CRBN TruFoam Genesis

The CRBN TruFoam Genesis is the first tournament-approved full-foam core paddle, offering exceptional spin, durability, and a unique feel. While not a pure power paddle, its innovative technology sets a strong precedent for future paddles in the market.

Reviewer Rating:
Highly Recommended
Table of Contents
Related paddles
Joola Pro IV Perseus
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Overview

Manufacturer: CRBN
Model: TruFoam Genesis
Technology: Full-foam cores, a first in the industry.
Designed for: Improved durability and unique feel compared to traditional polymer cores.
Handle material: foam pallets (soft)
Price: $279.99 ($252 after code SPEAK).
Available Shapes:

TF1: Elongated with longer handle

  • Length: 16.5 inches
  • Width: 7.35 inches
  • Thickness: 14mm
  • Handle length: 5.5 inches
  • Avg Swing Weight: 120 
  • Avg Twist Weight: 5.66
  • Avg Spin: 2,131 RPM
  • Avg Balance Point: 247

TF2: Standard shape

  • Length: 16 inches
  • Width: 7.85 inches
  • Thickness: 14mm
  • Handle length: 5.25 inches
  • Avg Swing Weight: 113 
  • Avg Twist Weight: 6.7
  • Avg Spin: 2,136 RPM
  • Avg Balance Point: 238

TF3: Elongated with shorter handle, larger face

  • Length: 16.5 inches
  • Width: 7.5 inches
  • Thickness: 14mm
  • Handle length: 5.25 inches
  • Avg Swing Weight: 124 
  • Avg Twist Weight: 6.35
  • Avg Spin: 2,170 RPM
  • Avg Balance Point: 245

Trial & Warranty:

Core Material & Design

  • Proprietary foam blend—not soft or easily compressible like previous foam cores.
  • More resistant to dead spots & core crush than polymer cores.
  • Core Features:
    • Circular cutouts in the center & rectangular cutouts on the edges.
    • Fiberglass reinforcement in center adds pop and power.
    • Additional fiberglass perimeter layer enhances stability and balance.

‍

Pickleball Studio

⚖️ Rating: Recommended
💰 Discount Code: PBStudio for 10% off
👉 Paddle stats

Pros:

  • Designed to last a very long time
  • Unique feel that’s easy to use and plays well for a vast majority of players
  • Innovative technology, first in the space

Cons:

  • Premium price point ($279 before code)
  • Not a power paddle, but a high-performing all-court paddle
  • Don’t expect it to be an immediate game-changer

Control and feel

  • Unique feel that grows on you over time
  • Doesn’t feel tingy like propylene nor springy or soft like EVA foam, but a mix between the two
  • Overall very easy to use
  • High dwell time and pockets the ball
  • Soft game felt very easy and didn’t require an adjustment period

Power and pop

  • Not a full-blown power paddle, especially without any modifications
  • All-court leaning power

Sweet Spot and Forgiveness

  • Felt reliable and predictable without a nonlinear power curve
  • Average sweet spot

Durability

  • Very durable due to full foam core (nearly impossible to core crush)
  • Designed to last longer than traditional polypropylene cores

Spin Potential

  • Peel-ply isn’t particularly rough
  • Paddle shapes the ball well and creates very good topspin
  • Remains to be seen if spin will retain after months of use

Preferred shape:

  • TruFoam Genesis 2 after customizations

Weight setup:

  • TruFoam Genesis 2: 7-8” strips of 0.5g tape at 3 and 9 o’clock
  • Power similar to Engage Pursuit 1, Spartus Olympus, and PaddleTek TK 14.3mm

Who this is for:

  • Want aggressive all-court paddle
  • Don’t care about budget
  • Tired of core-crushing paddles
  • Use aggressive semi-western grips (tennis players)

Who this is not for:

  • Price-conscious players
  • Players who want a very powerful paddle

John Kew

⚖️ Rating: Recommended
💰 Discount Code: JOHNKEW for 10% off
👉 Paddle stats

Pros:

  • Firepower is exactly where I like it
  • No core crushing and solid foam core is extremely durable
  • Exceptional spin due to increased dwell time: only lost 100-200 RPM after weeks of heavy use (typically loses over 300RPM)

Cons:

  • Handles made from foam pallets, which make it squishier and creates dents unlike fully molded premium handles
  • Doesn’t feel immediately exceptional, but unique in its own way
  • Average sweet spot and requires customization

Control and feel

  • Doesn’t immediately strike you as hugely different nor exceptional
  • Not defined by one exceptional trait
  • Pleasant and consistent that makes every hit feel predictable and reliable
  • Heavier than the CRBN X series and similar thermoformed paddles 

Power and pop 

  • Power profile is enjoyable; more powerful than X series
  • Not as powerful as most pure power paddles in the market
  • Power comes at the cost of control, but TruFoams achieves a good balance of both
  • Decent putaway power and comfortable for resets and soft game

Sweet Spot and Forgiveness

  • Average sweet spot; comparable to most thermoformed paddles
  • Sweet spot feels a little narrow on 1 and 3 shapes, wider on 2 shape
  • Dead spot may exist on bottom of the face closer to the handle
  • A very slight break-in helps open the sweet spot

Durability

  • Confident that these paddles will be more durable
  • No danger of core crushing
  • Only vulnerability may be surface layer being disbonded from the foam, but they’ve been tested and reinforced for this reason

Spin Potential

  • Exceptional spin that gives you the ability to shape the ball

Preferred shape:

  • TFG2

Weight setup:

  • TFG 2: 3 grams of tungsten on 3 and 9’o clock
  • TFG 1&3: 3 grams at 4 & 8 o’clock, closer to neck

Who this is for:

  • Players who want reasonable power
  • Players who enjoy really strong spin
  • Players who value durability

Who this is not for:

  • Players looking for an extremely powerful paddle

‍

Pickleball Effect

⚖️ Rating: Recommended
💰 Discount Code: PBEffect for 10% off
👉 Paddle stats

Pros:

  • Outstanding R&D that no other brand has been able to achieve
  • Plays better than most aggressive all-court paddles
  • Durability gains is a big deal
  • Provides enough offense to be dangerous while offering room to be creative

Cons:

  • A true hybrid shape would work really well, but not available until later this year
  • Not a power paddle
  • TF1 and TF3 were on the heavier side
  • Not outstanding stock

Control and feel

  • Soft and intuitive feel that feels nice
  • Not overly plush, but provides crisp response
  • Very natural feeling that gives you a better connection where the ball is going
  • Pocketing sensation that you can shape the ball well on drives and drop shots
  • Higher than normal swingweights for 14mm paddles due to dense foam

Power and pop 

  • Aggressive all-court paddles with above-average power and pop
  • Enough power to finish points
  • Fiberglass may activate unexpected power sometimes, which was felt when resetting balls from the midcourt
  • Higher launch angle

Sweet spot and forgiveness

  • Twistweights are strong for 14mm paddles (besides TF1)
  • Not a strength for this series, but not enough hold them back
  • Customization is needed

Spin potential

  • Over 2000 RPMs for each shape
  • Pocketing could contribute to good spin on drives

Preferred shape:

  • TF2 offers less power from the baselines than other shapes but more pop at the net
  • Extra pop and maneuverability better than other two shapes

Weight setup:

  • 6g tungsten tape near butt cap to improve hand speed 

Who this is for:

  • Enjoy new and innovative tech
  • Value longevity
  • Like a unique feel, good control, and decent power

Who this is not for:

  • Players who want full power
  • Players who like lower swing weights
  • Need customization