Pickleball Effect: The Podcast

We sit down with Gearbox founder and engineer Rafa Filippini to talk about the new Pressure X, what makes its construction different, and his approach to paddle design and testing. We also hear about Aaron’s pickleball adventures in New York and run through release dates for all the major upcoming paddles.👉 Shop Pickleball Central (use link to apply up to 10% off everything): https://a8qh.short.gy/save 👉 All PE discounts: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/ __________________________________________TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Preview01:38 Added edge guard tape to paddle tuning lab04:10 Special delivery - Neonic FLX, SENS, Holbrook Fuze, Engage Pursuit07:28 Aaron it Out - Pickleball in New York25:39 Paddle Babble - Upcoming paddle release dates27:51 Interview with Gearbox CEO & engineer, Rafa Filippini28:54 Overview and goals with Pressure X paddles33:33 Inside the Pressure X42:32 Difference between Gearbox and other other brands46:30 Do the Pressure X paddles break in and get hot53:09 Durable grit on the Pressure X55:38 What does paddle testing have right and wrong1:06:04 Post interview thoughts__________________________________________👉 Links to stuff mentioned:Paddle Tuning Lab: https://tune.pickleballeffect.com/ Gearbox Pressure X 8M Specs & Review: https://pickleballeffect.com/paddles/gearbox-pressure-x-8m-elongated/ Gearbox Pressure X 8E Specs & Review: https://pickleballeffect.com/paddles/gearbox-pressure-x-8e-elongated/ 👉 Links to gear mentioned:Promo code: PBEFFECTPaddles:Gearbox Pressure X 8M (stiff/hollow): https://gearboxsports.com/products/pressure-x-8m-pickleball-paddle?rfsn=7676489.281577 Gearbox Pressure X 8E (soft/dense): https://gearboxsports.com/products/pressurex-8e-pickleball-paddle?rfsn=7676489.281577 All our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/ 👉 Support the channel: Save on gear and support the channel using our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/ Pickleball Effect products: https://pickleballeffectshop.com/ 👉 Join the PE community:Website: https://pickleballeffect.com/PE/Braydon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballeffect/Aaron’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghenaric/ 👉 Paddle Database: https://pickleballeffect.com/pickleball-paddle-database/#pickleball #podcast

Volair licensed 11SIX24’s HexGrit for the new CMD, and our first impressions are good. We break down how it plays and compare it to the 11SIX24 Power 2 Ultre, Jelly Bean 2, Six Zero Coral Pro, and Selkirk OMNI. We also share new details on what’s inside JOOLA’s upcoming Power FX foam paddle.👉 Shop Pickleball Central (use link to apply up to 10% off everything): https://a8qh.short.gy/save 👉 All PE discounts: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/ __________________________________________TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Preview03:20 Results from paddle picking game, web updates08:20 Upcoming videos09:26 Special delivery - Bling Bag Unbagging11:33 Special delivery - Ascend, Axiom Widebody, Diadem Shoes & grit update14:54 Aaron it Out - Experience attending PPA Arizona live24:52 Paddle Babble - Volair CMD tech24:03 CMD static & performance stats28:54 Aaron CMD first impressions33:01 Braydon CMD first impressions36:19 CMD vs 11SIX24 Power 2 & Jelly Bean 238:27 CMD vs Coral Pro Hybrid42:16 CMD vs Selkirk Omni43:56 CMD weight setup45:46 What’s inside JOOLA foam paddle47:20 Choosing shapes based on tech__________________________________________👉 Links to stuff mentioned:New paddle fitting quiz (live): https://pickleballeffect.com/equipment-reviews/pickleball-paddle-fitting-quiz/👉 Links to gear mentioned:Promo code: PBEFFECTPaddles:Volair CMD: https://volair.com/collections/cmd-collection/products/volair-cmd-hyb-pickleball-paddle-16mm-dylan-frazier?rfsn=7475751.28260c 11SIX24: https://11six24.com/?sca_ref=7474553.EbeKeAv2hF0Rh4oJ&sca_source=coupontable Six Zero Coral Pro Hybrid: https://us.sixzeropickleball.com/products/coral-pro?sca_ref=9892574.6WfkgoNKloc0yI Diadem Court Burst Shoes: https://diademsports.com/products/court-burst?sca_ref=6013060.T2dFY8p25O Engage Axiom Widebody: https://engagepickleball.com/collections/allpaddles/products/engage-axiom-widebody-pickleball-paddle?snowball=PBEFFECT All our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/ 👉 Support the channel: Save on gear and support the channel using our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/ Pickleball Effect products: https://pickleballeffectshop.com/ 👉 Join the PE community:Main Paddle Monitor: https://main.pickleballeffect.com/ Website: https://pickleballeffect.com/PE/Braydon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballeffect/Aaron’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghenaric/ 👉 Paddle Database: https://pickleballeffect.com/pickleball-paddle-database/#pickleball #podcast

