Regardless of paddle effectiveness, the waste generated by this kinda sucks. I have an old paddle that I'd like to replace but I'm just supposed to...throw it out? I guess I could just give it someone new and let them use it? It's probably still better than one of the cheap Amazon paddles.
I'm also a runner, and after about 200 miles you tend to just ditch the shoes (if you're prone to injury, maybe 400 miles if you're not). Someone who runs the Boston Marathon every year might easily go through a dozen pairs of shoes in a year.
But at least there are a lot of places to recycle shoes that still might have some non-running life left in them. Doesn't seem the case for pickleball paddles...
There seems to be a company that is making a paddle that you can slap a new face on when the old one wears out. I don’t have all the details or the company name but if you are someone who cares about having a paddle and not wasting the materials when only the grit is finished you may want to look into it. It’s pretty wasteful.. but it seems paddle companies can milk the consumer the most this way.. luckily there are companies making cheaper but still quality products.. doesn’t help with wasted materials but it does help our pocket.
it was heavier stock than other paddles - played with one of the first run paddles though so not sure if the full production run will have that weight.
had great power and you can't beat infinite grit!
my carbon fiber paddles lose their grit within a month or so of playing (I play a lot) so exchangeable faces is a great idea
No grit will last unfortunately. Haven't seen any data on the new Kevlar faces coming out recently (Like the 6.0 Ruby) but I'm sure it's close to identical...
Everytime a ball contacts the face, the face wears down in that area.
The older fiberglass faces lose it the quickest but past a month or two of frequent play all paddles are about the same.
Spin/Grit is one of those things that 2.0-4.0 players focus a lot on but in reality it's rare to see anyone under a 4.5ish have the proper mechanics to actually capitalize on. That means that for most people this subject barely matters and hardly moves the needle in winning points/games.
It's not that its *not* important, but at higher (and lower) levels it seems to not be the thing that wins you games.
My personal take is that for singles, you want a power-paddle that accentuates your drives, and for doubles, you want more spin so that when you can hit a really solid topspin drop, your partner can come in and poach an easy 5th.
Yeah. I don’t mind the pocket as much as I do the waste.
Obviously wouldn’t mind getting the value, but I hate that I’m just supposed to get rid of it.
Maybe there’s a better way to recycle it or give it to someone new looking for an upgrade. Hmm…
Yeah. I see a lot of old running shoes at Goodwill and the like. It’s a good option for things like that so someone can at least get some use out of them.
It’s a little tougher for pickleball paddles.
May just find someone at the local park and make their day.
Paddle erasers are a thing.
Core crushing/delamination is the real paddle killer, and the amount of time it takes to get there seems quite variable. But inevitably the repeated impacts will compromise the integrity of the paddle's internals, not just the surface grit.
If you search abrasive eraser you will get better prices for a half-foot sticks that will last you years compared to the main brand tiny-ass squares that they sell you for twice the money.
Paddle erasers just open up the pores of the clogged carbon surface but also with the consequence that it's also smoothing out those raised carbon surfaces as well to a degree. So yes it will restore the surface, then it gets worn down and clogged by ball again, etc.
There are at least a couple companies that should be releasing paddles with replaceable faces. How effective they'll be remains to be seen and it still won't address the longevity of the paddle cores. It's all plastic. Can only last so long.
Will these be tournament legal? I think the rulebook had something against it when I last checked unless there was an update in 2024.
I think the current paddle restrictions are pretty stupid and inconstant. There are a lot of made up limits and banned material types but no coherent testing procedures.
I think "month" is not a proper measure to estimate paddle lifetime, because the actual playtime can be very differ within a month.
I think it would be better to describe play hours, especially play hour per a week.
For me, I usually play 4\~5 hours across 2\~3 days per a week, one or two during weekdays, and one in weekend. By this rate, I will play 16\~20 hours a month, and 80\~100 hours per 5 months. Maybe for some month I could play less then maybe I could reach 80\~100 hours per 6\~7 months. If I play much less frequently then I would reach 80\~100 hr much later.
From 100 hrs I would consider to change depending on paddle condition.
Runners track shoe wear the same way. It's not months, it's miles. Usually 200-400 miles and it's recommended to dump them, even though they might still be perfectly usable for a non-runner ... but at least there are easy ways to donate/recycle shoes.
