Gherkin Draco Review: A Sleeper Foam Core Paddle with Big Pop and Value
Gherkin Pickleball has quietly built a reputation for releasing solid paddles at very competitive prices, and the Gherkin Draco might be the paddle that officially puts them on the map in a bigger way. This is their latest foam core paddle, and in my opinion, it’s their flagship level release.
The Draco brings a new foam material, a fast hybrid shape, and a lively, pop-forward feel that honestly reminds me in some ways of the Selkirk Boomstik, but at nearly half the price. Let’s break it down.
Gherkin Draco Specs
Core: 16mm foam core (floating foam design)
Foam Type: NCP foam (instead of typical EPP foam)
Shape: Hybrid
Handle Length: 5.5 inches
Face Layup: Includes fiberglass layer for added pop
Static Weight (tested): 8.0 oz
Swing Weight (tested): 112.3
Twist Weight (tested): 6.6
Price: ~ $160 with code PICKLEBALLBLAST
Extras: Lifetime warranty, 30-day trial, preorder bundle includes a free sweet spot trainer paddle (limited time)
On paper alone, these are excellent numbers, especially for a hybrid paddle.
Shape & Weighting: Fast but Still Stable
One of the first things that stands out about the Draco is how well it balances speed and stability.
The swing weight of 112 is on the lower end for hybrid paddles, which makes it feel quick in hand exchanges and fast at the net. That also gives you room to customize. You can add weight without pushing the swing weight into an unwieldy range.
At the same time, the twist weight of 6.6 is on the higher end for a hybrid, giving you solid stability and helping reduce the penalty on off center hits.
Part of this comes from the shape. The Draco measures 16.25" long and 7.75" wide, with slightly shaved corners near the top rather than a straight or aggressively aero curve. That subtle shaping helps keep swing weight down while still preserving reach and usable surface area up top for flicks and rolls.
The NCP Foam Core: What Makes It Different?
Instead of the more common EPP foam, Gherkin uses NCP foam, which they say has greater structural integrity and rigidity. While the exact material science details are a bit beyond most players (myself included), the result on court is what matters.
You might expect a denser, more rigid foam to feel overly stiff, but that’s not really the case here.
The Draco actually offers surprisingly good dwell time and feel, which makes the combination of power, pop, and touch more playable than you might expect from a pop forward foam core paddle.
Power & Pop: Lively and Slightly Non Linear
I’d place the Draco in the middle of the power category overall, but in the upper tier for pop.
This is where the Boomstik comparison comes in. The Draco has:
A slightly hollow feel
Very lively pop
Somewhat non linear power
That means you get a noticeable jump when you swing bigger, and the ball comes off the face quickly. It’s the kind of response aggressive players often love, especially for counters, speed ups, and finishing points.
Now, the stock Boomstik likely still has the edge in raw power and pop, but remember, the Boomstik essentially comes with “added” weight out of the box. The Draco’s lower swing weight gives you room to add weight and potentially close that gap even further.
There is a short adjustment period with poppy paddles like this, but I was impressed that I still had a decent amount of feel right away.
Control, Spin & Net Play
Spin is right in line with what we’re seeing from modern paddles. It didn’t blow me away, but it’s absolutely competitive, and the dwell time from the foam core helps with ball shaping more than I initially expected.
At the net, the pop does mean you’ll need to dial things in:
Dinks felt solid fairly quickly
Resets took more adjustment
Rolls, flicks, and touch shots require awareness of the pop and hollow feel
Once you get used to it, the paddle becomes very rewarding, but this isn’t a muted, plush control paddle. It leans toward a lively, performance oriented feel.
Who Is the Gherkin Draco For?
This paddle makes a lot of sense for players who:
Like a poppy, responsive feel
Want a fast hybrid paddle for hand battles
Prefer some non linear power
Want strong performance without paying $200+
It may not be ideal for players who want a super plush, muted, control heavy response, but for players who like energy off the face, the Draco delivers.
Final Thoughts: A True Value Power Option
The Gherkin Draco feels like a genuine step forward for the brand. It’s fast, poppy, stable for its swing weight, and built around a new foam material that gives it a distinct feel in a crowded foam core market.
At around $160 with code PICKLEBALLBLAST, plus a lifetime warranty, 30-day trial, and even a free trainer paddle during preorder, this is one of the more compelling value performance paddles out right now.
If you like lively paddles and want a Boomstik adjacent experience without the premium price, the Draco is absolutely worth a look.
