In this week’s Paddle of the Week, it’s foam vs. firepower in one of the most loaded episodes yet! I test two game-changing foam-core paddles—MUVN GRUVN Foam and the Honolulu Pickleball NF Series—the J2NFT, J2NFL, and J2NFK—up against powerhouse builds from Franklin C45 Dynasty and Holbrook ARMA Metallic T. If you’ve been wondering how foam stacks up against Gen 3 thermoform beasts, you’re about to get answers 🧠💥

Ronbus just dropped the V2 Ripple series. Holbrook’s new ARMA line is making noise. I tested both—plus the Engage Pro1 Innovation and an unreleased power paddle prototype. Spin, power, stiffness, control—it’s all here.

In Episode 11, I dig into six new products: the high-spin Volair V.1F Hybrid, Franklin’s reworked C45 Dynasty and Tempo paddles, the surprisingly solid $99 Friday Fever, the ADV Pickleball Pro Bag, and the FOCOS performance glasses from Brioti. One paddle needed tuning. One blew past expectations.

🧠 Paddle Finder: https://www.mattspickleball.com/pickleball-paddle-finder
📊 Paddle data + rankings: https://www.mattspickleball.com
💬 Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/GrWNZY2EN2
💸 Save with code MPB at checkout on featured gear

4o

Four paddles. Three brands. No clear winner—yet.

In Episode 10 of Paddle of the Week, I put the newly updated Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta 2.0, two all-foam Selkirk Labs Project 008 paddles, and Franklin’s new C45 Dynasty Elongated 14mm and 16mm builds through match play, drills, and league nights. You’ll get actual performance numbers—spin RPM, punch volley speed, serve speed—as well as real on-court feedback.

Want help choosing your next paddle? Try the Paddle Finder at https://fit.mattspickleball.com. It gives tailored recommendations based on how you play—not just what’s popular. You can also filter by swing weight, shape, spin, and other specs that matter. Over 225 paddles are already in the system.

All the paddles in this episode are linked below (with savings codes):
– Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta 2.0 (use code INF-MPB)
– Selkirk Labs Project 008 Maxima + Invikta (use code INF-MPB)
– Franklin C45 Dynasty 14mm + 16mm (use code MPB)

Want behind-the-scenes looks and early paddle impressions? Follow on Instagram @mattspickleball.

Got questions about weighting, paddle shape, or tuning? Drop them in the comments—I answer every one.

What do a Gen 3 foam prototype, a $149 Franklin paddle, a thermoformed Kevlar build, and one of the most stable standard shapes I’ve tested all have in common? They’re all in this week’s lineup.

Welcome to Episode 9 of Paddle of the Week. Each paddle got full court time—drills, match play, and league nights. I focused on real-world performance: feel, power, pop, spin, balance, and more.

Want help finding your next paddle? Use the Paddle Finder at https://fit.mattspickleball.com. It’s free—no email, no spam. You answer a few quick questions and get paddle recommendations based on actual test data. If you're still stuck, reach out—I'm happy to help.

Paddles featured this week:
– TMPR Nimbus
– Bread & Butter Filth Standard 16mm
– Franklin FS Tour Dynasty 14mm
– Honolulu Pickleball J2FC+ (prototype)

Use code MPB at checkout to save on most paddles featured here.

Want behind-the-scenes updates, early impressions, and quick takes? Follow me on Instagram @mattspickleball.

Thanks for watching.

In Episode 8 of Paddle of the Week, we go deeper—not wider. I tested six paddles and one pair of true pickleball shoes across drills, league play, and high-intensity games to find what actually performs when it counts.

The standout? The CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2. Not the flashiest paddle, but maybe the most well-rounded foam-core paddle I’ve tested yet.

🔍 What’s covered:

• HEAD Motion Pro BOA Pickleball Shoes — Dual BOA lacing, court-specific traction, high stability.

• Gearbox GX2 Integra XL — Dead-quiet, ultra-stable, and unlike anything else on the market.

• Gearbox Pro Power Integra 8.1 — A deliberate bruiser that rewards clean swings without chaos.

• Chorus Supercourt EX — $119 paddle punching in the elite spin class. Legit value.

• JOOLA Scorpeus Pro IV 16mm — Dense, stable, widebody control with excellent balance and feel.

• Selkirk Labs Project 008 10mm — A full foam paddle that’s fast, firm, and fully modifiable.

• CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 — Foam-core done right. Forgiving, spin-friendly, and deceptively powerful.

💬 Use code MPB to save on most gear featured in this episode.

🛠 Paddle Finder: https://fit.mattspickleball.com/
📬 Sign up for the newsletter for early test insights & exclusive drops
📸 Follow behind the scenes: Instagram @mattspickleball
💬 Chat gear with others in the Matt’s Pickleball Discord (link below)

Paddles Featured:

• Gearbox GX2 Integra XL

• Gearbox Pro Power Integra 8.1

• Chorus Supercourt EX

• JOOLA Scorpeus Pro IV 16mm

• Selkirk Labs Project 008 (10mm)

• CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 — Paddle of the Week

Bonus Gear:

• HEAD Motion Pro BOA Pickleball Shoes

This one’s for the real players—if you care about stability, shape, build quality, and subtle differences in how paddles load and release energy, you’ll find something here.

