Spartus
Spartus Spitfire Elongated 16mm Pickleball Paddle
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Use code SPITFIRE10 for 10% off your whole order — grips, covers, balls and all. Applied in cart.
Spartus Spitfire — Elongated 16mm
Every year a paddle shows up that makes you question what you paid for the last one. This is that paddle. The Spitfire Elongated runs $109.99 and it tested at 2,132 RPM of spin in independent lab testing — 98th percentile of every paddle they have ever put on the machine. That is not a typo and it is not a manufacturer claim.
Three things get it there: a Generation 4 Turbo Foam (EPP) core that gives you a softer, hollower impact than thermoformed carbon without giving up pop, a four-layer QuadFiber carbon face, and the PermaGritNano surface — which held 94% of its Ra roughness and 97% of its Rz through durability testing. That is Tier 1 grit retention. Translation: the bite you feel on day one is roughly the bite you get in month three.
Best For
- Baseline drivers and spin-heavy players — topspin drives, rolls, dipping drops, heavy serves
- Anyone who has burned through raw carbon faces and is tired of buying grit back every few months
- Players who want elongated reach and leverage at a real-world price
- Second-paddle buyers who want a legitimate power option without a $200+ commitment
Skill Level
Intermediate and up. The elongated shape buys you reach and leverage and asks for clean contact in return. Lab testing put the sweet spot at 84% and maneuverability at 85% — solid, not enormous — so if your mechanics are still coming together, a hybrid shape will forgive more. Advanced players who already swing hard get the most out of it.
Why Players Like It
- Spin that is genuinely elite — 2,132 RPM measured, 98th percentile. Not close to the top. At the top.
- Gen 4 Turbo Foam core — the EPP foam gives a softer, hollower feel at contact than a thermoformed carbon build, which makes it easier to take pace off at the kitchen.
- PermaGritNano surface — Tier 1 grit durability in independent testing. The face does not go polite on you.
- Low swing weight for a power paddle — 116–117 means you keep your hands in fast exchanges instead of getting stuck mid-swing.
- The price — you are getting 93% power and 100% spin scores for $109.99. That math does not usually work.
Specs
| Core Thickness | 16mm |
| Core | Generation 4 Turbo Foam (EPP) |
| Face | QuadFiber — 4-layer carbon fiber |
| Surface | PermaGritNano |
| Shape | Elongated |
| Paddle Length | 16.5" |
| Paddle Width | 7.5" |
| Handle Length | 5.5" |
| Grip Circumference | 4.125" |
| Average Weight | 7.85 oz (± 0.2) |
| Swing Weight | 116 (manufacturer) · 117 (lab tested) |
| Twist Weight | 6.2 (manufacturer) · 6.18 (lab tested) |
| Balance Point | 246mm (lab tested) |
| Spin | 2,100+ RPM (manufacturer) · 2,132 RPM (lab tested) |
| Certification | USAP approved |
| Warranty | 180-day limited manufacturer warranty |
| Included | Free neoprene paddle cover ($20 value) |
Manufacturer specs per Spartus. Figures marked "lab tested" are third-party measured data from Pickleball Effect, not manufacturer claims. Weight and grip size vary slightly unit to unit.
Performance Notes
Third-party lab scores, on their percentile scale: Power 93% · Pop 90% · Spin 100% · Control 79% · Sweet Spot 84% · Maneuverability 85%. That profile is exactly what it looks like — this is a power-and-spin paddle first, and control is the trade you are making.
The interesting number is the swing weight. At 116–117 with a 246mm balance point, it is noticeably lighter through the swing than most elongated power paddles, which usually sit 120+. You get the reach and the leverage of the elongated shape without the sluggishness at the net. The foam core is what makes that work — it produces power from the material rather than from mass out at the tip.
Feel is softer and hollower than a thermoformed carbon paddle. Some players love that, some miss the crisp crack. If you are coming off a thermoformed build, give it a few sessions before you judge it.
Quick Buying Summary
Buy it if: you want maximum spin per dollar, you drive and roll more than you dink, you like elongated reach, or you keep wearing out paddle faces and want grit that lasts.
Skip it if: you want a control-first paddle, you need the most forgiving sweet spot available, or you specifically want the crisp thermoformed carbon feel.
How It Compares
| Spitfire Elongated | AIREO Cyclone 2.0 16mm | Gherkin DRACO 16mm Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $109.99 | $199.00 | $179.99 |
| Core | Gen 4 Turbo Foam (EPP) | PulseFoam | Full foam |
| Shape | Elongated | Elongated | Hybrid |
| Character | Power · elite spin · grit durability | Power · spin · premium build | Power with a more forgiving face |
| Pick it for | The most spin per dollar on the wall | A step up in build quality and feel | Power without committing to elongated |
Both comparison paddles are in stock at Spinwave right now. If you want the same elongated power profile with a more premium build and a crisper feel, go AIREO Cyclone 2.0. If the elongated shape scares you but you still want foam-core power, the Gherkin DRACO Hybrid is the safer landing.
The Technology
Generation 4 Turbo Foam. An EPP foam core rather than a honeycomb polymer. Foam returns energy through the material itself, which is how this paddle produces 93% power scores at a 116 swing weight instead of needing mass out at the tip. It also reads softer and hollower at contact, which helps on resets.
QuadFiber Layup. Four layers of carbon fiber in the face. More layers means a stiffer, more consistent hitting surface across the paddle rather than a face that flexes differently near the edges.
PermaGritNano Surface. The grit texture is engineered to survive, not just to feel aggressive in the store. Independent durability testing measured 94% Ra retention and 97% Rz retention — a Tier 1 rating. Most sprayed textures lose meaningful bite in weeks.
FAQs
When does my preorder ship?
Preorders ship 8/24 – 8/25 from our Great Neck location. You get tracking the moment it moves.
Is there a discount code?
Yes — SPITFIRE10 takes 10% off your entire order, not just this paddle. Add an overgrip, a cover, a tube of balls, whatever you need — it all comes off. It does not stack with other promos.
Is it tournament legal?
Yes for USAP-sanctioned play — the Spitfire is on the USA Pickleball approved paddle list. UPA-A approval (PPA / MLP pro divisions) is not confirmed as of this listing. If you compete in UPA-A events, check the current UPA-A list before you buy, or call us and we will help you find a paddle that covers both.
Is the spin number real?
It is measured, not claimed. 2,132 RPM came from Pickleball Effect's independent lab, which puts it in the 98th percentile of everything they have tested. Spartus advertises 2,100+ RPM, so the third-party result actually came in slightly above the manufacturer number.
Does it come with a cover?
Yes — a neoprene paddle cover is included, a $20 value.
What if I do not like it?
You get our 30-day play-test guarantee. Take it on court, hit with it for real, and if it is not your paddle, send it back.
Need Help Choosing?
Not sure whether elongated fits your game, or torn between this and something in the $200 tier? Talk to us — we play, we have hit with these, and we will tell you straight if it is not the right paddle for you.
Call 516-232-6000 or email info@spinwavepickleball.com. Support hours Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm ET. Or stop into Great Neck and put one in your hand.
