Gearbox GX2 Elongated review

The Gearbox GX2 Elongated is made for players who like power, spin, and reach. This 100% carbon fiber rib core is Gearbox's latest pickleball innovation, and they're claiming it's both stronger and more durable than traditional honeycomb cores and the newer foam ones.

Is it really worth the $269.99 price tag, though? Let's look at the power, control, spin, and more to see how the GX2 Elongated compares to the rest of the market.

If you're looking for an elongated paddle with good power and spin, check out the Gearbox GX2 Elongated. Just make sure you're ready for a break-in period if you're not already used to that trademark Gearbox feel.

Watch my first thoughts on the Gearbox GX2 Elongated:

Like other Gearbox paddles, this one feels stiff out of the box. Dinks and resets are a bit clunky, and the ball doesn't stay on the paddle long enough for precise touch shots. However, after several hours of play, the paddle softens up, giving you better feel and control.

If you're patient, this break-in period is worth it, but it's something to keep in mind. There's a head-heavy feel and a lack of forgiveness too, so I'd recommend this for more intermediate/advanced players who have built up their paddle control, but want more drive in their shots.

If that's you, this paddle delivers good power. It's on a par with the Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C, with nice pop in hand battles. Spin is a standout feature too, especially after it breaks in.

If you like extra reach and an elongated feel, you'll like this paddle – the 16.5" length gives you more reach than the GX2 Hyper. This makes the paddle feel well-balanced when hitting groundstrokes or volleys, giving you extra range without sacrificing too much control.

Personally, this paddle doesn't wow me enough to spend $269.99 on it. You'll get a stronger power performance from the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV and a more rounded all-court performance from the Engage Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Elongated.

However, it will suit players who are used to the Gearbox feel and want a long-lasting paddle that can be used in tournaments. It passed the most recent PBCoR testing, unlike the Gearbox Pro Power Elongated, so it's a good replacement for that paddle.

I like how this looks on the court - the design is sharp and clean. It doesn't get dusty like many dark paddles, and the shine on the carbon face draws attention. I've had several people ask about it.

It feels like a high-quality paddle just by appearance, with a classic edge guard that looks timeless. It's not flashy, but it stands out as premium. The elongated shape looks functional and sleek, fitting Gearbox's reputation.

Gearbox is known for its unique tech, so let's dive into what this paddle offers.

Replacing the traditional honeycomb structure, this new core tech takes Gearbox's SST core and updates it with carbon fiber ribs. This is meant to increase power, durability, and stability. Gearbox claims it's four times stronger than traditional honeycomb cores and two times stronger than foam cores.

The core definitely enhances stability, but it also contributes to some initial stiffness. Once it breaks in, the power feels more natural, and the paddle maintains a solid feel on impact. We'll see over time if it really is a lot more durable than other paddle cores.

The 3K carbon face works with the core to create a refined spin effect, as Gearbox describes. Though not as gritty as metal-infused faces like the Bread & Butter Invader, it's a high-texture surface that adds spin and control, gripping the ball well for topspin and slices.

It reminds me of the carbon face on the Engage Pursuit Pro1 paddles, though it starts off less grippy until the core softens.

Gearbox's unibody design integrates the handle, face, and core into a single structure, enhancing durability and energy transfer. This paddle feels solid and well built, with no obvious signs of structural weakness.

The design reduces vibration back to your arm when you contact the ball with power, relieving stress on your wrist and forearm and letting you drive harder for longer.

This has a stiff feel at first. However, once this paddle breaks in, there's a more responsive power to go along with the pop. Drives feel solid, and I can hit deep, fast serves that score points off my opponents' backhands.

It's a little less powerful than the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Power Elongated, but it rivals the Six Zero DBD Control, as well as the elongated CRBN TruFoam Genesis 1 and Genesis 3 paddles for baseline drives.

The control is good once you've broken in the paddle. I can hit effective drops and dinks. Resetting from the back line to get to the kitchen works fine, though it isn't as smooth as with softer paddles.

Two-handed backhand dinks feel manageable, but require more effort to keep shots low compared to the Selkirk LABS Project 008 16 mm Tour, which has a softer feel and better dwell time.

Spin is the best attribute, and this is up there with the best spin paddles. I like hitting 50% power drops that dip sharply, focusing on spin rather than pace, which work well against opponents.

Serves have a nice dip too, landing deep and fast with topspin. It's comparable to the Engage Pursuit Pro1 Innovation, another recent paddle I tested that has 10/10 spin. However, the initial stiffness makes it harder to manipulate the ball early on.

If I don't hit near the sweet spot (especially along the edges), the ball loses power and control, which is frustrating during rallies.

This improves slightly after breaking in, but dead spots still cause inconsistent shots. One example is when a reset falls short of the kitchen, or when I'm swinging fast to counter a speed-up and the ball dies into the net rather than bouncing off the paddle with speed.

If I were to continue using this paddle, I'd add weight to the throat and sides with lead tape to expand the sweet spot. It's not as forgiving as paddles like the Engage Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Widebody.

The GX2 Elongated has a nice 8 oz weight on paper, but it feels head-heavy. Some players might like this for drives, but I find it less comfortable than the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C, which swings lighter despite having a similar weight.

If you're sensitive to head-heavy paddles or struggle with arm injuries, you may need to add weight at the throat or handle to balance it out.

Gearbox paddles are some of the few we've ever rated 10/10 for grip, along with the Selkirk LUXX Control. This one is thin (4") and comfortable, fitting my hands well. It stays dry after hours of play, which I appreciate. I never have issues with my hand slipping.

This paddle feels very solid, with a durable edge guard that doesn't chip or loosen after hits. The CarbonRibCore™ seems built to last, with no signs of delamination yet, though I'm cautious after seeing other Gearbox paddles degrade over time.

Like many elongated paddles, this one feels a little sluggish in the air, particularly at the kitchen. Some players won't mind that, but I personally prefer standard-shaped paddles like the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C. They swing fast in hand battles and when anticipating quick speed-ups, so it's easier to react.

The GX2 Elongated is priced at $269.99, similar to the rest of Gearbox's pro-level paddles. While this one has a good blend of power, control, and spin, you'll get better performance from the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Power Elongated.

For this price, I want a paddle that really excels in couple areas. For example, the Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C hits hard and swings really fast. The Selkirk 008 has awesome control and spin. The Gearbox GX2 Elongated does some things pretty well, but only excels on spin.

Given the price, the only reason I'd choose the GX2 Elongated over a competitor is that it might last longer than other premium Gearbox paddles, since many of those have issues with delamination.

This paddle is a steep investment for beginners. If that's you, check out a paddle for beginners like the 11SIX24 Pegasus Jelly Bean. These generally have more control and forgiveness to help you master paddle control early on.

If the Gearbox GX2 Elongated isn't right for you, check out some other paddles I recommend:

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