CRBN TruFoam Genesis (CRBN 3 Elongated) Review: Foam-core paddle for players who like control and spin

I’ve been playing with the CRBN TruFoam Genesis (the CRBN 3 elongated version) for a couple of weeks, mixing open play and a small local tournament. I usually rotate between a regular CRBN 1 and a couple of other thermoformed paddles, so I had a pretty clear idea of what I was looking for: decent power, reliable spin, and something that doesn’t feel dead after a month. The big promise here is the 100% foam core that’s supposed to avoid "core crush" and give a consistent feel over time.

On court, the first thing I noticed is the dwell time. The ball sits on the face a bit longer than on my standard polymer-core paddles. It’s not night and day, but it’s clear enough that my dinks and roll volleys felt more controlled right away. The paddle doesn’t explode off the face like some power paddles; it’s more about placement and spin. If you’re coming from a really poppy thermoformed setup, you’ll probably feel like this is tamer in the power department.

The elongated shape and 14mm thickness give it a pretty familiar profile if you’ve used CRBN paddles before. It’s not some weird experiment that feels like a toy. Balance feels slightly head-heavy but not in a tiring way. After a couple of sessions, I wasn’t thinking about the weight anymore, which is usually a good sign. I did end up adding a bit of lead tape just to widen the sweet spot, similar to what one Amazon reviewer mentioned.

Overall, my first impression was: solid control paddle with legit spin, decent power, and a different feel from standard polymer cores. Not a miracle product, not junk either. It sits in that zone where it’s genuinely good, but whether it’s worth the price depends a lot on how picky you are about feel and consistency.

This is where I’m a bit torn. Performance-wise, it’s a good paddle: solid spin, very good control, enough power for most players, and a comfortable feel. But you’re paying a premium price for the foam core story and CRBN branding. One Amazon reviewer summed it up well saying it’s a good paddle but not a big jump from their other CRBN models. I agree with that. If you already own a CRBN 1 or 3 and like it, this is more of a sideways move with a different feel than some huge upgrade.

If you’re coming from a cheap starter paddle, the Genesis will feel like a big step up in control and spin. In that case, the price might feel more justified, especially if you play several times a week. The included neoprene cover is a nice extra, but let’s be honest, that doesn’t really change the value equation. You’re mostly paying for the tech and brand reputation here.

Where the value could really show is long-term consistency. If the foam core truly avoids that gradual dead feel that some polymer paddles get, then spreading the cost over a longer lifespan makes sense. But that’s something only time will prove. Right now, I’d say the value is decent but not outstanding. You’re not getting ripped off, but you’re also not scoring some hidden bargain.

So in plain terms: if you’re an intermediate or advanced player who cares about feel, control, and spin, and you’re okay paying for that, this is a reasonable buy. If you’re more price-sensitive or already happy with a current CRBN, there are cheaper options that will get you 80–90% of the way there. Good paddle, fair value, but not some crazy deal.

The design is pretty straightforward: elongated head, standard handle, carbon fiber face. If you’ve ever played with an elongated CRBN 3 or similar paddles, this will feel right at home. The extra reach is helpful at the kitchen and on overheads; I noticed it most when I was stretched out wide trying to dig balls that would usually just miss my standard paddle. That said, you do give up a bit of forgiveness horizontally. Mishits toward the edges feel less stable than on a wider-body paddle.

The grip length is slightly extended compared to some other paddles, which is nice if you like a two-handed backhand. I don’t use it all the time, but on returns and counterpunches it felt natural to slide my off-hand on and rip a two-hander. If you’re used to very short handles, you might need a day or two to adjust, but I see this as a plus for most players.

Aesthetically, it’s minimal: dark carbon look, simple CRBN branding, nothing flashy. Personally, I prefer that over loud colors and big graphics. On court, it looks like a serious piece of gear, not like you’re trying to start a fashion show. The edge guard is low profile, and I didn’t feel any weird lip catching the ball. No rattles, no loose-feeling parts out of the box, which is the bare minimum but still worth mentioning given how many paddles ship with QC issues these days.

