CRBN Barrage Pickleball Paddle Review: A Better Genesis With a Few Trade-Offs

Introduction

The CRBN Barrage is the brand’s latest paddle release, arriving after the Waves and aiming to realign the lineup with what the rest of the market is doing. At launch, CRBN offers two versions: the Carbon 2 with a wide-body shape and the Carbon 4 with a hybrid shape. The elongated Carbon 1 and Carbon 3 models are still pending approval and will arrive at a later date.

The Barrage keeps the same $280 price point as previous CRBN paddles. That places it firmly on the premium side of the market, which is consistent with how CRBN has positioned itself for some time. Given how competitive the paddle market has become, a lower price might have been expected, but the Barrage holds its ground at $280.

Who the CRBN Barrage Is For

The Barrage is built around a 14 mm core with a distinctive construction. The center core uses EPP foam with voids, surrounded by an EVA ring, and then an outer EPP ring that acts as a frame for the entire paddle. This is still a 14 mm model, which is worth noting because many competitors have moved toward 16 mm foam core paddles that offer larger sweet spots.

The face layup consists of five layers of carbon fiber, with the fiberglass layer removed entirely. Most of the industry sits at around three carbon layers, so this is a notable choice. The result is a paddle that feels different from many of the foam core paddles currently on the market, leaning toward a denser and slightly stiffer feel rather than the hollow and stiff trend that many top-tier paddles are following.

This paddle is best suited for players who prefer a denser, more connected feel at impact. If you liked the original Genesis but wanted a larger sweet spot with more power and pop, the Barrage delivers on that. It is also a strong option for players who specifically want a 14 mm paddle, since there are still players who prefer that thinner profile.

Main Strengths

The most noteworthy aspect of the Barrage is its feel. Many of the current top-tier foam core paddles are trending toward hollow and stiff, which does not appeal to everyone. The Barrage sits on the denser side of the scale with just a touch of stiffness, and it manages to keep solid power and pop without sacrificing control.

Resets and dinking felt very easy with the Barrage. The paddle did not overshoot balls often, which made control feel natural during soft exchanges. This is a refreshing change from the hollow and stiff feel that dominates much of the current market.

Compared to the original Genesis, the Barrage is better in almost every way. Pop, power, sweet spot, and ball feel are all improved. It is also significantly better than the Waves, which struggled to perform well. Had the Barrage released before the Waves, it likely would have been much better received.

The handle is a 4 1/4 size, though it feels chunkier than that measurement suggests. Players who are sensitive to grip thickness should keep this in mind, especially if they plan to add an overgrip.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The sweet spot is the main area where the Barrage falls short of elite status. While it is more consistent than the Genesis and far better than the Waves, it is still a 14 mm paddle. Toward the edges, the response becomes noticeably more dead compared to the better 16 mm foam core sweet spots on the market.

There were times during play where a reset in the transition did not quite hit the center, and the ball died more than expected. As long as shots were struck closer to the center, control was good. But for players who rely on an elite sweet spot, the Barrage will feel tighter than what they are used to.

The $280 price is another consideration. The market is extremely competitive right now, with options like the Spartus P1, Bread and Butter Loco, 11624 Vapor Power 2, Loz Inferno, and the EPP and MPP Turbos all offering strong value. Spending $280 on the Barrage is a significant ask when the paddle does not offer something so unique that it clearly outperforms those alternatives.

The Barrage also uses regular raw carbon fiber rather than a longer-lasting texture. While not many paddles currently offer that feature, more and more cheaper paddles are adding it as a value proposition, which makes the standard raw carbon face a tougher sell at this price.

Buying Advice

The CRBN Barrage is a very good 14 mm paddle. If you are someone who does not like stiff and hollow-feeling foam paddles, this could be exactly what you are looking for. If you liked the Genesis and did not like the Waves, the Barrage is worth checking out. And if you specifically want a 14 mm paddle, this is one of the better options available.

However, if you are not dead set on those attributes, there are downsides to weigh. The tighter sweet spot compared to 16 mm competitors is a real factor, and the $280 price is hard to justify when the market offers so many strong alternatives. Players who are used to paddles like the Loco or Boomstick will likely feel the Barrage is a downgrade in the sweet spot department.

Adding weight to the paddle could potentially improve the sweet spot and add more power, similar to how it helped the Genesis. The paddle already sits in a healthy spot where it would be hard to complain, so weight might take it up another level.

Conclusion

The CRBN Barrage is a pleasant surprise. At $280 and with a design that mimics much of the rest of the market, expectations were not particularly high. But the paddle plays well, offering a dense and slightly stiffer feel that stands apart from the hollow and stiff trend. It is not quite a top pick for tournament play, but it is an enjoyable paddle that delivers solid control, pop, and power.

For players who prefer a denser feel and do not mind a tighter sweet spot, the Barrage is a compelling option. For everyone else, the competitive market at this price point means there are other paddles worth considering first.