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Reference price$180MSRP $180

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Bread & Butter

Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Hybrid

84Specs recorded July 2026 · All-court players who lead with pace
Reviewed by Alex ZubarevPickleball player since 2021Jacksonville, FLUpdated Community verified

The Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Hybrid is a 16 mm hybrid pickleball paddle weighing 8.2 oz, with a Carbon–fiberglass–carbon face, listed around $180.

The shape most Loco buyers should start with. It keeps the long handle and most of the drive output while widening the face enough to make off-center contact survivable.

From Bread & Butter

The Hybrid blends the reach and power of an elongated paddle with the maneuverability and touch of a standard. A true all-court weapon with a plush, controlled response and just the right amount of pop.

Official Bread & Butter product page →

Cross-shopping? Most buyers weigh the Loco 16mm Hybrid against the 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 see them side by side, or browse every Bread & Butter paddle.

Core
16 mm
Weight
8.2 oz
Swing wt
114
Twist wt
6.4
Shape
hybrid
Surface
Carbon–fiberglass–carbon face
Grip
5.5 in
Released
2026

Pros

  • Best balance of the three Loco shapes
  • Long handle with a wider face
  • Same foam power at a lower swing weight

Cons

  • Built for drive output, not soft-hands resets
  • Spin trails raw carbon specialists

Paddle DNA Verdict

Last updated: August 2026

Derived from our published scoring model and sourced paddle specifications.

Should you buy the Loco 16mm Hybrid?

The Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Hybrid scores 84.1/100 on our IQ index, built from all 15 Paddle DNA traits. Its signature is power (89/100, 74th percentile of the database — above the database average), backed by plow through at 86 and pop at 84. The 16 mm Full foam dual-density core and Carbon–fiberglass–carbon face at 8.2 oz make it an all-court paddle: comfortable driving and resetting in the same rally.

Where it gives ground is maneuverability (72) and control (85). With a 114 kg·cm² swing weight and a 5.5 in handle it suits intermediate/advanced players, two-handed backhands, balanced doubles play. Skip it if you specifically want the opposite profile — maximum pop and minimum dwell time.

Closest paddles by DNA: 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 ($190), Vatic Pro Oni 16 ($130), Ronbus Nova R1 ($160). If budget matters, the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 lands within 2 IQ points for $81 less. Overall: a mid-pack pick overall — buy it for the specific trait it wins on, not as a category leader.

Best for
intermediate/advanced players, two-handed backhands, balanced doubles play
Playing style
all-court — comfortable driving and resetting in the same rally
Avoid if
you specifically want the opposite profile — maximum pop and minimum dwell time

In depth

Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Hybrid — the long answer

The hybrid Loco is the shape most buyers of this paddle should start with. It keeps the long handle and most of the elongated build's drive output while widening the face enough that off-center contact stays playable.

The sections below are analysis of published specifications and Paddle DNA™ values, not a play-test write-up. Where we have hit with a paddle, those notes appear separately and are attributed.

What the shape change actually costs

Moving from the elongated Loco to the hybrid drops power from 92 to 89 and plow-through from 91 to 86 — small, real losses. In exchange sweet spot climbs from 79 to 85, twist weight from 72 to 79, and swing weight falls from 118 to 114. For most players that is a favourable trade.

Long handle, quicker hands

The 5.5 in handle carries over from the elongated model, so two-handed backhands are fully supported, but the lower swing weight makes the paddle measurably easier to turn around in a fast exchange.

Still a power paddle

Control measures 85 here. That is solid, not exceptional — the foam core buys enough dwell time to reset, but the paddle wants you to be the one applying pressure. Do not buy it expecting a soft-game specialist.

Community consensus

What other players say about the Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Hybrid

Verbatim excerpts from public discussion and independent reviews, plus the themes they add up to. These are other people's opinions, not ours, and every quote links back to where it was written.

Fiberglass reinforcement beneath the carbon fiber face layers has become a popular configuration, increasing power on full swings while reducing pop on shorter swings for better control.
Pickleball Effect· powerpraise
It is above the median for all-court paddles offensively but the pleasant feel gives you a nice connection to the paddle that makes it a little easier to control and feel the ball.
Pickleball Effect· controlpraise
It's a midweight paddle with a swingweight range of 116-118. While not the fastest paddle you'll play with, it's a good weight that plows through the ball well and has an above average sweet spot for a hybrid shape without being too cumbersome to move around and manage.
Pickleball Effect· weightpraise
The new Loco is built with a full foam core and designed as a power paddle, not a control paddle.
Pickleball Studio· powerpraise
The Loco plays fast, hits hard, and still keeps a solid sweet spot and consistent feel.
Pickleball Studio· powerpraise
The Loco feels like a Gen 3 paddle that's firm, solid, and connected.
Pickleball Studio· feelpraise
The control on the Loco really stands out.
Pickleball Studio· controlpraise
Power is where the Loco finds its sweet spot. It's not the hardest-hitting paddle out there, but it has more than enough to finish points while still keeping shots under control.
Pickleball Studio· powerpraise
The elongated had the highest overall power score, with the hybrid close behind
John Kew Pickleball· John Williams· powerpraise
Spin landed between 2050 and 2150 RPM across all shapes, putting the LOCO line in the spin-meta 70s.
John Kew Pickleball· John Williams· spinpraise
The LOCO has a crisp, lively feel. It's stiffer and a bit hollow, with some fiberglass "snap" from the CFC layup.
John Kew Pickleball· John Williams· feelpraise
The hybrid felt a little unstable until I added weight, but the widebody was quick, stable, and easy to swing right away.
Pickleball Studio· feelmixed

