In Episode 88 of KewCast, we break down new full foam paddles from Spartus, Holbrook, and GRUVN, and we discuss gear gossip, swing weight science, and viewer questions, all through a data-driven lens.

🔬 Free swing weight estimator tool: https://www.johnkewpickleball.com/swing-weight-calculator

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

1:27 Latest News-Gear Gossip: Swing Weight Estimator tool published

6:47 ALW's New YouTube Channel

8:51 Paddles of the Week: new GRUVN full-foam paddles

18:25 Spartus P1 with Permagrit

27:23 Holbrook Fuze

36:15 Gear of the Week: Slyce SLYDRS

37:05 Blumaka Konnect Insoles

41:00 Eddie's Fun Fact - Pickleball's parallels to racquetball

48:36 John's Fun Fact: The quiet mind spots the loose thread

52:11 Kew & A: What are your preferred shapes for each of the picks on the leaderboard?

54:18 Is the Boomstik price warranted, given the issues with edge guards and face cracking?

56:02 Do we know how full foam paddles will handle cold weather?

57:44 Thoughts on not being able to lock-in to softer "catch and release" full foam paddles?

1:00:35 Regarding the survey by DUPR and Sports & Fitness Industry - how are none of the enthusiast paddle brands in their data?

1:02:23 What would a poll look like that breaks down the percentages of paddle shapes?

1:03:36 Why is there a grid pattern drawn on John's Loco?

1:04:29 Thoughts on the grit degradation on the Loco

Products mentioned in the pod:

★Blumaka Insoles - 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://blumaka.com/products/nonslip-insoles?_pos=10&_sid=357223863&_ss=r&sca_ref=9901941.bcFPwzuTR4v

★GRUVN - 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://gruvn.co?sca_ref=4937714.X1H4Uman8f

★Spartus - 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://gospartus.com/johnwilliams

★Slyce SLYDRS - 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://tinyurl.com/mrxypxuh

What We Cover in This Episode

🔹 Swing Weight Estimator Tool

🔹 Paddles of the Week

GRUVN MUVN 16HD

• KewCOR: 0.38

• 8.12 oz | 116 SW | 6.8 TW

• 16.2” x 7.8”

GRUVN LAZR 16X

• KewCOR: 0.41

• 8.0 oz | 118 SW | 6.4 TW

• 16.5” x 7.5”

• Updated middle-layer foam vs previous LAZR & MUVN builds

Spartus P1 (Hybrid Shape)

• Gen 4 floating foam core (EVA ring + EPP center)

• Carbon fiber / fiberglass / carbon fiber layup

• PermaGrit ceramic-hybrid grit, applied in the USA

• ~116–119 SW | ~6.8 TW | ~8.1–8.3 oz

Holbrook Fuze (Elongated & Hybrid)

• Both versions clock in at 0.40 KewCOR

• Notable swing weight & twist weight differences

🔹 Manufacturing & Grit Talk

How PermaGrit is made, applied, and quality-checked

🔹 Gear of the Week

Blumaka Foam Lock Max Cushion

• $12 off with code (now ~$48)

🔹 Pro Pickleball Fun Facts

Anna Leigh Waters launched a YouTube channel

“In the Kitchen” cookie episodes with Anna Bright & Ben Johns spinach dip (yes, really)

🔹 Mental Game & Philosophy

Takeaway from a personal story from Athens, Greece: It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.

Why staying calm on (and off) the court is a force multiplier — and how mental clarity creates leverage.

🔹 Q&A + Wrap-Up

Rapid-fire listener questions, final thoughts, and a few personal asides before closing out the episode.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly pickleball paddle reviews, lab testing, gear breakdowns, and honest analysis.

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