Sunday, October 26, 2025

Bread & Butter Loco Review – My Go-To Paddle That Truly Delivers


I’ve been playing with the Bread & Butter Loco for a while now, and I can confidently say—it’s one of the most solid paddles I’ve used. From power to control, this paddle simply performs.
First Impressions & Build Quality

I was one of the first thousand to pre-order the Loco, and the unboxing experience blew me away. Bread & Butter really goes all out—everything from the packaging to the included extras makes you feel like you’re getting something special. Honestly, I wish more paddle brands cared that much.
Some brands sell $280 paddles and don’t even include a sleeve—meanwhile, Bread & Butter packs in everything. That kind of detail creates brand loyalty, in my opinion.

The only issue I ran into was a protective sleeve defect that was too small, but Bread & Butter’s customer service was quick to make it right. That kind of response says a lot.

Performance – Power, Control, and Feel

The Loco’s power and pop are exceptional. According to John Q’s database, it’s right up there with paddles like the Lüzz Pickleball Tornazo, but personally, I feel the Loco plays better overall. It’s got amazing power, but it’s also controllable, which isn’t always easy to find.

When it comes to drives, this paddle just makes sense. It feels powerful, but not overpowering. The sound and response are clean and satisfying.
For dinks, it’s crisp—not plush—but you still get excellent feedback and consistency.
And for drops, this thing is outstanding. There were times I thought a ball wasn’t going to clear the net, but it dropped beautifully with almost no effort.

Even compared to paddles like the VSOL Power and Vatic Flash, the Loco stands out. The VSOL Power impressed me with its solid play and light weight, but I’d still add lead tape for more stability. The Vatic Flash feels great but lacks stability unless weighted. The Loco, though? It’s dialed in right out of the box.

Balance & Design

For an elongated paddle, the Loco feels extremely well-balanced. I’ve never played tennis or any racquet sport before, but elongated paddles just feel right to me—especially for serves, returns, and two-handed backhands.

It’s not the softest paddle on the market, but that’s not a bad thing. It gives me the confidence to swing freely without fear of overhitting.

Spin & Sweet Spot

One area where the Bread & Butter Loco really shines is spin. I’ve hit shots that looked like they were going out, only to watch them dip in beautifully with topspin. The grit on this paddle is easily the best I’ve seen, and it translates directly into real control and precision.

Final Thoughts

Even with the minor sleeve issue, this paddle delivers on all fronts—power, control, spin, feel, and design. The foam core adds a nice solid response and should help with durability too.

I give the Bread & Butter Loco two thumbs up and can confidently say it’s one of my best purchases yet. It’s currently my go-to paddle, and I’m already planning to grab another one in the future.

In my bag right now, I’m rotating between the Vatic V-SOL Power and Lüzz Tornazo, but the Loco continues to stand out for its performance and reliability.

As always, this is an honest, unpaid review. I bought this paddle with my own money, and I’m not sponsored or affiliated with Bread & Butter.

If you’re thinking about buying one, I highly recommend it—but be quick, because they tend to sell out fast. And if you want to save some money, check out discount codes from ambassadors or other YouTubers.

Thanks for reading,
Jon Torres
InfoTechYeti.com

Thursday, October 2, 2025

Vatic Pro V-SOL Power Flash Review: Finding My Groove After 2 Weeks

Vatic Pro V-SOL Power Flash Review: Finding My Groove After 2 Weeks
I’ve been using the Vatic Pro V-SOL Power Flash paddle for about two weeks now, logging at least 12 hours of play, and I’m ready to share my thoughts. This paddle has quickly become my main, but it wasn’t love at first strike. Coming from the Saga V7 and other Gen 3 paddles like the Friday Fever, Luzz Pro Cannon, and Vapor Power by 11Six24, the V-SOL Power Flash was a big adjustment. And it wasn’t just the performance—it was the feel and sound of the paddle that initially threw me off.

The Sound: A Major Shift
The first thing that struck me was the sound. If you're used to the loud, crisp pop of paddles like the Luzz Pro Cannon, the V-SOL Power Flash is a huge departure. It has a muted sound—so much quieter compared to what I was used to. At first, this was frustrating. I had to adjust not only to the feel of the paddle but to how much power I needed to put into my shots. Dinks, drops, and drives all felt off. The muted feel made it difficult to gauge how much force to apply to get the ball to drop or clear the net.

