If you’re on Instagram following pickleball tournaments lately, you’ve probably seen a new paddle getting a lot of buzz (and helping players earn spots on the winner’s podium). At the recent PPA Masters tournament in La Quinta, CA I noticed the crbn pickleball paddle a ton! That caught my attention (further) to where I had to try these paddles for myself. As a result, here is a pickleball paddle review – crbn.
crbn Paddle First Impression
The paddle design is sleek and I love the matte black color. It feels great in your hand. I’m partial to a longer handle length (5.5”) so right off the bat, that was a plus for me. Also, I prefer pickleball paddles in this weight group also (8.0-8.3 ounces). Another plus. For me, handle length and weight are important for two handed backhands and playing at the net.
Now, it was time to play a bit.
crbn Paddle on the Challenge Courts
This is where a pickleball paddle either performs or not. Bottom line, these paddles perform (both the 13mm and the 16mm). The 13mm core for those who love power, or 16mm core for those who want a bit of a softer feel around the net. I prefer the 13mm personally.
The crbn gives you the stability you need at the net for blocking and returning hard-hit balls, while the elongated shape allows for great court coverage. As mentioned, the 16mm has more of a softer touch for dinking and control – placement over power. But I have to say, the 13mm paddle packs a punch for sure. The ball literally pops off this paddle with pace and spin.
Technically, the crbn features a raw T700 carbon fiber face with a honeycomb polypropylene core. Carbon fiber is the optimal choice of material for pickleball paddles. This core helps it produce insane amounts of spin, but it also provides a large, sweet spot for a perfect balance of power and control.
Pickleball Ball Spin Study
Which Pickleball paddle truly puts the most spin on the ball? In this video The Pickleball Studio put that to the test. There’s lots of marketing hype from companies and The Pickleball Studio decided to take 29 paddles and test it out to see which ones lived up to the hype and which didn’t.
Enjoy this video: The Ultimate Pickleball Paddle Spin Comparison
In this comparison, the crbn 16mm paddle came in fourth (1584 RPM) and the crbn 13mm paddle came in second (1680 RPM). Congrats crbn! And I can attest, again, that these paddles are insanely good.
For more information check out crbn’s website: https://crbnpickleball.com/
Pickleball Paddle Dimensions:
- Length: 16-1/2″
- Width: 7-1/2″
- Core Thickness: 13mm/16mm
- Handle length: 5.5”
- Handle grip circumference: 13mm= 4.25″ / 16mm=4.5″
- Weight: 8.0-8.3 oz