RPM Pickleball
Grit standoutThe first paddle company founded by an active top-tier pro, built around spin.
United States · Founded Around 2025
- Country
- United States
- Founded
- Around 2025
- Leadership
- James Ignatowich (top-10 pro) and engineer Marwan Abaza; R&D as "RPM LABS"
The story
RPM is the first paddle company founded by an active top-tier pro, and the name states the thesis: RPM stands for revolutions per minute. The founders spent years wanting better spin performance, so RPM LABS built a formula specifically to optimize the coefficient of friction on the paddle face.
The original Friction Pro was widely named 2025 paddle of the year, and reviewers routinely describe it as the highest-spinning paddle they have tested.
Shape decoder
| Model / shape | Category | Dimensions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friction Pro Elongated | Elongated | 16.5" x 7.5" | Extended reach; emulates tennis-racquet play |
| Friction Pro Widebody | Widebody | 16" x 8" | Largest sweet spot, lowest swing weights in the line |
Both are offered in 14mm and 16mm. The Elongated is at V2; the Widebody at V1.
Surface technologies
- CarbonBite · The signature carbon fiber surface, engineered around maximizing the coefficient of friction within USAP limits.
- Axial Carbon Layup · New in the V2.
Core technologies
- Tri-Density Core · Combines three materials of varying densities to maximize sweet-spot size and solidity out to the edge; credited to co-founder Marwan Abaza.
- DwellZone Sweet-Spot · Dwell-tuned sweet spot.
- Enhanced EVA foam ring · V2.
Warranty and support
365-day warranty against manufacturing defects.
Worth knowing
Because the brand launched on a spin claim, it invites direct RPM testing, a natural fit for a data-driven review page. Reviewers have measured the Friction Pro Widebody V1 as noticeably more powerful on drives than comparable foam-core paddles at similar price points.