{"id":979,"date":"2026-03-27T12:26:37","date_gmt":"2026-03-27T03:26:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/news\/gen3-gen4-pickleball-paddle-difference\/"},"modified":"2026-09-28T21:06:04","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T12:06:04","slug":"gen3-gen4-pickleball-paddle-difference","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/en\/news\/gen3-gen4-pickleball-paddle-difference\/","title":{"rendered":"A complete explanation of the difference between Gen3 and Gen4 paddles"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pickleball paddles evolve by \"generation\"<\/h2>\n

Pickleball is a rapidly evolving sport, and paddle evolution is advancing at a speed not to be outdone. Especially since 2022, the generational divisions \"Gen3 (3rd generation)\" and \"Gen4 (4th generation)\" have become keywords in the paddle industry.<\/p>\n

But this word \"generation\" actually doesn't have a definition unified across the industry. Based on the classification laid out by overseas media such as The Dink Pickleball, let's dig deeper into the characteristics and differences of each.<\/p>\n

How is paddle generational division decided in the first place? Broadly speaking, it's divided by three viewpoints: \"manufacturing method, material, and feel.\" When a completely new manufacturing approach or material appears, it comes to be called a new \"generation.\" What's important for players is that the higher the generation, the more refined the ball feel, spin performance, and controllability.<\/p>\n

Gen3\u30d1\u30c9\u30eb\u3068\u306f\u4f55\u304b\uff1f\u305d\u306e\u6280\u8853\u80cc\u666f<\/h2>\n

Gen3 paddles appeared around 2022. The point that fundamentally differs from paddles up to then is the combination of the \"thermoform (heat-press-molding) manufacturing method\" and a \"raw carbon fiber face.\"<\/p>\n

\u30b5\u30fc\u30e2\u30d5\u30a9\u30fc\u30e0\u88fd\u6cd5\u306e\u7279\u5fb4<\/h3>\n

Paddles before Gen3 mainly used a \"gluing\" method, bonding the carbon fiber face to the polymer honeycomb core with adhesive. Against this, Gen3 integrally molds the face and core at high heat and pressure. What this difference brings is, first,expansion of the sweet spot<\/strong>. In the thermoform method, there's no adhesive layer, so the whole face vibrates uniformly, and power is transmitted easily even when you hit not just the center of the paddle but near the edge.<\/p>\n

Next, in many Gen3 paddles,filling foam material around the edge<\/strong>was done. This greatly reduced the \"dead zone\" at the face's outer perimeter and dramatically reduced ball loss on off-center hits.<\/p>\n

The raw carbon fiber face<\/h3>\n

Gen2\u4ee5\u524d\u306f\u30b3\u30fc\u30c6\u30a3\u30f3\u30b0\u6e08\u307f\u306e\u30ab\u30fc\u30dc\u30f3\u30d5\u30a1\u30a4\u30d0\u30fc\u3084\u30d5\u30a1\u30a4\u30d0\u30fc\u30b0\u30e9\u30b9\u304c\u4e3b\u6d41\u3060\u3063\u305f\u304c\u3001Gen3\u3067\u306f\u672a\u51e6\u7406\u30fb\u7121\u52a0\u5de5\u306e\u300c\u30ed\u30a6\u30ab\u30fc\u30dc\u30f3\u300d\u30d5\u30a7\u30a4\u30b9\u304c\u6a19\u6e96\u3068\u306a\u3063\u305f\u3002\u3053\u308c\u306f\u30dc\u30fc\u30eb\u3068\u30d5\u30a7\u30a4\u30b9\u306e\u9593\u306e\u6469\u64e6\u4fc2\u6570\u3092\u9ad8\u3081\u308b\u3053\u3068\u3067\u30b9\u30d4\u30f3\u91cf\u3092\u5897\u3084\u3059\u52b9\u679c\u304c\u3042\u308b\u3002<\/p>\n

\u30ed\u30a6\u30ab\u30fc\u30dc\u30f3\u30d5\u30a7\u30a4\u30b9\u306e\u767b\u5834\u306b\u3088\u3063\u3066\u3001\u305d\u308c\u307e\u3067\u4e0a\u7d1a\u8005\u304c\u5f97\u610f\u3068\u3057\u305f\u9ad8\u30b9\u30d4\u30f3\u30b7\u30e7\u30c3\u30c8\u304c\u4e2d\u7d1a\u8005\u306b\u3082\u6253\u3061\u3084\u3059\u304f\u306a\u3063\u305f\u3002\u30c9\u30ed\u30c3\u30d7\u30b7\u30e7\u30c3\u30c8\u306e\u30a2\u30f3\u30c0\u30fc\u30b9\u30d4\u30f3\u3084\u30c9\u30e9\u30a4\u30d6\u306e\u5f37\u30c8\u30c3\u30d7\u30b9\u30d4\u30f3\u304c\u51fa\u3057\u3084\u3059\u304f\u306a\u308a\u3001\u6226\u8853\u306e\u5e45\u304c\u5e83\u304c\u3063\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n

As representative Gen3 paddles, the JOOLA Hyperion<\/a>\u3001Six Zero Double Black Diamond\u3001Selkirk<\/a> Vanguard Power Air and others can be cited.The JOOLA vs. CRBN paddle comparison article<\/a>\u3067\u3082\u89e6\u308c\u3066\u3044\u308b\u3068\u304a\u308a\u3001\u30b5\u30fc\u30e2\u30d5\u30a9\u30fc\u30e0\u88fd\u6cd5\u306e\u30d1\u30c9\u30eb\u306f\u30b3\u30df\u30e5\u30cb\u30c6\u30a3\u3067\u5b9a\u8a55\u304c\u3042\u308b\u3002<\/p>\n

What is the \"next evolution\" that Gen4 paddles have?<\/h2>\n

Gen4 paddles, which began appearing from 2024 to 2025, pursue \"further precision and diversity\" on the foundation of Gen3 technology. The main points of evolution can be organized into three.<\/p>\n

1. Diversification and higher precision of face materials<\/h3>\n

Gen3\u306e\u30ed\u30a6\u30ab\u30fc\u30dc\u30f3\u30d5\u30a1\u30a4\u30d0\u30fc\u30d5\u30a7\u30a4\u30b9\u306f\u9ad8\u30b9\u30d4\u30f3\u3092\u3082\u305f\u3089\u3057\u305f\u304c\u3001\u30d7\u30ec\u30fc\u30e4\u30fc\u306b\u3088\u3063\u3066\u306f\u300c\u30b9\u30d4\u30f3\u304c\u51fa\u3059\u304e\u3066\u6271\u3044\u306b\u304f\u3044\u300d\u300c\u6253\u7403\u611f\u304c\u786c\u3059\u304e\u308b\u300d\u3068\u3044\u3046\u610f\u898b\u3082\u3042\u3063\u305f\u3002Gen4\u3067\u306f\u3053\u306e\u8ab2\u984c\u306b\u5fdc\u3048\u308b\u3079\u304f\u3001\u30d5\u30a7\u30a4\u30b9\u7d20\u6750\u306e\u9078\u629e\u80a2\u304c\u5e83\u304c\u3063\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n

Concretely,the selective use of T700, T800, and T1100 carbon<\/strong>andthe adoption of hybrid materials with fiberglass<\/strong>are advancing. While T700 provides standard rigidity and power, T800 and T1100 achieve higher elasticity and a delicate touch. For control-focused players, a Gen4 model that intentionally has a soft feel also became a choice.<\/p>\n

\u307e\u305f\u3001\u30d5\u30a7\u30a4\u30b9\u306e\u30c6\u30af\u30b9\u30c1\u30e3\u52a0\u5de5\uff08\u8868\u9762\u306e\u5fae\u7d30\u306a\u51f9\u51f8\u51e6\u7406\uff09\u306b\u3064\u3044\u3066\u3082\u7cbe\u5ea6\u304c\u5411\u4e0a\u3057\u305f\u3002Gen3\u3067\u306f\u300c\u30ed\u30a6\uff08\u672a\u51e6\u7406\uff09\u306e\u307e\u307e\u4f7f\u3046\u300d\u304c\u57fa\u672c\u3060\u3063\u305f\u304c\u3001Gen4\u3067\u306f\u8a08\u7b97\u3055\u308c\u305f\u30c6\u30af\u30b9\u30c1\u30e3\u30d1\u30bf\u30fc\u30f3\u304c\u65bd\u3055\u308c\u308b\u30e2\u30c7\u30eb\u304c\u5897\u3048\u3001\u30b9\u30d4\u30f3\u3068\u8010\u4e45\u6027\u306e\u4e21\u7acb\u304c\u56f3\u3089\u308c\u3066\u3044\u308b\u3002<\/p>\n

2. Optimization of core thickness and density<\/h3>\n

Another big feature of Gen4 is the evolution of the core. In Gen3, 14-16mm was the standard core thickness, but in Gen4,core-thickness variations by use increased<\/strong>. For example, a sandwich core over 16mm emphasizes soft touch at the kitchen (near the non-volley zone), while conversely a thin core specializes in power drives.<\/p>\n

Optimization of the polymer honeycomb's cell density and shape is also advancing. This reduces the \"impact on the hand\" when hitting, and models that can lower injury risks such as tennis elbow have also appeared.The article thoroughly comparing pickleball paddle core materials<\/a>\u3082\u53c2\u8003\u306b\u3057\u3066\u307b\u3057\u3044\u3002\u30b3\u30a2\u7d20\u6750\u306e\u9055\u3044\u304c\u30d7\u30ec\u30fc\u30b9\u30bf\u30a4\u30eb\u306b\u4e0e\u3048\u308b\u5f71\u97ff\u3092\u7406\u89e3\u3059\u308b\u624b\u639b\u304b\u308a\u306b\u306a\u308b\u3002<\/p>\n

3. Improvement of manufacturing precision and quality control<\/h3>\n

Gen3\u30d1\u30c9\u30eb\u304c\u5e02\u5834\u306b\u51fa\u59cb\u3081\u305f\u9803\u3001\u300c\u540c\u3058\u30e2\u30c7\u30eb\u3067\u3082\u500b\u4f53\u5dee\u304c\u5927\u304d\u3044\u300d\u3068\u3044\u3046\u6307\u6458\u304c\u3042\u3063\u305f\u3002\u30b5\u30fc\u30e2\u30d5\u30a9\u30fc\u30e0\u88fd\u6cd5\u306f\u5f93\u6765\u88fd\u6cd5\u3088\u308a\u88fd\u9020\u96e3\u5ea6\u304c\u9ad8\u304f\u3001\u71b1\u5727\u6761\u4ef6\u306e\u5fae\u5999\u306a\u3070\u3089\u3064\u304d\u304c\u30d1\u30c9\u30eb\u3054\u3068\u306e\u6253\u7403\u611f\u306e\u5dee\u306b\u76f4\u7d50\u3057\u3066\u3044\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n

Gen4\u3067\u306f\u3053\u306e\u88fd\u9020\u7cbe\u5ea6\u306e\u554f\u984c\u306b\u5404\u30e1\u30fc\u30ab\u30fc\u304c\u53d6\u308a\u7d44\u307f\u3001CNC\u30de\u30b7\u30cb\u30f3\u30b0\u3084\u54c1\u8cea\u691c\u67fb\u5de5\u7a0b\u306e\u5f37\u5316\u306b\u3088\u3063\u3066greatly reducing individual variation<\/strong>. With increased \"reliability from one paddle to the next,\" players became able to choose \"this feel of this paddle\" with confidence.<\/p>\n

Gen3 or Gen4, which should you choose by player type?<\/h2>\n

For those who don't know how to choose from theoretical talk alone, let's organize it by play style.<\/p>\n

People with a spin-focused, aggressive play style<\/h3>\n

Gen3\u306e\u30ed\u30a6\u30ab\u30fc\u30dc\u30f3\u30d5\u30a7\u30a4\u30b9\u306f\u4eca\u3067\u3082\u9ad8\u30b9\u30d4\u30f3\u3092\u63d0\u4f9b\u3059\u308b\u3002\u7279\u306b\u4fa1\u683c\u5e2f\u304c\u6210\u719f\u3057\u3066\u304d\u305f\u305f\u3081\u3001Gen3\u30e2\u30c7\u30eb\u306f\u4ee5\u524d\u3088\u308a\u624b\u306b\u53d6\u308a\u3084\u3059\u3044\u4fa1\u683c\u3067\u5165\u624b\u3067\u304d\u308b\u3088\u3046\u306b\u306a\u3063\u3066\u3044\u308b\u3002\u653b\u6483\u7684\u306a\u30c9\u30e9\u30a4\u30d6\u30b2\u30fc\u30e0\u3092\u5c55\u958b\u3057\u305f\u3044\u306a\u3089\u3001Gen3\u306e\u5b9a\u8a55\u3042\u308b\u30e2\u30c7\u30eb\u3092\u9078\u3076\u306e\u3082\u73fe\u5b9f\u7684\u306a\u9078\u629e\u80a2\u3060\u3002<\/p>\n

On the other hand, some Gen4 models provide even more spin volume and stable topspin. Especially the Gen4 models of brands that have refined Gen3 technology, likeSix Zero brand's latest lineup<\/a>\u306e\u3088\u3046\u306bGen3\u6280\u8853\u3092\u78e8\u304d\u4e0a\u3052\u3066\u304d\u305f\u30d6\u30e9\u30f3\u30c9\u306eGen4\u30e2\u30c7\u30eb\u306f\u3001\u30b9\u30d4\u30f3\u7279\u5316\u30d7\u30ec\u30fc\u30e4\u30fc\u306b\u9069\u3057\u3066\u3044\u308b\u3002<\/p>\n

People who are control-focused and good at the soft game<\/h3>\n

Gen4\u306e\u591a\u69d8\u306a\u30d5\u30a7\u30a4\u30b9\u7d20\u6750\u3068\u539a\u3081\u30b3\u30a2\u3092\u6d3b\u304b\u3057\u305f\u30e2\u30c7\u30eb\u304c\u9069\u3057\u3066\u3044\u308b\u3002\u7279\u306b\u30ad\u30c3\u30c1\u30f3\u4ed8\u8fd1\u306edink<\/a>near the kitchen, do try a Gen4 model with a softer feel. There are control-leaning models among Gen3 too, but Gen4 has a wider range of choices.<\/p>\n

Beginner-to-intermediate players (3.5 and below)<\/h3>\n

\u5b9f\u306fGen3\u30fbGen4\u306e\u5dee\u304c\u6700\u3082\u611f\u3058\u306b\u304f\u3044\u306e\u304c\u3053\u306e\u5c64\u3060\u3002\u9ad8\u6027\u80fd\u306a\u30d1\u30c9\u30eb\u306e\u6069\u6075\u3092\u6700\u5927\u9650\u306b\u53d7\u3051\u308b\u306b\u306f\u3001\u305d\u308c\u3092\u6d3b\u304b\u305b\u308b\u3060\u3051\u306e\u6280\u8853\u304c\u5fc5\u8981\u306b\u306a\u308b\u3002\u4fa1\u683c\u7684\u306b\u3082\u7121\u7406\u305b\u305a\u3001\u307e\u305a\u306fGen3\u306e\u4fe1\u983c\u6027\u306e\u9ad8\u3044\u30a8\u30f3\u30c8\u30ea\u30fc\u30e2\u30c7\u30eb\u3067\u6280\u8853\u3092\u78e8\u304f\u65b9\u304c\u30b3\u30b9\u30d1\u304c\u9ad8\u3044\u3002\u30b9\u30ad\u30eb\u30ec\u30fc\u30c6\u30a3\u30f3\u30b0\u304c4.0\u4ee5\u4e0a\u306b\u306a\u3063\u3066\u304d\u305f\u30bf\u30a4\u30df\u30f3\u30b0\u3067Gen4\u3078\u306e\u79fb\u884c\u3092\u691c\u8a0e\u3059\u308b\u306e\u304c\u73fe\u5b9f\u7684\u3060\u3002<\/p>\n

Veteran and competitive players (4.0 and above)<\/h3>\n

This tier is the one where Gen4's evolution is easily reflected directly in scores. Stable ball feel from improved manufacturing precision, fatigue reduction from diverse core designs, and improved durability from texture processing make a big difference in long play and high-intensity matches. Do actively trial Gen4 models and find the one paddle best suited to your game.<\/p>\n

Impact on Japanese players and availability<\/h2>\n

The state of Gen3 and Gen4 paddle penetration within Japan has also changed greatly in the past year or two. Brands like JOOLA, Six Zero, and CRBN, which once could only be relied on via overseas mail order, have become easier to obtain through domestic distributors and via Rakuten and Amazon.<\/p>\n