Which paddle are you testing right now? Drop it in the comments and let me know what should make the cut next week.

Episode 7 is here—and this week, we’ve got a clear Paddle of the Week winner: the Gherkin Nightshade Elongated 14mm. It’s not just about spin or power—it’s about balance, control, and that rare “just right” feel that works at any tempo.

But that’s not all. I tested 8 different paddles across 6 brands—plus a pickleball-specific shoe that surprised me with how well it’s holding up.

🔹 Here’s what we cover:

• SQAIRZ Pro XRZ Shoes — Purpose-built design, serious traction, wide toe box, and subtle performance details that actually matter.

• Vatic Pro Saga Flash & V7 14mm — Faster, lighter, crisper than the 16mm Saga. These new thermo builds are all about hand speed and pop—without head heaviness.

• Avoura Rhapsody 13 — Gen 1 simplicity done right. Ultra-maneuverable, plush, and consistent—like a stock paddle version of my Alpha 1 mod.

• JOOLA Scorpeus Pro IV (14mm & 16mm) — Gen 3 thermoform in a shorter, wider format. More lateral forgiveness, faster response, and excellent stability.

• 11SIX24 Hurache-X Lineup (Jelly Bean, All-Court, Power) — Same mold, three feels. Pick your layup, keep your swing. Each one plays completely different.

• Gherkin Nightshade Elongated 14mm — Clean, stable, and shockingly composed for a 14mm. At $120, it’s the best value of the week—and the clear winner.

🔧 Use code MPB to save on most gear featured in this episode.

🧠 Need help picking the right paddle?
Try the Paddle Finder at www.mattspickleball.com — No email. No fluff. Just data-backed recommendations.

📩 Want early test insights and paddle drops? Sign up for the newsletter at mattspickleball.com.
📸 For first impressions, B-roll previews, and unreleased thoughts, follow @mattspickleball on Instagram.

💬 Join the Matt’s Pickleball Discord — new, free, and open to anyone who wants to dig deeper into gear.

Paddles Featured:

• Vatic Pro Saga Flash 14mm

• Vatic Pro Saga V7 14mm

• Avoura Rhapsody 13

• JOOLA Scorpeus Pro IV 14mm

• JOOLA Scorpeus Pro IV 16mm

• 11SIX24 Hurache-X Jelly Bean

• 11SIX24 Hurache-X All-Court

• 11SIX24 Hurache-X Power

• Gherkin Nightshade Hybrid

• Gherkin Nightshade Elongated 14mm — Paddle of the Week

See you in Episode 8.

Episode 6 of Paddle of the Week is here—and this time, I’m not naming a winner. After a full week of paddle testing across 13+ builds, nothing stood out enough to take the crown. But that doesn’t mean it was a wasted week—far from it. This episode is still packed with analysis.

Here’s what I cover:

• Diadem Warrior BluCore: First look at the Standard 14mm and Max 16mm. EPP foam core, unique feel, and serious speed—but a frustrating edge guard for modders.

• Gearbox GX2 Hyper: The stealth standout. One of the quietest, most composed paddles I’ve tested. Sneaky power, elite build, and incredibly refined.

• Bread & Butter Filth Hybrid: Same guts, new shape. More maneuverable and more forgiving than the original. Solid evolution.

• Gladiator Advanced II: Lightweight and fast—but unstable and overpriced. Twist weight issues make this one hard to recommend right now.

• JOOLA Hyperion IV 16mm: More aggressive than the Perseus IV. Clean feel, solid spin, and a balance that favors quick attacks.

• JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16mm: Still trending upward for me. Predictable, composed, and the one I’d use if I had to compete today.

• Honolulu J2K: The paddle I reach for when I need to reset. It centers my game when testing overload kicks in.

• Proton Flamingo: Still in the mix. Still earning court time. And yes, still back again.

• Revolin Drift Series: Flax and basalt fiber face? Yup. Plush, quiet, arm-friendly—and made in the USA. The Drift Pure and Drift Reach both impressed.

🔥 Why no Paddle of the Week?
Because nothing earned it. The bar is high—and I’m not dropping picks just to keep the streak alive. When the right one shows up, you’ll know.

👉 Need help choosing a paddle?
Try the Paddle Finder at www.mattspickleball.com
It’s free, fast, and based on real testing—not marketing fluff.

📲 For early impressions and behind-the-scenes updates, follow me on Instagram: @mattspickleball
💬 Questions or testing requests? Drop them in the comments.

🛠️ Support the channel: Use code MPB to save on most featured brands.

Paddles featured this episode:

• Diadem Warrior BluCore (Standard 14mm, Max 16mm)

• Gearbox GX2 Hyper

• Bread & Butter Filth Hybrid

• Gladiator Advanced II

• JOOLA Hyperion IV 16mm

• JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16mm

• Honolulu Pickleball J2K

• Proton Flamingo

• Revolin Drift Pure & Drift Reach

See you in the next one.