Friday Pickleball's flagship paddle "Aura Pro" series will add, from early April 2026,Hybrid and Widebodytwo shapes. Together with the preceding Elongated (already released, $159), its unique structure of a floating EPP core + EVA foam + rubber ring delivers performance equal to other companies' $200-plus full-foam paddles$40 to $50 cheaper, drawing industry attention. Meanwhile, Friday Pickleball is also named as one ofthe 11 defendant companies in the patent-infringement lawsuit JOOLA filed at the ITC on April 7, 2026, a situation where rapid growth and litigation risk proceed simultaneously.
The source news—the Aura Pro's 3-shape lineup complete, Hybrid and Widebody launching in April
Friday Pickleball launched two models, the Aura and Aura Pro, in early 2026. The Aura Pro's Elongated model is already released, but from early April,Hybrid (Standard type) and Widebody (wide type)two shapes are added, completing the choices for grip- and forehand-oriented players. The price is, for all three shapes,$159 (after applying the code "KITCHEN")。
The 3-shape lineup and characteristics
| Shape | Release status | Characteristics | Players it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elongated | Already released | Long 16.5″, reach-focused, high spin performance | Two-handed backhand types, baseliners, long-distance battles |
| Hybrid | Early April 2026 | 16.3″ / standard width, balance-focused | All-rounders, transitioning players |
| Widebody | Early April 2026 | 16.0″ / wide face, maximum sweet spot | Beginner to intermediate, 3.0-3.5 level, control priority |
The core technology—a 3-layer structure of "floating EPP + EVA foam + rubber ring"
The Aura Pro's structure is a unique design that develops the industry-mainstream "full-foam core." Concretely, it's made up of the following 3 layers.
- Center: floating EPP core(16mm thick)
Lightweight, rebounding EPP (Expanded PolyPropylene) placed centrally. It handles energy absorption and rebound when hitting - Perimeter: full EVA foam
EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate) foam completely surrounding the EPP core. It softens the ball feel while balancing the weight - Buffer: rubber ring
A rubber ring sandwiched between the EPP and EVA reduces the hardness of the ball feel. It suppresses the "vibration" characteristic of full foam
The Aura (no suffix) additionally has "Artificial Cartilage Foam" added at the throat, achieving a softer ball feel. The Aura Pro emphasizespower and popmore, while the Aura emphasizescontrol and feel—that's how they're divided in character.
The evaluation of industry reviews—"filling a gap in the control-type market"
- 「The pop in hand battles (exchanges up close)is outstanding. It produces great power on drives and overheads too" (The Kitchen Pickle editorial review)
- "While foam paddles of equivalent performance are sold for $200 or more,the pricing that can put it out at $159is Friday only" (a paddle-reviewer YouTuber)
- 「Add weight tapeand you can power it up further. There's a lot of room to customize" (a custom shop)
- 「For players considering a switch from ALW Paddletek,the Aura Pro Elongated is the first candidate" (a pro coach)
Competitor comparison—what's the performance gap with the $200-plus full-foam pack?
| Paddles | Price | Core structure | Key characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Aura Pro | $159 | EPP + EVA + rubber ring (16mm) | Power and pop, $40-50 cheaper |
| JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 | $229 | Propulsion Core + honeycomb (16mm) | Industry-highest level of spin and power |
| CRBN TruFoam Genesis | $229 | Custom foam + carbon | Rated by Pickleball Central as "the future of pickleball" |
| Selkirk LUXX Control Air | $249 | Thermoform + core | Control-focused, pro spec |
| Honolulu Gen4 | $199 | Foam core (16mm) | The representative of the control-return trend |
Seen by price-performance ratio,the Aura Pro is the strongest mid-price range at present, you can say. However, it also falls short in parts of the spin performance and control precision of "pro pinnacles" like the JOOLA Hyperion and Selkirk LUXX, and it's positioned as a paddle optimized for 3.5-4.5-level amateurs.
The brand's background—starting from viral videos, first pro contract with Rachel Rohrabacher
Friday Pickleball is originally a brand that gained recognition throughviral social media videos, with full-fledged paddle sales from the latter half of 2024. Following the good reception of the Aura series, in early 2026 itRachel Rohrabachersigned its first pro contract. Its recognition on the pro tour is also rising sharply.
Meanwhile, in the shadow of its rapid growth, it's also named as one ofthe 11 defendant companies in the JOOLA patent lawsuit, carrying the risk of a sales halt in the U.S. market depending on the ITC's decision. No comment from Friday Pickleball has come out at present, but in the industry, "the possibility of asserting its unique structure and launching a countersuit" is also being discussed.
Impact on the Japanese market—personal-import types should secure early
- Personal-import types: Import from the Friday Pickleball official site and U.S. Amazon is the main route at present. You'll want to secure one before an ITC exclusion order takes effect
- Official distribution: Official handling in Japan is limited as of April 2026. Ordering via specialty stores is the basic route
- 3.0-4.0-level players: A strong alternative candidate to the Selkirk SLK or JOOLA Hyperion CFS. The value of being able to try it for $159 is high
- JPA-approved: USA Pickleball certification has been obtained. Use in JPA-approved tournaments is no problem
FAQ
Q1. How do I choose between the Aura and Aura Pro?
If you prefer control and a soft ball feel, theAura, and if you emphasize power and pop, theAura Pro. If switching from an ALW Paddletek, the Aura Pro Elongated is close in feel.
Q2. It's a defendant in the JOOLA lawsuit—is it OK to buy?
Owning and using it is no problem. There's a risk of a sales/import halt, but at present normal purchase is possible.
Q3. What's the difference between 14mm and 16mm?
The Aura Pro currently comes only in 16mm (Hybrid/Widebody are also 16mm). Generally, 14mm is superior in power and pop, and 16mm is superior in control and sweet spot.
Practical information and purchase channels
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Product | Friday Aura Pro Hybrid／Widebody |
| Release date | Early April 2026 |
| Price | $159 (after applying the code "KITCHEN") |
| Core thickness | 16mm |
| USA Pickleball certification | Obtained |
| Main purchase channels | Friday Pickleball official site / Amazon US / Pickleball Central |
| Within Japan | Order via specialty stores / personal import (around 30,000-yen range including shipping) |
Summary—a paddle symbolizing the "mid-price full-foam revolution"
The completion of the Aura Pro's 3 shapes shows that Friday Pickleball hascompletely transitioned from a "viral brand" to a "full-fledged pickleball maker."Its price-performance ratio, delivering other companies' $200-plus full-foam performance for $159, has become a presence other companies can't ignore in the 2026 paddle market.
As a concrete next action,right after the early-April release,securing the Hybrid/Widebody on Friday's official site is the go-to. You'll want to obtain the shape you want before U.S. distribution stops due to the impact of the JOOLA lawsuit. For 3.0-4.5-level players who haven't been able to try the Hyperion or Selkirk LUXX, there's high value in first experiencing the "world of foam cores" with the Aura Pro.