The paddle volume is picking up as we continue testing new releases coming this fall. We also share grit retention results for the Enhance ArmorGrit, Pakle Fuse DuraSpin, and Diadem Edge Flex, plus our testing results for a new tacky paddle surface from Gherkin.👉 Shop Pickleball Central (use link to apply up to 10% off everything): https://a8qh.short.gy/save 👉 All PE discounts: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/ __________________________________________TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Preview01:15 Current projects, paddles we are playing, watching tennis US Open08:26 Special delivery - Gherkin Draco Tacktion, Pakle Fuse, Engage X309:35 Special delivery - Volair CMD, Licenced Edge Tape, Spiderman Bling Bag opening13:30 Aaron it Out - Court Order! What are the prettiest court locations21:31 Paddle Babble - Girt durability results of ArmorGrit, Pakle Fuse, Diadem24:03 Pakle Duraspin & sound differences & AmorGrit updates26:11 ArmorGrit updates27:47 Is Pakle hurting themselves with quick iterations? 32:52 Gherkin Draco Tacktion metrics & spin test38:58 Diadem Edge Flex metrics & impressions47:18 Pick a paddle challenge__________________________________________👉 Links to stuff mentioned:New paddle fitting quiz (live first draft): https://pickleballeffect.com/equipment-reviews/pickleball-paddle-fitting-quiz/ Volair Edge Tape: https://volair.com/collections/volair-edge-guard-tape?rfsn=7475751.28260cPick A Paddle game (try it yourself): https://paddle-pick-pro.base44.app 👉 Links to gear mentioned:Promo code: PBEFFECTPaddles:Enhance: https://www.enhancepickleball.com/PBEFFECTPakle Fuse: https://paklepickleball.com/discount/BRAYDONUNSICKER?rs_ref=lHCnu22r Gherkin: https://www.gherkinusa.com?sca_ref=8451520.i1GSfwzceE Diadem: https://diademsports.com?sca_ref=6013060.T2dFY8p25O&utm_source=uppromote&utm_medium=affilliate&utm_campaign=braydon-unsicker All our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/ 👉 Support the channel: Save on gear and support the channel using our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/ Pickleball Effect products: https://pickleballeffectshop.com/ 👉 Join the PE community:Main Paddle Monitor: https://main.pickleballeffect.com/ Website: https://pickleballeffect.com/PE/Braydon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballeffect/Aaron’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghenaric/ 👉 Paddle Database: https://pickleballeffect.com/pickleball-paddle-database/#pickleball #podcast

