In This Article<\/p>\n
\"When I tried to choose a paddle, the spec sheet said 'polymer core,' 'Nomex,' and 'aluminum,' and I had no idea which was good...\"<\/p>\n
I understand that confusion. Many people hit the same wall in choosing a paddle when they'd just started pickleball.<\/p>\n
In fact, this difference in core material governs almost everything about feel, control, and power. The carbon or fiberglass on the surface matters too, butit's the core inside that decides a paddle's character<\/strong>.<\/p>\n We've organized the three core materials by play style, so read to the end and you're sure to find the paddle that suits you.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n A pickleball paddle is made with a two-layer structure of a surface material (face) and an internal core. The core is, so to speak, the paddle's \"internal organs,\" and the rebound, absorption, and loudness at impact are all decided here.<\/p>\n The core of most paddles has a hexagonal honeycomb structure. Thanks to this shape, they achieve both lightness and strength at the same time.<\/p>\n The materials that make up that honeycomb are the three types\u2014polymer, Nomex, and aluminum. They each differ in density, hardness, and weight, and the feel when you hit is completely different.<\/p>\n The core thickness is generally designed in therange of 13 mm to 16 mm<\/strong>. The thicker it is, the wider the sweet spot and the easier to control; the thinner it is, the stronger the rebound and the easier to produce power. Keeping this relationship in mind makes reading spec sheets much easier.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Of the paddles on the market,about 80% have a polymer core<\/strong>. There's a solid reason it's so widely supported.<\/p>\n The biggest feature of the polymer core is its soft, moist feel. The moment the ball makes contact, there's a sensation of the core sinking in slightly before popping it back. This \"hold\" directly ties into ease of control, and the difference is noticeable enough that you feel \"oh, this is completely different\" the first time you use it.<\/p>\n Something often overlooked is the quietness of the impact sound. When playing at courts near community centers or residential areas, being considerate of your surroundings is easier\u2014a merit unique to the polymer core.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In a word, it's \"the material with the best overall balance\"<\/strong>. If you're unsure, choosing a polymer core first won't steer you wrong.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Nomex is a material originally used in the aerospace industry and in firefighting gear\u2014a high-density meta-aramid fiber developed by DuPont. It's so high in heat resistance and strength that it's used in military protective gear and aircraft interiors, and this hardness generates strong rebound in a paddle.<\/p>\n When you hit with a Nomex-core paddle, there's a hard, snappy feel. The rebound is strong, so even at the same swing speed, the ball clearly flies out faster than with polymer.<\/p>\n The impact sound is also quite loud. Whether you find this \"satisfying\" or \"noisy\" depends on the person, but competition-minded players tend to like this sound.<\/p>\n Since the strong rebound makes control somewhat harder, it's recommended for intermediate players and above who have gotten used to rallying to a degree.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The aluminum core is a core made of an aluminum honeycomb structure. Because it's metal, it's durable and low in manufacturing cost, soit's often used in entry-level paddles priced around 2,000 to 5,000 yen<\/strong>\u3002<\/p>\n The hardness is roughly between polymer and Nomex, and the feel is on the harder side. However, since it's metal, the weight tends to increase, so keep in mind that you may tire more easily during long play. Its control performance doesn't match polymer, and its rebound isn't as much as Nomex, so it's a material sometimes called \"in-between.\"<\/p>\n If you accept it as an entry-level option, it's plenty usable. Once you get used to play, consider stepping up to a polymer core.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Organizing everything so far, the differences among the three materials are as follows.<\/p>\n You can see at a glance that the polymer core is well balanced overall and can handle players of any level. Just remember that Nomex is for the competition-minded who pursue power, and aluminum is for those who simply want to start cheaply.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n One thing to watch out for is the pattern of choosing Nomex just because \"a pro uses it.\" The rebound may be too strong, making your rallies unstable. The iron rule is to choose your core material to match your level.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Here's a summary of the differences among the three types of pickleball paddle core material.<\/p>\n If you're unsure, the polymer core is the only choice. Its biggest strength is that it's easy to control and fits any play style easily.