Podcast · Sport

Matt's Pickleball Podcast

by Matt's Pickleball · English · Sport

Matt Khoury and Blake Shanks cover pickleball from opposite ends of it. Matt runs mattspickleball.com, where he measures paddles and publishes the numbers. Blake is a pickleball photographer who spends most of the year at PPA events, which puts her around the players and the brands all year. She pi

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 31 min
Latest: 14 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

14 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 24 minNew

RPM Jade First Impressions: One of Us Loves It, One Was Underwhelmed

11SIX24 founder David Groechel joins us to talk about HexGrit, which he developed with a pizza oven in his warehouse, and why he went UPA-A only. He's working on Power 3, and his Gen 3 paddles with HexGrit all failed approval, so it's back to the drawing board (bummer!). We also get into Volair licensing HexGrit, the shoes he's making, and the owner who told him they weren't going to take his grit. Then they did.Then Bobby's on the hot seat: was the RPM Jade overhyped? We also hit the Pickle Poppers POP N Rush and the Luzz Cannon XPP.Code MPB works (pretty much everywhere, but also) at…

Play episodeWhatsApp Download

Earlier episodes 28 most recent

S3 · E5 · 7 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 31 min
Rumor Mill: Is Selkirk Moving Away From the Widebody? Plus Engage Pickleball's Founder
Engage Pickleball founder Robert Elliott made his first paddle because his wife couldn't feel the ball, and within a year of launching, Engage was making over 100 paddles a day. He talks about cutting paddles with a table saw, leaving "Made in USA," why the X2 is his favorite over the X3 Pro, and why he thinks hot paddles make people play worse. Then Bobby and I get into whether the widebody is on its way out, the Loco 2, the Holbrook Fuze with VantaGrit, and the Six Zero Boulder Opal. Code MPB works at Engage, Bread & Butter and Holbrook. Engage lineup: www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod5/engage…
S3 · E3 · 28 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 38 min
Gearbox Founder on Copycat Paddles and the Pressure X | Pickleball
Rafael Filippini runs Gearbox, and he brought the inside of the Pressure X with him. We get into what he means by pressurizing a paddle, why the carbon ribs take a thousand pounds to move three millimeters when the foam on its own takes four hundred, why the hottest spot on this face sits an inch and a half from the tip instead of the middle, and why he is not chasing the highest spin number anyone can post on day one.Then Bobby and I go through what showed up this week. The Enhance ArmorGrit Turbo, the Volair CMD HYB with Hex Grit licensed from 11SIX24, the roughest face in my database so…
S3 · E2 · 21 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 9 min
James Ignatowich Says Reviewers Run Pickleball. I Pushed Back.
James Ignatowich runs RPM with his college buddy. In this episode, he says the thing most brand owners will not say out loud: reviewers run the game. I told him I think that is nonsense, and we went at it for a while.He also gets into the RPM Jade, some clever marketing, why the Q2 and the Friction Pro V2 feel close off the face, what a paddle launch really costs when you live at the factory, and the tennis career he had before pickleball.Then Blake and I get into what showed up this week, the Volair CMD HYB and the two new Gearbox Pressure X paddles.Code MPB saves you money at RPM, Volair,…
S3 · E1 · 11 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 17 min
What Pickleball Pros Say About Their Paddles Off Camera | Camila Zilveti
We started a podcast! Blake and I share an interest: PICKLEBALL! You already know I talk about paddles and gear. You might not know Blake yet. You will. She's a pickleball photographer who spends most of her free time at PPA events, so she's around the players and the brands. She picks her paddles on feel and will argue with me about it, which is fun, and you'll see in this first episode. She's also getting me closer to all the news and drama on MLP and the PPA Tour. We both love this sport and the people that are part of it, and that’s why we are kicking off this podcast journey with…
