Are Pickleball Buddy Nas and I the only people in Singapore who genuinely appreciate CRBN paddles?
That’s a question that comes up surprisingly often whenever we compare notes.
When I decided I wanted the CRBN TruFoam Barrage 2 (“Barrage 2“), finding one in Singapore proved harder than expected. While other brands seemed readily available everywhere, tracking down a CRBN retailer felt like a side quest. In the end, I did what any paddle addict would do: I crossed the border and bought one myself.
No regrets.
My CRBN journey started with the TruFoam Waves 2 (“Waves 2“) before I eventually progressed to the Barrage 2. As someone who relies heavily on defence, resets, drops and keeping the ball in play long enough for my partner to finish the point, I’ve found the CRBN paddles remarkably easy to trust.
Part of that comes down to the technology behind them.
The Waves 2 and Barrage 2 are both part of CRBN’s Gen-4 TruFoam lineup. Unlike traditional honeycomb-core paddles, the TruFoam series incorporates a proprietary foam core construction designed to deliver a more consistent response across the paddle face while reducing core breakdown over time. Both paddles feature a widebody shape measuring approximately 16 inches long by 7.85 inches wide, a 14mm profile, a generous sweet spot and an average weight around 8 ounces.
In simple terms, they are designed to be stable, forgiving and durable.
The Waves 2 combines a T700 raw carbon fibre face with a layer of fibreglass. The result is a paddle that offers excellent dwell time, allowing the ball to stay on the face slightly longer for increased control, spin and shot shaping. If the Waves 2 were a pickleball player, it would probably be the patient one reminding everyone to slow down and construct the point properly.
The Barrage 2 is a little different.
CRBN removed the fibreglass layer and paired the TruFoam core with a T700 raw carbon fibre face that produces a quicker response and more direct energy transfer. On court, it feels faster, crisper and more aggressive than the Waves 2 while still retaining much of the stability and forgiveness that attracted me to the TruFoam line in the first place.
Think of it as the sibling who drinks espresso before every match.
Despite being marketed as the more aggressive option, I never found the Barrage 2 difficult to control. In fact, that’s probably what surprised me most. The paddle offers enough pop when needed, yet still feels comfortable during resets, blocks and touch shots around the kitchen.
For my game, that’s the sweet spot.
I am not the player who is going to blast winners from every corner of the court. My role is usually much less glamorous. I absorb pace, reset rallies, keep points alive and generally make life easier for whichever unfortunate partner has agreed to play with me.
Both the Waves 2 and Barrage 2 suit that style perfectly.
The widebody shape gives me confidence during defensive exchanges. The larger sweet spot means mishits are less heavily punished. The spin potential is more than sufficient for topspin drops, rolling volleys and the occasional shot that makes me look significantly more competent than I actually am.
Most importantly, I never feel like I am fighting the paddle.
Nas has a slightly different perspective.
She absolutely loves her CRBN TruFoam Genesis, but not because it gives her free power or effortless winners.
In fact, quite the opposite.
What she appreciates most is that the paddle rewards proper technique. Resets, blocks, drives, overhead smashes, drops and volleys all feel cleaner when executed correctly. When she hits a quality shot, she knows it came from good mechanics rather than the paddle doing all the work.
And there’s something deeply satisfying about that.
By comparison, when she experimented with some of the more powerful paddles currently dominating the market, she found herself needing to make significant adjustments to her timing, mechanics and shot selection. Rather than complementing her game, some of those paddles felt like they were demanding an entirely different style of play.
That’s probably why both of us keep returning to CRBN.
The paddles aren’t trying to be the loudest, hottest or most hyped products on the market. They aren’t chasing power numbers that make YouTube reviewers reach for their radar guns.
Instead, they reward fundamentals.
Good footwork. Good mechanics. Good shot selection.
For players who value consistency, control, defence and predictability, that’s an incredibly appealing combination.
Maybe that’s why Pickleball Buddy Nas and I keep talking about them.
Or maybe we really are the only two people in Singapore running a CRBN fan club.
If you’re a fellow CRBN player, I’d love to hear from you. Tell me what you’re using and what keeps you coming back to the brand.
Who knows? There might be more of us out there than we think.
Disclaimer: Neither CRBN nor any retailer knows I am writing this article. The paddles discussed here were purchased with our own money. In my situation, after a level of research that was probably excessive and culminated in me crossing the borders to buy a Barrage 2 because I couldn’t find one in Singapore.
Everything written here reflects my personal experience as a defensive-minded doubles player who spends far more time resetting and dropping than attempting highlight-reel winners. What works for me may not work for you. The same can be said for Nas’ review too.
Technical specifications referenced in this article are based on publicly available manufacturer and retailer information available at the time of writing. As always, your mileage may vary. Unless we’re talking about crossing the border to buy a paddle. In that case, apparently mine certainly did.
The accompanying track for this article is unsurprisingly, “Alone”, by Marshmello.
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