The State of Pickleball Paddles 2023 Recap
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- čas přidán 24. 07. 2024
- Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
3:40 - Six Zero Ruby Chris' Thoughts
11:13 - New Franklin Paddles
18:10 - The state of Pickleball Paddles in 2023
19:14 - Core Crushed Paddles
31:06 - The Price Drop
36:49 - Anyone Can Make a Good Paddle
41:24 - Did the Gearbox break the game?
50:30 - MoreCompanies Adopting Swingweight
58:55 - Replaceable Faces
1:01:25 - Most Underrated Paddles of the Year
1:07:55 - Most Over Hyped paddle
1:18:24 - trying to get 1% better everyday
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The 3.5 at best Cohost strikes again with his out of focus self. Apologies guys, I tried to tell him. 😂
Will should be fired😂
And he gets hired as a videographer?!?!?!
5.6 at best aperture
@@KenLimPhotography 5.6 aperture would put him in focus :-) I'm guessing 2.0. Sorry Will 🙂
Will sounds like he’s speaking from a pulpit with that church reverb. 😂❤
Can you do a video to help people know when a paddle is worn out? Like when is the peel ply wearing down and how does it look under a microscope? Effect on spin etc.
I would like to see that also!
It puts a smile on my face hearing Will talk about the head gravity tour paddle. I bought a head gravity tour LH brand new for 40 bucks and it’s been a ton fun to play with. IMO, head makes the most underrated paddles on the market.
i have used the 14mm DBD for the past 7 months and today I used the Ruby for the first time...the Ruby feels really good...the pop good, spin good control good.....I was worried the 2 mm was going to feel soft but it was identical to my 14 mm paddle...it is not a bad edition to my paddle collection
Ruby couldn’t dethrone my 14mm DBD. Wasn’t even close. Nice paddle though.
Congrats on all your guys’ success!
I agree with Will’s opinion on the Ruby-feels a little softer to me. And looks great too 👍🏻
Chris you having the new Gearbox re-tested is fantastic. (Almost as good as your first reporting it hits harder over an extended break in... of maybe even 30 hours.)Thanks so much for doing that and for reporting the results. It was your most used, power, elongated you had retested?
Yup!
Enjoyed the podcast. I made it to the kitchen. Merry Christmas 🎄to you and your families.
No complaints on my Gearbox pro elongated, love it; the same with Ruby love it no complaints; the Luxx Selkirk great paddle! Nice video ❤
My brother just sent back his CRBN (delamination and/or core crushing). It does look like CRBN is standing behind their paddles though, so kudos to them.
Yeah, from everything I’ve seen the warranty process is very smooth if you’re okay dealing with it.
My friend had his replaced and (I believe) didn’t have to mail the old one back. Not sure if that’s common though
common. My friend also got his replaced no problem due to delamination/core crushing.@@PickleballStudio
Love the vids. I know it's pretty late, but I would love to see an Electrum Pro II review.
I have both Ruby and Double Black loves them both. When I go to play I swithcing every other game. I also like a lot the Gearbox Pro Elengated and the SElkirk Luxx.
@pickleballstudio you can’t call the Ruby overhyped just because it might not have met you’re higher expectations. 2 simple reasons…a- you’re considering using it which makes it a very budget friendly alternative to the Gearbox! and… b- calling it a minor upgrade to the Double Black Diamond should not be taken lightly! How many awards has that won?! How many people have used that/or do as their go-to tournament paddle? That paddle is $180 and the Ruby is $199, respectively, so it’s literally an upgrade that costs a little bit more! It is a great paddle at the correct price point! Nothing to over hype. It is not being touted the Gearbox killer, that is yet to come! So let’s not call the Ruby over-hyped please!
If I can add anything - I think there's some kind of different "filter" (I don't want to use bias) for those who review paddles. I think they received info about the Ruby being a game changer, when it is only a marginal upgrade to something already excellent. So expectations might have been high - and testing results didn't stack up to expectations. Hard to tell.
