Kitchen Feedback

That sleek all-black paddle caught my eye during a social game one day. Curious, I tracked down its owner and discovered that Edward is one of the very few Spartus P1 users in Singapore. Fortunately for us, he was willing to share his thoughts after several months with the paddle. Here’s Edward’s take on the Spartus P1.

As a hybrid-shape user who leans more towards placement, resets and soft-game execution than outright power, Edward described the Spartus P1 as one of the more interesting paddles he has used. After several months of play, he has come to realise that he respects this paddle more than he actually loves it.

What He Loves

The Gen-4 PermaGrit surface is the real deal
This is probably the biggest reason to buy the P1. Spartus states that its Gen-4 PermaGrit surface is designed to provide long-lasting spin performance compared to traditional peel-ply textured paddles. In Edward’s experience, the surface has shown virtually no noticeable performance decay after several months of play. Unlike many raw carbon fibre faces, it also hardly picks up ball dust, making maintenance almost non-existent.

Spin comes effortlessly
The combination of the PermaGrit surface and the paddle’s dwell time makes it easy to apply topspin. Drives dip nicely, rolls stay aggressive, and Edward never felt that he had to work hard to generate shape on the ball.

The EPP + EVA construction gives it a unique feel
According to Spartus, the P1 uses a dual-density EPP and EVA foam construction. Edward found that this setup gives the paddle a denser, more solid sensation at contact compared to many conventional polypropylene-core paddles. He also felt that it helped dampen vibration from hard drives while maintaining a stable, planted feel.

Large sweet spot and excellent stability
For a hybrid-shaped paddle, the sweet spot feels generous. The foam-enhanced construction appears to do its job, helping the paddle remain stable on blocks, counters and defensive shots. Even on off-centre contact, Edward found the paddle forgiving and predictable.

A rare USAP-approved grit-based paddle
The P1 is one of the few paddles featuring a long-lasting grit-based surface that is currently approved by the USA Pickleball Association (USAP). For players concerned about certification standards and surface longevity, that is a notable point of differentiation.

What He Doesn’t Love

The balance is more head-heavy than he prefers
The same construction that gives the P1 its stability also makes it feel slower through the air. During fast kitchen exchanges and hand battles, Edward found himself working harder compared to paddles with a more neutral or head-light balance.

Quality control could be better
His paddle arrived with a loose edge guard. Whether this was an isolated case or a batch-related issue is unclear, but he ultimately reinforced it himself using strip tape and epoxy. It was not a deal-breaker, but it was not something he expected at this price point either.

The feedback is a little too muted
The EPP and EVA setup does an excellent job absorbing vibration, but the trade-off is reduced feedback. Players who enjoy feeling every contact point on the paddle face may find the response somewhat muted.

Final Thoughts
Edward believes the Spartus P1 is one of the more innovative paddles currently available. The Gen-4 PermaGrit surface addresses one of pickleball’s biggest frustrations—surface wear—while the EPP and EVA construction delivers a stable, forgiving and comfortable playing experience. For players who prioritise spin, durability, resets and controlled placement, he feels the P1 deserves serious consideration.
That said, the head-heavy balance leaves him wondering what he might gain from a quicker, more manoeuvrable paddle during fast exchanges and hand battles.So while the P1 is not leaving his bag anytime soon, he is already looking at speedier options for a direct comparison.
Stay tuned.

Disclaimer: This is an independent, unpaid review based on Edward’s personal experience with the Spartus P1 over several months of play. Neither the author nor Edward received compensation, discounts, or products from Spartus in exchange for this review. Technical information relating to the paddle’s construction, materials, PermaGrit surface technology, and certification status is derived from manufacturer-published specifications and product materials. Performance observations and opinions expressed in this article are Edward’s own.

Seeing that I initially mixed up Spartus with Spartacus, I figured the Spartacus: Blood and Sand running mix would be a fitting soundtrack for reading this review.