CRBN 1X TruFoam Power vs Selkirk Vanguard Power Air
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. CRBN 1X TruFoam Power takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
CRBN 1X TruFoam Power wins this matchup for most players: it takes control, forgiveness and value on Paddle DNA against the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air, which costs $250.
Power
Too close to call
92 vs 90
Spin
Too close to call
90 vs 88
Control
84 vs 78
Forgiveness
88 vs 71
Hand speed
114 vs 117 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$230 at IQ 85.9 vs $250 at IQ 78.4
Overall pick: CRBN 1X TruFoam Power · $230 · IQ 85.9
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 90Power92
- 84Control78
- 90Spin88
- 88Forgiveness71
- 90Sweet spot73
- 88Stability76
- 70Maneuverability79
- 88Pop93
- 78Touch74
- 86Consistency79
- 80Swing weight68
- 88Twist weight62
- 56Launch angle61
- 88Plow through84
- 74Softness58
CRBN 1X TruFoam Power vs Selkirk Vanguard Power Air specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | CRBN 1X TruFoam Power | Selkirk Vanguard Power Air |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $230 — better | $250 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 85.9 — better | 78.4 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 14 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 117 | 114 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7.2 — better | 5.6 |
| Shape | widebody | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16.4 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 7.4 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon | Quadcarbon face |
| Core material | TruFoam single-piece core | X5 polypropylene |
CRBN 1X TruFoam Power verdict
CRBN put its foam core in the widebody 1X shape. Twist weight 88 and sweet spot 90 make it the most stable power paddle in the database on off-center contact.
Selkirk Vanguard Power Air verdict
Explosive acceleration and crisp feedback for players who create their own control. The air-dynamic throat cuts drag noticeably on fast swings.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is twist weight: CRBN 1X TruFoam Power scores 88 against 62 for Selkirk Vanguard Power Air — a 26-point gap. They are effectively level on power, spin, so those traits should not decide the purchase. CRBN 1X TruFoam Power is $20 cheaper at $230.
Twist weight
CRBN 1X TruFoam Power leads by 26 points (88 vs 62).
Forgiveness
CRBN 1X TruFoam Power leads by 17 points (88 vs 71).
Sweet spot
CRBN 1X TruFoam Power leads by 17 points (90 vs 73).
Softness
CRBN 1X TruFoam Power leads by 16 points (74 vs 58).
Which one is right for your level?
Each call below re-weights the Paddle DNA traits that matter at that level, so the winner can differ from the overall pick.
Beginner
New to 3.0 — still building a consistent contact point
CRBN 1X TruFoam Power
CRBN 1X TruFoam Power is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 88 vs 62, forgiveness 88 vs 71, sweet spot 90 vs 73. Twist weight 7.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
CRBN 1X TruFoam Power
CRBN 1X TruFoam Power is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 88 vs 71, control 84 vs 78, consistency 86 vs 79. At 117 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Forgiveness
- Control
- Consistency
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.4 vs 83.5 on the weighted index). Take CRBN 1X TruFoam Power and keep the $20.
- Control
- Plow through
- Touch
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
CRBN 1X TruFoam Power
CRBN 1X TruFoam Power is the clearer pick at this level — softness 74 vs 58, twist weight 88 vs 62, forgiveness 88 vs 71. Its 16 mm TruFoam single-piece core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
CRBN 1X TruFoam Power
Take CRBN 1X TruFoam Power if you want twist weight (+26), forgiveness (+17), sweet spot (+17). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN 1X TruFoam Power review →Selkirk Vanguard Power Air
Take Selkirk Vanguard Power Air if you want maneuverability (+9), pop (+5), launch angle (+5). Its swing weight of 114 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air review →CRBN 1X TruFoam Power vs Selkirk Vanguard Power Air FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN 1X TruFoam Power or the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air?
- CRBN 1X TruFoam Power carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.9 vs 78.4), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — CRBN 1X TruFoam Power leads by 26 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Selkirk Vanguard Power Air, at 114 kg·cm² swing weight against 117 for CRBN 1X TruFoam Power. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the CRBN 1X TruFoam Power or the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air?
- Selkirk Vanguard Power Air scores 92 for power against 90 for CRBN 1X TruFoam Power. That comes from a 14 mm X5 polypropylene core swinging at 114 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- CRBN 1X TruFoam Power at 84 versus 78. Its 16 mm core holds the ball on the face slightly longer, which is what makes resets and dinks land shorter.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- CRBN 1X TruFoam Power scores 90 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 88 for the Quadcarbon face on Selkirk Vanguard Power Air. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- CRBN 1X TruFoam Power, with the higher forgiveness score (88 vs 71). Its 7.2 twist weight against 5.6 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- CRBN 1X TruFoam Power costs $230, $20 less. Whether that gap is worth closing depends on whether you actually use the traits it trades away — check the head-to-head DNA bars above before paying up.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- CRBN 1X TruFoam Power: 16 mm TruFoam single-piece core with a Raw T700 carbon face. Selkirk Vanguard Power Air: 14 mm X5 polypropylene core with a Quadcarbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Selkirk Vanguard Power Air, at 5.5 in of handle against 5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Selkirk Vanguard Power Air avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- CRBN 1X TruFoam Power is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 90 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Selkirk Vanguard Power Air rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Selkirk Vanguard Power Air at 7.9 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (114 vs 117) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air to the CRBN 1X TruFoam Power?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. CRBN 1X TruFoam Power leads on twist weight by 26 points; everything else is within 17 points. At $230 vs $250, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Guides featuring these paddles
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Read the full reviews: CRBN 1X TruFoam Power and Selkirk Vanguard Power Air. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.