much prefer it over Trufoam that I can’t feel enough contact. I have hit the Enhance Turbo EPP and I would say less stiff (more muted) than V Sol Pro. Good … but prefer V Sol Pro.

Aura. It’s dense and “plush” after being broken in. I also like the Friday Fever 102; it also has a softer feel. Tried a friend’s Luzz Inferno. It was horrible.

 

[PistolPete23]

CRBN Barrage 3 is my new main. It has more firepower than the Aura, but like the Aura, it has a dense and solid feel, especially on soft shots. Top level power is elite. I got it as a gift. I would never have spent the money on a Barrage, as it's beyond what I'm willing to spend on a paddle. But if they put durable grit on it, I think it would definitely by worth the price. Every other popular Gen 4 power paddle on the market has a horrible stiff and hollow feel that aggravates the elbow. The Barrage is different. I customized it with 3g tungsten tape at 3 and 9, and 6g of weight on the butt cap, and also a full tennis over grip because I prefer larger grip.

 

[ByeByePoly]

CRBN Barrage 3 is my new main. It has more firepower than the Aura, but like the Aura, it has a dense and solid feel, especially on soft shots. Top level power is elite. I got it as a gift. I would never have spent the money on a Barrage, as it's beyond what I'm willing to spend on a paddle. But if they put durable grit on it, I think it would definitely by worth the price. Every other popular Gen 4 power paddle on the market has a horrible stiff and hollow feel that aggravates the elbow. The Barrage is different. I customized it with 3g tungsten tape at 3 and 9, and 6g of weight on the butt cap, and also a full tennis over grip because I prefer larger grip.

I sent the Aura Pro back. I played one session with it … liked it but not as “different” as I expected based on reviews.

On Monday I revisited a couple of my old pre-foam paddles. First was Vatic Prism. Still a great control paddle but couldn’t go back to it now after “propulsion” cores. Next was the Apes Pulse S … still a great playing/feel … could go back to it. But best was Agassi clone … I just play best with it. I think we will look back on foam cores and ask what were we thinking. I don’t think honeycomb or foam (or grit) are the final answer. I have been thinking about durable grit paddles but unless they start out with significant more spin it matters less to me.

 

[Dae18]

Currently playing with the Kamito Alpha X 16mm with edge guard tape and no lead yet. Had tried/played with the Wika Sport QD Air 16mm and Joola Graf Pro IV 16mm prior

Love it so far and feels like a more plush version of the Aireo Cyclone 16mm but not as bouncy/trampoline effect. Grit is fresh even after playing a 2hrs session and erasing the mark post game

 

[Matthew Lee]

For singles I use the Tecnifibre TF Blitz paddle. Doubles I use the CRBN Genesis 3 paddle.

Used the 1st gen Joola Hyperion and loved it, but I found out how fast Joola paddles get worn through. Especially the older generations. There's also no way in this world I'd ever pay full price for a Joola paddle, too.