Without even knowing an inkling about materials engineering, telling some one that your pickleball paddle is “fiberglass” just sounds cool. Fiberglass is commonly used as a material in the manufacturing of mid-level to higher quality pickleball paddles. Here we will cover some great options for Fiberglass paddles and give you an idea of what the benefits of having a Fiberglass paddle are.
Why get a Fiberglass Pickleball Paddle?
Fiberglass is a type of plastic that is reinforced using glass fiber. For Pickleball, it offers an lightweight to medium weight option for players that are looking for a paddle that won’t have a heavy feel. The material is used to make up the surface of Pickleball paddles. Fiberglass is a bit more flexible than other options like wood or graphite, and has a rough surface. What this means is that it is a better option for players who are looking for more precision in their play rather than pure power. Fiberglass is also more cost effective than graphite paddles for example which are considered more powerful and higher quality paddle material. So if you are a player that wants relatively high quality, but doesn’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a pickleball paddle, Fiberglass could be a great option.
Best Overall Fiberglass Pickleball Paddle – Selkirk Amped S2
It’s tough to go wrong with Selkirk for any type of Pickleball paddle you are lookin for. With a wide variety of high quality paddles, their Fiberglass surface paddles are top notch. If you have a larger budget, the Selkirk S2 Amped will deliver on most if not all needs of any level of Pickleball player. Great for beginners and pros alike, the Amped S2 is built with a polypropylene honeycomb core and a fiberglass surface and a very large sweet spot that extends to pretty much the whole paddle. It is also quite light offering both a midweight and lightweight option, you’ll have your choice between a lightweight paddle and super-lightweight paddle.
Pros:
- Above average or excellent in every category (grip, design, sweet spot, weight)
Cons:
- Expensive
Best Budget Fiberglass Pickleball Paddle – VERSIX Strike Composite Pickleball Paddle
We know many Pickleballers are on a budget, so if this is you don’t get too worried about shelling out hundreds of dollars for a paddle. There are plenty of affordable paddles out there, but one of the best quality ones is the VERSIX Strike.
This is a lightweight paddle weighing less the half a pound (under 7.5 oz). It looks good, and is USA Pickleball approved. Like other fiberglass paddles, the face is made of fiberglass and with the inside composed of a polypropylene core that has a decent sweet spot and great grip. Of course, we wouldn’t expect this to perform like a $100+ paddle, and it doesn’t come with a nice sleeve or case. But if you want decent quality at affordable prices, this is a great Pickleball paddle for beginners.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Sweet spot not as large
- Not as powerful
Best Looking Fiberglass Pickleball Paddle – Recess Vista Fiberglass Paddles
Recess makes quality Pickleball paddles that look nice. The hardcore competitors out there might not care about how good-looking their paddles might look. But for many, Pickleball is more of a social activity. This means that they’d prefer to look good while playing.
If this is you then you should check out some of the paddles offered by Recess. If you are seeking a good-looking fiberglass paddle, we prefer the Vista model. You’ll get a durable fiberglass surface with a honeycomb core, and quality grip that’s sweat proof. For the $100 price point, the paddle is high quality and looks good. The one downside however is that these paddles while looking great and made with quality materials, are a bit on the heavier side. But again, if you’re not ubercompetitive, the difference in weight should not be super noticeable or concerning.
Pros:
- Elegant design
- Good grip
Cons:
- On the heavier side
Best Fiberglass Pickleball Paddle for Kids – Vulcan V300 Youth Pickleball Paddle
The Vulcan V300 paddle is specifically designed for kids at an affordable rate going for $50. It has a polypropylene core and fiberglass surface like the other paddles featured here, the only difference being that all the dimensions are designed for children 10 years and under. This includes a smaller grip/handle, and a weight at about 6.7 ounces (which is very light). This is a great paddle sto start your kid off with. The only downside is that its been reported that the sweet spot is a bit smaller than the adult paddles.
Pros:
- Super lightweight for small kids
- Decent price point
Cons:
- Small sweet spot