Matt’s Pickleball Podcast

Bobby and I each pick our favorite pickleball paddles of 2026, and the Spartus Spitfire is still a no-brainer. CPX founder Kyle Sulkar joins us on the Hyper Plus delisting and how CPX now plans to test paddles before they ship. Then the new arrivals: the Enhance Echo MPP, the Arronax Thunder 10 Gen 2 and KVL005, and the restocked Vatic Pro V-Sol Tour with a rougher grit.Code MPB saves you a little at checkout.Every pickleball paddle Black Friday deal I'm tracking, with each price checked against the brand's own store: https://www.mattspickleball.com/blackfridaySpartus Spitfire:https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod10/spitfireBest pickleball paddles of 2026:https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod10/bestBest RPM paddles (Jade, Q2, Friction Pro V2):https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod10/rpmBest durable grit paddles:https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod10/gritEnhance Echo MPP:https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod10/echoArronax Thunder 10 Gen 2:https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod10/thunder-10Arronax KVL005:https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod10/kvl005Vatic Pro V-Sol Tour, all three shapes:https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod10/v-sol-tourFind your next paddle: https://www.mattspickleball.com/findWeekly newsletter: https://newsletter.mattspickleball.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattspickleball/Find your next paddle: https://www.mattspickleball.com/findCompare any two paddles side by side: https://www.mattspickleball.com/compareWeekly newsletter: https://newsletter.mattspickleball.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattspickleball/Use code MPB at checkout in most places.0:00 Intro & CPX Founder Kyle Sulkar on the Hyper Plus Delisting7:41 Does Paddle Break-In Make Foam Hotter?12:24 CPX Hyper Plus 2, Ripsaw and Deflection Testing20:36 Our Favorite Pickleball Paddles of 2026: Loco 223:06 11SIX24 Ultre Power 2 and HexGrit26:14 Spartus Spitfire and Six Zero Coral Pro30:59 RPM Friction Pro V2 and Honolulu J2CR35:13 Volair Command Hybrid and the RPM Lineup41:37 Honolulu J6CR M105 and Honorable Mentions47:44 Vatic Pro V-Sol Tour Restock and Its Rougher Grit55:15 Arronax Thunder 10 Gen 2 and KVL0051:04:17 Enhance Echo MPP and Next Week's Mailbag#pickleball #pickleballpaddle #pickleballpodcast #spartusspitfire #enhancepickleball #arronax #vaticpro

Is the Selkirk Boomstik ST worth $350? It's the follow-up to the original Boomstik, it's poppier, and it launches November 10. Then the new arrivals: a Honolulu J6CR M105 that doesn't play like a typical MPP core, two new Paddletek paddles, and Thomas Wilson's first paddle, the Witness Rival. Plus the Gearbox Pressure X hybrids, Reply (Gearbox's renewable grit for the Pressure X), our favorite overgrips, the bags we finally got to, RPM's three-replacement Jade warranty, and the paddle USA Pickleball just pulled from its approved list.Selkirk Code: INF-MPBEverything Else Code: MPBSelkirk Boomstik ST:https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod9/boomstik-stBoomstik ST vs the original Boomstik: https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod9/boomstik-st-vs-boomstikHonolulu J6CR M105: https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod9/j6cr-m105Paddletek Bantam Jolt: https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod9/joltPaddletek Tempest Veyra: https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod9/veyraWitness Rival: https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod9/rivalGearbox Pressure X Hybrid 8E vs 8M: https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod9/pressure-xBest pickleball bags: https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod9/bagsFind your next paddle: https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod9/findWeekly newsletter: https://newsletter.mattspickleball.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattspickleball/Use code MPB at checkout on most paddles I review.0:00 Intro & Selkirk Boomstik ST1:20 Is a $350 Paddle Worth It? Who Buys the Boomstik ST5:33 Boomstik ST Grit and Sharktooth Groove8:20 Boomstik ST vs Original Boomstik On Court16:29 Honolulu J6CR M105: Not Like an MPP Core22:34 Paddletek Tempest Veyra27:20 Paddletek Bantam Jolt31:11 Witness Rival: Thomas Wilson's First Paddle37:15 Gearbox Pressure X Hybrid 8E vs 8M39:17 Gearbox Reply: Renewable Grit Explained46:26 Best Pickleball Overgrips: Dry vs Tacky57:28 Pickleball Bags: Franklin, Friday, Ram Sports, Selkirk1:09:19 Selkirk Code Red and CourtStrike 31:12:15 Brick Wall Pro Series: Which Paddles Win Medals1:18:43 RPM Jade Warranty: Three Free Replacements1:27:13 USA Pickleball Delists the CPX Hyper Plus1:30:26 Mailbag: Matching Swing Weight and Court Speed#pickleball #pickleballpaddle #selkirk #BoomstikST #paddletek #gearbox #pickleballpodcast

