RPM
RPM Friction Pro V2 16MM Elongated Pickleball Paddle
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RPM Friction Pro V2 16MM Elongated
Reach, grit, and a sweet spot that forgives you.
The Friction Pro was RPM's breakout paddle. The V2 is the version that fixes what nobody was really complaining about and makes it better anyway — a new Axial Carbon Layup and a reworked EVA foam ring around the Tri-Density core, wrapped in the same CarbonBite face that got RPM its name in the first place.
At 16mm in an elongated shape, this is the settled, stable end of the line. You get the extra half-inch of reach for singles and overheads, but the thicker core keeps the ball on the face long enough that you can still reset and dink without fighting the paddle. It's James Ignatowich's own competition stick, which tells you roughly where the ceiling is.
USAP approved & UPA-A approved — legal for both sanctioned circuits.
Best For
- Singles players who need reach on passing shots and overheads
- Drivers who live at the baseline and want depth with pace
- Anyone chasing heavy topspin — this is a grit-first paddle
- Tennis converts who want the leverage of a longer handle and a longer face
- Players who liked the original Friction Pro but wanted more stability
Skill Level
Intermediate through professional. The 16mm core and the enlarged sweet spot make this the more forgiving of the two Friction Pro V2 thicknesses, so a solid 3.5 can absolutely play it. But an elongated shape asks for a repeatable swing — if your contact point is still wandering, a widebody will treat you better while you sort it out.
Why Players Like It
- The grit is the point. CarbonBite is engineered around the coefficient of friction on the face. Spin is not an afterthought on this paddle, it's the design brief.
- Big sweet spot for an elongated. The EVA foam ring plus the Tri-Density core keeps off-center contact from going dead — usually the tax you pay for a long face.
- Power you can aim. 16mm adds dwell and shock absorption, so the pace is there without the ball flying off the face on resets.
- Long handle. 5.5" gives you room for two hands on the backhand and leverage on serves.
See It In Action
TODO — video embed. No official RPM video URL sourced for the Friction Pro V2 16mm Elongated. Pull one from RPM's YouTube channel or request an asset from the rep before this section ships.
Specs
| Shape | Elongated |
| Core Thickness | 16mm |
| Paddle Length | 16.5" |
| Paddle Width | 7.5" |
| Handle Length | 5.5" |
| Grip Circumference | 4.125" (thin) |
| Average Weight | 7.9 oz (range 7.7–8.1 oz) |
| Swing Weight | 117 |
| Twist Weight | 6.5 |
| Balance Point | 247mm |
| Face | CarbonBite carbon fiber |
| Core | Tri-Density honeycomb with EVA foam ring |
| Construction | Axial Carbon Layup, thermoformed |
| Grip | RPM padded, perforated |
| Edge Guard | Yes — overlapping the paddle face |
| Certification | USAP approved (PBCoR .43) & UPA-A approved |
| Colorway | Black/Red (James Ignatowich) |
Specs published by RPM Pickleball. Individual paddle weights vary within the stated range; grip sizes can vary up to 1/8".
Performance Notes
Swing weight 117 puts this on the heavier, more planted side. That's what you want off the baseline — it plows through the ball instead of getting pushed around — but it's a real number to be aware of if you're coming off a light widebody and you play a lot of fast hands at the kitchen.
Twist weight 6.5 is solid for a 16.5" paddle. Off-center contact toward the tip stays more stable than the shape would suggest, which is the EVA ring earning its keep.
Balance point 247mm reads slightly head-heavy. Expect more free power on drives and a touch more effort on the third speed-up.
Figures above are RPM's published manufacturer specs. Third-party lab results for this model vary meaningfully between testing houses, so we've left outside lab numbers off this page rather than quote a figure we can't stand behind.
Quick Buying Summary
Buy it if: you want elongated reach and real spin, you play singles or drive-heavy doubles, and you'd rather have stability than the absolute quickest hands.
Skip it if: you're a hands-battle specialist who wants a low swing weight, or you're still developing a consistent contact point.
Consider the 14mm instead if: you want the same shape with a snappier release and a lighter swing.
How It Compares
| Paddle | Shape | Price | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|---|
| RPM Friction Pro V2 16mm Elongated | Elongated | $249.99 | Reach + spin with a stable, forgiving feel |
| Selkirk LABS Boomstik 16mm Elongated | Elongated | $333.00 | Same shape, more raw power — and a bigger spend |
| JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16mm | Hybrid | $299.95 | Split the difference — reach without full elongated commitment |
| RPM Q2 14mm Widebody | Widebody | $249.99 | Same brand, opposite profile — quick hands and forgiveness |
The Technology
CarbonBite Surface
RPM built its whole identity around friction — the name literally stands for revolutions per minute. The face is engineered to maximize its coefficient of friction so the ball grabs and rotates rather than sliding off.
Tri-Density Core
Three materials of differing density inside one core, tuned to widen the sweet spot and keep the paddle solid all the way out to the edge rather than going soft near the perimeter.
Axial Carbon Layup (new for V2)
The structural change that separates the V2 from the original — a reworked carbon layup paired with an enhanced EVA foam ring for better energy transfer and a larger playable face.
DwellZone
RPM's internal construction aimed at maximizing dwell time — how long the ball stays on the face. More dwell means more control on drops and resets, and more time for the grit to do its job.
FAQs
Is it tournament legal?
Yes — USAP approved at PBCoR .43 and UPA-A approved, so it's legal on both circuits. No restriction to worry about here.
16mm or 14mm?
16mm for dwell, stability, and a more composed feel through contact. 14mm for a quicker release and a lighter swing. The 16mm is the more forgiving of the two and the one James plays.
How does the V2 differ from the original Friction Pro?
Same CarbonBite face and Tri-Density concept, but the V2 adds the Axial Carbon Layup and an upgraded EVA foam ring — aimed squarely at a bigger sweet spot and better energy transfer.
Will the 4.125" grip be too thin for me?
It's on the thin side. If you have larger hands or you're used to a 4.25"+ circumference, plan on building it up with an overgrip — which most players do anyway.
What's the warranty?
RPM covers the Friction Pro series for 365 days from purchase against manufacturing defects. Warranty claims run through us as your dealer — email us and we'll handle it.
Does it come in other colors?
RPM makes the Friction Pro V2 in Black, Black/Red, and Pink. We're stocking the Black/Red — reach out if you want one of the others and we'll see what we can get.
Need Help Choosing?
We're a real shop with real people who actually play. If you're stuck between this and something else in the lineup, tell us what you're playing now and what you want to change about it — we'll give you a straight answer, even if the answer is a cheaper paddle.
Email info@spinwavepickleball.com or call 516-305-7377. Two locations: Great Neck and Long Beach, NY.
