CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 vs RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. 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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Quick answer
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 wins this matchup for most players: it takes value on Paddle DNA against the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3, which costs $280.
Power
Too close to call
92 vs 90
Spin
Too close to call
94 vs 93
Control
Too close to call
87 vs 86
Forgiveness
Too close to call
84 vs 84
Hand speed
Too close to call
116 vs 117 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
$249.99 at IQ 86.3 vs $280 at IQ 85.9
Overall pick: RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 · $249.99 · IQ 86.3
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 90Power92
- 87Control86
- 93Spin94
- 84Forgiveness84
- 86Sweet spot86
- 87Stability88
- 70Maneuverability72
- 81Pop88
- 86Touch82
- 88Consistency86
- 83Swing weight80
- 82Twist weight86
- 57Launch angle60
- 88Plow through88
- 88Softness74
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 vs RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 | RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $280 | $249.99 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 85.9 | 86.3 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 116 | 117 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.5 | 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) | 4.125 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon | CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup |
| Core material | TruFoam full-foam core | Tri-Density honeycomb core with EVA foam ring |
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.
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
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is softness: CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 scores 88 against 74 for RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 — a 14-point gap. They are effectively level on swing weight, launch angle, power, so those traits should not decide the purchase. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 is $30.00999999999999 cheaper at $249.99.
Softness
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 leads by 14 points (88 vs 74).
Pop
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 7 points (88 vs 81).
Touch
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 leads by 4 points (86 vs 82).
Twist weight
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 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 (85.8 vs 85.5 on the weighted index). Take RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 and keep the $30.00999999999999.
- Twist weight
- Stability
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85 vs 85 on the weighted index). Take RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 and keep the $30.00999999999999.
- Touch
- Control
- Consistency
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.8 vs 86.8 on the weighted index). Take RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 and keep the $30.00999999999999.
- Power
- Maneuverability
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 88 vs 74. 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?
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
Take RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 if you want pop (+7), twist weight (+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 TruFoam Genesis 3
Take CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 if you want softness (+14), touch (+4). Its swing weight of 116 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 review →RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 FAQ
- Which is better, the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 or the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.3 vs 85.9), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 leads by 14 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3, at 116 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 RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 or the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 scores 92 for power against 90 for CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3. 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 TruFoam Genesis 3 at 87 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 93 for the Raw T700 carbon face on CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3. In practice a 1-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 84 on forgiveness, off the same 6.5 twist weight.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 costs $249.99, $30.00999999999999 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?
- 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. CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3: 14 mm TruFoam full-foam core with a Raw T700 carbon 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?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Forgiveness (84) and sweet spot (86) are identical, so a developing player can start on either — decide on price and handle feel.
- 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 116) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 to the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 leads on softness by 14 points; everything else is within 7 points. At $249.99 vs $280, 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.
- CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage vs RPM Friction Pro Elongated V2
- 11SIX24 Ultré Power 2 vs RPM Friction Pro Elongated V2
- TruFoam Genesis 3 vs TruFoam Genesis 2
- TruFoam Genesis 3 vs TruFoam Genesis X
- TruFoam Genesis 3 vs Coral Pro
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs CRBN-1X Power Series
- TruFoam Genesis 3 vs CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
- TruFoam Genesis 3 vs CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage
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
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Ultré Power 2
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs 1X TruFoam Power
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Agassi Pro 16
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Hyperion Pro V 16
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 RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 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.