Is JOOLA's next pickleball paddle, the Pro 6, not foam? That rumor kicks off a bigger question: is foam the end of paddle tech, or is something better coming?This episode comes from you. Your RPM Jade reports, Bobby's November tournament pick, our favorite pickleball shoes (and one we can't agree on), and a new ball that might be the fastest one yet.Code MPB works at RPM and Bread & Butter.RPM Jade 16mm: https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod8/jadeRPM Jade 14mm: https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod8/jade-14RPM Jade vs Loco 2: https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod8/jade-vs-loco-2Best JOOLA paddles: https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod8/joolaBest pickleball shoes: https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod8/shoesBest pickleball balls: https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod8/ballsFind your next paddle: https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod8/find0:00 Intro and the HEAD Revolt Fight1:28 Lob Poll Results3:53 RPM Jade Rattle and Raised Ridge Reports13:11 RPM Jade Break-In: 3 Games or 20 Hours?27:43 Bobby's November Pick: RPM Jade vs Loco 232:20 Is Foam the End of Paddle Tech?36:55 JOOLA Pro 6 Rumor and the Last Real Leap42:29 Same Paddle, New Grit: Loco 2 and Relaunches46:25 Can Big Brands Innovate? Wilson Vesper53:06 Gen 3 Holdouts and What Feel Words Mean1:05:42 Our Favorite Pickleball Shoes (and the Worst)1:23:33 Selkirk S2 Pro vs Life Time Pro 48 vs Franklin X44#pickleball #pickleballpaddle #joola #rpmjade #pickleballshoes #pickleballpodcast

Bobby can't decide between the RPM Jade and the Bread & Butter Loco 2 for his November tournaments. I can, even though my Jade felt like a board in my first session. The Loco 2 plays like the original Loco with a better surface, and it sounds a little hollower.We also go through your guesses on HexGrit, the patents nobody has granted yet, and the optics of two rulebooks (USA Pickleball and UPA). We finish with grit tiers, getting lobbed in higher-level rec games, the PikPok Croc Hunter, and RPM's Diesel prototype, which breaks the size rule for now. RPM says the final version will be legal.Code MPB works at RPM and Bread & Butter.RPM Jade vs Loco 2: https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod7/jade-vs-loco-2RPM Jade: https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod7/jadeLoco 2, elongated vs hybrid: https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod7/loco-2RPM Diesel: https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod7/dieselPikPok Croc Hunter: https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod7/croc-hunter11SIX24 and HexGrit: https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod7/11six24Find your next paddle: https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod7/find0:00 Cold Open: The RPM Diesel0:16 HexGrit: Your Guesses and the Patents10:25 Two Rule Books: USA Pickleball vs UPA19:08 USA Pickleball, Shiny Edge Guards and the Franklin X4427:21 UPA, the Jason Aspes Email and Consolidation35:29 UPA and the JOOLA 3S Approval41:53 RPM Jade One Week Later52:25 Bread & Butter Loco 2 vs Loco 157:21 Are Grit Tiers Useful?1:09:36 Getting Lobbed in Rec Games1:14:53 PikPok Croc Hunter1:16:40 RPM Diesel Prototype#pickleball #pickleballpaddle #rpmjade #loco2 #hexgrit #pickleballpodcast

11SIX24 founder David Groechel joins us to talk about HexGrit, which he developed with a pizza oven in his warehouse, and why he went UPA-A only. He's working on Power 3, and his Gen 3 paddles with HexGrit all failed approval, so it's back to the drawing board (bummer!). We also get into Volair licensing HexGrit, the shoes he's making, and the owner who told him they weren't going to take his grit. Then they did.Then Bobby's on the hot seat: was the RPM Jade overhyped? We also hit the Pickle Poppers POP N Rush and the Luzz Cannon XPP.Code MPB works (pretty much everywhere, but also) at 11SIX24, RPM, Pickle Poppers and Luzz.RPM Jade: https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod6/jade11SIX24 lineup: https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod6/11six2411SIX24 Jelly Bean 2: https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod6/jelly-bean-211SIX24 Power 2: https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod6/power-2Pickle Poppers POP N Rush: https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod6/pop-n-rushLuzz Cannon XPP: https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod6/cannon-xppFind your next paddle: https://www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod6/find

Engage Pickleball founder Robert Elliott made his first paddle because his wife couldn't feel the ball, and within a year of launching, Engage was making over 100 paddles a day. He talks about cutting paddles with a table saw, leaving "Made in USA," why the X2 is his favorite over the X3 Pro, and why he thinks hot paddles make people play worse.

