Is the standard Loco good for beginners?

It is the most forgiving shape in the line and the easiest to swing, so it works for a developing player — though $180 is a lot for a first paddle.

Which Loco has the widest sweet spot?

The standard shape, at 89 on our normalized scale, ahead of the hybrid at 85 and the elongated at 79.

Is the Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard good for beginners?

Yes. Forgiveness scores 88/100 and the sweet spot 89/100, both high enough that off-centre contact still produces a playable ball. At $180 it is more paddle than most beginners need, but it will not hold you back.

Is the Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard worth the price?

At $180 it sits in the 40th percentile of the database for cost and the 73rd 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 Standard compare to the Mach 1 Forza 16?

They are close on DNA. The Loco 16mm Standard reads power 86 / control 87 / spin 86 against 86 / 88 / 87 for the Mach 1 Forza 16, at $180 versus $170. 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 Standard 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 Standard build before you enter a sanctioned event. We do not list approval status we have not verified.

Does the Loco 16mm Standard have good spin?

Spin scores 86/100 — the 27th 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 Standard head heavy?

Swing weight is 111 kg·cm² and twist weight 6.8. That is light and fast through the swing path, which favours hands battles over plow-through. Static weight is 8.1 oz.

Does the Loco 16mm Standard benefit from lead tape?

Yes — at 111 kg·cm² there is room to add. Tape at 3 and 9 o'clock raises twist weight and stability with the smallest hit to hand speed; tape at 12 adds power and plow-through but slows the paddle noticeably. 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 Standard?

The stock handle is 5.25 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 Standard with when it wears out?

Face wear shows up as lost spin long before the core dies. The straight replacement is another Loco 16mm Standard; if you want to change something, the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 adds control (96 vs 87) and the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 adds power (95 vs 86).

Who is the Loco 16mm Standard best for?

Kitchen-line players who still want foam power. Skill levels we would put on it: beginner, intermediate, advanced. Handle length of 5.25 in suits one-handed backhands; two-handers will find it short.

What shape and size is the Loco 16mm Standard?

standard shape, 16 in long by 7.9 in wide, 16 mm Full foam dual-density core, Carbon–fiberglass–carbon face, 8.1 oz. Released 2026.

Is the Loco 16mm Standard good for two-handed backhands?

Less so. At 5.25 in your top hand will sit partly on the throat. Two-handers should look for 5.3 in or longer.

Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard pickleball paddle, front face — standard shape, Carbon–fiberglass–carbon hitting surface — Front · Hitting face and graphics5/7 verified views

Reference price$180MSRP $180

Check price on Amazon$187

Buy links are affiliate links: we earn a commission from qualifying purchases through Amazon Associates and brand-direct programs. Prices and availability are checked periodically and can change.

Bread & Butter

Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard

86Specs recorded July 2026 · Kitchen-line players who still want foam power

Reviewed by Alex ZubarevPickleball player since 2021Jacksonville, FLUpdated August 2026Community verified

The Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard is a 16 mm standard pickleball paddle weighing 8.1 oz, with a Carbon–fiberglass–carbon face, listed around $180.

The forgiving Loco. Widening the face lifts sweet spot and twist weight and drops the swing weight below the other two shapes, at the cost of some reach and drive.

From Bread & Butter

Built for quick hands and pinpoint placement, the Standard shape offers a generous sweet spot and clean, predictable control. The foam core adds a plush feel while keeping enough pop to finish the point. Paddle Cover Included.

Official Bread & Butter product page →

Cross-shopping? Most buyers weigh the Loco 16mm Standard against the Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 — see them side by side, or browse every Bread & Butter paddle.

Core: 16 mm
Weight: 8.1 oz
Swing wt: 111
Twist wt: 6.8
Shape: standard
Surface: Carbon–fiberglass–carbon face
Grip: 5.25 in
Released: 2026

Pros

Quickest hands of the three shapes
Wide, forgiving face
Foam softness on resets

Cons

Least reach in the line
Shorter 5.25 in handle for two-handers

Paddle DNA Verdict

Last updated: August 2026

Derived from our published scoring model and sourced paddle specifications.

Should you buy the Loco 16mm Standard?

The Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard scores 85.7/100 on our IQ index, built from all 15 Paddle DNA traits. Its signature is sweet spot (89/100, 83rd percentile of the database — strong, well above the database average), backed by twist weight at 86 and forgiveness at 88. The 16 mm Full foam dual-density core and Carbon–fiberglass–carbon face at 8.1 oz make it an all-court paddle: comfortable driving and resetting in the same rally.

