Pickleball Apes
Pickleball Apes Zen S+ 16mm Hybrid Pickleball Paddle
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Power Without the Punishment
Most foam power paddles hit hard and feel like it — stiff, loud, and twitchy at the kitchen. The Zen S+ is Pickleball Apes' answer to that. It's a Gen 4 foam build that swings around 107 and still puts up top-tier drive speed in lab testing, which is a pairing almost nothing else in this category manages. Light in the hand, heavy on the ball.
The trick is in the core. A diced MPP foam center is wrapped in three progressively denser foam rings, so the middle of the face stays soft and controllable while the perimeter carries the mass that generates pace and stability. Over the top sits SilverBack Grit — a peel-ply layer bonded to the face rather than sprayed on — that's built to keep its bite well past the point most gritty faces go smooth.
This is the Batch 4 run — in stock and shipping now from New York.
Best For
- Aggressive players who swing through the ball and want it leaving the face fast
- Anyone who found other foam power paddles too harsh or too heavy to be quick with
- Hybrid-shape fans who want reach and a wide sweet spot on the same paddle
- Tournament players who need USAP legality on a full-foam paddle
- Spin-first players who are tired of replacing a paddle every time the grit wears off
Skill Level
Intermediate to advanced. The Zen S+ rewards a full, committed swing — that's where the power lives. On passive blocks and short punches it plays quieter than the numbers suggest, which is great for control but means a newer player who's still poking at the ball won't get the most out of it. If you already generate your own pace and want a paddle that adds to it without going stiff, this is the shape.
Why Players Like It
- Big power, low swing weight. Third-party lab testing clocked serve speed at 57.4 mph on a paddle that swings at 107. That combination — near the top of the power charts while being one of the lightest hybrids tested — is the whole reason people are talking about it.
- Soft where it counts. Punch-volley speed measured a modest 36.8 mph. Translation: the ball doesn't jump off the face when you're just blocking, so resets and dinks stay down.
- Stable for the weight. A 7.0 twist weight on a 107 swing weight is unusually solid. Off-center contact doesn't roll the face open.
- Grit that lasts. Spin measured 2,093 RPM out of the box, and the lab's durability test put spin retention at 88% against an 80% average. The bonded peel-ply surface is doing its job.
- Leather grip and a cover in the box. Pickleball Apes ships it with a leather performance grip and a paddle cover included — no add-ons needed on day one.
Specs
| Shape | S+ Hybrid (wide-body hybrid) |
| Core | Triple-Density Frame with Diced-Core Technology™ (full foam) |
| Surface | SilverBack Grit™ bonded peel-ply |
| Core thickness | 16 mm |
| Length × width | 16.2" × 7.8" |
| Static weight | 7.6 – 7.9 oz (manufacturer range; 7.76 oz lab-measured) |
| Swing weight | 106 – 109 (manufacturer range; 107 lab-measured) |
| Twist weight | 7.0 – 7.2 (manufacturer range; 7.0 lab-measured) |
| Balance point | 236 mm (lab-measured) |
| Grip length | 5.5" |
| Grip circumference | 4.25" |
| Grip | Leather performance grip |
| Cover | Included |
| Certification | USAP approved (manufacturer-listed PBCoR .43) |
| Warranty | 1 year, manufacturer |
Lab-measured figures are third-party test data (Pickleball Effect), not manufacturer claims. Unit-to-unit variance is normal.
Performance Notes
Power. Drives and overheads are where this paddle earns its reputation — swing through the ball and it goes. The catch is that the power is swing-dependent. Get caught late or block passively and it plays a lot softer than the serve-speed number implies. Reviewers keep landing on the same phrase: the numbers read hotter than it feels.
Control. That low punch-volley speed is a feature. Hands battles at the kitchen don't get away from you, and resets sit down instead of popping up. It's the most manageable high-power foam paddle we've seen at this weight.
Spin. Roughly 2,100 RPM from the bonded peel-ply face, with above-average retention in durability testing. Topspin drives dip, slice stays low, and it should still be doing that a few months in.
Feel and forgiveness. Light and quick, with a 7.0 twist weight keeping it honest on mishits. The soft-center, dense-perimeter core means the sweet spot feels bigger than the wide-body hybrid shape alone would give you. It does want you out in front of the ball — this isn't a paddle that bails you out of lazy footwork.
Quick Buying Summary
Buy it if: you want elite power in one of the lightest hybrids available, you swing through the ball, you need USAP legality, and you want a gritty face that holds up.
Skip it if: you're a block-and-reset player who wants the paddle to supply the pace, you're brand new and still finding the sweet spot, or you prefer a heavier, plow-through feel.
Compare
| Paddle | Profile | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Zen S+ (this one) | 16mm full-foam hybrid, ~107 swing weight | Max power from a light, quick paddle — for players who swing through the ball |
| Honolulu Sword & Shield J2CR | 16mm full-foam hybrid, power | The closest head-to-head rival — more pop on blocks, a touch heavier in the hand |
| AIREO Cyclone 2.0 Hybrid 16mm | 16mm foam-core hybrid, power | Same money, more colorways, a firmer all-around feel |
| Ronbus Quanta Pro R4.16 | 16mm foam-core hybrid, power | Budget route to a foam power hybrid if $200 is a stretch |
The Tech
The central MPP foam has horizontal incisions cut into each side. That lets the middle of the face flex and dwell on contact — softer touch and more time to shape the ball — without softening the whole paddle.
Three foam rings around the diced core, each denser than the last as you move outward. Mass at the perimeter is what gives a light paddle real pace and a 7.0 twist weight.
A peel-ply texture layer bonded directly over the face instead of a painted-on grit. Pickleball Apes claims roughly double the spin retention of raw carbon; third-party durability testing backs up above-average retention.
FAQs
When does it ship?
It's in stock. Orders ship fast from New York — most East Coast orders arrive in 2–3 days.
Is it USAP approved?
Yes. The Zen S+ is on the USA Pickleball approved list, so it's legal for USAP-sanctioned tournaments. If your event runs under UPA-A rules (PPA, MLP), check the current UPA-A list or ask us before you buy — we'll tell you straight.
Is it a power paddle or a control paddle?
Power, but the unusual kind. It tests near the top for drive speed while staying quiet on blocks and volleys. If you generate your own swing, it's a power paddle. If you don't, it plays closer to an all-court paddle.
What's the grip like?
Leather performance grip, 5.5" long and 4.25" around. Medium circumference — comfortable for most hands, and two-handed backhands still fit. Add an overgrip if you like it thicker.
Does it come with a cover?
Yes, a paddle cover is included in the box.
What's the warranty?
One year from Pickleball Apes. Contact us first and we'll run the claim as the dealer.
Can I return it if it isn't right?
Yes — 30 days from your order date, in original condition and packaging. Add Play-Test Coverage at checkout and returns are free with a prepaid label.
Not sure this is the one?
Tell us how you play and we'll tell you straight — including if the answer is a different paddle or a cheaper one.
Email info@spinwavepickleball.com or call 516-305-7377. Or come hit with one in Great Neck or Long Beach.