<\/p>\n If you're intermediate or above and want to pursue power, taking on Nomex is interesting too. Choosing a paddle with an understanding of the core material lets you really feel your play level up.<\/p>\n A1: The polymer core suits beginners to intermediates, and the Nomex core suits competition-minded intermediate to advanced players. The polymer core is easy to control, while Nomex has high rebound and requires a degree of technique.<\/p>\n A2: Since aluminum is metal, the frame is sturdy, but the honeycomb structure is also prone to dents and deformation. It has enough durability for normal use and can be used without issue as an entry model.<\/p>\n A3: The feel, control, power, and loudness all change. Even with the same swing, the difference is big enough that the way the ball flies and the vibration in your hand feel completely different depending on the core.<\/p>\n A4: Not necessarily. Expensive paddles often have higher-quality surface material (carbon or fiberglass quality) and manufacturing precision, and the price isn't decided by the core material alone. There are plenty of expensive paddles with a polymer core too.<\/p>\n A5: The packaging or the maker's product page will have descriptions like \"polymer core\" or \"Nomex honeycomb core.\" If there's no description, contacting customer support will get you the answer.<\/p>\n A6: Generally, 13 mm to 16 mm is mainstream. A thick 16 mm core is control-focused, while 13 mm is said to have high rebound and produce power easily. If you're unsure, choosing 16 mm is easy to use.<\/p>\nWhat is a paddle's core? Let's grasp this first<\/h2>\n
The core structure: honeycomb is the basis<\/h3>\n
The core thickness also affects the feel<\/h3>\n
The features of the polymer core | The current mainstream material<\/h2>\n
Feel and control<\/h3>\n
The polymer core suits people like this<\/h3>\n
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The features of the Nomex core | For players seeking power<\/h2>\n
Power and rebound<\/h3>\n
The Nomex core suits people like this<\/h3>\n
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The features of the aluminum core | A staple material common in entry models<\/h2>\n
Feel and weight<\/h3>\n
The aluminum core suits people like this<\/h3>\n
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A thorough comparison of the three core materials<\/h2>\n
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\n \nItem<\/th>\n Polymer core<\/th>\n Nomex core<\/th>\n Aluminum core<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Feel<\/td>\n Soft<\/td>\n Hard<\/td>\n In-between<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Control<\/td>\n \u25ce High<\/td>\n \u25b3 Somewhat low<\/td>\n \u3007 Average<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Power \/ rebound<\/td>\n \u3007 Average<\/td>\n \u25ce High<\/td>\n \u3007 Average<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Quietness<\/td>\n \u25ce Quiet<\/td>\n \u25b3 Loud<\/td>\n \u3007 Average<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Durability<\/td>\n \u3007 Good<\/td>\n \u25ce Highly durable<\/td>\n \u3007 Good<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Price range<\/td>\n Medium to high<\/td>\n High<\/td>\n Low to medium<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Suited level<\/td>\n Beginner to advanced<\/td>\n Intermediate to advanced<\/td>\n Beginner<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n By play style! Which core material suits you?<\/h2>\n
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\n \nPlay style<\/th>\n Recommended core<\/th>\n Reason<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Control-focused rally type<\/td>\n Polymer<\/td>\n Soft feel makes it easy to control<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Frequent power shots<\/td>\n Nomex<\/td>\n Strong rebound makes the ball fly fast<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Playing in quiet environments<\/td>\n Polymer<\/td>\n Quiet impact sound, considerate of surroundings<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Wanting a first paddle cheaply<\/td>\n Aluminum<\/td>\n Cheap and hard to break<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Hobby play once a week or less<\/td>\n Polymer or aluminum<\/td>\n Fine to choose by value for money<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Aiming for competitive tournaments<\/td>\n Polymer or Nomex<\/td>\n Use as appropriate to your level<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Summary<\/h2>\n
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FAQ<\/h2>\n
Q1: Which is for the more skilled player, the polymer core or the Nomex core?<\/h3>\n
Q2: Do aluminum-core paddles break quickly?<\/h3>\n
Q3: What changes so much when the core material changes?<\/h3>\n
Q4: Do higher-priced paddles use a better core?<\/h3>\n
Q5: Where on the paddle can I tell the core material?<\/h3>\n
Q6: What is a standard core thickness?<\/h3>\n
Related Articles Worth Reading<\/h2>\n
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Reference Links<\/h3>\n