S2 · E1 · 16 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 3 min
How Two Tennis Kids Built Pickleball's Biggest Brand | Connor Hance & Drew Baird of Enhance Pickleball
Title (200 char max): How Two Tennis Kids Built Pickleball's Biggest Brand | Connor Hance & Drew Baird of Enhance Pickleball Description (4000 char max): Connor Hance and Drew Baird built one of pickleball's biggest brands from scratch — starting with a $40 mic, an iPhone, and zero plan. In this episode, we go deep on how content became their biggest business advantage, the origin of the Dink Master, their philosophy behind the Turbo and Duo paddle lines, where foam core technology is heading, and what it actually takes to build a brand that lasts in a sport moving this fast. Use code MPB to…
S1 · E26 · 23 Nov 2025 · 27 min
Black Friday & Cyber Monday Pickleball Deals 2025 — Every Brand, Every Paddle, Full Breakdown
Head to www.mattspickleball.com/blackfriday for the full interactive list with live links, filters by brand, and updated deals as they drop throughout the weekend. Use code MPB at checkout on most brands to save even more.Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2025 Pickleball Deals — the most complete A-Z guide covering every major brand, paddle discount, and stacking code available this season. I've tracked down deals from Selkirk, CRBN, Engage, Vatic Pro, Joola, Ronbus, Six Zero, Gearbox, Diadem, Chorus, and 30+ more brands so you can find the best pricing on paddles, bags, shoes, and…
S1 · E25 · 10 Oct 2025 · 31 min
Best Pickleball Paddles 2025: 17 Models Tested - Honest Takes
I tested 17 pickleball paddles from $99 to $250. Here's what's actually worth your money and what disappointed.MY TOP PICK:RPM Friction Pro - My current main paddle. Best playing Gen 3 I've tested despite the $249 price tag.BEST VALUE:Vatic V-Sol Pro - $99 with code MPB. Add 9 grams of weight and it competes with paddles twice the price.BIGGEST SURPRISE:Element 6 Zephyr - $125 with code MPB. Solid stability right out of the box.DISAPPOINTMENTS:Diadem Edge BluCore - Can't justify $250 when better options exist for less.Flik Falcon 13mm - Too head-heavy and unforgiving for my game.ADIDAS IS…
S1 · E23 · 16 Sep 2025 · 1 hr 25 min
James Ignatowich on Leaving Selkirk, Building RPM Pickleball, and Paddle Tech’s Future
James Ignatowich is one of the most dynamic players in pro pickleball and now one of the boldest entrepreneurs in the game. In this episode, we cover his transition from college tennis to the PPA Tour, his decision to part ways with Selkirk, and the launch of his own brand, RPM Pickleball.We dig into what it takes to engineer a paddle that can compete at the highest level, the trade-offs between foam and honeycomb cores, and how today’s paddle innovation could reshape the sport in the years ahead. James also shares how he balances the demands of being a full-time pro with building a startup…
S1 · E22 · 2 Sep 2025 · 20 min
Pickleball Paddles Around $150 or Less (2025) – Premium Performance Without the Premium Price
You don't need to spend $250-300+ to get serious paddle performance. I'm breaking down the best paddles you can get around $150 or less in 2025 - and these aren't budget alternatives, they're premium paddles at honest prices. Featured Paddles: Vatic Pro Saga Bloom 16mm - $119.99 with code MPB 11SIX24 Power Series (3 shapes) - $159 with code MPB Friday Fever Series - $99 with code MPB Enhance Gen 4.5 - $154.99 with code MPB Ronbus Quanta Series (5 shapes) - $99 with code MPB Also Covered: FORWRD Court Ranger Backpack - $149 with code MPB Whether it's Gen 3 foam-enhanced construction or full…
S1 · E21 · 17 Aug 2025 · 21 min
13 Paddle Deep Dive: Gen 1 vs Gen 3 vs Foam-Core – Which Wins? | Ep. 21
