Bread & Butter Loco Review | More Impressive than I Expected
Bread & Butter has always made solid paddles with even better marketing, but the paddles themselves never really stood out from the pack. That changes with the new foam Loco lineup.
I’ve been using this paddle for about a month now, and I honestly think it’s one of the best full foam options out right now. Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
Price, Shapes, and Specs
Build and Core Design
On-Court Performance & Feel
Weight Setups
Final Thoughts – Who the Loco Is For
You can use code PBSTUDIO to save 10% at checkout. Using the affiliate link helps support the channel when you use it.
Price, Shapes, & Specs
The Loco retails for $199, but with code PBSTUDIO, the price drops to $180. For a full foam paddle with this level of performance, that’s a great deal.
Bread & Butter offers three shapes: widebody, hybrid, and elongated. The widebody is what I’ve been using most, but I also tested the others.
Here’s how the specs break down for each model:
| Model | Swing Weight | Twist Weight | Static Weight | RPM | Handle Length | Grip Size | Shape | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Widebody Loco | 110 | 7.34 | 8.2 oz | 2,129 | 5.3" | 4.25" | Widebody | 6 months |
| Hybrid Loco | 112 | 6.52 | 7.93 oz | 2,096 | 5.3" | 4.25" | Hybrid | 6 months |
| Elongated Loco | 123 | 6.15 | 8.15 oz | 2,112 | 5.5" | 4.25" | Elongated | 6 months |
Core Design
The Loco uses an EP foam core with an EVA foam ring around the edge. This is similar to what other top foam paddles are doing, but Bread & Butter added a twist: a carbon fiber, fiberglass, carbon fiber layering.
That middle fiberglass layer gives the Loco more pop and stiffness than most foam paddles on the market, while still feeling responsive and stable.
Dense and stiff feel with added feedback
More pop than most foam builds
Shorter 6-month warranty compared to some competitors
On-Court Performance & Feel
On-Court Performance
When I first tried the Bread & Butter Loco, I honestly didn’t think it would compete with the big names. The foam market is full of paddles like the Selkirk Boomstik and Ronbus Quanta, and I figured the Loco would land somewhere in between. After one session, I took it to a tournament two days later, and it hasn’t left my bag since.
Used it in four tournaments so far, including serious training sessions
Performs well under pressure with consistent results
Earned its spot as my main paddle
Paddle Feel
The Loco feels like a Gen 3 paddle that’s firm, solid, and connected. It’s not mushy like older foam builds, and the combination of fiberglass and carbon gives it a confident, “thuddy” contact feel.
Fiberglass layer adds punch and stiffness
EVA foam ring increases feedback and responsiveness
Feels more solid and less hollow than other foam paddles
Control
The control on the Loco really stands out. It doesn’t have the instant pop of the Boomstik, which actually helps slow the ball down just enough to make placement easier and more reliable.
Slightly slower rebound improves touch and resets
Feels stable and predictable in fast hands battles
Confidence in soft game: 8–9 out of 10 compared to 7 with Boomstik
Power
Power is where the Loco finds its sweet spot. It’s not the hardest-hitting paddle out there, but it has more than enough to finish points while still keeping shots under control. It sits below the Boomstik and Luzz Inferno in pure pop but feels more balanced overall.
Strong mid-tier power with balanced pop
Delivers pace on drives without overhitting
Consistent performance without needing extra weight
Sweet spot
The widebody Loco doesn’t have quite the same massive sweet spot as the Boomstik, but it’s still larger than most foam paddles I’ve tested. It performs well even without extra weight, which is something you can’t say for every foam paddle out there.
Forgiving on off-center hits
Stable even without customization
Sweet spot size: above average, just below Boomstik
Weight Setups
These foam cores with EVA rings respond really well to lead tape, and the Loco is no exception. My go-to setup on the wide-body was 10 grams total, five on each side at about 3 and 9 o’clock. That small change made a noticeable difference in sound, stability, and feel. The paddle felt more aggressive without becoming sluggish.
For reference, my wide-body’s stats changed from:
Swing weight: 110 → 114
Twist weight: 7.34 → 8.39
Static weight: 8.18 oz → 8.64 oz
The elongated version already felt heavy enough, so I did not add anything there. On the hybrid, 12 grams felt too slow, but around 3 grams per side worked nicely. In short, the right amount of lead depends on your style, but the Loco responds well to small tweaks.
Final Thoughts – Who the Loco Is For
After a month of real use, the Loco has proven to be one of the most balanced foam paddles I’ve tested. It delivers tournament-level performance without needing a lot of tinkering or added weight. Bread & Butter has finally built a paddle that competes with the best.
✅Who this is for:
Players who want a paddle that doesn’t need a lot of customizing
Players who liked the J2NF but wanted more power and no Bible verse
Players who are in the market for a new power paddle
❌Who this is not for:
Players who recently bought another good foam paddle
Players who prefer a really light paddle
Players who want a soft, non-stiff paddle
At $180 with code PBSTUDIO, the Loco is easily one of the best-balanced foam paddles available right now. It gives you a tournament-ready mix of power, feedback, and control, right out of the box.
You can use code PBSTUDIO to save 10% at checkout. Using the affiliate link helps support the channel when you use it.