Why I Stopped Chasing New Pickleball Paddles at Every Launch

Over the past few weeks I almost purchased a few new pickleball paddles that recently launched, but in the end I decided to hold off. Lately I’ve slowed down on doing paddle comparisons and reviews, and I’ve realized a few things.

A few weeks ago the men’s pickleball ladder league ended, and it gave me some time to reflect on how I’ve been approaching the game. The truth is, I’ve realized that I enjoy recreational play more than competing the way I thought I wanted to.

I recently listened to a podcast with Andre Agassi where he mentioned something that really stuck with me. In a way, he said he didn’t want competition to take away from his passion for pickleball. That idea opened my eyes because I realized I was doing something which was causing me to get frustated with the game of pickleball. I was putting a lot of pressure on my game and on my expectations and I do not want to lose the passion of playing the game.  

Because of that shift in mindset, I’ve slowly noticed my interest in constantly trying new paddles starting to fade a bit. Instead, I’ve become more focused on my physical and mental health. Good pickleball shoes and proper recovery matter just as much as the equipment we use. At my age, and with a history of joint injuries and surgeries, how my body feels on the court makes a big difference.

But what about equipment? Does the paddle make a difference?

For me, it definitely has during the year that I’ve been playing pickleball but again I was lucky enough to try several paddles to find the one that fits my game and preference. 

I still have my original Vatic Pro Prism Flash 14mm short handle paddle, and occasionally I’ll hit with it when doing drills with the Dink Master 3.0. Over time I’ve moved away from hybrid shapes and toward elongated paddles, but I still enjoy using that paddle for practice sessions and my son loves that paddle. 

When I compare that to some of my newer paddles—like my favorite paddle, the Bread & Butter Loco Elongated—the face actually feels smoother now than my older Prism Flash. They’re completely different paddles, but it made me wonder if the construction plays a role.

The Loco is an all-foam paddle, so it doesn’t have the honeycomb structure that many Gen 1.5 through Gen 3 paddles use. Maybe that’s why the surface feels smoother over time. I’m not completely sure, but it’s something I’ve been thinking about.

All of this came to mind because I almost purchased the newest elongated Gen 4 paddle from 11six24: the Hurache-X Power 2. It supposedly has very durable grit, and I have to admit it’s a beautiful paddle.

But at $200, it’s becoming harder for me to justify buying another paddle—even one that costs $100.

Enhance Pickleball also recently released their budget-friendly Turbo foam paddles. While they’re affordable, they look like copycats of other foam paddles on the market, and the designs and colors just don’t appeal to me. At this point I really need a strong reason to buy another paddle.

I was close to purchasing the Hurache-X Power 2, but then I thought about how well I’ve been playing with my Bread & Butter Loco. I used it throughout the league and again last week with the guys, and it continues to perform exactly the way I want it to.

The week before that I had a great session using my Selkirk Boomstik Elongated. Both paddles performed great, and I’m already a big fan of them. I also still enjoy my Vatic Pro V7 and a few others in my rotation.

So why buy another paddle right now?

One of the things holding me back is the core material. The Hurache-X Power 2 uses an MPP core, which is similar to my Inferno. Lately I haven’t been loving how the Inferno feels. MPP has a unique and satisfying feel on contact, but it can also feel a bit unpredictable.

On the other hand, I’ve really gotten used to paddles with EPP cores. My Loco, Vatic VSol Pro, Luzz Tornado, and Selkirk Boomstik all share that type of feel, and it’s something that works well for my game.

If I’m going to spend $200 on a paddle, I’d almost rather wait and see what Bread & Butter releases next. They’re already launching a new Loco colorway, and while I definitely don’t *need* another one, I have to admit I’m tempted.

Lately my current Loco has started making a slightly different cracking sound on harder hits, which makes me wonder how long it will last. But even with that, I absolutely love the way this paddle plays. Drives feel powerful, dinks feel controlled, and overall it just fits my game.

For me, it’s the ultimate paddle right now.

The only downside is its higher swing weight, which some players might not enjoy.

So do you really need a new paddle?

If you’re like me—playing recreationally and maybe participating in the occasional league at your local club—the answer is: it depends. But if you bought a paddle within the last six months and you only play once or twice a week, you probably don’t need a new one.

Many of my pickleball buddies rarely change paddles, and they still play great. One of them recently checked his Luzz Pro Cannon to make sure it wasn’t core crushed, and he said it’s still performing perfectly. He loves that paddle because it gave him the power, pop, and stability he didn’t have before.

Instead of buying another paddle, you might want to consider investing in a new pair of pickleball shoes. Something like the Selkirk CourtStrike 2.0 or even a fresh pair of Asics Gel Resolution 8s can make a huge difference.

And if you’re looking for a great training tool, I highly recommend the **Dink Master 3.0 by Enhance Pickleball**. It has helped increase my confidence and allowed me to practice drills that simulate real game situations.

If you decide to pick one up, feel free to use code **TechYeti** at checkout to save a little money.

For now, I’m just looking forward to the warmer spring weather here in New England so we can get back outside and enjoy the game with friends and the local pickleball community.

Until then, maybe hold off on buying that new paddle.

Keep dinking, driving, and learning.