I had a very similar reaction. I feel like Chris went so anti-sensational on his review that it almost made the ruby sound "meh". I feel like the Ruby is amazing (coming from 14mm dbd). The only thing left is to see if it stands the test of time.
The Ruby was overhyped. It just came out so for most, the honeymoon period hasn’t ended. It’s a good paddle, but better than the DBD? YMMV
Question??? Would a Hesacore grip help with wrist/elbow pain? Would you recommend one even though it won’t fit all the way up the handle? Thanks!
The podcasts are amazing, thank you both for all the hard work! Can Santa please get Will a new auto focus camera for Christmas??;);)
I like how Will still has a Warrior as his paddle in the opening
Made it to the kitchen in one airing. Mele Kalikimaka 🎄🏝and Happy New Year 🥳
I feel like I've got the same 2 flops in mind that Will was talking about, because I can't think of a 3rd off the top of my head.
1) Engage Ultra
2) Project 005
3) maybe Paddle Tek?
Question!! If you were to pick a paddle for the top 4 pros in pickleball to use instead of their current contract models, what would you give them? Can be for fun or as a cool experiment!
I agree that paddles defintely have been slower after the delamination (core crushing) fears - I wonder if that's part of why the Gearbox line seems so much faster?
Pickleball Slam 2 is in Hollywood, Florida, February 4th and features Sharapova & McEnroe versus Graf & Agassi.
hey guys, in terms of feeling the differences between different paddles, how much more of a difference would a lower level player feel compared to a higher level player?
me being a lower level player i feel like some paddles offer more compensation than others.
I read/watched Braydon Unsicker's review of the Ruby paddle first and then Chris's. Will have to check out Will reviews in the future.
Thanks for your work! I think it would be fun at this point to see a comparison video of old versus new paddles. Like z5 and a top selling Gen1 compared to a DBD, and Gearbox pro maybe top three best old selling. See a side by side comparison and maybe a little footage of playing one against the others. I still play with some very hard hitting z5 warriors who bang shots at high speed and assault my eardrums . Their owners love them though and don't want to change due to light weight and power. I am sure the new paddle companies would appreciate that type of review as well too
I'm going to have to try those nasal strips! My nasal turbinates also switch between being open/closed but I believe that's normal and called the "nasal cycle". But when both my turbinates get swollen, that's no bueno.
My DBD actually delaminated after 4 months of heavy use. 4 tournaments, play multiple times a week for multiple hours at a time. It actually delaminated during a tournament I played and I could tell since my resets just suddenly didn't work and the ball flew off the paddle. The paddle also got a little bit louder.
I'm still gonna keep it around tho. That paddle got me 3 medals out of the 4 tournaments, and it's a cherry blossom so it still looks really nice
@@bart1476 while I do like the pursuit pro, I like the feeling of DBD and the Ruby more, and at cheaper price points and an updated and longer warranty, I can't agree that all thermoformed paddles are crap. Would say that a good portion aren't living a long life and replacing and claiming warranty over and over isn't always worth it, but my experience with 6.0 has been great
love the long episodes.
Thanks for a great year guys. Would making the kitchen six inches longer be good for the game?
Do you have plans to demo/test the Paddletek ALW-C 12.7? Interested in your thoughts on that paddle.
I think Chris did, but I don't know if he tested the 14.3
Diggin the soft focus Will... Glamour (PB) Shots ftw
Potential question for the next pod. Not pickleball related, but I want to know what you use for podcast software, camera, microphone, lighting? Your quality is always better than most so I’m curious.
Flops, Adidas Metal Bone, Pursuit Ultra, Potentially adidas adipower for price point and lack of spin. I want to say the Proxr Cincola, which he left them after they even made him a paddle. but the first two im pretty sure are in your top three list.
You'll be happy you have a bullet proof paddle when you're standing across from me on the kitchen line. Got em
I would think that the flops are Adidas Metabone, Engage Ultra and Franklin STK. I can't think of anything else as it is quite difficult to make a bad paddle anymore.
