pickln and ace have both come out with their gen3 paddles. i can’t wait to see how everyone compares because gen3 foam placement seems to really vary and can totally break expectations.
pickln and ace have both come out with their gen3 paddles. i can’t wait to see how everyone compares because gen3 foam placement seems to really vary and can totally break expectations.
adv hit a homer in the premium market. like the vast majority, im a rec player who was looking for a reasonably priced mid-tier option around $40-60. i think there is a real need for a quality bag at this price range. needs to fit 3 paddles, phone/keys, water bottles, balls and small towel. I stumbled on a bag in Target for $35 that checks all the boxes: Men's 18.5" Backpack with Buckles - Goodfellow. I like how the main compartment, under the bucked closure flap, is a wide drawstring opening, with a padded separator inside. I like how the front outer pockets protrude outside of the bag and there are two thick side pockets for water, not the cheap mesh that always rips. If i were designing a rec bag priced around $40-50 i would prioritize a waterproof bottom, phone stand/phone pocket, insulated water bottle/paddle compartment, 2-3 separate padded paddle sleaves and quality zippers.
After listening to you today, I had to subscribe. There is no doubt in my mind your paddles are truly for the everyday players; not the PPA or MLP pros. These are the paddles people ought to be buying so they can improve their game and not get frustrated or hurt someone or themselves. We need to keep it fun for all us rec players.
I meant to ask during the grand unveiling of this bad boy, what is the strategy for paddle surface texture? Epoxy peel ply or relying on the surface material like on the newer Kiwi Slices?
Thank you Larry for the always great and real reviews. Very much still enjoy the Slice, even having bought now more than 74 paddles. Still one of my 15 favorites. All the best. Saludos from Panama.
The circuit is looking great! Sounds like a really solid, well-rounded option for the market! I appreciate the hard work and R&D that went into it! It doesn’t go unnoticed and really stands out in the market of brands putting out generic catalog paddles.
I’m so excited!!! The Circuit is going to be amazing! I love that you’re doing something different. You should consider titanium over Kevlar. Reviewers love the surface.
15% off for the rest of August on all preorders... CODE: ELECTRIC15 kiwipickleball.com/products/circuit-dual-foam-pickleball-padddle-from-kiwilabs-pickleball-t700-thermoformed-carbon-fiber
This is exciting, Larry! Thank you for all your hard work. I'm always looking for that next paddle to try, and the Circuit is definitely on my list (when the wife gives the permission). Looking forward to everything else coming from KiwiLabs!
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.
OMG BFF! I have the same shoes. We are twinsies! I wear them because there aren’t a lot of options for a size 15 wide shoes. Is that your shoe size too?
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!
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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?
Thanks fore the review! Have you ever looked into the Furlihong 681PBH Pickleball Machine? I haven't used it yet, but it might be better with the trajectory, so that you possibly would not have to prop it up anymore. It's out of stock on Amazon right now, but hopefully it will be back in stock again soon.
