First Look: The New Bread & Butter Loco Pickleball Paddle

The Bread & Butter Loco is back, but not in the way you might remember. If you’ve been around pickleball for a while, the name might sound familiar, but this brand new release only borrows the name. The new Loco is completely redesigned, bringing Bread & Butter’s first full foam core paddle to the market, and it might just fill an important gap in the pickleball paddle market.

What’s New with the Loco?

The original Loco was part of Bread & Butter’s early lineup, but this new version shares nothing with that paddle other than the name. Instead, it introduces a Gen 4 foam core with a gen 3 floating core design, surrounded by eva foam. It’s a build that looks strikingly similar to the Selkirk Boomstick. Pair that with Bread & Butter’s well known knack for branding and unique design style, and the Loco instantly stands out.

Paddle Specs (Hybrid Shape Tested)

While the Loco will be available in elongated, hybrid, and standard shapes, I’ve been hands-on with the hybrid shape. Here are the numbers:

• Static Weight: 7.83 oz
  
  

• Swing Weight: 110.9
  
  

• Twist Weight: 6.8
  
  

These specs give the paddle a quick feel in the hands, stable at the net, while maintaining a very forgiving sweet spot.

First Impressions on Court

I’ll be honest, when I first picked up the Loco, I wasn’t blown away. But the more I played, the more it grew on me. What I found was a paddle that felt dangerous in the best way, consistent across all phases of the game, from resets to drives, while still giving me power when I needed it.

Bread & Butter set out to create a foam core power paddle, and while I’d place it toward the lower or middle end of the power category compared to something like the Selkirk Boomstick, that balance works in its favor. It’s powerful, yes, but also extremely controllable, with a dense, connected feel that shines in the soft game.

Shapes for Every Player

Whether you prefer elongated reach, a balanced hybrid, or a standard shape, Bread & Butter has all three covered with the new Loco. Personally, I’ll likely switch between the elongated version, since I’ve enjoyed Bread & Butter’s Shogun and Wild Thang. But whichever shape you prefer, the performance traits carry over across the lineup.

Price & Preorder Details

One of the standout aspects of the Loco is the price. At $180 with code PickleballBlast, it comes in well below many other foam-core competitors, which often sit well above $200. It does however carry a 6 month warranty compared to some other ones offered by the competition. Barring some unkown issue though, foam is built to last.

Bread & Butter is also doing things differently with the release schedule. Instead of opening up full inventory, they’re offering weekly preorder windows from 9 AM to 5 PM each day through September 26. Paddles will ship in batches based on which preorder window you’re in, with delivery expected roughly six weeks later. (pictured below)

Final Thoughts

The new Bread & Butter Loco delivers on its promise: a foam core power paddle that’s stable, consistent, and fun to play with — all at a more accessible price point than many competitors. It may not pack quite the same punch as some of the top-tier power paddles, but its blend of power, control, and value makes it an appealing choice for a wide range of players.

If you’ve been curious about foam core paddles but hesitant to jump in because of the price, the new Loco could be the paddle that gets you hooked.