Who should buy the Loco 16mm Hybrid?

  • Former tennis players and two-handed backhands
  • Singles players and drivers who end points with pace
  • Topspin-heavy players rolling and dipping every ball
  • Brand-new beginners still finding a contact point

Most compared with the Loco 16mm Hybrid

The matchups people actually cross-shop, each with a full 15-trait breakdown.

Paddle DNA™ — all 15 traits

Every trait normalised 0-100 against the full database, so these numbers mean the same thing on any paddle page. How we score →

Power89Control85Spin88Forgiveness83Sweet spot85Stability85Maneuverability72Touch83

Key attributes

Power89
Control85
Spin88
Forgiveness83
Sweet spot85
Stability85
Maneuverability72
Pop84
Touch83
Consistency85
Swing weight81
Twist weight79
Launch angle61
Plow through86
Softness85

DNA match — paddles within 5% of the Loco 16mm Hybrid

Our similarity engine ranks the whole database by average DNA deviation. Tighten or widen the band to see how far you have to travel to save money or gain a trait.

Paddle DNA™ match

Match tolerance

Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Hybrid

IQ 84.1 · $180

Power89Control85Spin88Forgiveness83Sweet spot85Stability85Maneuverability72Touch83

8 paddles within 5% of the Loco 16mm Hybrid

Ranked by DNA deviation

  1. +3 spin+3 twist weight+2 control+2 stability

    Higher IQ score (85.1 vs 84.1)

  2. +4 twist weight-3 swing weight-3 softness+2 maneuverability

    Saves $50 versus the Loco 16mm Hybrid · +4 twist weight · Higher IQ score (84.6 vs 84.1)

  3. +5 twist weight+4 control-4 launch angle+3 touch

    Saves $20 versus the Loco 16mm Hybrid · +5 twist weight · -4 launch angle · Higher IQ score (85.7 vs 84.1)

  4. +5 spin-4 launch angle-3 pop+3 touch

    +5 spin · -4 launch angle · Higher IQ score (85.9 vs 84.1)

  5. +6 twist weight-5 swing weight-5 launch angle-4 plow through

    +6 twist weight · -5 swing weight · Higher IQ score (85.3 vs 84.1)

  6. -11 softness+7 twist weight+6 spin+4 pop

    +7 twist weight · -11 softness · Higher IQ score (86.3 vs 84.1)

  7. -13 softness-7 launch angle+5 twist weight+3 stability

    +5 twist weight · -13 softness · Higher IQ score (85.6 vs 84.1)

  8. +8 twist weight+5 stability+3 control+3 forgiveness

    +8 twist weight · Higher IQ score (87 vs 84.1)

Best alternatives to the Loco 16mm Hybrid

Each pick beats the Loco 16mm Hybrid on one specific thing — price, power, control or forgiveness.

Similar paddles to the Loco 16mm Hybrid

Closest matches by player level, hand weight and price — the paddles most players cross-shop against the Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Hybrid.

Same playing profile (within 8% DNA)

Want a different matchup? Compare any two paddles or browse the full paddle database. Buying your first paddle? Read the beginner paddle guide.

Ranked in

More from Bread & Butter

Competitive-circuit brand that built its reputation on power paddles, then priced a full-foam flagship — the Loco — roughly $100 under the comparable JOOLA and CRBN builds.

