CRBN Trufoam Waves Review – Worth The Upgrade?
The pickleball paddle market is evolving faster than ever, and CRBN has been at the forefront with its Trufoam lineup. Earlier this year, the CRBN Trufoam Genesis made history as the first full foam core paddle to hit the market, setting a new standard for durability and playability.
Now, CRBN is back with the release of the Trufoam Waves, a paddle pitched as the power option in the Trufoam family. But how does it stack up against the Genesis, and is it worth the price? Let’s dive in.
CRBN Trufoam Waves Release Details
The CRBN Trufoam Waves launches on September 25th, 2025, with early access available on September 24th (Sign Up Here). It will be offered in all four CRBN shapes:
Trufoam Waves 1 – elongated
Trufoam Waves 2 – standard
Trufoam Waves 3 – elongated with short handle
Trufoam Waves 4 – true hybrid (my personal favorite)
Pricing matches the Genesis at $280, but you can bring that down to about $250 with code PickleballBlast at checkout.
CRBN Trufoam Waves Specs & Build
On the surface, the Waves looks similar to the Genesis, but there are a few key differences under the hood:
Foam Core Design: Genesis used circular cutouts, while the Waves features long wavy cutouts designed to increase both power and ball shaping.
Fiberglass Face: Unlike the Genesis’ fiberglass patch, the Waves uses a full fiberglass layer, improving consistency and predictability.
Handle Update: CRBN carried over their upgraded handle design from the Genesis 4, adding comfort and stability.
These changes might not sound dramatic on paper, but they add up on the court.
How Does the CRBN Trufoam Waves Play?
Power
CRBN positioned the Waves as the power paddle in the lineup, and while it’s not the hardest-hitting paddle on the market, it is a step up from the Genesis. In serve speed testing, my Genesis averaged 54.2 mph, while the Waves bumped that up to 55 mph with a top serve of 57 mph. It’s a noticeable but not massive leap.
Feel & Pop
The Waves feels livelier and a bit sharper than the Genesis. It’s not harsh, but it is more energetic off the face, thanks to the full fiberglass layer. The paddle feels more predictable while still offering a satisfying “pop.”
Spin & Ball Shaping
If you loved the Genesis for its ability to shape the ball, you’ll be happy here too. In fact, I’d say the Waves has a slight edge in spin and shaping, with excellent dip and control on topspin shots.
Sweet Spot & Customization
The sweet spot feels comparable to the Genesis, maybe slightly smaller. But with a bit of added weight (I used about 3 grams just above 3 and 9 o’clock), the paddle really opened up, becoming more forgiving and stable.
Trufoam Waves vs Genesis
The big question: should you upgrade?
If you don’t own a Trufoam yet: I’d recommend the Waves. It keeps the same Trufoam DNA but adds more power, pop, and predictability. Plus, it comes with CRBN’s one-year warranty and a 30-day trial. With that said, the paddle market is much different than when the genesis came out, and there are a ton of great paddle options, including other foam options now on the market.
If you already own a Genesis: The Waves is an improvement, but not a revolutionary leap. It’s better in most categories, but whether those incremental upgrades are worth $280 is up to you.
The Bigger Market Picture
When the Genesis launched, it was groundbreaking. Since then, foam core paddles have exploded in popularity, and some brands now offer them for under $100. The Trufoam Waves is entering a much more competitive space.
That said, CRBN still delivers one of the most polished foam paddles out there. Between the dense Trufoam feel, full fiberglass layer, and durability, the Waves feels premium in every sense.
Final Thoughts
The CRBN Trufoam Waves is exactly what I’d call a “Genesis Plus.” It’s more powerful, more predictable, and more fun to play — while keeping the signature Trufoam feel that made the Genesis so popular.
It’s not the cheapest paddle, but with its durability, warranty, and performance, I think many players will enjoy this paddle
At the end of the day, if you liked the Genesis, you’ll probably love the Waves.
