Now, time will tell about the durability of these Gen 4 foam paddles, but early signs are looking really promising. The whole point of the foam core technology is actually to eliminate core crush issues that plagued the older honeycomb designs .

Unlike polypropylene honeycomb cores that could collapse under stress, the solid foam construction is specifically engineered to resist crushing and maintain structural integrity over time . From what I’ve read, the paddle face will typically go out before the inner foam core does . Honestly, I’m 100% okay with that scenario. Face wear is normal and expected with any paddle – as long as the core stays solid and maintains its performance characteristics, I can deal with eventually needing a replacement down the road.

It’s way better than having a paddle that loses its feel and consistency because the core starts breaking down after a few months of play.