Design-wise, my only real complaint is the sweet spot feels a bit tighter than some 16mm paddles or wider shapes. It’s not tiny, but if you’re a beginner with shaky contact, you’ll feel your mistakes more. Once you’re hitting the center more consistently, it’s fine, but this is not the most forgiving shape on the market. It’s clearly aimed more at intermediate and up players who want reach and control.

In terms of comfort, I had no arm or elbow issues after several two-hour sessions, which is not always the case with stiffer, power-focused paddles. The foam core seems to soak up some vibration, especially on off-center hits. When I framed a ball near the tip or closer to the edge, I felt it, but it didn’t send a nasty shock up my arm. For someone with a history of tennis elbow, that’s a real plus.

The 4-inch grip size felt a bit slim out of the box for my hand, but that’s easy to fix. I wrapped one overgrip and it was perfect. The stock grip itself is fine: decent tackiness, not too squishy, not rock-hard either. I didn’t feel it twisting in my hand, even on hard blocks. If you sweat a lot, you’ll probably still want an overgrip, but that’s normal. The extended handle length gives enough room for a clean two-handed backhand without feeling cramped.

Weight-wise, it sits in that comfortable middle ground. It’s not so light that you lose stability, and not so heavy that your shoulder is cooked after an hour. After I added a bit of lead tape on both sides (like one Amazon reviewer mentioned), the paddle felt more stable on blocks and counters without becoming a brick. I’d say most intermediate players will be fine with the stock weight, and more advanced players might tweak it with tape like usual.

Overall comfort is pretty solid. The paddle doesn’t feel harsh, it doesn’t buzz, and the grip is serviceable out of the box. It’s not some plush pillow in your hand, but it’s definitely on the comfortable side compared to stiffer, more power-focused models. If you’re sensitive to vibration or coming back from arm issues, this is worth a look.

The big talking point is the 100% foam core. Compared to the usual polymer honeycomb, the paddle feels a bit more cushioned on impact, especially on soft shots. When you’re dinking or resetting, the ball doesn’t jump off the face as quickly; it kind of sinks in and then releases. That matches what some reviewers said about “exaggerated dwell.” If you’re used to stiff, thermoformed paddles, this will feel softer and more controlled, but also slightly less explosive.

The carbon fiber face feels in line with other CRBN paddles: good grip on the ball, consistent response, and no weird hot spots. Spin is solid. I was getting plenty of bite on topspin rolls, slices, and serves. I wouldn’t say it’s miles ahead of other gritty carbon faces, but it’s definitely in that upper tier. If you already like CRBN’s spin, this keeps that same vibe.

The frame and listed "plastic" material in the spec sheet are a bit misleading. It doesn’t feel like some cheap plastic toy; it feels like a proper composite paddle. Edges feel solid, and I didn’t hear any hollow echo or buzzing on contact. The build quality on my unit was clean: no excess glue, no warped face, nothing off visually.

Overall, materials feel premium enough for the price bracket, but the main difference is the foam core feel rather than some crazy new surface. If you’re chasing max power, the foam might actually feel like a downgrade versus a stiff polymer core. But if you value touch and a slightly softer impact, the material choice here makes sense. It’s not magic, but it does give a different, more controlled sensation that some players will really like.

I haven’t had this paddle for months, so I can’t pretend I know how it will look after a full season. But after a couple of weeks of regular play—around 12–15 hours total—the face texture is holding up well. There’s the usual minor wear from balls and the occasional scrape at the kitchen line, but the grit is still clearly there. No obvious dead spots, no change in sound, and no feeling that the core is softening or "crushing" yet.

The big promise from CRBN is that the foam core avoids the core crush problem you sometimes get with standard polymer paddles, where the paddle feels great for a month and then slowly turns into a noodle. I can’t fully verify that long-term, but so far the paddle feels basically the same as day one. If that holds up over several months, then that’s a real point in its favor, especially for people who are tired of paddles losing their pop or consistency too fast.