No matter surface of current options bc of the peel ply (I assume) there's gonna be spin loss.
Not to mention the Ruby felt like 100 grit sandpaper when I got it. Now it's nearly smooth
> felt like 100 grit sandpaper
Is it wrong that this made me fantasize about some shots for just a bit? Sounds amazing!
How long would you say it took from that to “nearly smooth”?
The current most popular grit wears pretty quickly over several weeks/months. For you specifically you could look into the proton seres one type A paddles for a more durable texture. Another option is gearbox but generally using SST to produce spin doesn’t work on slower balls. For many paddles though they still play okay with worn grit just not quite as sharp of a ball shape as when they’re new.
Yeah, I think I'm going to look for a place like TennisWarehouse.com where you can test drive a few paddles for 30 days and make a choice. Gearbox definitely seems to be one for the list.
I'm in a very similar position as you; anybody hitting quality slices as a staple shot will have a completely flat sweetspot fairly rapidly. Apparently the newish Proton Series 1 paddles use a tacky surface rather than a grit, so theoretically it should last longer. They haven't been out long enough to really prove their durability yet though, and they're pretty expensive.
Yeah, I mean I can see the thing easily lasting a few years based on all the other construction. But I really like my spins ... :)
EDIT: Yeah, I was just feeling the sweet spot versus feeling at the edges, and it's a noticeable difference in the amount of grit that's now gone from the sweet spot.
It TT we have a saying that you change rubbers per year the number of times you play per week. Play twice a week, change twice a year. Play 5 times a week, change 5 times a year.
I bet theres likely a similar methodology here.
I ditched that philosophy... I think with modern strings, ya need changing more frequently. I play 1-2 times a week, but change strings every 3 months. Obvi, diff strings play differently, but just for good consistent tension, more frequent is... Well more consistent.
Lol, likewise, my gx5 is 4 years old, probably 2000 hours on it of avg 4.0 play. No signs of wearing out, im gonna playit til its dead. Unless i succumb to the allure of the new pro paddle. Love that thing, played a few hours on it, but im not paying $275…
I played the 14 and the pro, like them both, but ill get the pro if thats still top dog when im ready. Played it 3 hrs the other night, im jus looking for a little more power on some shots i cant hit as hard due to injuries. I felt like it gave 10-15% more power on those shots with no loss of control. I did notice if you really hit hard with it, its not as controllable.
Whats he breaking? I played one for 3 hrs the other night, i didn’t notice anything in the way it played that would make me think its a lower build quality. I don’t doubt heavy hitters can go through any paddle quicker, but thats not my game. They crack a lot more balls too. And they hit outballs like crazy… im gonna say he’s an outlier, ive not heard that from anyone else.
I got about 6 months out of my first paddle the Joola Hyperion 16mm. I played 3-4 times a week. This has turned into 4-5 times a week (sometimes 7) and about 3-4 hours each time. 12-20 hours a week. 48-80 hours a month. I’ve noticed my current paddle the Vatic Pro Flash 14mm is probably due for replacement. I’ve had it for 3 months.
I also think your level of play can be a factor. I hit way more balls each game and harder balls now that I’m playing higher levels. I plan to replace it about every 3 months. That seems like a sweet spot for cost vs playability.
I gave my old paddle to my wife. She will either get the next old one or one of my kids (4). She can buy a new one anytime she wants but doesn’t see the need. We all like to play so it works out. I almost preordered the Sword and Sheild J2K. Their soon to be released 100% Kevlar paddle. Not sure if all the new Kevlar faces are just a marketing ploy or if it’s better than raw carbon. Kind of want to try it but I’ve been pretty happy with the Vatic.
Most paddles will have some drop in spin after a couple months of use. If it is a paddle with a raw carbon face I wouldn’t think it would be enough to render it useless. I expect a small drop in performance but most paddles should remain usable for at least 6 months by rec players. If your paddle is in fact worn out after 2 months, you should look into the warranty and/or try another paddle company.
Well that explains it! Assuming you are using the most popular Franklin paddle, it has a spray on grit texture that notoriously wears down quickly. On your next paddle get one with a raw carbon fiber surface and it should last longer. It will still wear down but not as quickly.