Where it gives ground is spin (86) and touch (85). With a 111 kg·cm² swing weight and a 5.25 in handle it suits beginner/intermediate/advanced players, one-handed backhands, hands battles at the kitchen. Skip it if you specifically want the opposite profile — maximum pop and minimum dwell time.

Closest paddles by DNA: Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 ($170), Ronbus Nova R1 ($160), Ronbus Tenon ($180). If budget matters, the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 lands within 0 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: beginner/intermediate/advanced players, one-handed backhands, hands battles at the kitchen
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 Standard — the long answer

The standard Loco is the forgiving one. Widening the face lifts sweet spot and twist weight and drops swing weight under both siblings, which makes it the fastest-handling paddle in the line.

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.

Forgiveness in the numbers, not the marketing

Sweet spot 89 and twist weight 86 are the highest of the three Loco shapes, and swing weight 111 is the lowest. Those three numbers together describe a paddle that stays stable on mishits and still turns around quickly at the kitchen line.

The reach you give up

16.0 in versus 16.5 in on the elongated build is half an inch of reach and a measurable drop in leverage — power 86 against 92, plow-through 80 against 91. If you drive from the baseline, that is the wrong direction to move.

Handle length matters here

At 5.25 in this is the shortest handle in the Loco line. Two-handed backhand players should look at the hybrid instead, which keeps 5.5 in without the full elongated swing weight.

Community consensus

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

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

“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

“Very poppy and powerful for a foam core paddle”

Pickleball Studio· powerpraise

“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

“I ran all my usual tests on this one, and what I found is a true elite power paddle with a big sweet spot, good feel, and a couple of caveats you should know about before you buy.”

John Kew Pickleball· John Williams· powerpraise

“All three shapes scored in the high 80s and 90s, so they're all true power paddles.”

John Kew Pickleball· John Williams· powerpraise

“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

“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· feelmixed

Who should buy the Loco 16mm Standard?

One-handed backhand players who want more face for the same length
Singles players and drivers who end points with pace
Players who live in hands battles at the kitchen line
Players still tightening up their contact point
Newer players wanting one paddle to grow into

Two-handed backhand players — the handle is short for it

AI paddle match

If you like the Loco 16mm Standard, you'll probably like…

Each pick is the database's best answer to one specific question, ranked by how far it moves the needle versus the Loco 16mm Standard.

Most compared with the Loco 16mm Standard

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

More comparisons in this bracket

Other head-to-heads shoppers read alongside the Loco 16mm Standard.

Browse all paddle comparisons →

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 →

Key attributes

Power86

Control87

Spin86

Forgiveness88

Sweet spot89

Stability87

Maneuverability77

Pop82

Touch85

Consistency86

Swing weight76

Twist weight86

Launch angle62

Plow through80

Softness86

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

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

Only show cheaper paddles

Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard

IQ 85.7 · $180

8 paddles within 5% of the Loco 16mm Standard

Ranked by DNA deviation

#1Volair Mach 1 Forza 16$170 (-10) · 16 mm · hybridDNA match98.7%85
-6 launch angle-2 forgiveness-2 sweet spot-2 maneuverability
-6 launch angle
Compare Full DNA
#2Ronbus Nova R1$160 (-20) · 16 mm · elongatedDNA match97.7%86
-5 launch angle+5 plow through-4 maneuverability-3 forgiveness
Saves $20 versus the Loco 16mm Standard · +5 plow through · -5 launch angle
Compare Full DNA
#3Ronbus Tenon$180 · 16 mm · hybridDNA match97.6%88
-8 launch angle+4 control+4 spin+4 touch
+4 control · -8 launch angle · Higher IQ score (87.8 vs 85.7)
Compare Full DNA
#4Vatic Pro Oni 16$130 (-50) · 16 mm · hybridDNA match97.3%85
-4 forgiveness-4 sweet spot+4 plow through-4 softness
Saves $50 versus the Loco 16mm Standard · +4 plow through · -4 forgiveness
Compare Full DNA
#5Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16$275 (+95) · 16 mm · elongatedDNA match97.2%87
-7 launch angle+6 plow through-6 softness-5 maneuverability
+6 plow through · -7 launch angle · Higher IQ score (86.8 vs 85.7)
Compare Full DNA
#6CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2$280 (+100) · 14 mm · standardDNA match97.1%88
+6 spin+5 twist weight-4 launch angle+3 stability
+6 spin · -4 launch angle · Higher IQ score (87.9 vs 85.7)
Compare Full DNA
#7Six Zero Coral Pro$240 (+60) · 16 mm · hybridDNA match97%89
+7 spin-7 launch angle+5 plow through+4 power
+7 spin · -7 launch angle · Higher IQ score (88.5 vs 85.7)
Compare Full DNA
#8Ronbus R3 Pulsar$150 (-30) · 16 mm · hybridDNA match97%85
-10 launch angle-10 softness-4 swing weight-4 twist weight
Saves $30 versus the Loco 16mm Standard · -10 launch angle
Compare Full DNA

