CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid vs Proton Series One Project Black
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
- 90Power86
- 86Control86
- 90Spin90
- 88Forgiveness80
- 90Sweet spot82
- 90Stability86
- 74Maneuverability72
- 86Pop82
- 82Touch82
- 86Consistency84
- 76Swing weight76
- 88Twist weight86
- 56Launch angle54
- 88Plow through86
- 70Softness68
CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid vs Proton Series One Project Black 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 | Proton Series One Project Black |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $270 | $200 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 86.9 — better | 83.8 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 115 | 117 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7 | 7 |
| Shape | hybrid | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.3 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.6 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon | Raw carbon fiber |
| Core material | Full TruFoam injected core | Thermoformed unibody with foam walls |
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.
Proton Series One Project Black verdict
A thermoformed unibody built around stability. The foam walls push twist weight to the top of our measured range, which is why off-center drives still land deep.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is forgiveness: CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid scores 88 against 80 for Proton Series One Project Black — a 8-point gap. They are effectively level on maneuverability, consistency, twist weight, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Proton Series One Project Black is $70 cheaper at $200.
Forgiveness
CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid leads by 8 points (88 vs 80).
Sweet spot
CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid leads by 8 points (90 vs 82).
Power
CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid leads by 4 points (90 vs 86).
Stability
CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid leads by 4 points (90 vs 86).
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 CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 88 vs 80, sweet spot 90 vs 82, stability 90 vs 86. Twist weight 7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Stability
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 88 vs 80, power 90 vs 86, maneuverability 74 vs 72. At 115 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Forgiveness
- Power
- Maneuverability
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.8 vs 84.4 on the weighted index). Take Proton Series One Project Black and keep the $70.
- Power
- Plow through
- Maneuverability
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 88 vs 80, softness 70 vs 68, twist weight 88 vs 86. Its 14 mm Full TruFoam injected core core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Forgiveness
- Softness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
Take CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid if you want forgiveness (+8), sweet spot (+8), power (+4). Its swing weight of 115 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid review →Proton Series One Project Black
Take Proton Series One Project Black if you prefer a elongated face and a 5.5 in handle — it gives up nothing measurable to CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid.
Read the Proton Series One Project Black review →CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid vs Proton Series One Project Black FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid or the Proton Series One Project Black?
- CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.9 vs 83.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — forgiveness — CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid leads by 8 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid, at 115 kg·cm² swing weight against 117 for Proton Series One Project Black. 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 Proton Series One Project Black?
- CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid measures 90 on power against 86 for Proton Series One Project Black. 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?
- CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid at 86 versus 86. 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 CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid scores 90 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 90 for the Raw carbon fiber face on Proton Series One Project Black. 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 7. 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?
- Proton Series One Project Black costs $200, $70 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 CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid: 14 mm Full TruFoam injected core core with a Raw T700 carbon face. Proton Series One Project Black: 16 mm Thermoformed unibody with foam walls core with a Raw carbon fiber 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?
- CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid at 8.3 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (115 vs 117) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Proton Series One Project Black to the CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid leads on forgiveness by 8 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $270 vs $200, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Top alternatives to both
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Read the full reviews: CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid and Proton Series One Project Black. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.