Bread & Butter Loco First Impressions | Full Foam Core Three Shapes
Bread & Butter is back with a new paddle called the Loco, but don’t confuse it with their old model of the same name.
This is a completely different paddle. The new Loco is built with a full foam core and designed as a power paddle, not a control paddle.
Like most foam core paddles, it has a lot of appealing qualities. The real question is whether it fits your style of play.
I’ve been testing the widebody and hybrid versions, while my brother Aizec has been using the elongated for the past few weeks. In these first impressions, I’ll share what we’ve found so far, and I’ll be breaking down who I think this paddle is best for.
Table of Contents
Price, Shape, and Specs
How it Plays
Who Might Like It
Price, Shapes, and Specs
Price and Pre-Order
Retail: $199
Discount: $180 with code PBStudio
Available through 72-hour preorder windows (9am–5pm EST).
At $180, this is one of the more affordable options in the full foam core category, which is great to see.
Upcoming Preorder Windows & Ship Dates:
Aug 20–22 → Ships Oct 1–7
Aug 27–29 → Ships Oct 7–14
Sept 3–5 → Ships Oct 14–21
Sept 10–12 → Ships Oct 21–28
Sept 17–19 → Ships Nov 4–11
Sept 24–26 → Ships Nov 11–18
Shapes
One of the standout things about the Loco is that it’s one of the only full foam core lineups to offer all three familiar shapes:
Widebody
Hybrid
Elongated
Performance Specs:
Loco Elongated
Swing weight: 118–120
Twist weight: 6.28
Static weight: 7.8–8.0 oz
RPM: N/A
Loco Hybrid
Swing weight: 112–115
Twist weight: 6.65
Static weight: 7.9–8.1 oz
RPM: 2,013
Loco Widebody
Swing weight: 108–110
Twist weight: 7.3
Static weight: 8.0–8.1 oz
RPM: 2,061
General Specs (all models):
Handle length: 5.3" (elongated: 5.5")
Grip size: 4.25"
Warranty: 6 months
How It Plays
The easiest way I can describe the Loco is:
If you’ve played the Honolulu J2NF and wished it had more pop and power, this is that paddle.
Plays closer to the J2NF than the Boomstik
Feels denser, with the ball sinking in a bit before releasing
More pop and power than the J2NF
Not as crisp or immediate as the Boomstik
Compared to some of the more experimental designs from brands like Honolulu Pickleball, these shapes feel a lot more standard and familiar in the hand.
For me, the widebody has been my favorite so far. The hybrid felt a little unstable until I added weight, but the widebody was quick, stable, and easy to swing right away. Aizec has been loving the elongated version and even plans to use it for local tournaments.
My advice: stick with the shape you already use unless you really want to experiment.
Who Might Like It
So far, I haven’t found any real weaknesses. The Loco plays fast, hits hard, and still keeps a solid sweet spot and consistent feel. It reminds me of the J2NF, just dialed up one notch in aggression.
The Loco could be a strong pick if:
You like the feel of the Honolulu J2NF but want more power
You want a paddle that comes in familiar, standard shapes
You want a foam core option without the branding or Bible verse found on Honolulu paddles
You’re looking for a power paddle under $200
Maybe as we work on the full review for this paddle, we’ll unpack some nuances or things to look out for, but so far, we haven’t found anything that's a real problem.
If you already own a Boomstik or Honolulu J2NF, you don’t need to rush to buy this. Those are still top-tier paddles. But if you’re in the market for a full foam power paddle at a friendlier price point, the Bread & Butter Loco is definitely worth a look.
You can use code PBSTUDIO to save 10% on your Loco order. This gives a commission that supports the channel to help us make more reviews like this.