I tested 13 paddles across three different construction categories to see how each generation performs in 2025. From traditional Gen 1 builds to cutting-edge foam-core technology, this comparison reveals which approach delivers the best value and performance. Paddle lineup by construction:Foam-Core: Ronbus Refoam ($179), Selkirk Boomstik ($333),J2NF Long HandleGen 3: Thrive FURY ($180)Pickleball Apes Harmony ($162)Sypik Triton 3 ProGen 1: Revolin Torch
S1 · E19 · 29 Jul 2025 · 20 min
Selkirk Boomstik Quick Take + GX2 Power, CRBN Genesis 4, Gen 4.5, Wild Thang & Best Pickleball Shoes
First impressions of Selkirk’s new Boomstik power paddle, plus deep dives on the GX2 Power, CRBN Genesis 4, Enhance Pickleball Gen 4.5, Wild Thang, and two standout pickleball shoes from Solase and PB5Star.
S1 · E17 · 5 Jul 2025 · 18 min
Vatic V-Core vs. CRN TruFoam Genesis 4: The $99 Disruptor vs. the Hybrid Flagship; Plus Others
$99 vs $280 – Can the Vatic Pro V-Core really compete with the new TruFoam Genesis 4 Hybrid? In this review, I test six new pickleball paddles that are shaking up the game in 2025. From foam-core tech to thermoformed Gen-3 builds, I share real on-court results and which ones are actually worth your money. This is episode 17 of the Matt's Pickleball Podcast (formerly, "Paddle of the Week!")
S1 · E16 · 28 Jun 2025 · 1 hr 54 min
Pickleball Will on Culture, Gear, Burnout & Building Something Real | Full Interview
Creator. Competitor. Culture shaper. In this full-length interview, Pickleball Will gets real about his family’s refugee story, quitting his job at 31, finding pickleball during COVID, and building a voice in the sport through honest gear reviews, podcasting, and building a community of pickleball in Oklahoma. We go deep on burnout, brand deals, identity, and what’s next.If you’ve followed Pickleball Will—or you’re curious about the grind behind content creation, the state of pickleball paddles, or what it means to shape community from the inside—this is the episode.
S1 · E15 · 15 Jun 2025 · 20 min
New Power Paddles: Gearbox GX2 Power, Selkirk SLK ERA Power, Element 6 Surtr & More
5 new pickleball paddles go head to head in this episode of Paddle of the Week. I played the Gearbox GX2 Power, Selkirk SLK ERA Power, the powerful Element 6 Surtr, and both the Avoura Revaya and Rivelle Gen-1 models. 💵 Planning to grab one of these? Use code MPB (or INF-MPB at Selkirk) to save at checkout.
S1 · E14 · 8 Jun 2025 · 34 min
2 Paddles Named POTW + Nerdy Tourney Recap | Ep. 14
2 standout paddles. 1 unforgettable tournament. Matt breaks down a Gen 3 carbon power build and his favorite foam-core paddle to date from Honolulu Pickleball (the J2NF)—plus gives a behind-the-scenes look at the creator-packed Nerdy Tourney in Vero Beach. Could the new Bread & Butter prototypes be the next big thing?
S1 · E13 · 25 May 2025 · 23 min
Foam vs Fire: Honolulu NF Series, Franklin C45 Dynasty, Holbrook ARMA & MUVN GRUVN Foam Tested 🔥
In this week’s Paddle of the Week, it’s foam vs. firepower in one of the most loaded episodes yet! I test two game-changing foam-core paddles—MUVN GRUVN Foam and the Honolulu Pickleball NF Series—the J2NFT, J2NFL, and J2NFK—up against powerhouse builds from Franklin C45 Dynasty and Holbrook ARMA Metallic T. If you’ve been wondering how foam stacks up against Gen 3 thermoform beasts, you’re about to get answers 🧠💥
S1 · E12 · 18 May 2025 · 27 min
Ronbus Ripple V2 vs. Holbrook ARMA: Two of the Hottest Paddles Right Now | Ep. 12
Ronbus just dropped the V2 Ripple series. Holbrook’s new ARMA line is making noise. I tested both—plus the Engage Pro1 Innovation and an unreleased power paddle prototype. Spin, power, stiffness, control—it’s all here.
S1 · E11 · 11 May 2025 · 31 min
Volair V.1F Hybrid, Franklin C45 Dynasty & Tempo, $99 Friday Fever, ADV Pickleball Pro Bag, Brioti Glasses | Ep. 11
