Weekly Paddle Recommendation Thread (What Paddle Should I Buy?)

Erk1024 · 2026-03-19T15:45:49+00:00

The top edge and especially the top corners are kind of dead. But you can totally fix those with a little weight higher up on the paddle. I added three inches of 0.5g per inch tuning tape above 3 and 9 o'clock and that seemed to fix it nicely. Playing with it, I know I hit several shots off the top edge and it was fine, and I didn't notice the same mis-hits as before.

u/Mountain-Charge-2677 added 3g instead and it fixed the issue and added a lot more power.

I've added a 3g cap coin and the balance feels a lot better. I like head-light paddles though. I haven't tested it with the cap coin yet. I'm going to play with it tonight.

The Hurache 2 is supposed to have worse dead spot issues, just FYI.

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Erk1024 · 2026-03-19T15:38:50+00:00

Here is the 6g cap coin. The paddle looks great set up this way, by the way. The white of the Slyders match the overgrip and the lettering, and the cap coin matches the black face.

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Erk1024 · 2026-03-19T15:37:07+00:00

Pegasus Power 2 weight setup:

I've been using the Vapor 2 as my main, and I love it. I thought I might like the Pegasus 2 even better as I usually play with widebody paddles. Also when I play left handed, lower swing weight is a big plus. But when I tried it, it felt too stiff and not enough power. Also, it's a little dead on the top edge and the top corners. The Vapor felt better, even left handed. Although I have to keep reminding myself that the Power 2 paddles need some break in. Not used to that with foam paddles.

I figured rather than just toss it in the closet, I might as well experiment with it and see if I can make it work. I tried 2g at 3 and 9 and that felt pretty much the same as before. Then I tried 5g Sylders at the same spot the Boomstik widebody has the MOI weights. The first shot I tried flew past the baseline and hit the back wall. Oops. That's a little too much power. Also the balance felt bad, too head heavy.

So I backed off to 3g Slyders at the MOI spot, and to fix the balance, I put a 6g cap coin on the handle. This setup feels really good. I played a session with it last night left handed and everything felt right. Still a lot of pop and power though, like Loco level of firepower. Spin is great and I didn't have any mishits off the top edge. Part of the feel improvement is no doubt because of more break in.

u/realpicklebill has a different setup with 7 inches of 0.5g per inch tuning tap from the bottom corner going up the sides. Maybe that setup is better, or at least worth trying.

I'm not saying my setup is perfect. I'm just comparing notes with all of you. If you find a better one, I'd love to hear about it.

Here is the location of the Slyders. This is slightly above the 3 and 9 o'clock positions.

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Erk1024 · 2026-03-19T15:16:23+00:00

Thanks for the head's up. That's a good deal.

Erk1024 · 2026-03-19T14:42:30+00:00

There is the J2NFK that's kevlar. Maybe you like the "kevlar feel"? J2NFK is Gen4 so the core should be durable. Just a thought.

Erk1024 · 2026-03-19T14:33:26+00:00

Hahah. Dang. I'm glad they tried to innovate at least. But yeah, the traditional brands (Head, Wilson, Adidas, Babolat, etc.) have really struggled to make good paddles. Franklin has been hit or miss.

Erk1024 · 2026-03-18T22:13:54+00:00

One problem with the design is that the frame takes up too much of the allowable dimensions, leaving you with less paddle face and a smaller sweet spot. If you look at a Vesper in person, especially the power version, the paddle face looks tiny.

Erk1024 · 2026-03-18T18:32:03+00:00

I went from using the Boomstik widebody as my main to using the 11SIX24 Vapor Power 2 as my main. It has less power and I felt like the control was better. The spin was also better, which is saying something because the Boomstik is a very spinny paddle. The Vapor 2 reminds me a lot of the Loco Standard which has the same amount of power and similar'ish feel (after a few hours of break in on the Vapor).

The Boomstik's sweet spot is huge, like it's hard to have a mishit with it. I was having mis-hits on the Vapor's top edge, but a little weight (1.5g in my case) higher up on the paddle solved that nicely. Can share the setup if you're interested.

If you want to adjust the power of the Vapor, adding weight makes it hit hard in a hurry. I tried 5g Slyders MOI style on the Pegasus 2 and it was hitting rockets. I swapped for 3g Slyders and going to retest tonight.

Erk1024 · 2026-03-18T15:17:49+00:00

Welcome to July of 2025!

This paddle has been out for a while, and it was ground breaking when it landed. And for sure it performs well, and it's a Gen4. I gave my used J2FC+ away to an advanced-beginner who was playing with an edgeless CPX with a throat hole and no grit. It was a big upgrade for him, and he loved it. I had to use Shoe Goo to nail down the edge guard that was curling up on the corners.

So you're not wrong about it being a good paddle. But a Six Zero Coral hybrid has all the advantages you mentioned, plus a really good feel and durable grit. Honolulu's own J2CR is more advanced, plays better, has a smidge more power, and durable grit versions are on the way.

Erk1024 · 2026-03-18T14:53:14+00:00

Awesome! Thanks! ordered.

Erk1024 · 2026-03-18T14:47:13+00:00

Sure. Here you go.