However, there's a point to watch. That'sthe relationship with USA Pickleball's (USAPA) approved-paddle list<\/strong>\u3068\u306e\u95a2\u4fc2\u3060\u3002Gen4\u30e2\u30c7\u30eb\u306e\u4e2d\u306b\u306f\u3001\u9ad8\u3044\u30b9\u30d4\u30f3\u6027\u80fd\u3086\u3048\u306bUSAPA\u306e\u627f\u8a8d\u57fa\u6e96\u3092\u901a\u904e\u3067\u304d\u306a\u3044\u3082\u306e\u3082\u51fa\u59cb\u3081\u3066\u3044\u308b\u3002\u73fe\u72b6\u3067\u306f\u65e5\u672c\u306e\u30a2\u30de\u30c1\u30e5\u30a2\u30d7\u30ec\u30fc\u30e4\u30fc\u304c\u65e5\u5e38\u30d7\u30ec\u30fc\u3067\u4f7f\u3046\u5206\u306b\u306f\u554f\u984c\u306a\u3044\u304c\u3001\u5c06\u6765\u7684\u306b\u56fd\u969b\u5927\u4f1a\u3078\u306e\u51fa\u5834\u3084\u516c\u5f0f\u30eb\u30fc\u30eb\u6e96\u62e0\u306e\u30ea\u30fc\u30b0\u6226\u306b\u53c2\u52a0\u3057\u305f\u3044\u5834\u5408\u306f\u3001\u8cfc\u5165\u524d\u306b\u627f\u8a8d\u72b6\u6cc1\u3092\u78ba\u8a8d\u3057\u3066\u304a\u304f\u3053\u3068\u3092\u304a\u3059\u3059\u3081\u3059\u308b\u3002<\/p>\n

\u307e\u305f\u65e5\u672c\u306e\u6c17\u5019\u74b0\u5883\u3082\u8003\u616e\u304c\u5fc5\u8981\u3060\u3002\u9ad8\u6e29\u591a\u6e7f\u306a\u590f\u5834\u3084\u4e7e\u71e5\u3057\u305f\u51ac\u5834\u3067\u306f\u3001\u30ed\u30a6\u30ab\u30fc\u30dc\u30f3\u30d5\u30a7\u30a4\u30b9\u306e\u30c6\u30af\u30b9\u30c1\u30e3\u304c\u5909\u5316\u3057\u3084\u3059\u3044\u3002Gen4\u30e2\u30c7\u30eb\u306e\u30b3\u30fc\u30c6\u30a3\u30f3\u30b0\u51e6\u7406\u304c\u65bd\u3055\u308c\u305f\u30d5\u30a7\u30a4\u30b9\u306f\u3001\u3053\u3046\u3057\u305f\u6c17\u5019\u5909\u52d5\u3078\u306e\u8010\u6027\u304c\u6bd4\u8f03\u7684\u9ad8\u3044\u50be\u5411\u304c\u3042\u308b\u3002\u56fd\u5185\u30d7\u30ec\u30fc\u30e4\u30fc\u306b\u3068\u3063\u3066\u306fGen4\u306e\u8010\u4e45\u6027\u5411\u4e0a\u306f\u7279\u306b\u6709\u7528\u306a\u30dd\u30a4\u30f3\u30c8\u3068\u8a00\u3048\u308b\u3002<\/p>\n

\u4fa1\u683c\u5e2f\u306b\u3064\u3044\u3066\u3082\u89e6\u308c\u3066\u304a\u304f\u3068\u3001Gen4\u30e2\u30c7\u30eb\u306f\u73fe\u57283\u4e07\u301c5\u4e07\u5186\u53f0\u304c\u591a\u304f\u3001Gen3\u306e\u719f\u6210\u30e2\u30c7\u30eb\u306f2\u4e07\u301c3\u4e075\u5343\u5186\u7a0b\u5ea6\u3067\u5165\u624b\u3067\u304d\u308b\u30b1\u30fc\u30b9\u304c\u5897\u3048\u3066\u304d\u305f\u3002\u6027\u80fd\u5dee\u3088\u308a\u3082\u4e88\u7b97\u3068\u30d7\u30ec\u30fc\u30b9\u30bf\u30a4\u30eb\u306e\u30d0\u30e9\u30f3\u30b9\u3067\u9078\u3076\u306e\u304c\u73fe\u5b9f\u7684\u306a\u8cb7\u3044\u65b9\u3060\u3002<\/p>\n

