Paddle of the Week 9: Real Testing, Honest Feedback

Paddle of the Week Ep. 9: Testing the Limits with the J2FC+ Prototype and a Week of Understated Balance

This week wasn’t about shock value or explosive standouts. It was about detail—about paddles that demanded a second look, a longer test, and a deeper feel. It was about subtle shifts in tech that, when they show up in your hands, actually change how you play. The kind of paddles that don’t jump out right away but stay with you long after the session ends.

That was especially true with the Honolulu Pickleball J2FC+—an R&D prototype that might not be hitting shelves soon, but definitely left its mark. In the mix, we also had the new TMPR Nimbus, an approachable, Kevlar-based thermoformed paddle; the Franklin FS Tour Dynasty 14mm, which might just be the most stable elongated paddle I’ve tested; and the surprisingly forgiving and balanced Bread & Butter Filth Standard.

Each one of these paddles brought something worth talking about. None of them earned Paddle of the Week—though two came close. But all four gave me a lot to think about.

The J2FC+ by Honolulu Pickleball: The Prototype That Feels Like the Future

Let’s get this out of the way early: the J2FC+ isn’t a production paddle. It’s not even confirmed for release. It’s a Gen 3 prototype from Honolulu Pickleball with a hybrid shape, full foam core, and carbon fiber face—and it might be the most refined pre-release paddle I’ve tested in years.

On court, it doesn’t play like anything else. The paddle has a full foam core—no honeycomb, no fiberglass—and a supposed “diving board” internal structure that, frankly, I expected to feel gimmicky. But it doesn’t. There’s no trampoline, no vibration, and no unpredictable bounce. It’s linear, clean, and shockingly stable. Power builds in a straight line. You swing, you get what you earned—no more, no less. But the reward is how natural it feels. Like an extension of your hand, not an equation to solve.

Resets felt automatic. Dinks stayed low. And counterpunches had enough behind them to earn points without straining. I played eight hours with this paddle and never felt like switching off. That’s rare. Especially for a paddle that technically doesn’t exist—yet.

The swing weight and twist weight sat in that Goldilocks zone—not sluggish, not twitchy. The sweet spot was huge, the feedback was smooth, and the core didn’t fatigue over time. I’m told the foam technology is designed to resist the wear that typically breaks down Gen 3 builds. If that’s true, this could be a huge leap forward for durability.

If this thing ever hits the market in its current form, it’s going to turn heads. Until then, it's the benchmark against which I’m comparing the rest of this week’s paddles.

TMPR Nimbus: Plush Feel and Thermoformed Confidence, Right Out of the Box

The TMPR Nimbus surprised me. Not because of any radical performance—it’s not flashy—but because of how composed and playable it felt right out of the gate. This is a 16mm thermoformed paddle with TMPR’s “Cloud Weave” face—Kevlar-based aramid fiber layered over a foam-enhanced core structure. Translation: it feels soft but structured. Think thermoformed comfort without the ping.

I swapped out the stock grip immediately (those raised ribs weren’t working for me), but otherwise kept it stock. It swung with moderate weight—enough to feel the head slightly lean forward through contact, but never sluggish. Drives had presence, resets stayed low, and the paddle gave consistent feedback throughout.

It doesn’t overwhelm with power or spin, but it doesn’t have to. The Nimbus excels in stability and touch. It’s the kind of paddle that doesn’t fight you. It just does what you ask.

This is TMPR’s best all-court attempt yet. It’s well-balanced, ready out of the wrapper, and might hit that sweet spot for players who want a soft, responsive feel with enough thermoformed reinforcement to hold up over time. It’s expected to launch in mid-May for $200, and early impressions are strong.

Franklin FS Tour Dynasty 14mm: Heavy, Demanding, and Built Like a Wall

There’s no nice way to say it—the Franklin FS Tour Dynasty 14mm swings like a sledgehammer. At 8.82 ounces and a swing weight over 125, it’s the heaviest 14mm paddle I’ve ever used. And yes, my shoulder noticed. But once you accept what it is, it becomes clear: this paddle is a fortress.

What it lacks in speed, it makes up for in stability. The twist weight is astronomical for this thickness, and you feel that in every off-center contact. It just doesn’t twist. You hold your ground in hand battles. You block with confidence. You absorb pressure and give it right back. There’s no vibration, no flutter. Just mass.

Spin numbers were solid, power was average (you have to provide it yourself), and pop was respectable. But the real story is how grounded this paddle feels. You drive through balls. You don’t snap them. The paddle stays composed under pressure, and that alone makes it a weapon—if you’re strong enough to swing it.

The downside? It’s tiring. And the bulky stock grip didn’t help. But once I stripped it and added two overgrips, it felt better in hand—though not lighter, of course.

At $149.99, it’s one of the most stable and deliberate elongated paddles you can buy. Just know what you’re signing up for.

Bread & Butter Filth Standard 16mm: Comfort, Stability, and Surprise Forgiveness

After the shoulder-testing heft of the Franklin, switching to the Filth Standard 16mm was a relief—and a revelation. This is Bread & Butter’s most stable standard shape yet, and it plays like a dream if you value comfort and control.

It’s not a power paddle. It’s not a spin monster. But it feels planted, balanced, and incredibly forgiving. It absorbs pace well in transition, stays square in hand battles, and offers a linear feel that responds to your inputs cleanly.

What stood out most was how quickly I trusted it. After just a few games, I wasn’t thinking about the paddle—I was just playing. Resets were automatic. Dinks sat low. Drops felt placed, not punched. And even though the spin numbers were average, I could still shape the ball confidently off both wings.

This is the kind of paddle you give to a player who wants to play longer without wearing down, who values rhythm over recklessness. After a long week of heavy testing, it was the Filth Standard that made my arm feel better—not worse.

The updated Filth shapes (Hybrid and Elongated included) are dropping later in May, and I’ll be watching closely when they do. This one might not win awards, but it will absolutely win players over.

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No Paddle of the Week—But Two Serious Contenders

For the second time in this series, I’m not naming a Paddle of the Week. Not because the lineup disappointed—it didn’t—but because no single paddle made that undeniable leap to the top.

That said, the J2FC+ came very close. It’s easily the most dialed-in prototype I’ve tested this year. If it were a production paddle, I’d be naming it without hesitation. It’s stable, linear, quiet, and simply feels… right.

The Filth Standard also deserves a nod. It’s the quiet star of the week—a paddle that plays clean, protects your joints, and helps you stay sharp without asking for constant calibration. I’ll be putting more time into it as the official launch nears.

If you’re searching for the right paddle—whether it’s something heavy and stable, soft and spinny, or quiet and linear—check out the Paddle Finder at mattspickleball.com. It’s free, tailored to how you actually play, and updated weekly with new test data.

Got a paddle you want to see featured next? Drop a comment. I read every one.

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