I began with a fiberglass paddle. The sweet spot was too small and poppy at NVZ. It was frustrating to play. I then found Kiwi paddles. I ordered a slice which improved my game immensely. I had so much control at NVZ. I did not have power though. I bought a second slice which weighed in at 8.1 ounces. It was remarkably more powerful. I then pre-orded the Spiked. I was suddenly able to hit lobs as put aways easily. Subsequently, during a sale this year I ordered a back up Spiked. Both paddles play the same. The power and touch are remarkable as my dinks have developed and fire fights at NVZ are excellent. I am looking at your latest pre-order paddle but holding off for now. Kiwi paddles are the best and my game has vastly improved. Thank you Larry for your continuing to develop new paddles.
Love the videos Larry! I've learned a ton and I'm working on developing my own gen2 paddle currently! Will be starting my channel soon to document the process. I got to play on the Gearbox paddles at Picklecon last weekend, they are super different in construction but I didn't care for them honestly. It was super educational as a new paddle developer to demo all the different paddles they had there from Selkirk to Gearbox and more.
Thanks for the great breakdown, Larry! I agree with you 100%. I started with the XSPAK (Elongated Gen 1), which allowed me to learn and work on all the bad habits I had coming into pickleball. (Also, I would have preferred to have started with a paddle like your 0-0-Start, but that wasn't around then!) Then I actually moved to an elongated thermoformed--the Legacy Pro, which was the hot paddle at the time. That was a similar shape to my XSPAK, but it was much too powerful and poppy for where I was at. Then I found the Vatic Pro V7 (16mm) and was pretty comfortable and learned how to manage power and pop. But it wasn't until I moved onto the Vatic Pro Flash (16mm) that I was truly comfortable and able to progress my game dramatically. So, an all-court Gen 2 just like you suggest as the paddle to hunt for after a Gen 1. I think the Slice would be a great option for that same point as well. Just wasn't on my radar back then. (Also, you could probs hold onto the Slice a bit longer because that extra handle length compared to the Flash will give you a chance to learn a 2-hander.) Anywho, that was my journey. I've yet to find a Gen 3 that I LOVE that compliments my more control-oriented playstyle, but what you said about Gen 3 makes me optimistic there will be one for me down the road!
Best breakdown!! I actually understood it hahaha. I started with a gen2 paddle cause I was unaware of the differences in paddle construction. I only knew to get carbon and thermo formed cause that was “good” haha. Still on the search for a new paddle and boy is it hard when you like so many but can’t find people who play with the paddle or can’t play test them but then again I always tinker and add weight here and there coming from liking a heavy but maneuverable tennis racket.
I started with a crappy Selkirk starter kit. Then bought a hybrid j2k. For me bing a 2.5-3 I like it. Overall I want the best of all worlds at a good price. They wear out and are disposable. I’m looking forward seeing what is going to happen. I like power. A little pop is fine. Give me control.
Great video! Thanks for putting all the info for gen1, 2 and 3 in one place. I am interested in learning about the core materials. Polypropylene seems to be the main material used. But is there a difference between the cores that companies use, with respect to cell size, wall thickness, etc? I ask mainly due to how long (or short) paddles last. Proton uses nomex in some their paddles and it seems that their durability is far beyond other brands. I’d be interested to hear your take on core materials and paddle durability. Thanks and keep up the great content!
What paddle do you know that has medium speed, highest dwell, highest grit? I believe this combination should allow for biggest load on the ball without ball going long.
My opinion: Gen 1: anything that's not thermoformed (could be carbon, but usually plastic polymer, fiberglass, graphite) Gen 1.5: Thermoformed but NOT unibody Gen 2: Thermoformed + unibody Gen 2+ : Kevlar, Titanium or some other extra shenanigans on top of normal Gen 2 Gen 3: ? ........... not approved by USAP, but may still be approved by PPA. Carbon can be used regardless of gen. The things I listed are fundamental differences, each gen can have variations in core, grit/top material etc.
The balance issue is extremely solvable. The question is how materially efficient it will be. If you want any that's an echo of the past the USAP is already asking manufacturers to point out which of their competition they considered to successful
Should their be an "if" in this question as in... "Did you know IF the usa pickelball removed the trampoline effect restriction in the 2024 handbook?" Or did the usa pickleball association already remove that restriction and your are asking Larry if he was aware of it?
Nice break down. I believe 1.5 also 'expands' the sweet spot as well. It's like adding perimeter weighting to the paddle. The confusion on this topic comes because company's are releasing their 3rd generation of paddles, but that doesn't mean its using 3rd generation trampoline foam or whatever. The paddle world should really have come up with different, less confusing terms. 💚 that Kiwi Slice!
Perfect reminder at the end, that it’s more about the player than the paddle. Thank you for the informative video.
I began with a fiberglass paddle. The sweet spot was too small and poppy at NVZ. It was frustrating to play. I then found Kiwi paddles. I ordered a slice which improved my game immensely. I had so much control at NVZ. I did not have power though. I bought a second slice which weighed in at 8.1 ounces. It was remarkably more powerful. I then pre-orded the Spiked. I was suddenly able to hit lobs as put aways easily. Subsequently, during a sale this year I ordered a back up Spiked. Both paddles play the same. The power and touch are remarkable as my dinks have developed and fire fights at NVZ are excellent. I am looking at your latest pre-order paddle but holding off for now. Kiwi paddles are the best and my game has vastly improved. Thank you Larry for your continuing to develop new paddles.
Exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you so much!!
Love the videos Larry! I've learned a ton and I'm working on developing my own gen2 paddle currently! Will be starting my channel soon to document the process. I got to play on the Gearbox paddles at Picklecon last weekend, they are super different in construction but I didn't care for them honestly. It was super educational as a new paddle developer to demo all the different paddles they had there from Selkirk to Gearbox and more.
Thank you, Larry. Another highly-informative video. Keep them coming. Be well!
Thanks for the great breakdown, Larry! I agree with you 100%. I started with the XSPAK (Elongated Gen 1), which allowed me to learn and work on all the bad habits I had coming into pickleball. (Also, I would have preferred to have started with a paddle like your 0-0-Start, but that wasn't around then!) Then I actually moved to an elongated thermoformed--the Legacy Pro, which was the hot paddle at the time. That was a similar shape to my XSPAK, but it was much too powerful and poppy for where I was at. Then I found the Vatic Pro V7 (16mm) and was pretty comfortable and learned how to manage power and pop. But it wasn't until I moved onto the Vatic Pro Flash (16mm) that I was truly comfortable and able to progress my game dramatically. So, an all-court Gen 2 just like you suggest as the paddle to hunt for after a Gen 1. I think the Slice would be a great option for that same point as well. Just wasn't on my radar back then. (Also, you could probs hold onto the Slice a bit longer because that extra handle length compared to the Flash will give you a chance to learn a 2-hander.) Anywho, that was my journey. I've yet to find a Gen 3 that I LOVE that compliments my more control-oriented playstyle, but what you said about Gen 3 makes me optimistic there will be one for me down the road!
Best breakdown!! I actually understood it hahaha. I started with a gen2 paddle cause I was unaware of the differences in paddle construction. I only knew to get carbon and thermo formed cause that was “good” haha. Still on the search for a new paddle and boy is it hard when you like so many but can’t find people who play with the paddle or can’t play test them but then again I always tinker and add weight here and there coming from liking a heavy but maneuverable tennis racket.
Thanks for your review very nice video. enjoyed it!
Thanks for the breakdown. Can't wait to find out more about your Gen3 version. Do you have any dates in mind for it yet?
You're videos are always so good. Do you have a wide body paddle like the volair mach 2 or the joola scorpious?
Shared to a pickleball discord I’m on. Thank you.
I started with a crappy Selkirk starter kit. Then bought a hybrid j2k. For me bing a 2.5-3 I like it. Overall I want the best of all worlds at a good price. They wear out and are disposable. I’m looking forward seeing what is going to happen. I like power. A little pop is fine. Give me control.
Great video! Thanks for putting all the info for gen1, 2 and 3 in one place. I am interested in learning about the core materials. Polypropylene seems to be the main material used. But is there a difference between the cores that companies use, with respect to cell size, wall thickness, etc? I ask mainly due to how long (or short) paddles last. Proton uses nomex in some their paddles and it seems that their durability is far beyond other brands. I’d be interested to hear your take on core materials and paddle durability. Thanks and keep up the great content!
Great overview.
What paddle do you know that has medium speed, highest dwell, highest grit? I believe this combination should allow for biggest load on the ball without ball going long.
For me, 16mm 11six24 monarch control Kevlar does the job haha
My opinion:
Gen 1: anything that's not thermoformed (could be carbon, but usually plastic polymer, fiberglass, graphite)
Gen 1.5: Thermoformed but NOT unibody
Gen 2: Thermoformed + unibody
Gen 2+ : Kevlar, Titanium or some other extra shenanigans on top of normal Gen 2
Gen 3: ? ........... not approved by USAP, but may still be approved by PPA.
Carbon can be used regardless of gen.
The things I listed are fundamental differences, each gen can have variations in core, grit/top material etc.
The balance issue is extremely solvable. The question is how materially efficient it will be. If you want any that's an echo of the past the USAP is already asking manufacturers to point out which of their competition they considered to successful
No mention of "layers" of face materials. The number and order of the different face materials make a huge difference in the performance .
Why don’t you make a paddle like proton series one? They say their friction surface will last forever? Is it true?
Did you know the usa pickleball removed the trampoline effect restriction in the 2024 handbook?
Should their be an "if" in this question as in... "Did you know IF the usa pickelball removed the trampoline effect restriction in the 2024 handbook?" Or did the usa pickleball association already remove that restriction and your are asking Larry if he was aware of it?
Nice break down. I believe 1.5 also 'expands' the sweet spot as well. It's like adding perimeter weighting to the paddle. The confusion on this topic comes because company's are releasing their 3rd generation of paddles, but that doesn't mean its using 3rd generation trampoline foam or whatever. The paddle world should really have come up with different, less confusing terms.
💚 that Kiwi Slice!
Good point! Very true! When it’s used on the edges, for sure!
EVA foam all the way! I hate the feel of those hard clacky paddles. Obsolete in my opinion.