CRBN TruFoam Genesis Review
The future is now, but it’ll cost you.
CRBN’s latest and greatest has been long awaited. Being teased and developed for 18 months, their TruFoam technology finds its first home in the Genesis lineup.
It’s truly unique. And while it’s the first 100% foam core (not counting Gearbox’s ribbed core), the ground-breaking tech isn’t what you’d expect in today’s game.
Regarding speed ceilings, the TruFoam Genesis is not meant to rival the soon-to-be-delisted JOOLA Mod or Gearbox Pro Power Elongated. It’s meant to change the approach of cores, paddle longevity, and performance manipulation.
It seems that CRBN has found the next big thing. There are still many questions to be answered and expensive price tags to overcome, but for now, the future appears to be foam.
Specs
Price: $279.99 (Code: PBSTUDIO to bring it down to $252)
Shape: CRBN¹ Elongated (16.5” x 7.35”), CRBN² Wide (16” x 7.85”), CRBN³ Hybrid (aka elongated with a shorter handle, 16.5” x 7.5”)
Thickness: 14mm (plays more like 16mm due to the core)
Core: 100% Foam
Face: Carbon Fiber + Fiberglass
Handle: 5.5” (elongated), 5.25” (wide, hybrid)
Grip: 4.125”
Static Weight: 8.0oz ± 0.2
Swing Weight: 117 (elongated), 112 (wide), 125 (hybrid)
Twist Weight: 5.64 (elongated), 6.68 (wide), 6.38 (hybrid)
RPM: 2151 (elongated), 2172 (wide), 2132 (hybrid)
Warranty: 1-Year
Design: TruFoam Core, No Core Crush, Fiberglass Layer
Background
There are currently three Genesis shapes available. These mostly mimic the shapes that CRBN is known for. The CRBN² and CRBN³ shapes are new to their lineup, with CRBN³ comparable to the Selkirk Invikta shape.
I found it odd that CRBN didn't max out the dimensions on the CRBN¹ and CRBN² shapes. The width of the CRBN¹ is 7.35 in instead of 7.5 in, which matches the old CRBN¹ X shape identically, and the CRBN² is 7.85 in instead of 8 in. It's a small difference, but still odd to not utilize the full allowed amount.
As always, the best shape of the three will be what you’re most used to and comfortable with. Most will choose between the CRBN¹ (elongated) or CRBN² (wide) since CRBN¹ has the longer handle and CRBN² has the generous sweet spot. The CRBN³ shape will find its place with those familiar with the Selkirk Invikta or who want to choke up higher on their handle.
Moving on, the more important stats are twist weight, swing weight, and RPM. During testing, I noticed all three models got exceptionally good spin. It’s rare for me to push any paddle past 2100 RPM, so it was awesome seeing these exceed that.
Looking at swing weight, the CRBN¹ is a touch lower than the average elongated, the CRBN² is slightly higher than the average widebody, and the CRBN³ tested even higher. This spec is unique to the CRBN³ unit I received and has supposedly been changed for production models. It should be along the lines of 118 - 120.
For twist weights, the Genesis paddles were all lower than what you’d expect. However, this aspect didn’t fully translate to how the sweet spots played, and that’s likely due to the new core design.
One final note, these all have a patch of fiberglass in them at the center of the sweet spot. In theory, this provides a bit more pop, but with it squarely in the center block, it’s only advantageous when hitting there. This could lead to inconsistencies in feel when players miss center expecting one thing or hitting proper and sending the ball flying.
100% Full Foam Core
The design and construction are the largest selling point of the CRBN TruFoam Genesis. It’s being marketed as the first 100% full foam core paddle. In my opinion, that's a slight stretch, because Gearbox’s are largely made of foam. Yes, they have carbon fiber ribs, but most of it is foam, so take that as you will.
The Genesis has been in development for the last 18 months, and I've seen many of the prototypes leading to today. These weren't cookie-cutter formulas where China came up with a concept and then pitched it to CRBN. These were engineered in-house.
After engineering, testing, and prototyping in the U.S., CRBN took it overseas to create for the masses. A patent has been filed on the design, which makes the TruFoam core patent pending.
It's a solid block of foam with this very interesting pattern cutout to create its play characteristics. By hand, the foam material chosen does not compress at all. It’s very stiff compared to other foams that have traditionally been used in paddles.
It’s not just solid, but it’s rigid. Talking to CRBN’s engineer, he says they're able to tweak how the paddle plays based on the cutout design of the core as well as the density of the foam.
So this introduction of TruFoam is just that: An introduction. The playability options seem endless, and CRBN has created an incredible platform to develop.
Stock Performance
All right, let's just get this out of the way. If you're expecting a full-blown power paddle, this is not it (at least not stock). The CRBN TruFoam Genesis is an aggressive all-court paddle if being generous. However, July’s delisting of the JOOLA Mod and Gearbox Pro Power Elongated will boost this paddle higher in the power spectrum.
As someone who isn’t a power player, I wasn’t blown away by putaways or drives right out of the box. Even for compact strokes, the paddle wasn’t jumpy like the Spartus Olympus, Ronbus Ripple, JOOLA 3S, or PaddleTek Bantam.
