CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid vs RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
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
- 90Power92
- 86Control86
- 90Spin94
- 88Forgiveness84
- 90Sweet spot86
- 90Stability88
- 74Maneuverability72
- 86Pop88
- 82Touch82
- 86Consistency86
- 76Swing weight80
- 88Twist weight86
- 56Launch angle60
- 88Plow through88
- 70Softness74
CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid vs RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 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 | RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $270 | $249.99 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 86.9 — better | 86.3 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 115 | 117 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7 — better | 6.5 |
| 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 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon | CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup |
| Core material | Full TruFoam injected core | Tri-Density honeycomb core with EVA foam ring |
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.
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 verdict
The James Ignatowich signature build is an unapologetic attack paddle: 16.5 in of reach, a grippy CarbonBite face and a tri-density core that launches drives without giving up the sweet spot the first V2 lacked.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is spin: RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 scores 94 against 90 for CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid — a 4-point gap. They are effectively level on power, stability, maneuverability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 is $20.00999999999999 cheaper at $249.99.
Spin
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 4 points (94 vs 90).
Forgiveness
CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid leads by 4 points (88 vs 84).
Sweet spot
CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid leads by 4 points (90 vs 86).
Swing weight
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 4 points (80 vs 76).
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 84, sweet spot 90 vs 86, stability 90 vs 88. 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
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.9 vs 85 on the weighted index). Take RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 and keep the $20.00999999999999.
- Spin
- Power
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.8 vs 86.8 on the weighted index). Take RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 and keep the $20.00999999999999.
- Spin
- Power
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (78.2 vs 78.9 on the weighted index). Take RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 and keep the $20.00999999999999.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
Take CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid if you want forgiveness (+4), sweet spot (+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 →RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
Take RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 if you want spin (+4), swing weight (+4), launch angle (+4). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 review →CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid vs RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid or the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2?
- CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.9 vs 86.3), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — spin — RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 4 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid, at 115 kg·cm² swing weight against 117 for RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2. 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 RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 measures 92 on power against 90 for CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid. That comes from a 16 mm Tri-Density honeycomb core with EVA foam ring core swinging at 117 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?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 scores 94 for spin off its CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup face, against 90 for the Raw T700 carbon face on CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid. In practice a 4-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 6.5. 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?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 costs $249.99, $20.00999999999999 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. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2: 16 mm Tri-Density honeycomb core with EVA foam ring core with a CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup 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. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 at 7.9 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (117 vs 115) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 to the CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads on spin by 4 points; everything else is within 4 points. At $270 vs $249.99, 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 Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
- CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid vs J2CR
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Ultré Power 2
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Hyperion Pro V 16
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Pegasus Gen 3
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 RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.