New Full-Foam Paddles, Swing Weight Estimator & Gear Gossip | KewCast Ep. 88

In Episode 88 of KewCast, we break down new full foam paddles from Spartus, Holbrook, and GRUVN, and we discuss gear gossip, swing weight science, and viewer questions, all through a data-driven lens.

🔬 Free swing weight estimator tool: https://www.johnkewpickleball.com/swi...

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:27 Latest News-Gear Gossip: Swing Weight Estimator tool published
6:47 ALW's New YouTube Channel
8:51 Paddles of the Week: new GRUVN full-foam paddles
18:25 Spartus P1 with Permagrit
27:23 Holbrook Fuze
36:15 Gear of the Week: Slyce SLYDRS
37:05 Blumaka Konnect Insoles
41:00 Eddie's Fun Fact - Pickleball's parallels to racquetball
48:36 John's Fun Fact: The quiet mind spots the loose thread
52:11 Kew & A: What are your preferred shapes for each of the picks on the leaderboard?
54:18 Is the Boomstik price warranted, given the issues with edge guards and face cracking?
56:02 Do we know how full foam paddles will handle cold weather?
57:44 Thoughts on not being able to lock-in to softer "catch and release" full foam paddles?
1:00:35 Regarding the survey by DUPR and Sports & Fitness Industry - how are none of the enthusiast paddle brands in their data?
1:02:23 What would a poll look like that breaks down the percentages of paddle shapes?
1:03:36 Why is there a grid pattern drawn on John's Loco?
1:04:29 Thoughts on the grit degradation on the Loco

Products mentioned in the pod:
★Blumaka Insoles - 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://blumaka.com/products/nonslip-...
★GRUVN - 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://gruvn.co?sca_ref=4937714.X1H4...
★Spartus - 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://gospartus.com/johnwilliams
★Slyce SLYDRS - 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://tinyurl.com/mrxypxuh

What We Cover in This Episode
🔹 Swing Weight Estimator Tool
🔹 Paddles of the Week
GRUVN MUVN 16HD
• KewCOR: 0.38
• 8.12 oz | 116 SW | 6.8 TW
• 16.2” x 7.8”

GRUVN LAZR 16X
• KewCOR: 0.41
• 8.0 oz | 118 SW | 6.4 TW
• 16.5” x 7.5”
• Updated middle-layer foam vs previous LAZR & MUVN builds

Spartus P1 (Hybrid Shape)
• Gen 4 floating foam core (EVA ring + EPP center)
• Carbon fiber / fiberglass / carbon fiber layup
• PermaGrit ceramic-hybrid grit, applied in the USA
• ~116–119 SW | ~6.8 TW | ~8.1–8.3 oz

Holbrook Fuze (Elongated & Hybrid)
• Both versions clock in at 0.40 KewCOR
• Notable swing weight & twist weight differences

🔹 Manufacturing & Grit Talk
How PermaGrit is made, applied, and quality-checked

🔹 Gear of the Week
Blumaka Foam Lock Max Cushion
• $12 off with code (now ~$48)

🔹 Pro Pickleball Fun Facts
Anna Leigh Waters launched a YouTube channel
“In the Kitchen” cookie episodes with Anna Bright & Ben Johns spinach dip (yes, really)

🔹 Mental Game & Philosophy
Takeaway from a personal story from Athens, Greece: It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.
Why staying calm on (and off) the court is a force multiplier — and how mental clarity creates leverage.

🔹 Q&A + Wrap-Up
Rapid-fire listener questions, final thoughts, and a few personal asides before closing out the episode.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly pickleball paddle reviews, lab testing, gear breakdowns, and honest analysis.
📬 Subscribe to the newsletter: https://johnkewpickleball.beehiiv.com/
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: http://tinyurl.com/u2t7a3uy
🎧 Listen on Spotify: http://tinyurl.com/57kv8de8
📸 Follow @johnkew.pickleball on Instagram
🐦 Follow @JohnKewPickle on Twitter

#pickleball
#pickleballpaddles
#pickleballgear
#pickleballreview
#kewcast
#swingweight
#pickleballscience