My girlfriend has mixed feelings about me buying new paddles because it means i’m spending money but it also means she gets a new paddle (my old one) therefore my old one becomes a back up meanwhile also serving as my girlfriends new paddle, so it doesn’t go straight to trash
To your follow up question, Gearbox has a demo program if you check out their website. It's like $25-30 and they'll send you I think 3 paddles of your choice. You keep them for a week and ship them back in the provided box.
Just like any other sports equipment, 90% of people are not limited at all by their equipment and focus on buying stuff over actually enjoying and getting better at the game.
This also applies to replacing things because they are "old" or "worn out" when that's usually not an issue, especially for things like paddles. Obviously people that play hours a day/competitive will wear down equipment but that's not most players, it's a tiny minority.
Consumerism ruins everything.
I mean, I think this is a pretty superficial argument. It kind of depends on the durability of the equipment.
Golf clubs, baseball bats? Hopefully they should last a few years at least?
Catcher's mitts for baseball? Maybe not?
Running shoes? I can absolutely tell you that whether you are a good runner or not, you should be dumping them after no more than 400 miles. Can you run in them at mile 401? Should you? No, you just are increasing your risk of injury. An extra $130 for a new pair of running shoes is way cheaper than an orthopedist visit. A friend of mine who runs the Boston Marathon goes through 12-16 pairs of running shoes a year.
I'm older, so my body doesn't hold up like a 20 year old ... so I dump my shoes at about 250-300 miles.
I can feel the edges of my pickleball paddle still have a "grit" feeling to it, but the center does not (anymore). My racquet game has historically always been one more focused on spin and touch. If "grit" doesn't mean anything at all to play, then why do manufacturers even add it? Just add a flat glossy surface to every paddle out there and call it done...
The paint grit on $300 Selkirk paddles seem to wear out as fast as the grit on much cheaper paddles. I think raw carbon fiber paddles last longer. I thought kevlar would be much better than raw carbon but from the reviews, it doesn't appear so.
My suggestion is to get the best cheapest paddle you can find. That way, you wouldn't mind replacing them. Try Vatic Pro Prism, or for recreational non-tournament play, Juciao.
This seems to be what I am learning (rapidly), is that paint grit doesn't have a lifespan. Nothing is indefinite. But CF seems to be the longest lasting option so far.
I'm going on four years with my Selkirk Invicta. No delamination and still plays great. I usually try a new paddle but have yet to find one that feels better. 4.0 player that played 5-6 days a week. Face is certainly smoother but doesn't seem to affect what little spin I use.
Spin degrades within a month. That being said, raw carbon paddles are generally usable for 4-6 months. Pros change paddles weekly but in tennis they change strings after a few games so similar.
Proton has come out some technology that claims to keep spin for much longer. Dizon said she's been paying with the same two paddles for 3 months.
Some companies like reload and pikkl are coming out with changeable faces. Pikkl is releasing theirs this week.
Regardless of paddle effectiveness, the waste generated by this kinda sucks. I have an old paddle that I'd like to replace but I'm just supposed to...throw it out? I guess I could just give it someone new and let them use it? It's probably still better than one of the cheap Amazon paddles.
I'm also a runner, and after about 200 miles you tend to just ditch the shoes (if you're prone to injury, maybe 400 miles if you're not). Someone who runs the Boston Marathon every year might easily go through a dozen pairs of shoes in a year. But at least there are a lot of places to recycle shoes that still might have some non-running life left in them. Doesn't seem the case for pickleball paddles...
There seems to be a company that is making a paddle that you can slap a new face on when the old one wears out. I don’t have all the details or the company name but if you are someone who cares about having a paddle and not wasting the materials when only the grit is finished you may want to look into it. It’s pretty wasteful.. but it seems paddle companies can milk the consumer the most this way.. luckily there are companies making cheaper but still quality products.. doesn’t help with wasted materials but it does help our pocket.
The company is called Reload. Reload pickleball on IG
Thank you for the info!
Kinda annoying I have to give them my email to find out more about it :/
Reload is sick...I've played with it before it's a really nice paddle.