Summary: what matters across generations is \"a paddle that suits you\"<\/h2>\n

To summarize the difference between Gen3 and Gen4, it's as follows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Item<\/th>\nGen3<\/th>\nGen4<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Main manufacturing method<\/td>\nThermoform (early implementation)<\/td>\nThermoform (higher precision)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Face material<\/td>\nRaw carbon fiber<\/td>\nDiversified (T700\/T800\/T1100, hybrid)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Texture<\/td>\nUnprocessed raw<\/td>\nCalculated processed textures also appear<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Core<\/td>\nStandard polymer honeycomb<\/td>\nOptimization of thickness and density advances<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sweet spot<\/td>\nWider<\/td>\nTends to become even wider<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Individual variation<\/td>\nVariation depending on manufacturing<\/td>\nVariation reduced with improved quality control<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Price range (guideline)<\/td>\n20,000-35,000 yen<\/td>\n30,000-50,000 yen<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u6700\u7d42\u7684\u306b\u91cd\u8981\u306a\u306e\u306f\u3001\u3069\u306e\u4e16\u4ee3\u306e\u30d1\u30c9\u30eb\u3092\u9078\u3076\u304b\u3067\u306f\u306a\u304f\u300c\u81ea\u5206\u306e\u30d7\u30ec\u30fc\u30b9\u30bf\u30a4\u30eb\u3068\u30ec\u30d9\u30eb\u306b\u5408\u3063\u3066\u3044\u308b\u304b\u300d\u3060\u3002Gen4\u304c\u6700\u65b0\u3060\u304b\u3089\u3068\u8a00\u3063\u3066\u5168\u54e1\u306b\u5411\u304f\u308f\u3051\u3067\u306f\u306a\u3044\u3002\u30d5\u30a7\u30a4\u30b9\u306e\u6253\u7403\u611f\u3001\u30b0\u30ea\u30c3\u30d7\u306e\u592a\u3055\u3001\u91cd\u91cf\u30d0\u30e9\u30f3\u30b9\u3001\u305d\u3057\u3066\u81ea\u5206\u306e\u624b\u306b\u99b4\u67d3\u3080\u611f\u899a\u3092\u5927\u5207\u306b\u3057\u3066\u9078\u3093\u3067\u307b\u3057\u3044\u3002<\/p>\n

Pickleball paddle technology will likely keep evolving further going forward. Discussion of Gen5 has begun in some quarters too. While following those trends, let's enjoyably hone our own game.<\/p>\n

Source:What’s the Difference Between Gen 3 and Gen 4 Pickleball Paddles? – The Dink Pickleball<\/a><\/p>\n

FAQ<\/h2>\n

Q1: Gen3 and Gen4 paddles\u2014which brands' models correspond to them concretely?<\/h3>\n

A1: Representative examples of Gen3 are the JOOLA Hyperion CFS, Six Zero Double Black Diamond, and CRBN1. Gen4 corresponds to these brands' 2024-2025 models and the Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 series. However, since the generational division isn't an official unified definition from makers, we recommend checking with review outlets or retailers before buying.<\/p>\n

Q2: Can Gen4 paddles be used in official USAPA matches?<\/h3>\n

A2: Among Gen4 paddles, there are also models not listed on USA Pickleball's (USAPA) approval list. Those planning to compete in official matches or tournaments should check USAPA's latest approval list before buying. For everyday recreational play, there's no problem.<\/p>\n

Q3: If I switch from Gen3 to Gen4, will I improve right away?<\/h3>\n

A3: It's true that a paddle upgrade changes the ball feel and handling, but it doesn't directly translate to scores right away. Especially at the stage of a skill rating of 3.5 or below, practice volume and acquiring basic skills are far more important than the paddle. You can receive the full benefit of a Gen4 paddle after you've acquired a certain base of skill.<\/p>\n

Q4: Does Japan's climate (hot and humid) affect paddles?<\/h3>\n

A4: Yes, it does. Especially the raw carbon face of Gen3 and Gen4 paddles changes texture (surface roughness) easily with changes in temperature and humidity, and spin performance can change somewhat by season. When storing, we recommend avoiding direct sunlight and keeping it in a paddle case in an appropriate environment. Gen4 models with a coated face tend to have relatively high resistance to climate.<\/p>\n

Reference Links<\/h3>\n