RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16
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
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes control, hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2, which costs $249.99.
Power
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
92 vs 84
Spin
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
94 vs 89
Control
90 vs 86
Forgiveness
Too close to call
87 vs 84
Hand speed
107 vs 117 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$99 at IQ 85.8 vs $249.99 at IQ 86.3
Overall pick: Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 · $99 · IQ 85.8
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 92Power84
- 86Control90
- 94Spin89
- 84Forgiveness87
- 86Sweet spot87
- 88Stability84
- 72Maneuverability80
- 88Pop80
- 82Touch88
- 86Consistency88
- 80Swing weight68
- 86Twist weight82
- 60Launch angle55
- 88Plow through76
- 74Softness84
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 | Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $249.99 | $99 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 86.3 — better | 85.8 |
| Weight(oz) | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 117 | 107 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| Shape | elongated | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.3 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.125 | 4.25 |
| Surface | CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup | Raw T700 carbon |
| Core material | Tri-Density honeycomb core with EVA foam ring | Thermoformed polymer |
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.
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 verdict
The $99 paddle that keeps embarrassing $200 ones. The V-Sol Pro will not out-drive the foam flagships, but on control, spin and consistency it is genuinely competitive.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is swing weight: RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 scores 80 against 68 for Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 — a 12-point gap. They are effectively level on forgiveness, consistency, sweet spot, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 is $150.99 cheaper at $99.
Swing weight
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 12 points (80 vs 68).
Plow through
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 12 points (88 vs 76).
Softness
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 leads by 10 points (84 vs 74).
Power
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 8 points (92 vs 84).
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 86.2 on the weighted index). Take Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 and keep the $150.99.
- Forgiveness
- Consistency
- Control
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85 vs 86.5 on the weighted index). Take Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 and keep the $150.99.
- Maneuverability
- Touch
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 is a narrow pick at this level — plow through 88 vs 76, power 92 vs 84, spin 94 vs 89. Swing weight 117 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Plow through
- Power
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 84 vs 74, forgiveness 87 vs 84. Its 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
Take RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 if you want swing weight (+12), plow through (+12), power (+8). 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 →Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16
Take Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 if you want softness (+10), maneuverability (+8), touch (+6). Its swing weight of 107 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 review →RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 or the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.3 vs 85.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 12 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16, at 107 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 Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 scores 92 for power against 84 for Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16. 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?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 at 90 versus 86. 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 89 for the Raw T700 carbon face on Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16. In practice a 5-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16, with the higher forgiveness score (87 vs 84). Twist weight is identical at 6.5, so the gap comes from sweet-spot size and face stability rather than resistance to twisting.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 costs $99, $150.99 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. Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer 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 5.3 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?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 87 and sweet spot 87 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both are listed at 7.9 oz, though swing weight differs (117 vs 107) and that is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 to the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads on swing weight by 12 points; everything else is within 12 points. At $249.99 vs $99, 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
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs CRBN-1X Power Series
- V-Sol Pro 16 vs Prism Flash
- V-Sol Pro 16 vs Double Black Diamond Control
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs J2CR
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs TruFoam Genesis 3
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs TruFoam Genesis 1
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- 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
- V-Sol Pro 16 vs Ruby Hybrid 16
- V-Sol Pro 16 vs Bantam ALW-C 14
- V-Sol Pro 16 vs Scorpeus Pro IV 16
- V-Sol Pro 16 vs Series Two Project Flash
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 RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 and Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 and Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.