Definitely agree that the PhD paddle graphic looks like Pho!
absolutely correct, graphics impacts choices for new players. My first paddle was the Vulcan Paddle Candy Sugar Skull bought in part because it looks so cool. Ghost Pickleball has really amazing graphics. Good graphics on good paddles are like icing on the cake like DbD's Cherry Blossom. Even the Engage Pro with the big target looks cool. The Pro's exposed polymer is so barely noticeable with their insert i would not know unless someone told me its there. I donno why they didn't just stick a piece in the Diad18K handle which is totally exposed. I bought the Engage on BF sale for $176 and that SHOULD be its regular price. Forget $333 labs beta testing invite, get the highest priced retail paddle not signed by ben johns- the Clear Ghost for $325. 2024 PB MythBusters: Episode 1: can a pickleball paddles with kevlar can stop a bullet? ). worst paddle 1)Engage Ultra , 2)adidas 3) $999 Joola Perseus because you're never going to play with it ie its unplayable, or the Head Extreme. If I'm correct please send me the perseus as a prize.
As someone coming to pickleball from tennis, my biggest frustration has been the paddles now somehow cost as much a tennis rackets, yet the surface deteriorates relatively quickly and there's no way to renew it without just buying a new paddle for $200. It's so nice that I can simply replace the strings in a tennis racket and the frame, itself, can last years.
There are so many great paddles around or below that $100 mark, but I get what you're saying.
Excited to watch the Orchard finals! Any chance you both predict a surprise upset?
Our paddles up north in Vancouver are core crushing left and right. From my friend group, 5 DBD, 4 Legacy Pro, 1 ghost, 1 lux, 1 B&B. We playing outdoors at 5 to 10 Celsius with franklin and the new Selkirk ball. Do you think the gearbox would hold up any better in terms of core corruption? Mine just arrived. Guess I will find out soon.
Just move indoors would be my decision
the balls are going to be cold and the paddles will be stiff in those conditions...it is NOT a good combination...ask any softball player who plays in Northern US climates
@@Zeitstaubsammlr only indoor courts we have here are community centers. Not great.
Sharapova is practicing for the next pickleballslam. Steffi Graff/Andre Agassi Sharapova/Mcenroe
You talk about paddle with spray on grit from time to time. Do either of you know if there’s a spray made that could be used to refurbish the paddle once the spray on grit has warn off?
There isn’t. It would be illegal (per the USAP rules)
That Luxx paddle on the shelf behind Chris is like the “is it a gold and white dress or blue and black dress” illusion. Is that paddle grey and pink? Or blue and white? 😂
The earlier Legacy paddles had a core crushing problem that made them hit harder and more difficult for the control game.
The new Gearbox Pro Power hits harder the more you play with it, but most chose the Fusion for control. Yet, it might be a game changer…OK.
I understand the materials are different but seems to be the same results in both.
If kevlar has better spin potential, imagine a Gearbox Power Pro with a Kevlar face. Wonder if this is something they would look into
Would you please do a review of Cliff PB Vaurus. It claims a 2800 rotation. Thanks
It doesn’t get 2800 RPM. They measured different than the standard. Its around 1900 RPM
@@PickleballStudio thanks!
'Atomic Habit" Great name for a paddle.
The issue of cores, any info on Selkirk new core (THIKSET) on the LUXX? Are the chamber walls thicker or?? Granted getting patents on materials and use of them is expensive and takes time which keeps us in the dark. Charging so much to re-coop $$ for R&D, marketing, Pro salaries, USA made, seems fair.
Edge guards sticking to the edge foam seems to be the reason for less problems with coming loose. Exposed polymer creates a poor surface to stick to.
Thanks for the update on the grit sheets. Anxiously waiting. Made it to the Kitchen.Good job on the self care. I hate my C-pap.Been threatened with bodily harm multiple times for snoring. Bring ear plugs for your roomates. Nostril spreaders are better than strips.
Some ideas for future:
Top 5 movements/bad habits that cause injury
Drills you guys get the most from
Comparing indoor to outdoor play. I wonder if playing on indoor surface, ball, temporary nets and environment negatively effects outdoor play
Discuss organizing and playing in a league rather than tournaments. Are these popular and on the rise compared to open play.
