The ‘Foam‑o’ Era: The Rise of Full Foam-Core Pickleball Paddles

Pickleball is experiencing a “Foam-o” era, a wave of paddles built with full foam cores that has players buzzing. Traditionally, paddle cores were made of polymer honeycomb (a grid of plastic cells). Now, new paddles are swapping out that honeycomb for solid foam cores like EPP, MPP, or EPU foam.

The result? A different feel and performance that many players love.

What’s the big deal with foam? In simple terms, foam-core paddles tend to be:

• More durable (no brittle honeycomb walls to crack),
• Have a huge sweet spot (the “pop” feels consistent across the face), and
• It can deliver serious power when needed.

Let’s break down why full-foam paddles are trending and then dive into one new foam lineup coming this year to see what all the hype is about.

Why Players Are Going All Foam

Most modern full-foam builds use an EPP (expanded polypropylene) core in the striking area, reinforced by an EVA foam ring around the perimeter. EPP provides the main structure and rebound; EVA firms up the frame, boosts pop, and maintains a more uniform response across the face.

Durability

One big appeal of foam cores is durability. Honeycomb cores can “core crush” or degrade over time; you might feel your paddle softening or deadening in spots as the plastic cells break. Foam eliminates those hollow cells; there’s no grid to collapse. Companies claim these paddles “smash through pickleball’s status quo… no core crush.” In other words, a well-made foam paddle shouldn’t crack or lose pop as easily. Many designs also fuse the face and core securely, reducing the chances of delamination (when the face peels off). Bottom line: you can hit hard without worrying you’re slowly killing your paddle.

Sweet Spot

If you’ve ever hit off-center and felt that dull thud, you know the importance of a big sweet spot. Foam cores support the face more evenly than hollow honeycomb. Imagine the paddle’s interior filled with lightweight, springy material instead of empty air; even at the edges, there’s backing. Result: consistency everywhere you strike. Mishits are more forgiving; your dink off the tip or drive near the handle still comes off with pop and accuracy. Players love that “the sweet spot is massive”, giving them confidence in fast hand battles.

Power (and Control)

Traditionally, players thought more power = less control. Not so with new foams. These cores can be tuned for a “dynamic power range” with a smooth transition between soft and explosive. In plain terms, a foam paddle can feel “connected” on touch shots yet “explosive” on put-aways. Foam compresses slightly on impact, adding dwell time (ball stays on face longer) for spin and placement control. Swing harder and the foam rebounds that energy back into the ball. Some foams skew softer for control/consistency, others firmer for raw pop.

Overall, players report foam paddles give easy power and a “trampoline” feel without being uncontrollable. And because foam naturally dampens vibration, even a stiff, powerful build often feels smoother and less “tinny” than honeycomb paddles.

Meet the New Full-Foam Paddles on the Block

Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik

• Core: 16 mm PureFoam EPP core surrounded by an EVA “Power Ring”.
• Shape: Elongated, built for power.
• Performance: Massive sweet spot, loud/explosive impact, very power-first.
• Special feature: MOI weighting system (15g) for built-in balance and stability.
• Price: $333 retail; lifetime warranty.
• Player notes: Insanely powerful yet versatile; requires quick reflexes, this thing crushes.

Honolulu Pickleball J2NF

• Core: EVA foam core with “notches” for flex, wrapped in triple-layer carbon/fiberglass.
• Specs: 16 mm hybrid shape; spin measured around 2300 RPM.
• Performance: Crisp, stable, punchy feel; not overly soft.
• Build quality: Thermoformed with reinforced handle; strong durability reputation.
• Price: $195 MSRP ($175.50 with SLICE10 Coupon Code).
• Player notes: Considered Honolulu’s most complete paddle yet; one of the best-value advanced foam paddles (so far) in 2025.