Then Bobby and I get into whether the widebody is on its way out, the Loco 2, the Holbrook Fuze with VantaGrit, and the Six Zero Boulder Opal.

Code MPB works at Engage, Bread & Butter and Holbrook.

Engage lineup:

www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod5/engage

Engage X2:

www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod5/x2

Engage Axiom:

www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod5/axiom

Loco 2, elongated vs hybrid:

www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod5/loco-2

Holbrook Fuze VantaGrit:

www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod5/fuze

Best widebody paddles:

www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod5/widebody

Find your next paddle:

www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod5/find

00:00 Intro With Robert Elliott of Engage01:32 Make Me One and How Engage Started10:42 Leaving Made in USA and Going Global21:22 The More You Make the More You Buy26:02 Engage R and D and Paddles With No Foam32:15 Engage X2 vs X2 Pro vs X3 Pro41:28 Why Hot Paddles Make People Play Worse43:14 Is It a Real Paddle Company50:35 Is the Widebody Dying59:04 Enhance ArmorGrit Follow Up01:01:13 Selkirk S2 Pro and Franklin X4401:05:09 The Durable Grit Re Release Wave01:08:09 Bread and Butter Loco 2 vs Loco 101:12:46 Joola Power FX First Hits01:17:49 Six Zero Boulder Opal01:23:44 Arronax KVL00501:24:47 Holbrook Fuze VantaGrit

#pickleball #pickleballpaddle #engagepickleball #engagex2 #pickleballpodcast

Rafael Filippini runs Gearbox, and he brought the inside of the Pressure X with him. We get into what he means by pressurizing a paddle, why the carbon ribs take a thousand pounds to move three millimeters when the foam on its own takes four hundred, why the hottest spot on this face sits an inch and a half from the tip instead of the middle, and why he is not chasing the highest spin number anyone can post on day one.Then Bobby and I go through what showed up this week. The Enhance ArmorGrit Turbo, the Volair CMD HYB with Hex Grit licensed from 11SIX24, the roughest face in my database so far from Wika, the Diadem Edge Flex, the CPX Hyper+, and the Gherkin Draco OP.Code MPB saves you money at Gearbox, Volair and Enhance.

00:00 - The Pressure X 8E and 8M

09:32 - Carbon, Foam and Pressure

24:10 - Break-In and the 1000 Pound Rib

39:51 - Durable Grit and the Long Game

53:29 - Why a Paddle Costs 280 vs 99

01:07:18 - Enhance ArmorGrit Turbo

01:11:10 - Volair CMD HYB

01:17:37 - Wika QD Air Evolution 2

01:19:20 - Diadem Edge Flex

01:22:19 - CPX Hyper Plus and Gherkin Draco

01:29:10 - New from 24SEVEN and Arronax

01:32:05 - The Oct 1 Spin Test and Cert Costs

James Ignatowich runs RPM with his college buddy. In this episode, he says the thing most brand owners will not say out loud: reviewers run the game. I told him I think that is nonsense, and we went at it for a while.He also gets into the RPM Jade, some clever marketing, why the Q2 and the Friction Pro V2 feel close off the face, what a paddle launch really costs when you live at the factory, and the tennis career he had before pickleball.Then Blake and I get into what showed up this week, the Volair CMD HYB and the two new Gearbox Pressure X paddles.Code MPB saves you money at RPM, Volair, Gearbox and Enhance.RPM paddles, every one measured: www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod2/rpmThe Q2 versus the Friction Pro V2, side by side: www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod2/q2-vs-v2Volair CMD HYB: www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod2/cmd-hybBoth Gearbox Pressure X paddles: www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod2/pressure-xEnhance and the ArmorGrit story: www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod2/enhanceFind your next paddle: www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod2/find

We started a podcast!

Blake and I share an interest: PICKLEBALL! You already know I talk about paddles and gear. You might not know Blake yet. You will. She's a pickleball photographer who spends most of her free time at PPA events, so she's around the players and the brands. She picks her paddles on feel and will argue with me about it, which is fun, and you'll see in this first episode. She's also getting me closer to all the news and drama on MLP and the PPA Tour.

