Episode 6 of Paddle of the Week is here—and this time, I’m not naming a winner. After a full week of paddle testing across 13+ builds, nothing stood out enough to take the crown. But that doesn’t mean it was a wasted week—far from it. This episode is still packed with analysis.
Here’s what I cover:
Diadem Warrior BluCore: First look at the Standard 14mm and Max 16mm. EPP foam core, unique feel, and serious speed—but a frustrating edge guard for modders.
Gearbox GX2 Hyper: The stealth standout. One of the quietest, most composed paddles I’ve tested. Sneaky power, elite build, and incredibly refined.
Bread & Butter Filth Hybrid: Same guts, new shape. More maneuverable and more forgiving than the original. Solid evolution.
Gladiator Advanced II: Lightweight and fast—but unstable and overpriced. Twist weight issues make this one hard to recommend right now.
JOOLA Hyperion IV 16mm: More aggressive than the Perseus IV. Clean feel, solid spin, and a balance that favors quick attacks.
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16mm: Still trending upward for me. Predictable, composed, and the one I’d use if I had to compete today.
Honolulu J2K: The paddle I reach for when I need to reset. It centers my game when testing overload kicks in.
Proton Flamingo: Still in the mix. Still earning court time. And yes, still back again.
Revolin Drift Series: Flax and basalt fiber face? Yup. Plush, quiet, arm-friendly—and made in the USA. The Drift Pure and Drift Reach both impressed.
🔥 Why no Paddle of the Week?
Because nothing earned it. The bar is high—and I’m not dropping picks just to keep the streak alive. When the right one shows up, you’ll know.
👉 Need help choosing a paddle?
Try the Paddle Finder at www.mattspickleball.com
It’s free, fast, and based on real testing—not marketing fluff.
📲 For early impressions and behind-the-scenes updates, follow me on Instagram: @mattspickleball
💬 Questions or testing requests? Drop them in the comments.
🛠️ Support the channel: Use code MPB to save on most featured brands.
Paddles featured this episode:
Diadem Warrior BluCore (Standard 14mm, Max 16mm)
Gearbox GX2 Hyper
Bread & Butter Filth Hybrid
Gladiator Advanced II
JOOLA Hyperion IV 16mm
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16mm
Honolulu Pickleball J2K
Proton Flamingo
Revolin Drift Pure & Drift Reach
See you in the next one.
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