Best alternatives to the Loco 16mm Standard

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

Similar paddles to the Loco 16mm Standard

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

Same playing profile (within 8% DNA)

Volair Mach 1 Forza 1616 mm · hybrid · 8.1 oz · SW 113$17085

Ronbus Nova R116 mm · elongated · 8.1 oz · SW 116$16086

Ronbus Tenon16 mm · hybrid · 8 oz · SW 110$18088

Vatic Pro Oni 1616 mm · hybrid · 8.2 oz · SW 115$13085

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 Standard — frequently asked questions

Is the standard Loco good for beginners?: It is the most forgiving shape in the line and the easiest to swing, so it works for a developing player — though $180 is a lot for a first paddle.
Which Loco has the widest sweet spot?: The standard shape, at 89 on our normalized scale, ahead of the hybrid at 85 and the elongated at 79.
Is the Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard good for beginners?: Yes. Forgiveness scores 88/100 and the sweet spot 89/100, both high enough that off-centre contact still produces a playable ball. At $180 it is more paddle than most beginners need, but it will not hold you back.
Is the Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard worth the price?: At $180 it sits in the 40th percentile of the database for cost and the 73rd 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 Standard compare to the Mach 1 Forza 16?: They are close on DNA. The Loco 16mm Standard reads power 86 / control 87 / spin 86 against 86 / 88 / 87 for the Mach 1 Forza 16, at $180 versus $170. 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 Standard 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 Standard build before you enter a sanctioned event. We do not list approval status we have not verified.
Does the Loco 16mm Standard have good spin?: Spin scores 86/100 — the 27th 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 Standard head heavy?: Swing weight is 111 kg·cm² and twist weight 6.8. That is light and fast through the swing path, which favours hands battles over plow-through. Static weight is 8.1 oz.
Does the Loco 16mm Standard benefit from lead tape?: Yes — at 111 kg·cm² there is room to add. Tape at 3 and 9 o'clock raises twist weight and stability with the smallest hit to hand speed; tape at 12 adds power and plow-through but slows the paddle noticeably. 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 Standard?: The stock handle is 5.25 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 Standard with when it wears out?: Face wear shows up as lost spin long before the core dies. The straight replacement is another Loco 16mm Standard; if you want to change something, the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 adds control (96 vs 87) and the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 adds power (95 vs 86).
Who is the Loco 16mm Standard best for?: Kitchen-line players who still want foam power. Skill levels we would put on it: beginner, intermediate, advanced. Handle length of 5.25 in suits one-handed backhands; two-handers will find it short.
What shape and size is the Loco 16mm Standard?: standard shape, 16 in long by 7.9 in wide, 16 mm Full foam dual-density core, Carbon–fiberglass–carbon face, 8.1 oz. Released 2026.
Is the Loco 16mm Standard good for two-handed backhands?: Less so. At 5.25 in your top hand will sit partly on the throat. Two-handers should look for 5.3 in or longer.

Loco 16mm Standard on video

PickleballLookup review — coming soon

Head-to-head comparison — coming soon

Manufacturer footage — coming soon

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
8.1 oz
Manufacturer specification — recorded August 10, 2026
Core thickness
16 mm
Manufacturer specification — recorded August 10, 2026
Swing weight
111 kg·cm²
Independent measurement data, normalized to our scale
Twist weight
6.8 kg·cm²
Independent measurement data, normalized to our scale
Paddle DNA (15 traits)
IQ 85.7/100
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.

Paddle research
Equipment analysis
Player matching

Last updated August 2026 · How we score paddles