The First Few Days: The Struggle Was Real
As a first-time foam paddle user, this was a whole new ballgame. It reminded me of when I first switched to Gen 3 paddles—there was an immediate learning curve. But this felt different. The V-SOL Power Flash is an all-foam paddle, and the transition was more challenging than I expected. Unlike my Gen 3 paddles, which had a certain pop, the foam just didn’t give the same feedback.

For the first few days, I was frustrated. I kept overhitting balls, sending them sailing out. But I didn’t want to give up on the paddle too quickly. After all, I was invested in giving it a fair shot. I kept reminding myself to stick with it, just like I did with my Friday Fever paddle.

The Lightbulb Moment
Then came the breakthrough. After about two days of playing with the V-SOL, I was practicing dinks with my son on the driveway. He’s using the Prism Flash 14mm by Vatic Pro, and I noticed something familiar. The sound of his paddle was almost identical to mine, and that got me thinking. The key difference was when it came to hard hits—this was where the V-SOL really shines.

I spent a bit more time tinkering with the paddle's weight, adjusting it here and there. Initially, when I added weight, the paddle felt off-balance. The muted sound and low vibrations made it hard to pinpoint the sweet spot or get the right amount of plow through on shots. But after a few days of practice, I noticed something interesting during my resets—the paddle was twisting in my hand. This was something I hadn’t experienced with other paddles, except for the Prism Flash 14mm, which gave me a similar feel. It became clear to me that stability was the key to unlocking this paddle’s full potential.

Finding the Sweet Spot: Weight Adjustments
The real turning point came when I found the ideal weight distribution. I experimented with adding weight at different points of the paddle and eventually settled on a setup that worked for me. Here’s what I did: I added tuning tape from the top of the handle down to just below the 4 and 8 o’clock positions. I originally tried weight only at the 4 and 8 o’clock spots, but it still felt off—there was something missing in terms of stability.
So when I added weight on the top of the paddle it made a huge difference in terms of stability and plow through. With this adjustment, I finally felt the control I was looking for. No more twisting or feeling disconnected during resets, dinks, or drop shots. Even for someone my size (6'3", 267 lbs), this paddle now feels stable, and it’s given me more confidence when returning strong drives or resetting balls from the air.

The Power of Stability
I’ve come to realize that for me, stability is everything. Sure, power is important, but it’s the stability that makes a paddle feel like an extension of your arm. Once I achieved that stability with the weight adjustments, I was able to play my best game yet. In fact, the night I dialed in my setup, I had some of my best matches. I couldn’t believe how well I was playing with a paddle I almost doubted just a week ago.

Why You Should Try the V-SOL Power Flash
So, why am I sharing all this? Because I think the V-SOL Power Flash deserves more attention. There’s a lot of hype around the louder paddles—like the Boomstick, Loco, and Quanta—but I genuinely believe this paddle has a lot to offer, especially for those who prefer a quieter, more stable ride.

I didn’t need to spend $280 on a CRBN Trufoam or $180 on some of the other high-end paddles out there. The V-SOL Power Flash performs just as well—if not better—once you get it dialed in. Foam paddles like the V-SOL Power Flash are more durable out of the bag, and once you tweak it for stability, you’ll be surprised at how well it holds up.

A Caution
I should add a cautionary note for those considering adding weight to the paddle: it’s not for everyone. If you have any previous arm, wrist, or elbow injuries, I would advise against adding weight to the top. It can put extra strain on those areas and may lead to discomfort. But for those who can handle it, this adjustment will make the paddle sing.

Final Thoughts
To sum it up: give the V-SOL Power Flash a try. With the right adjustments, this paddle can be a game-changer. And if you're interested, you can use my discount code TechYeti at VaticPro.com to get $10 off—bringing the price from $110 down to $100. They also offer a 30-day return policy, but make sure to check the details on return fees.

If you want a solid, stable paddle that can reset, drive, and return serves without breaking the bank, the V-SOL Power Flash might just be the one for you.