Loco 16mm Hybrid — frequently asked questions

Is the hybrid Loco good for intermediates?
Yes. It is the most balanced of the three shapes and the most forgiving of the two long-handled builds.
How does the Loco hybrid compare to the TruFoam Genesis 3?
Same idea — hybrid geometry over a foam core — at a roughly $100 price gap. The Genesis measures higher on spin; the Loco is the value option.
Is the Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Hybrid good for beginners?
Not our first recommendation. Forgiveness sits at 83/100 and the paddle is tuned for intermediate/advanced play. A developing player is better served by something more forgiving and cheaper — see our beginner shortlist.
Is the Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Hybrid worth the price?
At $180 it sits in the 40th percentile of the database for cost and the 54th for IQ score. If those numbers do not line up for you, the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 at $99 is the value alternative we point people to.
How does the Loco 16mm Hybrid compare to the Pegasus Gen 3?
They are close on DNA. The Loco 16mm Hybrid reads power 89 / control 85 / spin 88 against 89 / 87 / 91 for the Pegasus Gen 3, at $180 versus $190. Our full head-to-head breaks down every trait.
Is the 16 mm better than the 14 mm version?
A 16 mm core has longer dwell time, which is what produces softer resets and more repeatable placement. The 14 mm build trades that dwell for a faster, poppier response off the face. Control players take 16 mm; players who want the ball gone quickly take 14 mm.
Is the Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Hybrid approved for tournament play?
Sanctioned play requires the model to appear on USA Pickleball's official approved-equipment list. Bread & Butter submits its retail models for approval, but approval is per model and configuration, so check the current USAP list for the exact Loco 16mm Hybrid build before you enter a sanctioned event. We do not list approval status we have not verified.
Does the Loco 16mm Hybrid have good spin?
Spin scores 88/100 — the 38th percentile of our database (below the database average) — off a Carbon–fiberglass–carbon face. Spin is not this paddle's strength — several paddles in the same price band score meaningfully higher.
Is the Loco 16mm Hybrid head heavy?
Swing weight is 114 kg·cm² and twist weight 6.4. That is mid-range: balanced enough that most players will not describe it as head heavy. Static weight is 8.2 oz.
Does the Loco 16mm Hybrid benefit from lead tape?
It already swings at 114 kg·cm², so adding weight at 12 o'clock will make it sluggish. If you customise, keep it to a few grams at 3 and 9 o'clock for stability. Any added weight can affect tournament legality if it changes the paddle beyond the approved configuration.
What is the best overgrip for the Loco 16mm Hybrid?
The stock handle is 5.5 in long with a 4.25 in circumference. A thin tacky overgrip adds roughly 1/16 in of circumference and a few grams above the balance point — the cheapest way to fine-tune fit. If your hand is larger than the 4.25 in stock size, build up with an under-wrap first rather than stacking overgrips.
What should I replace the Loco 16mm Hybrid with when it wears out?
Face wear shows up as lost spin long before the core dies. The straight replacement is another Loco 16mm Hybrid; if you want to change something, the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 adds control (96 vs 85) and the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 adds power (95 vs 89).
Who is the Loco 16mm Hybrid best for?
All-court players who lead with pace. Skill levels we would put on it: intermediate, advanced. Handle length of 5.5 in supports a two-handed backhand.
What shape and size is the Loco 16mm Hybrid?
hybrid shape, 16.3 in long by 7.6 in wide, 16 mm Full foam dual-density core, Carbon–fiberglass–carbon face, 8.2 oz. Released 2026.
Is the Loco 16mm Hybrid good for two-handed backhands?
Yes — the 5.5 in handle gives your top hand a full grip rather than riding the throat.

Watch: Bread & Butter Loco vs Coral Pro

See how the Bread & Butter Loco Hybrid compares with the Six Zero Coral Pro for power, spin, control, forgiveness, hand speed, and price.

Evidence & sources — how we know this

Show

Every significant number on this page carries a source and a date. Where a figure comes from the manufacturer rather than our own measurement, we say so.

  • Price

    $180

    Amazon listing — checked August 10, 2026

  • Weight

    8.2 oz

    Manufacturer specification — recorded August 10, 2026

  • Core thickness

    16 mm

    Manufacturer specification — recorded August 10, 2026

  • Swing weight

    114 kg·cm²

    Independent measurement data, normalized to our scale

  • Twist weight

    6.4 kg·cm²

    Independent measurement data, normalized to our scale

  • Paddle DNA (15 traits)

    IQ 84.1/100

    Computed from the specs above by our published scoring model

  • USAP approval

    Listed by the manufacturer as USA Pickleball approved

    USA Pickleball equipment database — checked August 10, 2026

  • Alex's experience

    Not personally tested

    Analysis on this page is spec-derived, not play-tested

Spot an error? Send a correction — every fix is logged publicly. Full protocol on our methodology page.

Why trust this page?

We separate firsthand testing from research-based analysis. Specifications are sourced and dated, corrections are logged publicly, and affiliate relationships never affect Paddle IQ scores.

Reviewed by Alex Zubarev →Our methodology →Editorial policy →

Community verified

Spec-derived analysis plus cited owner and player reports from public sources. Community opinion is attributed, never restated as our own finding. Editorial policy · Affiliate disclosure

Reviewed by

Alex Zubarev

Founder, PickleballLookup

Alex built the Paddle DNA™ database behind PickleballLookup — 15 normalized traits scored for every paddle in the catalog. Every page on this site is generated from that data and editorially reviewed before publication.

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Last updated August 2026 · How we score paddles