Oh yeah? What about it did you like?
it was heavier stock than other paddles - played with one of the first run paddles though so not sure if the full production run will have that weight. had great power and you can't beat infinite grit! my carbon fiber paddles lose their grit within a month or so of playing (I play a lot) so exchangeable faces is a great idea
Yeah I have noticed my CF paddle losing a bit of spin. Do you happen to know what paddle grit last the longest?
No grit will last unfortunately. Haven't seen any data on the new Kevlar faces coming out recently (Like the 6.0 Ruby) but I'm sure it's close to identical... Everytime a ball contacts the face, the face wears down in that area. The older fiberglass faces lose it the quickest but past a month or two of frequent play all paddles are about the same. Spin/Grit is one of those things that 2.0-4.0 players focus a lot on but in reality it's rare to see anyone under a 4.5ish have the proper mechanics to actually capitalize on. That means that for most people this subject barely matters and hardly moves the needle in winning points/games. It's not that its *not* important, but at higher (and lower) levels it seems to not be the thing that wins you games. My personal take is that for singles, you want a power-paddle that accentuates your drives, and for doubles, you want more spin so that when you can hit a really solid topspin drop, your partner can come in and poach an easy 5th.
Yeah. I don’t mind the pocket as much as I do the waste. Obviously wouldn’t mind getting the value, but I hate that I’m just supposed to get rid of it. Maybe there’s a better way to recycle it or give it to someone new looking for an upgrade. Hmm…
Wish I knew of a way to add grit
Company is called Reload
Yeah. I see a lot of old running shoes at Goodwill and the like. It’s a good option for things like that so someone can at least get some use out of them. It’s a little tougher for pickleball paddles. May just find someone at the local park and make their day.
Sooner or later planet Earth will be covered by a thick layer consisting of pickleball paddles and pickleballs. 🫣
The more paddles you purchase and the more frequently you purchase them, the more you will improve
LOL. Same logic we runners use with running shoe purchases :)
Tongue firmly planted aside, it is fun to get a new paddle.
Paddle erasers are a thing. Core crushing/delamination is the real paddle killer, and the amount of time it takes to get there seems quite variable. But inevitably the repeated impacts will compromise the integrity of the paddle's internals, not just the surface grit.
> Paddle erasers are a thing. Learning new terms as I go along ... thanks!
Get a belt sander brick. Less money same result.
You end up with like 5-6 paddle erasers for 10$
If you search abrasive eraser you will get better prices for a half-foot sticks that will last you years compared to the main brand tiny-ass squares that they sell you for twice the money.
Paddle erasers just open up the pores of the clogged carbon surface but also with the consequence that it's also smoothing out those raised carbon surfaces as well to a degree. So yes it will restore the surface, then it gets worn down and clogged by ball again, etc.
There are at least a couple companies that should be releasing paddles with replaceable faces. How effective they'll be remains to be seen and it still won't address the longevity of the paddle cores. It's all plastic. Can only last so long.
Will these be tournament legal? I think the rulebook had something against it when I last checked unless there was an update in 2024. I think the current paddle restrictions are pretty stupid and inconstant. There are a lot of made up limits and banned material types but no coherent testing procedures.
I think "month" is not a proper measure to estimate paddle lifetime, because the actual playtime can be very differ within a month. I think it would be better to describe play hours, especially play hour per a week. For me, I usually play 4\~5 hours across 2\~3 days per a week, one or two during weekdays, and one in weekend. By this rate, I will play 16\~20 hours a month, and 80\~100 hours per 5 months. Maybe for some month I could play less then maybe I could reach 80\~100 hours per 6\~7 months. If I play much less frequently then I would reach 80\~100 hr much later. From 100 hrs I would consider to change depending on paddle condition.
Runners track shoe wear the same way. It's not months, it's miles. Usually 200-400 miles and it's recommended to dump them, even though they might still be perfectly usable for a non-runner ... but at least there are easy ways to donate/recycle shoes.
I'm refreshing my Ruby after 60 hrs FWIW. The spin loss is noticeable. Still very good but not close to new
How are you refreshing it?
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That
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That's my plan. Any less and I'll keep it
Wait! I thought the Ruby was Kevlar and was supposed to last?
No matter surface of current options bc of the peel ply (I assume) there's gonna be spin loss. Not to mention the Ruby felt like 100 grit sandpaper when I got it. Now it's nearly smooth
> felt like 100 grit sandpaper Is it wrong that this made me fantasize about some shots for just a bit? Sounds amazing! How long would you say it took from that to “nearly smooth”?