We both love this sport and the people that are part of it, and that’s why we are kicking off this podcast journey with someone who represents both of our interests. A PPA Tour player who also founded Eleven Zero Pickleball! And we get into the gear that dropped recently, including some new bags, the 11SIX24 Jelly Bean 2 series, and the RPM Friction Pro V2, and more...

Camila Zilveti and Ava Ignatowich host their own show, Balls Deep:

www.youtube.com/channel/UC2EdLrCOnkWq5s7Em2JtfHQ

Blake Shanks:

www.instagram.com/blakealyxcaptures/

Matt:

www.instagram.com/mattspickleball/

The paddle Tina Pisnik plays blacked out:

www.mattspickleball.com/paddle/ez-speed-e16

2 standout paddles. 1 unforgettable tournament.

Matt breaks down a Gen 3 carbon power build and his favorite foam-core paddle to date from Honolulu Pickleball (the J2NF)—plus gives a behind-the-scenes look at the creator-packed Nerdy Tourney in Vero Beach.

Could the new Bread & Butter prototypes be the next big thing?

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 🧠💥

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.

This episode of Paddle of the Week goes deep—not wide. I’m talking about fewer products with more substance, including the Gearbox GX2 Hyper (my Paddle of the Week), JOOLA Hyperion IV 16mm, Proton Flamingo, and the new recovery kit from Yobow. I also break down standout paddles like the Gherkin Nightshade Hybrid, Gearbox Pro Ultimate Hyper, and revisit the Tecnifibre TF Select 15mm after more court time.

If you’re looking for gear that actually performs—not just what’s trending—you’ll get real-world testing insights, performance metrics, and my unfiltered take on what belongs in your bag.

Try the free Paddle Finder tool → www.mattspickleball.com
Follow on Instagram for early impressions → @mattspickleball
Subscribe to the newsletter for behind-the-scenes updates.

Support the channel and get discounts with code MPB at checkout when available.

Covered in this episode:

• Gearbox GX2 Hyper (Paddle of the Week)

• JOOLA Hyperion IV 16mm

• Proton Flamingo

• Gearbox Pro Ultimate Hyper

• Gherkin Nightshade Hybrid

• Tecnifibre TF Select 15mm

• Yobow BAK PAK+ recovery kit

Let me know what gear you’re using or want me to test next—DMs and comments are always open.

After a week of sun, sweat, and way too many paddles in Mexico, I’m back with Episode 4 of Paddle of the Week—and this one is stacked. The surprise standout? The Tecnifibre TF Select 15mm. It wasn’t even on my radar to win, but the confidence it gave me at the net and from the baseline sealed the deal. Plus, the Gearbox GX2 paddles nearly took the top spot and are some of the most unique feeling paddles I’ve tested lately.

Also in this episode:

• Standout CF4 – consistent all-court performance with punchy control

• Rev Zeus – dense, powerful, no-nonsense Gen 3 build at a fair price

• Pickleball Apes Pulse X – plush, smooth, with Kevlar/Nylon control feel

• Element6 Fuego 14mm – punchy 14mm weapon, but swing weight warning

• Mark Pickleball UnMARKeD – mid-plush Gen 2 build with a forgiving face

• Gearbox GX2 Elongated & Integra XL – SST Carbon Rib Core = plush and punchy

• Gearbox Pro Ultimate Power 14mm – massive swing weight, serious power

• 11SIX24 Vapor Power – one of the best power paddles at its price point

• JOOLA Pro IV 14mm vs 16mm – the 14mm is creeping up my go-to list

🔥 Paddle of the Week: Tecnifibre TF Select 15mm — controlled, confident, and flat-out fun to play with.

I break down swing weights, twist weights, serve speed, punch volleys, and spin performance for each paddle—and where they shine (or fall short) in real play.

🎯 Want paddle help? Use the Paddle Finder: www.mattspickleball.com
📲 Follow daily paddle testing: @mattspickleball
💬 Drop your paddle requests or questions in the comments

🛠️ Support the channel: Use code MPB when buying from most featured brands

Paddles in this episode:

• Tecnifibre TF Select 15mm (🏆 Paddle of the Week)

• Gearbox GX2 Elongated & Integra XL

• Gearbox Pro Ultimate Power 14mm

• JOOLA Pro Perseus IV 14mm & 16mm

• Standout CF4

• Rev Pickleball Zeus

• Pickleball Apes Pulse X

• Element6 Fuego 14mm

• Mark Pickleball UnMARKeD

• 11SIX24 Vapor Power

Let me know what paddles you want to see next. See you in Episode 5.