James Ignatowich runs RPM with his college buddy. In this episode, he says the thing most brand owners will not say out loud: reviewers run the game. I told him I think that is nonsense, and we went at it for a while.He also gets into the RPM Jade, some clever marketing, why the Q2 and the Friction Pro V2 feel close off the face, what a paddle launch really costs when you live at the factory, and the tennis career he had before pickleball.Then Blake and I get into what showed up this week, the Volair CMD HYB and the two new Gearbox Pressure X paddles.Code MPB saves you money at RPM, Volair, Gearbox and Enhance.RPM paddles, every one measured: www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod2/rpmThe Q2 versus the Friction Pro V2, side by side: www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod2/q2-vs-v2Volair CMD HYB: www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod2/cmd-hybBoth Gearbox Pressure X paddles: www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod2/pressure-xEnhance and the ArmorGrit story: www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod2/enhanceFind your next paddle: www.mattspickleball.com/v/pod2/find

We started a podcast!

Blake and I share an interest: PICKLEBALL! You already know I talk about paddles and gear. You might not know Blake yet. You will. She's a pickleball photographer who spends most of her free time at PPA events, so she's around the players and the brands. She picks her paddles on feel and will argue with me about it, which is fun, and you'll see in this first episode. She's also getting me closer to all the news and drama on MLP and the PPA Tour.

We both love this sport and the people that are part of it, and that’s why we are kicking off this podcast journey with someone who represents both of our interests. A PPA Tour player who also founded Eleven Zero Pickleball! And we get into the gear that dropped recently, including some new bags, the 11SIX24 Jelly Bean 2 series, and the RPM Friction Pro V2, and more...

Camila Zilveti and Ava Ignatowich host their own show, Balls Deep:

www.youtube.com/channel/UC2EdLrCOnkWq5s7Em2JtfHQ

Blake Shanks:

www.instagram.com/blakealyxcaptures/

Matt:

www.instagram.com/mattspickleball/

The paddle Tina Pisnik plays blacked out:

www.mattspickleball.com/paddle/ez-speed-e16

Title (200 char max):How Two Tennis Kids Built Pickleball's Biggest Brand | Connor Hance & Drew Baird of Enhance Pickleball

Description (4000 char max):

Connor Hance and Drew Baird built one of pickleball's biggest brands from scratch — starting with a $40 mic, an iPhone, and zero plan. In this episode, we go deep on how content became their biggest business advantage, the origin of the Dink Master, their philosophy behind the Turbo and Duo paddle lines, where foam core technology is heading, and what it actually takes to build a brand that lasts in a sport moving this fast.

Use code MPB to save on Enhance Pickleball gear at enhancepickleball.com.

Head to www.mattspickleball.com/blackfriday for the full interactive list with live links, filters by brand, and updated deals as they drop throughout the weekend. Use code MPB at checkout on most brands to save even more.Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2025 Pickleball Deals — the most complete A-Z guide covering every major brand, paddle discount, and stacking code available this season. I've tracked down deals from Selkirk, CRBN, Engage, Vatic Pro, Joola, Ronbus, Six Zero, Gearbox, Diadem, Chorus, and 30+ more brands so you can find the best pricing on paddles, bags, shoes, and accessories.This breakdown covers paddle deals up to 70% off, which codes stack with my MPB discount, when each sale starts and ends, and my honest recommendations on what's actually worth grabbing. Whether you're looking for budget paddles under $100 or premium Gen 3 options with major discounts, I walk through everything brand by brand.

I tested 17 pickleball paddles from $99 to $250. Here's what's actually worth your money and what disappointed.MY TOP PICK:RPM Friction Pro - My current main paddle. Best playing Gen 3 I've tested despite the $249 price tag.BEST VALUE:Vatic V-Sol Pro - $99 with code MPB. Add 9 grams of weight and it competes with paddles twice the price.BIGGEST SURPRISE:Element 6 Zephyr - $125 with code MPB. Solid stability right out of the box.DISAPPOINTMENTS:Diadem Edge BluCore - Can't justify $250 when better options exist for less.Flik Falcon 13mm - Too head-heavy and unforgiving for my game.ADIDAS IS BACK:ADIPOWER PRO Edition - Three models at $189. ATTK 14mm is my pick but replace the stock grips.All paddles include Pickle Poppers, Gherkin Wraith, Vatic V-Sol Pro & Power, and more. Use code MPB for discounts.Links and full specs at mattspickleball.comSponsored by Bodhi Pickleball - Code MPB saves 15% at bodhipickleball.com

James Ignatowich is one of the most dynamic players in pro pickleball and now one of the boldest entrepreneurs in the game. In this episode, we cover his transition from college tennis to the PPA Tour, his decision to part ways with Selkirk, and the launch of his own brand, RPM Pickleball.We dig into what it takes to engineer a paddle that can compete at the highest level, the trade-offs between foam and honeycomb cores, and how today’s paddle innovation could reshape the sport in the years ahead. James also shares how he balances the demands of being a full-time pro with building a startup from scratch.Also, apologies for the audio quality. We had some technical difficulties.

You don't need to spend $250-300+ to get serious paddle performance. I'm breaking down the best paddles you can get around $150 or less in 2025 - and these aren't budget alternatives, they're premium paddles at honest prices.

Featured Paddles:

• Vatic Pro Saga Bloom 16mm - $119.99 with code MPB
• 11SIX24 Power Series (3 shapes) - $159 with code MPB
• Friday Fever Series - $99 with code MPB
• Enhance Gen 4.5 - $154.99 with code MPB
• Ronbus Quanta Series (5 shapes) - $99 with code MPB

Also Covered:

• FORWRD Court Ranger Backpack - $149 with code MPB

Whether it's Gen 3 foam-enhanced construction or full Gen 4 foam cores, these paddles pack the same materials and engineering you'd find in much pricier options. Turns out you can build premium gear without the premium markup.

I tested 13 paddles across three different construction categories to see how each generation performs in 2025. From traditional Gen 1 builds to cutting-edge foam-core technology, this comparison reveals which approach delivers the best value and performance.
Paddle lineup by construction:Foam-Core: Ronbus Refoam ($179), Selkirk Boomstik ($333),J2NF Long HandleGen 3: Thrive FURY ($180)Pickleball Apes Harmony ($162)Sypik Triton 3 ProGen 1: Revolin Torch

First impressions of Selkirk’s new Boomstik power paddle, plus deep dives on the GX2 Power, CRBN Genesis 4, Enhance Pickleball Gen 4.5, Wild Thang, and two standout pickleball shoes from Solase and PB5Star.

$99 vs $280 – Can the Vatic Pro V-Core really compete with the new TruFoam Genesis 4 Hybrid? In this review, I test six new pickleball paddles that are shaking up the game in 2025. From foam-core tech to thermoformed Gen-3 builds, I share real on-court results and which ones are actually worth your money. This is episode 17 of the Matt's Pickleball Podcast (formerly, "Paddle of the Week!")