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Without any warning or hype, Gherkin paddles started showing up in the hands of every reviewer in the pickleball world—no launch, no origin story.
At this point you’ve probably heard about the G-Spot trainer paddle and the eccentric Nightshade has been at the tip of every paddle reviewer’s tongue this past month – as both a cheeky joke and because of the legitimately good tech behind them.
But the real paddle enthusiasts know that Gherkin isn’t that new.
Gherkin always made underappreciated paddles
They entered the pickleball scene by pioneering silicone edgeguards in their Phantom, Quantum, and Solace paddles. The Solace was well-reviewed in 2024 and was seen as one of the best value hybrid paddles available. The Phantom was very plush and muted, and rightly regarded as one of the best budget control paddles on the market.
But that was in 2024, where their vibe was retro and mysterious—part 1990’s, part secret agent 007.
This year they feel edgier. Irreverent. And a little unapologetic, embodying a careful dance with controversy that feels more mischievous than rebellious. Kind of like that quiet classmate who rarely spoke, but when they did, left a strong impression.
Unironically, the team behind Gherkin is the same: mysterious, quiet, and humble. We had the chance to hop on a call with them to hear about the story behind the brand. And I was lucky enough to be the first person to ever do an interview with them.
Here’s their story.
Where did the name Gherkin come from?
"We literally just Googled synonyms for pickle," they admitted with laughter, bemused at their own randomness.
What they discovered was that in England, Ireland, South Africa, and New Zealand, a pickle generally outside of North America is called a "gherkin." A name that started as an oddity became emblematic of their philosophy: simple, playful, and just peculiar enough to draw some attention.
Though their initial brainstorming sessions flirted with a bunch of pickle-related innuendos (including words that rhyme with Gherkin), those, they claimed with a grin, were shelved—for now.
What’s the Nightshade all about?
Their latest creation, the Nightshade, encapsulates the brand's distinct personality. Amidst a sport increasingly fixated on raw power, the Nightshade turned the other way—14mm thick, 10mm honeycomb cells and a CFC (Carbon Fiber - Fiberglass - Carbon Fiber) layup – a construction that’s becoming more and more popular for a reason.
"We are really big on the FEEL of our products, so we really put attention on the touch and feedback on the Nightshade. Wanted the sweet spot to feel as big as possible for a 14mm, whilst still having adequate amount of pop and power," they explained.
And in our experience, they’re bang on. I’ve personally played with the Nightshade for the past few weeks and it’s become one of the most popular paddles that I’ve lent out to my friends. It’s easy to pick up, feels dense on drives, especially for a 14mm paddle. It’s got decent pop, great maneuverability, and power at the baseline. It comes at a pretty low stock weight for customization, too.
Control feels great especially after adding weight on the throat – and I usually don’t say that for 14mm paddles. I also have to point out that the handle is constructed extremely well. I prefer thicker handles, but those of you who don’t can easily remove the stock grip and use one overgrip to thin it down. And the kicker for us is the price point of $134.99 (and with code SPEAK, you can shave another 10% off while supporting us, too).
This shift in design followed Gherkin’s earlier experimentation with silicone edgeguards—a recognizable feature that risked pigeonholing their brand identity. "We just make what we think looks good," they shrugged, emphasizing aesthetics and performance without attachment to previous successes. The Nightshade represents their intention to evolve, and move quickly.
What was the biggest challenge to get the brand off the ground?
Yet innovation hasn't come without challenges. Gherkin described their biggest "Oh shit" moment as the relentless pursuit of industry trends—Kevlar surfaces, alleged titanium faces, “Gen 3” construction, hype around full-foam cores—which left them perpetually reacting rather than creating.
"Timing was our biggest challenge," they confessed with palpable fatigue, recalling how the silicone edgeguard release coincided disastrously with regulation changes, Gen-3 paddles, and core-crushing controversies that overshadowed the legitimate R&D that went into the edgeguards and paddles.
After relentless chasing, Gherkin realized the value of simplicity and reliability—opting to make paddles that involved less risk, more speed, and lasting quality. “Looking back we both remember what was happening in the industry but in real time back then, it was something new every few weeks and it got really frustrating trying to pivot constantly,” they recalled.
Is the controlled controversy intentional?
The brand’s nonchalance also spilled over into their merchandise, with tongue-in-cheek items like G-spot trainers and "Paddle Inspector" hats. What seemed like deliberate controversy was, according to Gherkin, simply the outcome of an inside joke that went public. "Honestly, those were just dumb jokes we thought were funny, that we thought might possibly get people's attention," they explained. "After so much exhausting R&D, we realized we weren't having fun anymore. Now, we just do whatever makes us laugh."
Their secret to success, though wrapped in playful irreverence, remains rooted in diligence and persistence. The team describes their strategy as the spaghetti-on-the-wall approach: "Throw it, see if it sticks, and if not, move right along."
This combination of humor, adaptability, and genuine dedication has propelled Gherkin forward—an audacious “newcomer” making waves by simply refusing to take itself too seriously.
Business lessons from Gherkin
- Keep pickleball fun, and don’t take it too seriously. It’s about the journey, not the destination.
- Don’t chase trends – set your own. If you’re reactive rather than proactive, you will always fall behind.
- Make designs that you love. You can’t please everyone, but at least you’ll stand out in a crowded market.
- Iterate relentlessly, but lightly. Don’t ignore how quickly the market moves. Timing is everything.
Upcoming Gherkin releases
- The highly anticipated Gherkin Nightshade will release on April 15th, 2025
- They will come out in the Elongated and Hybrid shapes for $134.99 before code
- Use code SPEAK for 10% off your order