CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 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
- 90Power92
- 87Control86
- 93Spin94
- 84Forgiveness84
- 86Sweet spot86
- 87Stability88
- 70Maneuverability72
- 81Pop88
- 86Touch82
- 88Consistency86
- 83Swing weight80
- 82Twist weight86
- 57Launch angle60
- 88Plow through88
- 88Softness74
Specs
| $280 | Price | $250 |
|---|---|---|
| 14 mm | Core | 16 mm |
| 8.3 oz | Weight | 8 oz |
| 116 | Swing weight | 117 |
| 6.5 | Twist weight | 6.5 |
| hybrid | Shape | elongated |
| Raw T700 carbon | Surface | CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup |
| 5.5 in | Handle | 5.5 in |
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 verdict
The hybrid sits between the other two Genesis shapes on every measured 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
Measured on the same 15-trait test, 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 cheaper at $250.
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 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 measures 92 on power against 90 for CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3. That comes from a 16 mm Tri-Density 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?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2, with 6.5 twist weight against 6.5. 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 3: 14 mm TruFoam full-foam core core with a Raw T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2, 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 RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 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. 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 8 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 $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 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 Hyperion Pro V 16
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Pegasus Gen 3
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs CRBN-1X
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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.