$99 vs $280 – Can the Vatic Pro V-Core really compete with the new TruFoam Genesis 4 Hybrid? In this review, I test six new pickleball paddles that are shaking up the game in 2025. From foam-core tech to thermoformed Gen-3 builds, I share real on-court results and which ones are actually worth your money. This is episode 17 of the Matt's Pickleball Podcast (formerly, "Paddle of the Week!")

Creator. Competitor. Culture shaper. In this full-length interview, Pickleball Will gets real about his family’s refugee story, quitting his job at 31, finding pickleball during COVID, and building a voice in the sport through honest gear reviews, podcasting, and building a community of pickleball in Oklahoma. We go deep on burnout, brand deals, identity, and what’s next.If you’ve followed Pickleball Will—or you’re curious about the grind behind content creation, the state of pickleball paddles, or what it means to shape community from the inside—this is the episode.

5 new pickleball paddles go head to head in this episode of Paddle of the Week. I played the Gearbox GX2 Power, Selkirk SLK ERA Power, the powerful Element 6 Surtr, and both the Avoura Revaya and Rivelle Gen-1 models.
💵 Planning to grab one of these? Use code MPB (or INF-MPB at Selkirk) to save at checkout.

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 🧠💥

Ronbus just dropped the V2 Ripple series. Holbrook’s new ARMA line is making noise. I tested both—plus the Engage Pro1 Innovation and an unreleased power paddle prototype. Spin, power, stiffness, control—it’s all here.

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.