Edge durability seems fine so far. I’ve had a few clashes at the net (because people don’t always call "mine" in time), and aside from some cosmetic scuffs, there’s no structural damage or separation. No rattles have developed, which is something I’ve seen with other brands after a few weeks. The handle feels solid too; no creaking or looseness when I torque it with my hands.

So based on early use, durability and consistency look promising, but I’m not going to pretend it’s indestructible. It’s still a paddle with a price tag that hurts if you have to replace it often. If the foam core really does keep the performance flatter over time, then it justifies itself more. If it ends up degrading like a normal paddle, then the "future of paddle tech" line is mostly just talk. For now, though, I’d say it’s holding up nicely.

This is where things get interesting. Control and spin are the strong points. In the soft game—dinks, drops, resets—the foam core actually helps. The ball doesn’t launch off the face as easily, so you can take a more confident swing without sailing it long. My third shot drops got more consistent after a couple of sessions, mainly because I trusted the paddle not to overcook the ball. The elongated shape also helped me reach a few extra dinks at the kitchen that I usually miss by a couple of inches.

Spin is legit. The carbon face grabs the ball well, and the dwell time gives you a bit more window to brush up on the ball. My topspin rolls at the net felt heavy, and I was able to hit slicing serves that kicked off the court nicely. Is it massively better than other gritty carbon paddles? Not really. But it’s definitely in the same league, which is what matters. If you have the technique, the paddle will support it.

Power is where opinions will split. For me, power was "enough" but not huge. I could finish points with drives and overheads, but it took a slightly bigger swing compared to some thermoformed paddles I’ve used. If you’re a player who relies on easy pop and put-away power, you might find this a bit tame. On the flip side, I had fewer unforced errors on counters and blocks because the paddle isn’t insanely hot. It rewards good swings instead of bailing you out with trampoline effect.

Overall, performance leans clearly toward control and spin with moderate power. If your game is based around soft hands, placement, and spin-heavy attacks, this fits nicely. If you’re all about blasting winners and want maximum pop, you’ll probably be happier with a different CRBN model or another power-focused paddle. One Amazon reviewer said it’s not a dramatic change from their other CRBN paddles, and I kind of agree: it’s different in feel, but not some wild upgrade in raw performance.

On paper, the CRBN TruFoam Genesis is pitched as this "next evolution" in pickleball tech, but let’s strip that down. It’s a 14mm, elongated carbon fiber paddle with a 100% foam core instead of the usual honeycomb polymer. It’s USAP-approved, so you can use it in sanctioned tournaments, and it comes with a neoprene cover in the box, which is at least one useful extra and not just cardboard. Grip size is 4 inches, which should work for most people and can be built up with an overgrip if you like something thicker.

The paddle is listed around 0.33 kg (roughly 8–8.5 oz once you factor in real-world variations). Mine felt right in that range. So you’re not buying some featherweight toy; it sits in the typical range for modern control/spin paddles. CRBN only offers it at 14mm instead of giving you 14/16mm choices. Their line is that the foam density does the work instead of changing thickness. In practice, that means fewer options if you’re picky about thickness, but also less confusion if you hate overthinking specs.

Out of the box, the face has that gritty carbon fiber texture you’d expect from CRBN. It’s not sandpaper rough, but it grabs the ball well. There’s no extra edge guard gimmick; it’s a pretty standard build visually. The branding is clean and not screaming across the whole face, which I personally like. It looks like a serious paddle, not a toy from a big-box store.

So in plain terms: this is a mid-thickness, elongated, control-leaning paddle with a foam core twist. If you’ve used CRBN gear before, it will feel familiar enough, just with a different response off the face. If you’re new to higher-end paddles, it’s a decent entry into that world, but the price might sting if you’re coming from a cheap starter set.