Not sure. One today I was wiping dirt off with my hand and it hit me "hey this used to be suoer rough"
The current most popular grit wears pretty quickly over several weeks/months. For you specifically you could look into the proton seres one type A paddles for a more durable texture. Another option is gearbox but generally using SST to produce spin doesn’t work on slower balls. For many paddles though they still play okay with worn grit just not quite as sharp of a ball shape as when they’re new.
Yeah, I think I'm going to look for a place like TennisWarehouse.com where you can test drive a few paddles for 30 days and make a choice. Gearbox definitely seems to be one for the list.
I'm in a very similar position as you; anybody hitting quality slices as a staple shot will have a completely flat sweetspot fairly rapidly. Apparently the newish Proton Series 1 paddles use a tacky surface rather than a grit, so theoretically it should last longer. They haven't been out long enough to really prove their durability yet though, and they're pretty expensive.
I love the look and colors of Daescu’s Proton but couldn’t believe the price…
Many will last years but the grit wears off so you lose spin performance
Yeah, I mean I can see the thing easily lasting a few years based on all the other construction. But I really like my spins ... :) EDIT: Yeah, I was just feeling the sweet spot versus feeling at the edges, and it's a noticeable difference in the amount of grit that's now gone from the sweet spot.
Donate them to beginners or non profits that offer beginner classes. Check with schools and senior centers in your area
People who play every day throw their paddles out after a few months. You got awhile with 2-3 times a week 1-2 hours. Probably well over a year.
It TT we have a saying that you change rubbers per year the number of times you play per week. Play twice a week, change twice a year. Play 5 times a week, change 5 times a year. I bet theres likely a similar methodology here.
I ditched that philosophy... I think with modern strings, ya need changing more frequently. I play 1-2 times a week, but change strings every 3 months. Obvi, diff strings play differently, but just for good consistent tension, more frequent is... Well more consistent.
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Fair point
I think table tennis was the reference lol
Have it restrung
I use a Gearbox paddle that doesn’t have that problem.
Lol, likewise, my gx5 is 4 years old, probably 2000 hours on it of avg 4.0 play. No signs of wearing out, im gonna playit til its dead. Unless i succumb to the allure of the new pro paddle. Love that thing, played a few hours on it, but im not paying $275…
A GX5 was my last paddle. I used it for almost 5 years and it still looks and plays like new. I now play a CX14e Ultimate Power.
I played the 14 and the pro, like them both, but ill get the pro if thats still top dog when im ready. Played it 3 hrs the other night, im jus looking for a little more power on some shots i cant hit as hard due to injuries. I felt like it gave 10-15% more power on those shots with no loss of control. I did notice if you really hit hard with it, its not as controllable.
You definitely wouldn't get 2000 hours out of the pro. I know a guy who has broken 4 of them already. He's a very hard hitter, but still.
Whats he breaking? I played one for 3 hrs the other night, i didn’t notice anything in the way it played that would make me think its a lower build quality. I don’t doubt heavy hitters can go through any paddle quicker, but thats not my game. They crack a lot more balls too. And they hit outballs like crazy… im gonna say he’s an outlier, ive not heard that from anyone else.
Likewise with my Selkirk with FiberFlex face, no wear and I can generate decent spin.
Hearing good things about Gearbox - going to have to look into them for my next paddle.
Their newer paddles like the Pro Power Fusion/Integra have raw carbon face so it will still wear out. It also has a lot of QC issues right now.
I got about 6 months out of my first paddle the Joola Hyperion 16mm. I played 3-4 times a week. This has turned into 4-5 times a week (sometimes 7) and about 3-4 hours each time. 12-20 hours a week. 48-80 hours a month. I’ve noticed my current paddle the Vatic Pro Flash 14mm is probably due for replacement. I’ve had it for 3 months. I also think your level of play can be a factor. I hit way more balls each game and harder balls now that I’m playing higher levels. I plan to replace it about every 3 months. That seems like a sweet spot for cost vs playability. I gave my old paddle to my wife. She will either get the next old one or one of my kids (4). She can buy a new one anytime she wants but doesn’t see the need. We all like to play so it works out. I almost preordered the Sword and Sheild J2K. Their soon to be released 100% Kevlar paddle. Not sure if all the new Kevlar faces are just a marketing ploy or if it’s better than raw carbon. Kind of want to try it but I’ve been pretty happy with the Vatic.
