CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid vs Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid 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
- 90Power88
- 86Control89
- 90Spin90
- 88Forgiveness86
- 90Sweet spot88
- 90Stability90
- 74Maneuverability72
- 86Pop83
- 82Touch86
- 86Consistency88
- 76Swing weight76
- 88Twist weight86
- 56Launch angle55
- 88Plow through86
- 70Softness80
CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid vs Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid | Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $270 — better | $275 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 86.9 — better | 86.8 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 115 | 116 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7 — better | 6.8 |
| Shape | hybrid | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.3 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.6 | 7.375 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon | Toray T700 raw carbon with TXR grip texture |
| Core material | Full TruFoam injected core | SSTCore carbon-fibre ribs with Smart Dampen foam |
CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid verdict
The widest sweet spot we have measured in the TruFoam line. Twist weight 88 with sweet spot 90 means off-center contact barely changes the ball, which is why foam paddles keep winning tournaments.
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 verdict
Gearbox's rib-suspended SSTCore feels unlike any honeycomb paddle: firmer through contact, quieter on resets, and unusually consistent shot to shot. You pay $275 for that engineering.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is softness: Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 scores 80 against 70 for CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid — a 10-point gap. They are effectively level on control, pop, power, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($270 vs $275) that it should not break the tie.
Softness
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 leads by 10 points (80 vs 70).
Touch
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 leads by 4 points (86 vs 82).
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
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (88.3 vs 87.6 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — hybrid on the CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid, elongated on the Pro Ultimate Elongated 16.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.9 vs 85.2 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — hybrid on the CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid, elongated on the Pro Ultimate Elongated 16.
- Control
- Touch
- Consistency
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.8 vs 85.9 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — hybrid on the CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid, elongated on the Pro Ultimate Elongated 16.
- Touch
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 is a narrow pick at this level — softness 80 vs 70. Its 16 mm SSTCore carbon-fibre ribs with Smart Dampen foam core at 8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
Take CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid if you prefer a hybrid face and a 5.5 in handle — it gives up nothing measurable to Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16.
Read the CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid review →Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
Take Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 if you want softness (+10), touch (+4). Its swing weight of 116 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 review →CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid vs Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid or the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16?
- CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.9 vs 86.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 leads by 10 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid, at 115 kg·cm² swing weight against 116 for Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid or the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16?
- CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid measures 90 on power against 88 for Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16. That comes from a 14 mm Full TruFoam injected core core swinging at 115 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 at 89 versus 86. 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 CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid scores 90 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 90 for the Toray T700 raw carbon with TXR grip texture face on Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16. In practice a 0-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid, with 7 twist weight against 6.8. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid carries the higher forgiveness score (88) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $5 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid: 14 mm Full TruFoam injected core core with a Raw T700 carbon face. Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16: 16 mm SSTCore carbon-fibre ribs with Smart Dampen foam core with a Toray T700 raw carbon with TXR grip texture face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 90 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 at 8 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (116 vs 115) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 to the CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 leads on softness by 10 points; everything else is within 4 points. At $270 vs $275, 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.
- CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid vs Ultré Power 2
- CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid vs Friction Pro Elongated V2
- CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid vs J2CR
- Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs CRBN-1X
- Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs Infinity Ruby 16
- Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs Nova R1
- Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs CRBN-3X Power Series
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid and Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.