INTRODUCTION
🔥 Power paddles are the obsession of 2025 — and none have sparked more curiosity than foam-core paddles. But with all the hype, which paddles actually deliver the most pop?
In this post (and the video below 👇), I put ten foam paddles to the test to find out which ones truly pack the most power across different aspects of the game.
🎥 Watch the video here
FOAM VS. CARBON — WHAT’S THE REAL DIFFERENCE?
Foam paddles, depending on the situation, can generate noticeably more power — or, as players like to say, pop — than traditional raw carbon paddles.
Where foam really shines is at the kitchen line, especially with punch volleys. You barely need to swing to send the ball deep, keeping opponents pinned near their baseline. That effortless rebound makes foam paddles a favorite for aggressive net play and quick counterattacks.
That said, non-foam paddles can still bring serious power. The Bread and Butter Filth remains a beast, and the Gearbox GX2 delivers downright explosive drives. But make no mistake — the future of paddle design is foam. Nearly every major manufacturer is now experimenting with foam cores to blend power, control, and feel.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND FOAM POWER
So what makes foam paddles different — and why do they feel so lively at contact?
It all comes down to how the foam compresses and rebounds energy during impact.
When a ball strikes a paddle, a small portion of that energy is absorbed and then released back into the ball. The more efficiently the core can store and return that energy, the more pop you feel. Foam cores excel because they compress slightly, then rebound rapidly — creating that instant, powerful response that players love.
But not all foams are the same. Today’s pickleball paddles use three main types of foam, each with its own characteristics and effect on feel, control, and power.
TYPES OF FOAM IN MODERN PICKLEBALL PADDLES
EVA Foam (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate)
- Soft, flexible, and durable.
- Offers excellent shock absorption and is easy to mold during production.
- Creates a “trampoline effect”, producing higher rebound speed — but it can compress (“pack down”) over time.
- USAP bans EVA as a core material because it’s considered too compressible, though it’s often used in perimeter inserts to enhance feel and vibration damping.
EPP Foam (Expanded Polypropylene)
- The industry standard for foam-core paddles.
- Rigid and structurally stable, maintaining its shape even after long-term use.
- Provides a solid, consistent response with less “springiness” than EVA.
- Many players prefer EPP for its blend of durability and controlled power.
Supercritical Foam
- Not a specific material but a manufacturing process.
- A gas (typically CO₂ or nitrogen) is infused into a base foam — such as EVA or PEBA — under supercritical conditions (high pressure and temperature).
- The result is a fine, uniform cell structure that’s ultra-light, stable, and incredibly responsive.
- This process improves energy return, consistency, and longevity, while also being environmentally friendly.
- Originally used in high-end athletic footwear, it’s now entering top-tier pickleball paddles like the HUDEF Apex Pro 2.
WHY THE TYPE OF FOAM MATTERS
USAP requires paddle faces and cores to be rigid and non-compressible. Traditional foams like EVA can violate that rule because of their trampoline effect. But supercritical foams, engineered for stability, meet those standards while still providing impressive power and feel.
THE BOTTOM LINE
- Foam paddles aren’t just a passing trend — they’re reshaping how power is generated in pickleball. From punch volleys to third-shot drives, the combination of foam cores and modern surface materials is creating a livelier, more dynamic game.
- If you’re looking for that extra edge in pop and energy return, foam paddles are the ones to watch.
THE PADDLES IN THE VIDEO
Here are the links my blog regarding the paddles in the video:
Body Helix Falcon
Body Helix F1 Elongated
Body Helix F1 “SMH” Hybrid Paddle
Bread and Butter Foam LOCO Paddles
Six Zero Black Opal Paddle Review
HUDEF Apex Pro2 Paddle Review
Honolulu Pickleball Company J2NFK
Vatic V-SOL Power paddle
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