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Buying Guide
Buying Guide
How to Break In a New Paddle Properly
A brand-new paddle isn’t always playing at its best right out of the box — here’s what actually helps.
Some players report that certain paddles, particularly those with textured carbon or fiberglass faces, feel like they gain a bit more pop and grit after a period of regular use as the surface and core settle in.
What Actually Helps
1
Just play with it, consistently
Regular match and drill play is the only reliably effective way to “break in” a paddle — there’s no shortcut that reproduces real repeated impact.
2
Avoid deliberately roughening the face
Some players try sanding or scuffing a paddle face to increase grit — this can violate USA Pickleball’s surface roughness rules and risks disqualifying the paddle from sanctioned play.
3
Store it properly between sessions
Avoid leaving your paddle in a hot car or direct sun — extreme heat can affect core and face materials over time, regardless of how “broken in” it is.
MANAGE EXPECTATIONS
Any change in feel over the first few sessions is usually modest — if a paddle feels genuinely wrong on day one, that’s more likely a fit issue than something that will improve with time.