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.
š¬ 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:
ā
Blumaka Insoles - 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://blumaka.com/products/nonslip-insoles?_pos=10&_sid=357223863&_ss=r&sca_ref=9901941.bcFPwzuTR4v
ā
GRUVN - 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://gruvn.co?sca_ref=4937714.X1H4Uman8f
ā
Spartus - 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://gospartus.com/johnwilliams
ā
Slyce SLYDRS - 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://tinyurl.com/mrxypxuh
What We Cover in This Episode
š¹ Swing Weight Estimator Tool
š¹ Paddles of the Week
GRUVN MUVN 16HD
⢠KewCOR: 0.38
⢠8.12 oz | 116 SW | 6.8 TW
⢠16.2ā x 7.8ā
GRUVN LAZR 16X
⢠KewCOR: 0.41
⢠8.0 oz | 118 SW | 6.4 TW
⢠16.5ā x 7.5ā
⢠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
⢠~116ā119 SW | ~6.8 TW | ~8.1ā8.3 oz
Holbrook Fuze (Elongated & Hybrid)
⢠Both versions clock in at 0.40 KewCOR
⢠Notable swing weight & twist weight differences
š¹ Manufacturing & Grit Talk
How PermaGrit is made, applied, and quality-checked
š¹ Gear of the Week
Blumaka Foam Lock Max Cushion
⢠$12 off with code (now ~$48)
š¹ Pro Pickleball Fun Facts
Anna Leigh Waters launched a YouTube channel
āIn the Kitchenā cookie episodes with Anna Bright & Ben Johns spinach dip (yes, really)
š¹ Mental Game & Philosophy
Takeaway from a personal story from Athens, Greece: Itās 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 ā and how mental clarity creates leverage.
š¹ Q&A + Wrap-Up
Rapid-fire listener questions, final thoughts, and a few personal asides before closing out the episode.
š Subscribe for weekly pickleball paddle reviews, lab testing, gear breakdowns, and honest analysis.
š¬ Subscribe to the newsletter: https://johnkewpickleball.beehiiv.com/
š§ Listen on Apple Podcasts: http://tinyurl.com/u2t7a3uy
š§ Listen on Spotify: http://tinyurl.com/57kv8de8
šø Follow @johnkew.pickleball on Instagram
š¦ Follow @JohnKewPickle on Twitter
#pickleball
#pickleballpaddles
#pickleballgear
#pickleballreview
#kewcast
#swingweight
#pickleballscience