CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 - pickleball paddle review

If you're looking for an exciting new paddle, check out the CRBN TruFoam Genesis series. CRBN is one of my favorite brands but they haven't released new paddles in two years, since their popular CRBN Power Series. That's a lifetime in pickleball.

CRBN is claiming that these are the first-ever Gen 4 pickleball paddles, featuring their new 100% foam core. I got my hands on all three paddles so for this review, I'll be testing the standard-shaped G2 model. Read my full CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 review to see if this is worth $279.99.

The CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 is a top all-court paddle for any intermediate or advanced player who wants a lot of control, tons of spin, and satisfying pop at the kitchen. You need a big budget but this paddle is built to last.

It will hopefully avoid the core-crushing issues that many other paddles have suffered from thanks to its Gen 4 design with a 100% foam core.

The Genesis 2 is the standard model of the series and my favorite of the three. It's quicker than the elongated models and its wider face makes it more forgiving too. It felt comfortable in my hands right away, with a soft yet responsive touch. The standard shape gives it a balanced feel, and there's no adjustment period at all.

Check out my initial thoughts on the CRBN TruFoam Genesis paddles:

You don't sacrifice that much power either coming from the elongated shapes. However, power players will prefer the Genesis 1 and 3 models or something like the Engage Pursuit V2.0 or Paddletek Bantam TKO-C.

The only thing I missed from the Genesis 1 and 3 is the extra reach you get with the longer paddles. If you're used to elongated paddles, I'd recommend sticking with those. Otherwise, if you want a standard-shaped paddle that has rare pop, and you don't mind a heavier feel, check out the Genesis 2.

It's priced for advanced players but intermediates with the budget won't have a hard time adjusting as it has a very natural feel straight out of the box. It's priced at $279.99 but you can bring it down to $252 with our exclusive 10% discount—a fair price for brand-new tech.

CRBN claim they spent 18 months designing the Genesis line. This is a really aesthetically pleasing paddle that definitely looks premium and is made with expensive materials, which helps to justify the $280 price tag. Let's see how it's built.

The TruFoam Genesis is meant to be the first-ever Gen 4 paddle series because it has a 100% foam core. This replaces the usual polypropylene honeycomb core that is foam-injected.

With this new tech, CRBN hopes to solve the core-crushing issues that have plagued other paddles. While they haven't said exactly what foam material they're using, they say it's inspired by surfboard cores as the founders and engineer grew up surfing in Southern California.

Interestingly, they're ditching the core size choices and going with a 14 mm model only. This is likely because the 14 mm gives you a better balance of power and control.

The foam core adds to the paddle's versatility. It absorbs energy for soft shots like dinks and resets, as well as providing controlled power when you need it for drives or attacks. I'm impressed by how much touch I can get on finesse shots while still being able to put the ball away when I get the opportunity.

The T700 raw carbon fiber face feels consistent and grippy, letting me hit with both spin and control. I like that it doesn't require a ramp-up period—everything feels natural and easy to use from the first session.

It's interesting to see newer paddles bringing back fiberglass when everything had switched to pure carbon for a long time. The recent Bread & Butter Invader also has a fiberglass layer for pop.

This fiberglass layer adds pop without making the paddle feel overly bouncy. I've had mixed feelings about fiberglass in the past, but it really works here. It gives my shots just enough pop to feel responsive while still keeping me in control during faster rallies.

This paddle has solid power without going overboard. I can hit drives with plenty of pace and still keep them in control. At the kitchen, I can generate enough speed to finish points without overextending or swinging too hard.

It's not as explosive as some pure power paddles, but it strikes a nice balance for players who like to hit aggressively without sacrificing precision.

I feel completely in control with this paddle, especially during long dink rallies and touch shots at the net. The foam core and carbon fiber face give me the confidence to place drops exactly where I want them, whether I'm under pressure or playing from the baseline.

The Genesis 2 is softer than most paddles I've tested, so I feel like I can take risks with tighter placement without worrying about overhitting or popping the ball up.

The spin this paddle produces is just as impressive as with the elongated models. My serves have enough topspin to push opponents back, and I love how much movement I can put on third-shot drops and drives. Slicing backhand dinks feels natural.

Since the carbon fiber face grips the ball so well, even subtle adjustments in my swing gave me noticeable spin. This helps me keep opponents on their toes.

The standard shape makes it more forgiving than the elongated models. I've had fewer mishits. Even when I don't hit the ball perfectly, it still comes off the paddle pretty well.

While off-center shots can occasionally feel dead, they don't throw me off too much. Overall, though, the paddle just doesn't have the level of forgiveness of the Spartus Apollo or the 11SIX24 Monarch Control.

The paddle's weight feels balanced, but it's a bit heavier than what I'm used to with standard-shaped paddles. This hasn't slowed me down too much because it moves quite quickly with its 112-114 swing weight (just below the average pickleball paddle swing weight).

That said, during longer sessions, I feel a little more strain in quick hands battles or when switching between forehand and backhand. It's manageable, but if you prioritize speed, it's worth keeping in mind.

The 5.25" handle gives me plenty of room for my two-handed backhand. The grip feels good at the start but after a few games, it starts to feel slick. I don't usually have issues with sweaty hands, so it's annoying having to wipe my hand on my shorts to keep a firm hold.

If I were to use this paddle long-term, I'd swap out the grip for a tackier overgrip to make sure it stays reliable during long matches.

I've put several hours on this paddle, and it still feels as solid as it did on day one. CRBN's foam core design seems to prevent the common issue of paddles getting too bouncy or breaking down over time.

I haven't seen any signs of wear, and the paddle still plays consistently, which gives me confidence in its long-term durability.

The standard shape feels quicker and more maneuverable than the elongated versions. I notice this most during fast hands battles at the kitchen, where I can get the paddle into position faster.

It does feel a little heavy. So, if you like a super-light paddle, check out the PIKKL Hurricane Pro, Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C, or Volair MACH 2 FORZA instead.

I honestly think $279.99 is fair for a premium standard-shaped paddle that has a good combo of power, control, and spin. I compare this to the Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C (which I like a little more)—that's $25 cheaper, but they're both in the same ballpark.

Many of the paddles in the $275+ price range are super-powerful paddles that have since been banned by USA Pickleball, like the Gearbox Pro Power Elongated and JOOLA Perseus Mod TA-15.

CRBN is aware of this and they intentionally made the Genesis less powerful. That alone makes the paddle worth it, as this paddle is designed to meet the new 2025 PBCoR regulations against paddles with "trampoline effect" power. That means you don't have to worry about it being delisted.

I feel more comfortable recommending this model over the elongated ones for a broader audience. Intermediates will like its level of control and forgiveness, as well as the driving power you need to win points. For advanced players, the combo of speed and pop at the kitchen is an asset in hands battles and when attacking pop-ups.

If you're on a budget, the ​​PIKKL Hurricane Pro ($160), Ronbus R2 PULSAR FX ($180), and ProXR Zane Navratil "Standard" ($209.99) are all great standard-shaped paddles. We have exclusive deals on each of those paddles too.

If you want to look at some alternatives to the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2, check out other paddles I recommend:

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