Pickleball has always been a sport of evolution, blending the finesse of tennis with the accessibility of a backyard game. As players push the boundaries of what’s possible on the court, paddle technology has kept pace, culminating in the emergence of what the industry is calling "Gen-4" paddles. These aren’t just incremental upgrades—they represent a seismic shift in design philosophy, driven by a singular material innovation: the 100% foam core. Top brands like CRBN, Selkirk, Engage, and Joola are leading the charge, each with their own proprietary takes on this technology, but the story of Gen-4 is bigger than any one company. It’s about redefining performance, durability, and consistency for players at every level.
What Makes Gen-4 Different?
To understand Gen-4 paddles, it helps to look back. Early pickleball paddles—often dubbed "Gen-1"—relied on cold-pressed honeycomb polypropylene cores, a lightweight plastic structure that became the industry standard. Then came "Gen-2," with thermoformed versions of the same material, improving strength and responsiveness. "Gen-3" paddles took a step further, weaving foam into the mix—either along the edges or layered within the core—to boost power and feel. But Gen-4 throws out the playbook entirely, ditching polypropylene for a core made entirely of advanced foam. This isn’t the soft, crumbly stuff of packing materials; it’s a high-performance, engineered foam designed to withstand the rigors of competitive play while delivering a unique blend of power, control, and longevity.
The shift to a full-foam core addresses a long-standing pain point in pickleball paddle design: inconsistency. Traditional polypropylene cores, while effective, tend to crush or deform over time, leading to unpredictable performance. A paddle might feel crisp and controlled out of the box but "heat up" after heavy use, skewing its power output and throwing off a player’s precision. Gen-4 paddles aim to eliminate that variability. The foam cores are built to snap back to their original shape, resisting breakdown and maintaining their characteristics from the first swing to the thousandth. This consistency is a game-changer, especially for tournament players who need reliability under pressure.
The Foam Revolution in Action
CRBN’s TruFoam Genesis line is a prime example of Gen-4 innovation. After years of testing and prototyping, this Southern California brand unveiled a paddle that’s not just foam-filled but foam-defined. The result is a plush yet powerful feel, with a quiet impact that belies its ability to drive the ball with force. Strategic cutouts in the core lighten the paddle while centering the sweet spot, mimicking the dwell time of a tennis racket for enhanced spin and control. It’s a bold departure from their popular polypropylene-based X Series, but CRBN isn’t abandoning the old—they’re betting on foam as the future, with all three TruFoam models approved for sanctioned play and poised for professional certification.
Selkirk, another heavyweight in the pickleball world, isn’t far behind. Their PureFoam technology, debuted in the LABS Project 008, swaps out the traditional core for a high-density foam that resists deformation. Paired with a T700 raw carbon fiber face and a thermoformed foam perimeter, these paddles promise dampened vibration, longer ball contact time, and a larger sweet spot. Selkirk’s approach emphasizes durability and spin, tackling the same core-crushing issues that plague older designs. Available in familiar shapes like the Epic and Invikta, plus a new rounded "Tour" model, PureFoam is Selkirk’s answer to players who want a paddle that performs day in and day out without losing its edge.
Joola takes a slightly different tack with its Tech Flex Power technology, seen in models like the Magnus IV, Hyperion IV, and Scorpeus IV. While still rooted in the Gen-4 ethos of foam-driven performance, Joola integrates additional foam outside the frame, enhancing flexibility and weight distribution. Their Propulsion Core delivers explosive power for drives and counters, while a hyper-foam edge wall expands the sweet spot for forgiveness on off-center hits. Topped with a textured carbon fiber surface, these paddles balance raw strength with finesse, catering to players who want precision without sacrificing the ability to dominate a rally.
Why Foam Matters
At its heart, the Gen-4 movement is about solving problems. Polypropylene cores, for all their merits, have weaknesses—chief among them the tendency to degrade. Foam, when engineered with purpose, sidesteps those issues. It’s not just about durability, though that’s a big draw for players tired of replacing paddles mid-season. The real magic lies in how foam reshapes the playing experience. It flexes to cradle the ball longer, boosting spin potential. It absorbs shock for a softer, quieter hit that’s easier on the arm. And it channels energy efficiently, giving players more punch without extra effort.
This isn’t to say Gen-4 paddles are perfect—or universally superior. The "generation" label is more a shorthand for construction than a definitive ranking. A well-made Gen-2 paddle might outshine a poorly executed Gen-4 design for certain players. But what sets Gen-4 apart is its ambition: to create a paddle that’s ready to perform from day one and stays that way. Brands are pouring years of research into these foam cores, fine-tuning density and structure to hit that sweet spot of power and control. And with regulatory bodies like USA Pickleball tightening rules around paddle performance, Gen-4 designs are built to comply without compromising on feel—a critical edge in an era where "hot" paddles are under scrutiny.
The Player Perspective
Who are Gen-4 paddles for? The short answer: anyone who values consistency and versatility. Competitive players will appreciate the predictable performance, especially in high-stakes matches where every shot counts. Power hitters can lean into the enhanced energy transfer, while spin enthusiasts will find the foam’s dwell time opens up new angles and curves. Even recreational players stand to benefit—less core degradation means fewer surprise mishits, and the forgiving sweet spots make these paddles accessible to those still honing their skills.
Take CRBN’s TruFoam Genesis as an example. Available only in a 14mm thickness, it’s a deliberate choice to prioritize stability and feel over ultralight agility. Selkirk’s PureFoam, meanwhile, blends foam with a grippy carbon face, appealing to players who want control without sacrificing spin. Joola’s Tech Flex Power line ups the ante with perimeter foam, offering a forgiving yet forceful option for all-court players. Each brand brings its own flavor, but the common thread is a foam core that redefines what a paddle can do.
The Future of Pickleball Paddles
The arrival of Gen-4 paddles signals a turning point. Foam isn’t just a fad—it’s a response to years of player feedback and technological refinement. As more brands jump on board (rumors suggest several undisclosed launches in 2025), the market will likely see an explosion of foam-based designs, each pushing the envelope in its own way. Will every paddle go full-foam? Not necessarily—polypropylene still has its fans, and hybrid Gen-3 designs remain popular. But the momentum is undeniable. CRBN calls it "the future," Selkirk touts it as a leap forward, and Joola’s innovations hint at foam’s untapped potential.
For players, this wave of Gen-4 technology is an invitation to rethink their gear. It’s not about chasing the latest hype—it’s about finding a paddle that matches their game and lasts through it. The foam revolution might not rewrite pickleball overnight, but it’s carving out a new standard: paddles that don’t just perform but endure, delivering the same crisp snap and spin months down the line. As the sport grows, so does the tech behind it, and Gen-4 is proof that the best is still to come. Whether you’re swinging a TruFoam, a PureFoam, or a Tech Flex Power, one thing’s clear: the paddle in your hand is no longer just a tool—it’s a statement of where pickleball is headed.