CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 vs Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (86.8 vs 85.9), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
Too close to call
90 vs 88
Spin
Too close to call
93 vs 90
Control
Too close to call
89 vs 87
Forgiveness
Too close to call
86 vs 84
Hand speed
Too close to call
116 vs 116 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$275 at IQ 86.8 vs $280 at IQ 85.9
Overall pick: Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 · $275 · IQ 86.8
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 90Power88
- 87Control89
- 93Spin90
- 84Forgiveness86
- 86Sweet spot88
- 87Stability90
- 70Maneuverability72
- 81Pop83
- 86Touch86
- 88Consistency88
- 83Swing weight76
- 82Twist weight86
- 57Launch angle55
- 88Plow through86
- 88Softness80
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 vs Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 | Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $280 | $275 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 85.9 | 86.8 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 116 | 116 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.5 | 6.8 — better |
| 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) | 4.125 | 4 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon | Toray T700 raw carbon with TXR grip texture |
| Core material | TruFoam full-foam core | SSTCore carbon-fibre ribs with Smart Dampen foam |
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 verdict
The hybrid sits between the other two Genesis shapes on every scored axis. If you cannot decide between reach and forgiveness, this is the shape that refuses to make you choose.
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
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is softness: CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 scores 88 against 80 for Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 — an 8-point gap. They are effectively level on spin, stability, power, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($280 vs $275) that it should not break the tie.
Softness
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 leads by 8 points (88 vs 80).
Swing weight
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 leads by 7 points (83 vs 76).
Twist weight
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
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 86 vs 82, forgiveness 86 vs 84, sweet spot 88 vs 86. Twist weight 6.8 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85 vs 85.2 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — hybrid on the TruFoam Genesis 3, elongated on the Pro Ultimate Elongated 16.
- Control
- Maneuverability
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.8 vs 85.9 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — hybrid on the TruFoam Genesis 3, elongated on the Pro Ultimate Elongated 16.
- Spin
- Power
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 is a narrow pick at this level — softness 88 vs 80. Its 14 mm TruFoam full-foam core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3
Take CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 if you want softness (+8), swing weight (+7). Its swing weight of 116 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 review →Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
Take Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 if you want twist weight (+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 →Where to Buy
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 vs Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 or the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16?
- Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.8 vs 85.9), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 leads by 8 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both swing at 116 kg·cm², and swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 or the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16?
- CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 scores 90 for power against 88 for Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16. That comes from a 14 mm TruFoam full-foam core swinging at 116 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 at 89 versus 87. 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 TruFoam Genesis 3 scores 93 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 3-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16, with the higher forgiveness score (86 vs 84). Its 6.8 twist weight against 6.5 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- 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 TruFoam Genesis 3: 14 mm TruFoam full-foam 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?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both run a 5.5 in handle, long enough that neither forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 86 and sweet spot 88 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable 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 is identical at 116 kg·cm², so they will feel the same mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 to the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 leads on softness by 8 points; everything else is within 7 points. At $280 vs $275, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Related comparisons
The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
- TruFoam Genesis 3 vs TruFoam Genesis 2
- TruFoam Genesis 3 vs TruFoam Genesis X
- TruFoam Genesis 3 vs Coral Pro
- Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs Pro Power Elongated
- TruFoam Genesis 3 vs Jade Elongated 16mm
- TruFoam Genesis 3 vs CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
- TruFoam Genesis 3 vs CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage
- TruFoam Genesis 3 vs Perseus Pro IV 16
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 3 vs TruFoam Genesis X
- TruFoam Genesis 3 vs Pegasus Gen 3
- TruFoam Genesis 3 vs Nova R1
- TruFoam Genesis 3 vs CRBN-1X
- 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.
Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 and Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 and Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.