Instead, the Genesis thrives with high dwell time and the sensation of pocketing the ball. This was clearly as designed, and it doesn’t want to compete with poppy paddles. This is counterintuitive to what we’ve grown accustomed to with foam.
That brings us to what makes the Genesis stand out. When testing, the ball feel was immediately unique. The all-foam core isn’t tingy like propylene nor is it springy or soft like EVA foam. It’s a mix between the two. It’s hard to explain, so I recommend you find one to playtest yourself. It’ll be the deciding factor for most players.
Personally, the Genesis was easy to use. Its all-court power allowed for almost no adjustment period, and I could play well right away. After two months, I couldn’t find much to fault the paddle with. Typically, some aspects can be immediately jarring, unpleasant, or difficult but that didn’t happen.
The soft game felt very easy. It’s no Volair Mach 2 Forza, but I rarely popped up dinks or had issues resetting midcourt. It felt reliable and predictable without a nonlinear power curve like others do.
Another area of excellence was the Genesis’s spin. The paddle’s peel-ply texture doesn’t feel particularly rough, but due to the core, it adds a crazy amount of shape to the ball. Players who have the proper swing mechanics can create excessive topspin. For singles and passing shots, the Genesis will shine.
It remains to be seen if the impressive spin will be retained after months of use. The face grit isn’t the end-all-be-all, especially when the core is a huge contributor, but it’ll matter long term. I suspect the Genesis will be like most paddles: When the grit is worn, you’ll want a fresh face to generate the spin you once had. At the very least, CRBN's new TruFoam core will last much longer than the standard paddle.
Regarding the sweet spot, the Genesis is average. It’s not the same as thermoformed paddles, but it's not lacking like a Gen 1 (e.g. PaddleTek Bantam). In its stock setup, there were a few areas that returned less preferable energy. Missing the smaller fiberglass patch is likely to blame. Either way, that went away after adding weighted tape.
Setup
Like most paddles, customizing your setup makes a very noticeable difference. First, I removed the stock grip and added two overgrips. For some reason, the handle shape felt better this way compared to the stock with overgrip on top. It slimmed the handle down just enough and felt better in my hand.
As for weight, I tried three setups on my CRBN².
Setup 1: 5” strips of 0.5g tape at 3 and 9 o’clock
Setup 2: 3g strips on all four corners
Setup 3: 7-8” strips of 0.5g tape at 3 and 9 o’clock
I settled on Setup 3 because it gave me the most extra juice by being the highest weight added. It took the Genesis from slightly aggressive, all-court to definitely aggressive and able to hang with power.
There was a noticeable jump on drives and even counters at the kitchen. It also helped bump the twist weight making it feel more stable and giving extra energy with off-hits.
Your setup may differ, but this is what made my CRBN² shine. With this setup, the swing weight went from 112 to 119, the twist weight from 6.68 to 8.08, and the stock weight from 8.1 to 8.64 oz. While 119 isn’t my preferred swing weight, it never bothered me with this. I liked how the paddle played, so the trade-off in maneuverability felt worth it.
Now, another thing I noticed is the CRBN² responded better—or at least differently—to weight than the CRBN¹. Trying the same setup on the elongated, I found it didn’t have the same impact on performance as the wide body.
After realizing this, I asked CRBN’s engineer why. Apparently, the core layout makes it easier to achieve power at lower forces on the CRBN², whereas, the CRBN¹ and CRBN³ need more head speed to get the same power.
This made sense. Lacking in power, I don’t have the swing acceleration to maximize the CRBN¹ shape. So this must be considered for the type of player you are and the shapes you prefer.
Overall, I really enjoyed playing with the CRBN¹ and found it hit harder in its stock form compared to the CRBN². But after the added weight, I definitively preferred the CRBN². Comparing it to paddles like the Engage Pursuit 1, Spartus Olympus, and PaddleTek TK 14.3 mm, I found the pop and power of the CRBN² similar.
In summary, the Genesis paddles can enter into the power realm after adding weight similar to my setup.
Closing Thoughts
The TruFoam Genesis introduces a core never seen before with durability claims unmatched. If they hold up, this will be huge for CRBN.
While I’ve thoroughly enjoyed using this and would consider maining it, it’s one of the first expensive paddles that I question its worth. At this price, you’d expect a “wow” factor, and I think it isn’t here.
For example, when experiencing the JOOLA Mod or Gearbox Pro Power for the first time, there is a clear “wow” factor. The TruFoam Genesis has all of that on paper with its amazing spin, (potentially) durable core, and unique face feel. But it won’t seem as exciting cause it’s not meant to hit hard.
You should consider the TruFoam Genesis if:
You don’t care about budget.
Want an all-court or slightly aggressive paddle.
Are sick of core-crushed polypropylene cores (although I’d wait to ensure the release shakes out).
Enjoy shaping the ball and have an aggressive semi-western grip for forehand (aka tennis players).
If you’re considering this paddle, I recommend you demo it before purchase. There will be many who become obsessed with it and love how it performs. It will be a top performer in the market, even if it isn’t a power paddle.
CRBN is laying the foundation for what could be amazing technology for them moving forward, but it comes at a premium right now. You just have to decide if you can swallow its $280 pill.
Interested in buying one?
If you plan to pick one of these up, please use code PBSTUDIO to save 10%.