CRBN TruFoam Genesis 1 vs RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 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
- 93Power92
- 84Control86
- 93Spin94
- 78Forgiveness84
- 80Sweet spot86
- 84Stability88
- 66Maneuverability72
- 82Pop88
- 84Touch82
- 86Consistency86
- 88Swing weight80
- 74Twist weight86
- 57Launch angle60
- 93Plow through88
- 88Softness74
Specs
| $280 | Price | $250 |
|---|---|---|
| 14 mm | Core | 16 mm |
| 8.4 oz | Weight | 8 oz |
| 120 | Swing weight | 117 |
| 6.1 | Twist weight | 6.5 |
| elongated | Shape | elongated |
| Raw T700 carbon | Surface | CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup |
| 5.6 in | Handle | 5.5 in |
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 1 verdict
The elongated Genesis is the heaviest, most leveraged paddle in the TruFoam line. Full foam replaces the honeycomb core entirely, which is why it holds a plush, long-dwell feel at a 14 mm thickness that would normally play stiff.
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 softness: CRBN TruFoam Genesis 1 scores 88 against 74 for RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 — a 14-point gap. They are effectively level on launch angle, control, touch, so those traits should not decide the purchase. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 is $30 cheaper at $250.
Softness
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 1 leads by 14 points (88 vs 74).
Twist weight
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 12 points (86 vs 74).
Swing weight
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 1 leads by 8 points (88 vs 80).
Forgiveness
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 6 points (84 vs 78).
Which one should you buy?
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
Take RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 if you want twist weight (+12), forgiveness (+6), sweet spot (+6). 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 TruFoam Genesis 1
Take CRBN TruFoam Genesis 1 if you want softness (+14), swing weight (+8), plow through (+5). Its swing weight of 120 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 1 review →RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs CRBN TruFoam Genesis 1 FAQ
- Which is better, the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 or the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 1?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.3 vs 83.4), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — CRBN TruFoam Genesis 1 leads by 14 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2, at 117 kg·cm² swing weight against 120 for CRBN TruFoam Genesis 1. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 or the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 1?
- CRBN TruFoam Genesis 1 measures 93 on power against 92 for RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2. That comes from a 14 mm TruFoam full-foam core core swinging at 120 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 at 86 versus 84. 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?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 scores 94 for spin off its CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup face, against 93 for the Raw T700 carbon face on CRBN TruFoam Genesis 1. In practice a 1-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2, with 6.5 twist weight against 6.1. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 carries the higher forgiveness score (84) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 costs $250, $30 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?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2: 16 mm Tri-Density core with EVA foam ring core with a CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup face. CRBN TruFoam Genesis 1: 14 mm TruFoam full-foam core core with a Raw T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- CRBN TruFoam Genesis 1, at 5.6 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 TruFoam Genesis 1 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 84 and sweet spot 86 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. CRBN TruFoam Genesis 1 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 at 8 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (117 vs 120) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 1 to the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. CRBN TruFoam Genesis 1 leads on softness by 14 points; everything else is within 12 points. At $250 vs $280, 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.
- TruFoam Genesis 1 vs Loco 16mm Elongated
- TruFoam Genesis 1 vs TruFoam Genesis 3
- TruFoam Genesis 1 vs Loco 16mm Hybrid
- TruFoam Genesis 1 vs Pegasus Gen 3
- 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
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs CRBN-1X
Top alternatives to both
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Read the full reviews: CRBN TruFoam Genesis 1 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.