GRUVN RAW-16R Paddle Review

After USA Pickleball briefly removed CRBN paddles from its approved list in 2022, some players who had used a CRBN tried a GRUVN paddle instead. GRUVN has gained popularity since, but it is still not as well-known as some of the leading brands. You never know what kind of quality you'll get when you buy a paddle from a smaller company. I was pleasantly surprised though with these paddles.

I put the RAW-16R, which has a round and wide body, through its paces for the purpose of this review. After having used each of these paddles for over a month and a half, here are some of my thoughts.

Performance Summary

The 16mm core of GRUVN paddles is protected by the raw carbon fiber on the face. When you put these two things together, their paddles feel very smooth and comfortable. Both of the models I tested could be called control paddles. Thanks to these, it was easy for me to dial in my dinks, thirds, and resets.

The RAW-16R is a forgiving choice. Its handle is long enough for two-handed shots, which made those shots much easier. But it didn't have much offensive power.

Build Quality

Both of these models are made with a 16 mm core and a face made of raw carbon. These two things about GRUVN paddles are pretty much the same everywhere. These paddles are fairly unique.

The RAW-16R paddle is made in the usual way, with a wide body. Retailer listings put it at roughly 15.5 inches long with a handle of about 5.25 inches. This paddle is also different from other widebody paddles because it is round, more like a tennis racquet head. It is an unusual look and, let's face it, it looks cool.

Attacking

The RAW-16R's greatest weakness is its ability to launch attacks. Because of its carbon fiber face, thick core, and shorter, wider shape, this paddle is surprisingly weak. This makes it more difficult to apply the necessary force to defeat an opponent. To make a difference when attacking with this paddle, you must be able to generate a lot of your own power. Because the 16R is short, it's more difficult to hit balls in the air from the kitchen line.

Both of these paddles have a lot of spin, which you should be aware of. Both are thicker in the middle, and the outside is made of raw carbon fiber. When you combine these two elements, you'll be able to grab the ball and spin it exactly where you want it to go. It didn't spin the ball as much as other raw carbon fiber paddles (perhaps the 16H), but it spun it much more than a fiberglass or graphite face.

Soft Play

The RAW-16R is excellent for softer play. This model has a fantastic texture. I always knew where the ball would go when I hit it because the sweet spot was so consistent and reliable. You can easily control the pace of the game by absorbing the impact of your opponent's powerful shots with the thicker core. I spent almost no time perfecting my dinks, resets, and thirds. I've never been able to move a paddle this wide before.

Who is this paddle for?

I thought these were supposed to be control paddles. These, on the other hand, are not standard sizes. I liked how they felt and played, but the handle length and round shape may not be for everyone. Because not everyone plays the same way or requires the same equipment, these paddles could be considered niche.

The RAW-16R is an excellent paddle for a beginner looking for assistance with their soft game and quick access to spin. It was a fantastic game in terms of how nice and forgiving it was to play. It's not very good at attacking, but the longer handle makes it more maneuverable in battle. True widebody shapes like this one, in my opinion, are becoming less common because they aren't very good for offense. They do, however, make an excellent defensive paddle. I compared it to the Joola Radius, a similar paddle, and found that I preferred this one.