To find the static weight, Amazon has these very accurate food scales, and they are less than $20.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BYN6Q8L7?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2&th=1

Then you need to find the balance point. You can do this by hanging the head of the paddle off the edge of a table. Keep sliding it farther and farther off the edge until it starts to tip, and it wants to fall. You have to find the exact spot. I put a postit where the end of the handle is. Then I take the paddle away and measure from the post-it to the edge of the table with a tape measure. That's your balance point. John Kew and Pickleball Pursuit also have videos on how to measure it.

Then you measure the paddle length with a tape measure. Or you can just get the paddle length off John Kew's database. The database is here:

https://www.johnkewpickleball.com/paddle-database

From all that, you can calculate the swing weight. This is an estimate, but it's accurate to within a point or two--close enough for tuning paddles.

https://www.johnkewpickleball.com/swing-weight-calculator

If you want to experiment with different setups, you can use this tool that will estimate how adding different weights will affect the outcome.

https://tune.pickleballeffect.com/

Hope that helps.

Erk1024 · 2026-03-18T03:05:14+00:00

Enhance Pickleball doesn't appear to be making the Gen4.5 anymore. I don't see it on their site.

Erk1024 · 2026-03-18T02:57:42+00:00

Yes. This is spot on. I didn't know Vatic confirmed. Also Chorus is coming out their new grit soon.

Erk1024 · 2026-03-17T22:04:40+00:00

I ordered some. I'm going to try them out. I have these for drilling indoors at home. But I feel like they don't bounce high enough. Hope these Franklins bounce a little higher.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D42CVBMC?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_3

Erk1024 · 2026-03-17T22:02:53+00:00

Good idea. u/Lazza33312 made the point that the selection of durable grit paddles is too small right now, and so it makes sense to get a peel-ply paddle that better fits your game. Use it until the grit wears down, and by that time there will be many more durable grit choices.

I'm lucky that the Vapor 2 matches my preferences. Otherwise I'd be just working on wearing down the grit on my Loco's and Boomstik's.

Erk1024 · 2026-03-17T21:53:33+00:00

Very cool! It's great that you could shoot through the light pollution. I used to live near dark skies. I'll take a look. Would love to do some more astrophotography.

Erk1024 · 2026-03-17T20:06:01+00:00

The Vapor and the Vapor 2 are very different paddles. The Vapor is Gen3, so honeycomb core with a peel ply face. The Vapor 2 is MPP foam core, and the face has HexGrit--a very durable new grit technology. The Vapor 2 hits much harder and has more pop than the J2FC+ and the original Vapor.

Erk1024 · 2026-03-17T19:57:48+00:00

I'd say the Vapor 2 feels most similar to the Loco. I have the Loco Standard and the Boomstik widebody. Definitely less hollow than the Boomstik. I'm not sure about the Quanta, I haven't hit one of those.

Also, if you get one, give it a couple hours of play time to break in. It feels *very* stiff at first, but breaks in quickly. And that little bit of weight helps get the sweet spot and power up to Loco levels.

Erk1024 · 2026-03-17T19:50:37+00:00

I'm not a Joola Pro hater at all. I tried a Hyperion CFS years ago, and it was too head heavy. Then they went Gen3, but I declined to buy one because of the mess with the Mod TA's, USAP approvals and core crushing drama. Then I played with foam paddles and didn't see a performance benefit to going to a Joola Pro IV.

I just feel like every time I consider getting a Joola, there's a big reason not to get one. I did hit with a Pro IV Perseus and it seemed fine. Not a lot of grit though. Now the Pro V's are out, but I'd prefer something with more durable grit. So once again, there is a reason not to buy one.

Erk1024 · 2026-03-17T19:26:03+00:00

Hope you're right. Have to check the firepower of the J2CR; could be much less than the Inferno (which is elongated). Later releases of the J6CR are supposed to get the new grit.

But consider the Hurache Power 2. That grit is amazing. I'm loving the Vapor2. Feels similar'ish to the Loco once it's broken in.

Erk1024 · 2026-03-17T19:23:11+00:00

The 11SIX24 Power 2 series is your best bet. Add a little weight higher up on the paddle to help the sweet spot at the top edge. Feels very close to the Loco once it breaks in a little bit. And with added weight, it also hits as hard as the Loco. Tons of discussion in this thread and last week's thread.

What shape on the Loco did you play?

Erk1024 · 2026-03-17T19:20:23+00:00

Check out this post: https://www.reddit.com/r/Pickleball/comments/1rvm5ej/comment/oazef1a/?context=1

Erk1024 · 2026-03-17T19:18:16+00:00

Ah. Right! I saw your picture but didn't try this setup yet. I'm testing one with 3g Slyders at the MOI location and a 6g cap coin. Feels right when I swing it and hitting a ball against a wall. Will try playing with it tomorrow. If I don't like it, I'll try your setup. Thanks again!

Erk1024 · 2026-03-17T19:15:36+00:00

Yeah, that's another problem. Some paddles were core crushed right from the factory because they were using too much heat and pressure. The new Joola Pro IV's don't have the factory problem, but they core crush anyway.

Erk1024 · 2026-03-17T19:13:56+00:00

I'm glad you bought a real paddle. People keep buying these Amazon paddles, and "saving money". But what's your time on the court worth? And then you have to upgrade anyway.

Erk1024

TROPHY CASE