CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage vs Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 87Power76
- 87Control85
- 92Spin90
- 82Forgiveness77
- 82Sweet spot76
- 75Stability74
- 93Maneuverability98
- 81Pop79
- 88Touch85
- 81Consistency79
- 53Swing weight39
- 65Twist weight68
- 53Launch angle51
- 63Plow through47
- 79Softness82
Specs
| $280 | Price | $105 |
|---|---|---|
| 14 mm | Core | 12.7 mm |
| 8 oz | Weight | 7.65 oz |
| 102 | Swing weight | 93 |
| 6.1 | Twist weight | 6.2 |
| hybrid | Shape | standard |
| Raw T700 Carbon Fiber Face | Surface | PT-700 Raw Carbon Fiber |
| 5.5 in | Handle | 5.25 in |
CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage verdict
The Barrage is CRBN's power interpretation of the TruFoam platform: a 14 mm hybrid whose full-foam core keeps the ball on the face longer than any thermoformed build at this power level.
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 verdict
At 7.65 oz this is the lightest paddle in the database, and the 12.7 mm core makes it faster still. It is a hands-speed specialist, not a power tool.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is plow through: CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage scores 63 against 47 for Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 — a 16-point gap. They are effectively level on touch, twist weight, softness, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 is $175 cheaper at $105.
Plow through
CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage leads by 16 points (63 vs 47).
Swing weight
CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage leads by 14 points (53 vs 39).
Power
CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage leads by 11 points (87 vs 76).
Sweet spot
CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage leads by 6 points (82 vs 76).
Which one should you buy?
CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage
Take CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage if you want plow through (+16), swing weight (+14), power (+11). Its swing weight of 102 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage review →Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7
Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 if you want maneuverability (+5). Its swing weight of 93 kg·cm² and 12.7 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 review →CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage vs Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage or the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7?
- CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (82.6 vs 79.4), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — plow through — CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage leads by 16 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7, at 93 kg·cm² swing weight against 102 for CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage or the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7?
- CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage measures 87 on power against 76 for Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7. That comes from a 14 mm TruFoam™ Floating Core core swinging at 102 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage at 87 versus 85. Its 14 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 CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage scores 92 for spin off its Raw T700 Carbon Fiber Face face, against 90 for the PT-700 Raw Carbon Fiber face on Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7, with 6.2 twist weight against 6.1. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage carries the higher forgiveness score (82) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 costs $105, $175 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 CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage: 14 mm TruFoam™ Floating Core core with a Raw T700 Carbon Fiber Face face. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7: 12.7 mm Polymer Honeycomb core with a PT-700 Raw Carbon Fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 82 and sweet spot 82 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 at 7.65 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (93 vs 102) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 to the CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage leads on plow through by 16 points; everything else is within 14 points. At $280 vs $105, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage vs Coral Hybrid 16
- CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage vs Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Hybrid
- CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage vs Coral Pro Hybrid UPA-A
- CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage vs Labs Project 007 Epic 14
- Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs Scorpeus 14
- Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs Labs Project 007 Epic 14
- Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Hybrid
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage and Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.