In Episode 11, I dig into six new products: the high-spin Volair V.1F Hybrid, Franklin’s reworked C45 Dynasty and Tempo paddles, the surprisingly solid $99 Friday Fever, the ADV Pickleball Pro Bag, and the FOCOS performance glasses from Brioti. One paddle needed tuning. One blew past expectations. 🧠 Paddle Finder: https://www.mattspickleball.com/pickleball-paddle-finder 📊 Paddle data + rankings: https://www.mattspickleball.com 💬 Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/GrWNZY2EN2 💸 Save with code MPB at checkout on featured gear 4o
S1 · E10 · 4 May 2025 · 21 min
Selkirk LUXX 2.0, Project 008 Series Maxima & Invikta, Franklin C45 Dynasty & More | Ep. 10
Four paddles. Three brands. No clear winner—yet. In Episode 10 of Paddle of the Week, I put the newly updated Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta 2.0 , two all-foam Selkirk Labs Project 008 paddles, and Franklin’s new C45 Dynasty Elongated 14mm and 16mm builds through match play, drills, and league nights. You’ll get actual performance numbers—spin RPM, punch volley speed, serve speed—as well as real on-court feedback. Want help choosing your next paddle? Try the Paddle Finder at https://fit.mattspickleball.com . It gives tailored recommendations based on how you play—not just what’s popular.…
S1 · E9 · 27 Apr 2025 · 18 min
TMPR Nimbus, Bread & Butter Filth Standard, Honolulu Pickleball J2FC+ Prototype & More | Ep. 9
What do a Gen 3 foam prototype, a $149 Franklin paddle, a thermoformed Kevlar build, and one of the most stable standard shapes I’ve tested all have in common? They’re all in this week’s lineup. Welcome to Episode 9 of Paddle of the Week. Each paddle got full court time—drills, match play, and league nights. I focused on real-world performance: feel, power, pop, spin, balance, and more. Want help finding your next paddle? Use the Paddle Finder at https://fit.mattspickleball.com . It’s free—no email, no spam. You answer a few quick questions and get paddle recommendations based on actual test…
S1 · E8 · 20 Apr 2025 · 31 min
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2, Selkirk 008 Maxima & Invikta, Joola Scorpeus Pro IV, and More | Ep. 8
In Episode 8 of Paddle of the Week, we go deeper—not wider. I tested six paddles and one pair of true pickleball shoes across drills, league play, and high-intensity games to find what actually performs when it counts. The standout? The CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 . Not the flashiest paddle, but maybe the most well-rounded foam-core paddle I’ve tested yet. 🔍 What’s covered: HEAD Motion Pro BOA Pickleball Shoes — Dual BOA lacing, court-specific traction, high stability. Gearbox GX2 Integra XL — Dead-quiet, ultra-stable, and unlike anything else on the market. Gearbox Pro Power Integra 8.1 — A…
S1 · E7 · 13 Apr 2025 · 31 min
Vatic Pro's Fastest Saga (14mm) Yet, Joola Scorpeus Pro IV, and the Paddle That Surprised Me Most
Episode 7 is here—and this week, we’ve got a clear Paddle of the Week winner: the Gherkin Nightshade Elongated 14mm. It’s not just about spin or power—it’s about balance, control, and that rare “just right” feel that works at any tempo. But that’s not all. I tested 8 different paddles across 6 brands—plus a pickleball-specific shoe that surprised me with how well it’s holding up. 🔹 Here’s what we cover: SQAIRZ Pro XRZ Shoes — Purpose-built design, serious traction, wide toe box, and subtle performance details that actually matter. Vatic Pro Saga Flash & V7 14mm — Faster, lighter, crisper…
S1 · E6 · 6 Apr 2025 · 37 min
Diadem Warrior BluCore, Gearbox GX2 Hyper, Honolulu Pickleball J2K Reset & Why There’s No POTW This Week | Ep. 6
Episode 6 of Paddle of the Week is here—and this time, I’m not naming a winner. After a full week of paddle testing across 13+ builds, nothing stood out enough to take the crown. But that doesn’t mean it was a wasted week—far from it. This episode is still packed with analysis. Here’s what I cover: Diadem Warrior BluCore : First look at the Standard 14mm and Max 16mm. EPP foam core, unique feel, and serious speed—but a frustrating edge guard for modders. Gearbox GX2 Hyper : The stealth standout. One of the quietest, most composed paddles I’ve tested. Sneaky power, elite build, and incredibly…
S1 · E5 · 30 Mar 2025 · 38 min
