Tested by Matt Khoury
4.5 player · 2 yrs testing paddles · 630+ reviewed
Reviewed
DECEMBER 2025
Updated OCTOBER 2026
Gherkin Draco 16mm Pickleball Paddle Review
MATT'S VERDICT
The Gherkin Draco is a high-output hybrid that delivers real drive power and standout pop without relying on heavy swing weight or a head-heavy feel. It swings fast, stays maneuverable in quick exchanges, and pairs that offensive output with a notably large, forgiving sweet spot that holds up on lateral misses.
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Retail Price
$179.99
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Videos
Matt's Feel Profile
Stiff + Hollowstiff face with a crisp, resonant pop
How players classify this paddle
0 votesBe the first ↑
All measurements
- Serve speed
- 60.9 mph
- Serve speed percentile
- 88.5%
- Serve speed z-score
- 0.917
- Punch volley speed
- 39 mph
- Punch volley speed percentile
- 63.3%
- Punch volley speed z-score
- 0.623
- Spin
- 2270 rpm
- Spin percentile
- 56.1%
- Spin z-score
- 0.351
- Swing weight
- 113.05
- Swing weight percentile
- 41.6%
- Swing weight z-score
- -0.207
- Twist weight
- 6.75
- Twist weight percentile
- 73.0%
- Twist weight z-score
- 0.573
- Static weight
- 7.99 oz
- Static weight percentile
- 45.5%
- Static weight z-score
- -0.034
- Balance point
- 23.9 cm
- Balance point percentile
- 26.6%
- Balance point z-score
- -0.500
- Surface roughness (Ra)
- 5.03 µm
- Surface roughness (Ra) percentile
- 5.5%
- Surface roughness (Ra) z-score
- -1.481
- Firepower
- 76/100
- Control score
- 69/100
- Power rating
- 4/5
- Control rating
- 4/5
- Spin rating
- 3/5
- Pop rating
- 4/5
- Forgiveness rating
- 3/5
- Shot resetting rating
- 3/5
- Touch shots rating
- 3/5
- Feel rating
- 3/5
- Matt's star rating
- 5/5
- Balance offset from center
- +3.3 cm
- Core thickness
- 16 mm
- Shape
- Hybrid
- Length
- 16.25 in
- Width
- 7.75 in
- Handle length
- 5.5 in
- Handle circumference
- 4.25 in
- Surface material
- Carbon Fiber
- Core material
- Nanocellulose Polymer
- Surface texture
- Peel Ply (Coarse)
- Manufacturing process
- Gen-4 Unibody Molded
- Classification
- Gen 4
- Approval body
- USA Pickleball
- Feel stiffness
- 32/100
- Feel hollowness
- 64/100
- Feel profile
- Stiff + Hollow
- Punch volley rank
- #133 of 522 measured paddles
- Market comparison
- 518 measured paddles across 9 metrics