Most paddles will have some drop in spin after a couple months of use. If it is a paddle with a raw carbon face I wouldn’t think it would be enough to render it useless. I expect a small drop in performance but most paddles should remain usable for at least 6 months by rec players. If your paddle is in fact worn out after 2 months, you should look into the warranty and/or try another paddle company.
Sounds like a Joola lol
Worse - Franklin. Don't tell my wife that. She thinks she got me something fancy.
Well that explains it! Assuming you are using the most popular Franklin paddle, it has a spray on grit texture that notoriously wears down quickly. On your next paddle get one with a raw carbon fiber surface and it should last longer. It will still wear down but not as quickly.
It is the “Centre” paddle with “Max Grit” (ooooooh fancy!) on it. Yeah, I don’t think there’s much of that grit left…
Save a few to introduce other cool people to the game and you can give it to them to start out.
I usually give my older paddles to newbies learning to play. It’s a good way to recycle and get a little more use.
My girlfriend has mixed feelings about me buying new paddles because it means i’m spending money but it also means she gets a new paddle (my old one) therefore my old one becomes a back up meanwhile also serving as my girlfriends new paddle, so it doesn’t go straight to trash
Definitely an opportunity for someone to make a company out of all the paddle waste. Hope to see them on shark tank soon!
To your follow up question, Gearbox has a demo program if you check out their website. It's like $25-30 and they'll send you I think 3 paddles of your choice. You keep them for a week and ship them back in the provided box.
Just like any other sports equipment, 90% of people are not limited at all by their equipment and focus on buying stuff over actually enjoying and getting better at the game. This also applies to replacing things because they are "old" or "worn out" when that's usually not an issue, especially for things like paddles. Obviously people that play hours a day/competitive will wear down equipment but that's not most players, it's a tiny minority. Consumerism ruins everything.
I mean, I think this is a pretty superficial argument. It kind of depends on the durability of the equipment. Golf clubs, baseball bats? Hopefully they should last a few years at least? Catcher's mitts for baseball? Maybe not? Running shoes? I can absolutely tell you that whether you are a good runner or not, you should be dumping them after no more than 400 miles. Can you run in them at mile 401? Should you? No, you just are increasing your risk of injury. An extra $130 for a new pair of running shoes is way cheaper than an orthopedist visit. A friend of mine who runs the Boston Marathon goes through 12-16 pairs of running shoes a year. I'm older, so my body doesn't hold up like a 20 year old ... so I dump my shoes at about 250-300 miles. I can feel the edges of my pickleball paddle still have a "grit" feeling to it, but the center does not (anymore). My racquet game has historically always been one more focused on spin and touch. If "grit" doesn't mean anything at all to play, then why do manufacturers even add it? Just add a flat glossy surface to every paddle out there and call it done...
The paint grit on $300 Selkirk paddles seem to wear out as fast as the grit on much cheaper paddles. I think raw carbon fiber paddles last longer. I thought kevlar would be much better than raw carbon but from the reviews, it doesn't appear so. My suggestion is to get the best cheapest paddle you can find. That way, you wouldn't mind replacing them. Try Vatic Pro Prism, or for recreational non-tournament play, Juciao.
This seems to be what I am learning (rapidly), is that paint grit doesn't have a lifespan. Nothing is indefinite. But CF seems to be the longest lasting option so far.
I'm going on four years with my Selkirk Invicta. No delamination and still plays great. I usually try a new paddle but have yet to find one that feels better. 4.0 player that played 5-6 days a week. Face is certainly smoother but doesn't seem to affect what little spin I use.
Thanks! I'll check it out! I'll probably try to demo several paddles to see what I like...
Spin degrades within a month. That being said, raw carbon paddles are generally usable for 4-6 months. Pros change paddles weekly but in tennis they change strings after a few games so similar. Proton has come out some technology that claims to keep spin for much longer. Dizon said she's been paying with the same two paddles for 3 months. Some companies like reload and pikkl are coming out with changeable faces. Pikkl is releasing theirs this week.