Bread & Butter Loco Series (launching Oct 2025)

• Core: 16 mm dual-density foam (EPP + EVA layers).
• Face: Raw T700 carbon + fiberglass.
• Shapes: Elongated, Hybrid, Widebody.
• Performance: “Pure Foam Power” – explosive drives with a smoother, more controlled feel than Boomstik; retains good touch on dinks.
• Construction: Thermoformed for sturdiness.
• Price: $199.
• Player notes: A balanced foam paddle, not as stiff as Boomstik, but still plenty of pop.

Vatic Pro V-SOL (refined from V-Core Power)

• Core: Likely EPP foam, 16 mm build, paired with raw carbon face.
• Models: Pro (control) and Power (denser foam, more pop).
• Variants: 5 shapes, Elongated V7 (LH/SH), Flash hybrid (LH/SH), Bloom widebody.
• Performance: Aimed at budget-friendly power foam.
• Price: Early chatter suggests $99 for V-SOL Pro, $129 for V-SOL Power.
• Player notes: Could be the value pick for foam paddles under $150; fans waiting to see if it stacks up against pricier rivals.

KiwiLabs Project KiwiCore

• Core: EPU (Expanded Polyurethane) double foam core, heavier but highly vibration-dampening.
• Face: 12K carbon fiber.
• Specs: 16 mm thick, 16.25″ x 7.75″ hybrid shape.
• Performance: Plush, arm-friendly feel with consistent sweet spot; more control/touch wizard than raw power stick.
• Price: $99 early access ($89 with SLICE 10 code).
• Player notes: True budget disruptor, proves foam tech is trickling down to entry-level prices. If it performs, this could be the daily driver for players.

Those are just a few examples; other notable mentions include CRBN’s TruFoam Genesis series (carbon + foam blend for a controlled attack) and Gearbox’s GX2 “air core” paddles (different approach: ribbed carbon core filled with foam around the edges). But one thing is clear across the board: full-foam paddles are here to stay, and they’re evolving fast. Now, let’s shine the spotlight on a brand that’s uniquely pushing foam design: Ronbus Pickleball and their new Quanta series.

Ronbus Quanta Series: Full-Foam Innovation

Ronbus made waves with their earlier foam-core paddles, the Ripple (which combined a carbon lattice with foam) and the Refoam series (built on MPP foam). Now, they’re following up with the Quanta series, which takes a fresh approach by using an EPP foam core with some clever twists. All Quanta paddles are 16 mm thick and built around a lightweight expanded polypropylene (EPP) foam core reinforced at the perimeter. They come in at about 7.7–7.8 oz, impressively light for a foam paddle, giving players quick hand speed and easy maneuverability. Ronbus also kept the swing weight deliberately moderate (102–112, depending on shape), so despite being foam-based, the Quanta doesn’t feel sluggish in play.

Open original review figure ↗

• Paddle Face: CCC
  • What it is: The triple-layer carbon fiber.
  • What it does: Like J2FC+ and Trufoams, better at dwell time and plusher.
• Primary core: EPP foam
  • What it is: Expanded polypropylene, a lightweight, lively foam.
  • What it does: Adds quick rebound and keeps the face response consistent across more of the paddle.
• Perimeter frame: EVA + TPE ring
  • EVA ring: Slightly bouncier, rubbery foam around the edges; adds pop and edge stability so off-center hits spring back instead of dying.
  • TPE inserts: Thermoplastic elastomer pieces, especially near the throat, dampen vibration and boost stability on blocks and counters.
• Carbon reinforcement
  • 3D carbon grid at the edge: Stiffens the perimeter; reduces face flex at the rim; helps direct energy back toward the center.
  • Carbon fiber tubing in throat and handle: Increases torsional rigidity; keeps the paddle from twisting on hard contact; improves directional control.
• Handle build
  • Foam-filled (EPP) core inside the handle: Solid feel with fewer hollow vibrations.
  • Carbon-wrapped exterior: Adds strength and stability where you grip; cleaner energy transfer into the hit.
• Overall Feel
  • The EPP core provides a lively baseline feel; the EVA + TPE ring boosts forgiveness and comfort at the edges; the carbon skeleton ties everything together so more of your swing turns into usable pace and a larger, more dependable sweet spot.