Related to last: Discuss the need to play with similar level players to advance. There seems to be many less 4.0 and above players than 3.0-3.5. How important is it to be able to play at a similar level in order to advance(a lot?)
Estimate normal duration of paddle usefulness and signs that it is time to change or upgrade.
Engage Ultra, Phantom Obsidium Max, and Adidas metalbone
Did you ever have a chance to try the diadem edge 18k?
Question for the next pod: Unless you’re a professional reviewer (like you guys), how many paddles should you reasonably be using (or have in your bag)? You see guys switching paddles every game (or in the middle of games) and it seems like that can’t be good for your game. What are your thoughts on that?
I can see 2024 paddles will have the faces with 2 different material in one paddle. One face for control/spin and other face is for power/pop.
Biggest flop guesses: (from biggest flop to least flop)
1. Adidas Metalbone
2. Engage Pursuit Ultra
3. Gearbox Pro Series (quality control)
For the record, kevlar only stops a bullet when the fibers are in the loose state, like what’s in a bulletproof vest. Once you bond it in an epoxy or some other binder, it is crap. Equal to carbon fiber.
Agree with Will here on the R1 Nova being a bit overhyped on release. I remember when I first tried it without knowing about the edge grid and just didn't see the point of the paddle, especially at that price point.
For almost half the price you had the Vatic Prisms that had more control, and for a bit more power you could get the R1 Pulsar for $10 less.
I didn't really appreciate the paddle until Dong released his research paper on the edge grid. Though I will say, the improvements in the R3 Nova are pretty nice.
Any info on the new Protons? They are “signing” some top players. I’m also interested in the ALW-C 12mm. LFG!!
They are ones I’m interested in checking.
1. Engage Ultra, 2. Franklin STK. 3. Tough one Vulcan 700 series??? The blue one.
I wonder if jw puts lead on the head of his paddles to get ready for the tour
Maria Sharapova is playing in the second pickleball battle with John McEnroe and Steffie Graff and Andre Agassi
Ok, I am thinking the 3 worst were: The new Franklin, the Engage Ultra, and the new Paddletek.... I am never good at the order, but with that in mind did I pass on the right 3? B-
The Friday paddles actually aren’t paint grit. They’re sandblasted. So the texture is actually built into the surface, not sprayed on top.
what are these nasal strips you use to improve your breathing. i would like to try these out.
Breathe Right extra strength
Flops, Engage Ultra, Joola Perseus, Diadem Edge 18k
what's the Carbon Concepts you speak of??
Thank you, I was going to ask the same thing! 🥊
You guys should review the new Hyperion.
What’s the new Selkirk labs they are alluding to ?
What is your take on old traditional paddle companies, e.g. Prolite and Onix, still producing paddles, but seem to be a generation behind in their technology?
Also, there has been some noise out there that "all white" paddles will be outlawed in 2024. What do you know about this?
Thanks.
Let's call out a new paddle in the market & their pricing. Proton is now in the paddle business. Before they had a release date, they were listed at $180. When they set a release date, a little over a week ago, the paddle was listed at $220. It is suppose to start shipping on 12/20 - today I was going to use a code for 20% off _ till I went to the site and it's now listed for $280. So much for prices going down
That one turned me off too. I wanted to get one, and gladly would’ve at the $220 less 20%, but after taxes and shipping it’s up to almost $250 with the code…tough to justify considering what’s available for less.
@@martinvanderhagen6978 I agree - so that's two sales they lost. Even with a lifetime warranty, 280 for a company's first paddle is nuts.
How is "Reload" going to get around the rules about alterations and additions of paddles? I find it hard to believe that the current rules will allow what they plan to do...
pretty sure you guys are single handedly responsible for pushing the pickleball tech, because you had numbers and meaningful comparisons to backup data, if it weren't for the spin tests, we probably would all still be playing on graphite or fiberglass!
Both you and Braydon were pretty similar on Ruby.
