CRBN TruFoam Genesis Review: Is the Fully Foam Core the Future of Pickleball Paddles?

Recently, CRBN introduced the TruFoam Genesis series, claiming to be the first-ever pickleball paddle with a fully foam core, marking a radical departure from traditional polymer (mainly polypropylene) honeycomb cores. Marketed as the first USAPA-approved fourth-generation pickleball paddle, this innovation reportedly took over 18 months of R&D and 300 prototype iterations. The inspiration, interestingly, came from surfboard construction.

But the question remains:

• Can a foam core withstand the intensity of high-level play?
• Will it feel too soft or lack the crisp responsiveness of traditional cores?
• Can it outlast polymer cores, which often suffer from durability issues over time?

To answer these questions, I spent a full week testing the CRBN TruFoam Genesis paddles in real-game scenarios.

For years, polymer honeycomb cores have been the standard in pickleball paddle construction. CRBN, however, completely replaced the honeycomb core with high-density foam, raising curiosity about how it would impact performance.

First Impressions & Feel

Upon unboxing the paddle, I immediately took it to the courts for testing. The first noticeable difference was in the feel upon impact. Unlike traditional honeycomb cores, the TruFoam Genesis has a softer touch without feeling mushy or muted. It lacks the stiff, rigid feel of polymer cores, offering a slight cushioning effect that enhances control and stability.

Unlike standard EVA foam paddles, which tend to feel excessively soft, this specially engineered foam maintains a crisp response and solid power transfer. The paddle seemingly “grips” the ball before precisely releasing it, allowing for better touch on drops and dinks, almost resembling the control of a tennis racket. Additionally, it generates ample spin, and the impact sound is noticeably quieter compared to polymer-core paddles.

One of the most intriguing aspects of this design is its customizability. CRBN has strategically carved cavities within the foam core to fine-tune key attributes, including paddle weight, elasticity, sweet spot size, and stability—something that polymer honeycomb cores cannot easily achieve due to their rigid structure.

Additionally, the paddle face is constructed from five layers of carbon fiber with an additional fiberglass layer, designed to enhance power.

One major drawback of polymer honeycomb cores is the development of “dead spots” over time, as repeated impacts cause certain areas to lose responsiveness.

The TruFoam Genesis, however, utilizes high-density elastic foam, which is theoretically more resistant to compression and degradation compared to both traditional honeycomb and standard foam cores.

That said, durability can only be validated over time, and further testing over the coming months will reveal whether this innovation truly outlasts its predecessors.

The TruFoam Genesis series consists of three models, each with a 14mm core and a retail price of $279.99.

After testing all three models extensively, here are the key takeaways:

The CRBN TruFoam Genesis series is undoubtedly a groundbreaking innovation. It offers enhanced feel, superior spin potential, and theoretical durability improvements over traditional honeycomb paddles.

However, can fully foam cores completely replace polymer honeycomb cores? It’s too early to tell.

For advanced players, TF2 stands out as the best all-around option. It is versatile, forgiving, and easy to adapt to.
For aggressive baseliners, TF1 is a solid choice—though weight customization (lead tape) may be needed to enhance the sweet spot.

From cold-pressed to thermoformed, from enhanced foam to fully foam cores, this marks the fourth generation of paddle innovation. With Selkirk preparing to launch their own PureFoam-based Lab Project 008, we might be on the verge of a major shift in paddle technology.

The industry is watching—will fully foam cores redefine the game? Only time will tell.