September is packed with new releases. We share our first impressions of the Enhance EPP Turbo ArmorGrit and Gearbox Pressure X, take a look at Franklin’s new X-44 ball coming later this year, and speculate on what JOOLA’s mystery foam paddle might be.👉 Shop Pickleball Central (use link to apply up to 10% off everything): https://a8qh.short.gy/save 👉 All PE discounts: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/ __________________________________________TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Preview01:20 Earbud enlightenment, secret project progression, fitting quiz09:29 Special delivery - Enhance Turbo, Diadem Edge Flex11:09 Aaron it Out - Johnsons take down #1 seed15:35 I read it on Reddit - Jorja’s erne18:35 I read it on Reddit - Coral Pro to USAP, pb on ocean liner 22:25 I read it on Reddit - Hilarious pickleball addiction progression & paddle pic in car24:41 Paddle Babble - JOOLA mystery foam paddle34:28 Aaron’s beef with RPM Jade37:01 Gearbox Pressure X48:01 Enhance MPP Turbo ArmorGrit58:42 Franklin X-44 first impressions1:08:33 Stock grip impact on balance point__________________________________________👉 Links to stuff mentioned:New Review Directory page: https://pickleballeffect.com/equipment-reviews/ Braydon’s Gear page: https://pickleballeffect.com/braydons-gear/ 👉 Links to gear mentioned:Promo code: PBEFFECTEnhance: https://www.enhancepickleball.com/PBEFFECTFranklin: https://franklinsports.sjv.io/XY9jnaGearbox: https://gearboxsports.com/?rfsn=7676489.281577JOOLA (code doesn’t apply): https://www.joola.com/?bg_ref=La4dKLtAADAll our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/ 👉 Support the channel: Save on gear and support the channel using our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/ Pickleball Effect products: https://pickleballeffectshop.com/ 👉 Join the PE community:Main Paddle Monitor: https://main.pickleballeffect.com/ Website: https://pickleballeffect.com/PE/Braydon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballeffect/Aaron’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghenaric/ 👉 Paddle Database: https://pickleballeffect.com/pickleball-paddle-database/#pickleball #podcast

We sit down with the owner of Vatic Pro to talk about the new V-Sol Tour series, how the brand has evolved, and what’s coming next. We also rank our top 5 paddle releases of the summer and share our on-court impressions of the V-Sol Tour paddles.👉 Shop Pickleball Central (use link to apply up to 10% off everything): https://a8qh.short.gy/save 👉 Upcoming PE Labor Day Sale here: https://pickleballeffectshop.com/ __________________________________________TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Preview01:57 New web pages, Aaron’s league06:44 Special delivery - Franklin balls, Gearbox, Proton11:17 Aaron it Out - Vatic Pro owner interview12:40 The vision for the V-Sol Tour15:35 How are they able to only charge $100?19:56 Are some paddles being phased out and what’s coming next?22:00 How did EverGrit pass certification, it’s so gritty?23.03 Will Vatic ever do UPA certification?23:57 About Vatic Pro growth over last three years26:42 Thoughts on acquisitions & where R&D comes from34:20 Paddle Recon39:30 Paddle Babble - Ranking Summer paddle releases56:05 Vatic V-Sol Tour gameplay impressions__________________________________________👉 Links to stuff mentioned:New Review Directory page: https://pickleballeffect.com/equipment-reviews/ Braydon’s Gear page: https://pickleballeffect.com/braydons-gear/ 👉 Links to gear mentioned:Promo code: PBEFFECTPaddles:11SIX24 Jelly Bean 2: https://11six24.com/collections/frontpage/products/vapor-jelly-bean-2?sca_ref=7474553.EbeKeAv2hF0Rh4oJ&sca_source=statsEngage Axiom: https://engagepickleball.com/collections/allpaddles/products/engage-axiom-elongated-pickleball-paddle?snowball=PBEFFECTMark UnMarked 2026: https://markpickleball.com/products/unmarked-2026?sca_ref=6258187.LVz22xOG9U&sca_source=statsPickleball Apes Zen S+: https://www.pickleballapes.com/products/zen-new-paddle?sca_ref=4608508.ipmCfUFGpV&sca_source=statsRonbus: https://ronbus.com/?ApplyPromo=pbeffectSpartus Spitfire: https://gospartus.com/products/spitfire-elongated?sca_ref=6068785.myJ3OwCv4B&sca_source=statsVatic Pro: https://vaticpro.com/?sca_ref=3260078.CzQXcNupcD&sca_source=review#038;sca_source=coupontableAll our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/ 👉 Support the channel: Save on gear and support the channel using our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/ Pickleball Effect products: https://pickleballeffectshop.com/ 👉 Join the PE community:Main Paddle Monitor: https://main.pickleballeffect.com/ Website: https://pickleballeffect.com/PE/Braydon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballeffect/Aaron’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghenaric/ 👉 Paddle Database: https://pickleballeffect.com/pickleball-paddle-database/#pickleball #podcast