My predictions for biggest flop:
#3 Selkirk 005 - just overall mediocre but priced pretty fairly by Selkirk
#2 Adidas Metalbone - disappointing but should be applauded for the attempt in innovation
#1 Engage Pursuit Ultra - so bad that it was replaced which should also be applauded since Engaged listened to criticism and made a paddle better
Also with Gearbox sponsoring the ppa and the pro paddle situation. We’ve seen this before; Electrum with their early CF face paddles and ProXr with the Zane paddle. Both companies sponsored the ppa, the paddles they had were controversial and the ppa didn’t ban them. I don’t see ppa banning the Gearbox paddles under any circumstance other than too many complaints.
Same list, but switched #2 and 3
If the Engage Pursuit Ultra isn't the biggest flop, I will be shocked. When you have to pull a paddle almost immediately that is a problem. I have been surprised at how much Chris has let Adidas slide on the bone. It was a big miss by a company with unlimited resources.
Electrum Stealth review coming soon?
What about the Ronbus Pulsar over the Nova ?
Metal bone, joola Bj Perseus and maybe energy s pro apes paddle
Our PhD Pro model will have more of D so it doesnt look like PHO hahahahaha thanks for the mention guys
Legend! Haha
@pickleballwill Mexican Aunts and grandmas are the same 😂. So passive aggressive no filter.
No idea what number 3 is, but adidas metalbone at number 2, and whatever the engage was that got deleted from the market has to be number one
So glad I met Pickleball WIll in VA !!
Have other companies copied what Vatic did with the Prism series? I havent seen any but maybe I missed it. Thank you
Rav Pro is a 1.5 paddle... I have never hit it just saw good reviews on it.
@@jimb6683 thanks
Can both of you guys give your top 3 paddle in your bag of the end of the year
Flop of the year Engage Ultra? That was this year I think. First one that came to my mind
The metalbone how could I forget lol
Besides paddles, what other gear innovations do you hope to see in the future of pickleball?
Can you guys host a pickleball CZcams influencer tournament? It would be great to see all the CZcamsrs that review paddles in a tournament!
Haha that will be super fun!
@pickleballwill stop by east Tennessee before you leave!
Question for next podcast:
All jokes aside, what rating would you say you two actually are? I've seen a lot of your gameplay and im genuinely curious.
Thank you 🙏
4.5 for me, 5.0 for Will.
@@PickleballStudio thank you. Would this be the same for singles, and only apply to doubles?
@@malonepickleballAbout the same for both!
I think core crushing is back.
I think there isn't enough information yet to say Kevlar lasts longer, only time will tell!! Lets get 50 hours in and compare some Microscoping view.
Chris, you need to go see a sleep doctor. He can recommend you an oral advancement device (which requires a dentist to make it), which is pretty effective (more than your nasal strips). It is not as cumbersome as CPAP and it is easy to use (just wear it at night). I'm a dentist and I recommend it to my patient (through the sleep doctor prescription). It will save you on a long run!
Yup! It is on my list of things to do.
Flopped paddles:
1) Engage Ultra
2) Birdpickleball - Falcon Elite
3) Selkirk 005
what's up with Will's camera? last week was out of focus and today too... ha, just say the comment about he is a 3.5 camera at best... lol, funny
The 14 tempo is 116
Hair style wise...did you request the 'North Korean Leader' cut?
The way you are describing the damages to the Gearbox, it sounds like a problem with the core. In other words the thing that makes it hit so hard also makes it more likely to fail. That's what happened with the thermo cores when they first came out.
Will, maybe you need to see an Optometrists to improve your focus. This may also improve your play going into 2024. Maybe a Tulsa Optometrist will sponsor Will.
🤣😂😂
For Q&A, what are some things you improved with your games in 2023 and what are you looking to improve in 2024?
FX30 on autofocus Will?? Are you sure the lens didn’t get set to MF? 😂
flops of the year
1. engage ultra
2. selkirk 005
3. adidas metalbone
The echo is killing me!
Worst paddles 1. Paddletek ALW 2. Adidas metalbone 3. Takeya. Dishonorable mention to the Onix 12mm carbon