All of these tech pieces come together to make the Quanta paddles very forgiving and consistent. At 16 mm, Quanta brings a bit more of that foam punch. The thicker core + firmer EPP foam + EVA ring all combine to deliver noticeably more power and put-away ability.

Players who tested Quanta prototypes reported an extremely uniform response; you get solid pop whether you strike the ball dead-center or closer to the edge. The EVA/TPE perimeter frame works almost like a trampoline border, kicking the ball back even on off-center contact. And yet, on softer shots, the EPP foam core provides a gentle, controlled touch.

It’s a tricky balance to achieve, but Ronbus is aiming for that “does everything well” all-court feel, a paddle you can trust on both power drives and delicate kitchen play.

Shapes (R1–R5): Ronbus released the Quanta series in five distinct shapes (R1 through R5) to suit different playstyles. They’ve basically covered the spectrum:

No matter the shape, all Quanta paddles share the same core technology, so you can choose your preferred design without losing any foam benefits. Each features a full EPP foam + EVA ring core, raw T700 carbon fiber faces for spin, thermoformed construction with an edge guard, and a comfortable 4.25″ octagonal grip.

The average weight of 7.7-7.8 oz means players who like heavier paddles may want to add some lead tape, but many will appreciate the quickness and hand speed of the stock weight. For those who enjoy customizing, Ronbus intentionally gave Quanta paddles low swing weights so you can easily add tungsten or lead tape to increase stability or power as needed.

Big Performance, Better Value

One of the best parts of the Ronbus Quanta series is the price. High-tech foam paddles usually carry hefty tags: the Selkirk Boomstik at $333, Ronbus’s own Ripple V2 and CRBN Trufoams around $280, and others hovering in the $200+ range. At $99 (MSRP $119), the Quanta feels like a steal considering the tech it delivers. You’re essentially getting a paddle with advanced foam engineering, raw carbon face, and pro-level performance for the price of an average carbon fiber stick.

To put it in perspective, Quanta gives you nearly the same core-tech benefits (EPP foam + EVA ring) as something like the Boomstik or Honolulu’s J2NF, but for hundreds less. Sure, the Boomstik or J2NF might edge it out in sheer power, but are they really $100–$200 better? Many players would argue no, Quanta hits a sweet spot of performance and value.

Now, Quanta is not the only budget-friendly disruptor. The Vatic Pro V-SOL series is set to launch with both Pro (control-leaning) and Power (denser, more explosive) models, priced at $99 and $129. Like Quanta, V-SOL uses a full foam core (likely EPP) with raw carbon faces, and it’s shaping up to be one of the best value-for-money foam paddles. The difference is that Vatic is positioning V-SOL as a budget-friendly power option, while Quanta aims at being a refined all-court paddle that feels closer to higher-end builds.

On the other end, you have KiwiLabs’ KiwiCore at $99, which takes a different approach with an EPU foam core. EPU plays softer and more muted, great for comfort and control, but it does not have the same perimeter reinforcement or tuned stiffness that Quanta and V-SOL bring.

For players, this competition is fantastic news: you no longer have to drop $250+ to enjoy the foam revolution. Whether you splurge on a Boomstik, go mid-range with a Quanta or V-SOL, or save with a KiwiCore, there’s a foam-core paddle at every price point. And if you ask the passionate pickleballers writing about these (guilty as charged!), we’ll say it’s worth demoing one to feel the difference. The game is evolving, and the gear is part of that evolution.

So welcome to the Foam-o era, no fear of missing out, because now you’re in the loop. 😄 If you want a huge sweet spot, extra pop, and a paddle that feels alive, give one of these foam-core paddles a try. Whether it’s the feature-packed Quanta, the brawny Boomstik, the savvy Loco, the value V-SOL, or the budget KiwiCore, there’s a foam option out there that might just elevate your game.

As always, the best paddle is the one that gives you confidence on court. And if foam cores keep advancing at this pace, don’t be surprised if your trusty honeycomb paddle starts to feel a little… hollow.

Happy pickleballing, and see you in the Foam-o circle!