Gearbox GX2 Hyper, JOOLA Hyperion IV, Proton Flamingo, and More | Ep. 5
This episode of Paddle of the Week goes deep—not wide. I’m talking about fewer products with more substance, including the Gearbox GX2 Hyper (my Paddle of the Week), JOOLA Hyperion IV 16mm, Proton Flamingo, and the new recovery kit from Yobow. I also break down standout paddles like the Gherkin Nightshade Hybrid, Gearbox Pro Ultimate Hyper, and revisit the Tecnifibre TF Select 15mm after more court time. If you’re looking for gear that actually performs—not just what’s trending—you’ll get real-world testing insights, performance metrics, and my unfiltered take on what belongs in your bag.…
S1 · E4 · 19 Mar 2025 · 34 min
Tecnifibre TF-Select Shocks Me, Gearbox GX2, Rev Pickleball Zeus, 11SIX24 Vapor Power & More | Ep. 4
After a week of sun, sweat, and way too many paddles in Mexico, I’m back with Episode 4 of Paddle of the Week—and this one is stacked. The surprise standout? The Tecnifibre TF Select 15mm . It wasn’t even on my radar to win, but the confidence it gave me at the net and from the baseline sealed the deal. Plus, the Gearbox GX2 paddles nearly took the top spot and are some of the most unique feeling paddles I’ve tested lately. Also in this episode: Standout CF4 – consistent all-court performance with punchy control Rev Zeus – dense, powerful, no-nonsense Gen 3 build at a fair price Pickleball…
S1 · E3 · 5 Mar 2025 · 25 min
Honolulu Pickleball J2K Control, Joola Pro IV 16mm Domination, and the Franklin C45 Keeps Climbing | Ep. 3
Welcome to Episode 3 of Paddle of the Week. This week’s lineup is deep, diverse, and packed with paddles I’ve been playing, tweaking, and retesting—including two JOOLA Perseus Pro IV paddles that couldn’t feel more different. The 16mm version earns Paddle of the Week honors for its balance, spin, and control-focused power, while the 14mm version brings the heat with speed and explosiveness. Also in this episode: Honolulu J2K – my go-to paddle for league play this week when I needed control and finesse Thrive Smoke – powerful, stable, but still a beast to handle in fast hands exchanges…
S1 · E2 · 25 Feb 2025 · 18 min
Franklin C45, Neonic Flare Prime X, and Paddle Tuning Deep Dive | Ep. 2
Welcome to Episode 2 of Paddle of the Week—where I break down the paddles I actually played with this week, including how they performed, what surprised me, and what absolutely needed tuning. This week’s top spot goes to the Franklin C45 , a paddle that finally clicked after some simple weight adjustments. Also in the mix: the JOOLA Hyperion 3S , Neonic Flare Prime X , Thrive Smoke , Bread & Butter Invader , Selkirk 008 Tour , and the Honolulu J2Ti+ . I break down swing weights, RPM, serve speed, pop, stability, and more. If you’re a gear tinkerer or just trying to find your next main…
S1 · E1 · 19 Feb 2025 · 18 min
Standout CF4, CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2, J2K+, Thrive Smoke and More | Ep. 1
Welcome to Episode 1 of Paddle of the Week, a new series where I break down the paddles I actually played this week—no fluff, no sponsored spin. I tested a ton of paddles, and one clear standout earned the top spot: the Standout CF4 . But there were some big surprises, including the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 , Honolulu J2K+ , and Vatic Pro Saga Bloom . I go deep on performance, spin, swing weight, and control, and tell you which paddles are worth your time—and which ones need more tuning. This week also features first impressions of upcoming models like the Thrive Smoke , Pickleball Apes Pulse…

About Matt's Pickleball Podcast

Matt's Pickleball Podcast is a English sport podcast from Matt's Pickleball. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Matt's Pickleball
Language: English
Category: Sport
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 31 min
Latest episode: 14 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1812727671
Rights: Matt's Pickleball

RSS feed Apple Podcasts

More English sport

Take it with you

The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.