The Consensus
The CRBN2 TruFoam Barrage is a solid upgrade over previous CRBN models with improved power, sweet spot, and excellent durability, but falls short of justifying its $280 premium price point. While it offers good performance across power, control, and feel, the paddle doesn't stand out enough in today's competitive market to warrant the high cost when strong alternatives exist for $100 less.
Everyone Agrees: Strengths
- +Clear improvement over previous CRBN Genesis and Waves models in power and performance
- +Excellent core durability with proven longevity over 10,000+ shots
- +Good balance of power and control with manageable swing weight
- +Solid construction quality and better sweet spot than previous TruFoam versions
Everyone Agrees: Weaknesses
- -Expensive $280 price with strong competitors available for significantly less
- -Sweet spot remains below average compared to elite 16mm foam core paddles
- -14mm core limits forgiveness compared to thicker competitor options
Where Reviewers Disagree
Market competitiveness
Reviewers recommend for:
Not ideal for:
Individual Reviews
3John Kew Pickleball
Mar 25, 2026
These are definitely power paddles, but more in that low to mid-range of high power category
The sweet spot isn't class leading and price is high with strong alternatives out there
For most players, the Coral and Shift will look like better value options
Liked
- +Clear upgrade over Genesis and Waves with more firepower
- +Excellent core durability with over 10,000 shots showing no performance drop
- +Good hand speed and maneuverability with low swing weights
- +Better sweet spot than previous TruFoam models with thermopforming
Noted
- -Sweet spot still slightly below average for full foam floating cores
- -High price at $280 with strong alternatives costing $100 less
- -14mm core instead of 16mm limits forgiveness compared to competitors
Compared to:
Pickleball Studio
Mar 16, 2026
This is a better Genesis in almost every single way
I was actually pleasantly surprised. I actually really did enjoy playing with it
I don't think it would be in my top picks to immediately go to a tournament
Liked
- +Better than Genesis in pop, power, sweet spot and ball feel
- +Easier control for resets and dinking, less overshooting
- +Dense and soft feel without losing power or pop
- +Refreshing alternative to stiff hollow foam paddles
Noted
- -Still expensive at $280 with no price drop
- -Tighter sweet spot than elite 16mm competitors
- -Chunky 4.25 handle may be too thick for some
- -No longer-lasting texture at premium price point
Compared to:
STS Pickleball
Mar 3, 2026
We have the carbon true foam barrage paddles
So much to unpack with all these new paddles
Liked
- +Good power and pop off the face
- +Decent spin generation capabilities
- +Solid construction quality
Noted
- -Not as impressive as other paddles tested
- -Doesn't stand out in crowded market
- -Less memorable than competitors like MPP Turbo
Compared to: