If you have spent any time researching premium paddles, you have run into CRBN. The brand has a loyal following, a pro team with tour titles, and a price tag that makes most first-time buyers pause. In Australia, CRBN's TruFoam paddles sell for about A$400 to A$440, roughly double the price of a strong local control paddle. So the real question is not whether CRBN makes good gear. It does. The question is whether a CRBN 1X is the right spend for the game you actually play.
We design and sell pickleball gear in Australia, so we are not a neutral review site. What we can do is lay out the specs, the real Australian prices, and the honest trade-offs, then let you decide. Where a CRBN paddle is the better fit, we will say so.
- The CRBN 1X 16mm sells for about A$330 to A$345 at Australian retailers (October 2026). The Spinex FLEX Hybrid is A$199. Both use a T700 carbon face and a 16mm core.
- The 1X is a power-first, elongated paddle built for aggressive, high-level play. The FLEX Hybrid is control-first, with a forgiving sweet spot that suits improving players.
- CRBN's strength is a deep model range and tournament pedigree. Spinex's strength is price, control and local support: Australian stock, a 12-month warranty and 30-day returns on unused paddles.
- For most recreational and intermediate players, the better-value paddle is the one that matches your current game, not the most expensive one on the shelf.
- Who CRBN is, and what the 1X really is
- CRBN 1X vs Spinex FLEX Hybrid: specs side by side
- The price question: what you actually pay in Australia
- Power-first or control-first? Match the paddle to your game
- How we tested the FLEX Hybrid
- Which offers better value for most Australian players
- Where paddle pricing is heading
- Frequently asked questions
Who CRBN is, and what the 1X really is
CRBN is a US brand from Costa Mesa, California, founded in 2021, that built its name on raw carbon fibre paddles for serious players. The range runs deep, from the elongated CRBN 1 to the square CRBN 2 and the newer foam-core TruFoam models. The 1X sits in CRBN's X Series (formerly the Power Series), its power-focused line with a unibody build.
An X Series badge and a price near A$345 do not make a paddle better for you. They make it better for a specific player: someone with a fast, aggressive game who drives hard, counters at the kitchen, and swings through a longer arc. If that is not your game yet, you are paying for performance you cannot fully use.
The CRBN 1X is an elongated paddle with a long handle. It uses a T700 Toray raw carbon fibre face over a polypropylene honeycomb core, in 14mm or 16mm options, with a reinforced unibody build that runs the carbon from the face through the handle. It weighs roughly 7.8 to 8.1 oz, measures 16.5 by 7.25 inches, and is approved by USA Pickleball for tournament play. It is a well-made, focused power tool. That focus is the point, and also the catch.
CRBN 1X vs Spinex FLEX Hybrid: specs side by side
On paper, these two paddles share more than you might expect. Both use a T700 carbon face. Both are thermoformed. Both run a 16mm core. The differences are in shape, intent, and price.
| Spec | CRBN 1X (16mm) | Spinex FLEX Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Face material | T700 raw carbon fibre | T700 carbon fibre |
| Construction | Thermoformed unibody | Thermoformed unibody |
| Core | Polymer honeycomb, 16mm (14mm also offered) | Polymer honeycomb, 16mm |
| Shape | Elongated, long handle | Hybrid |
| Length x width | 16.5 in x 7.25 in | 16.32 in x 7.68 in |
| Handle length | 5.5 in | 5.58 in |
| Weight | 7.8 to 8.1 oz | 8 oz average (our 20-paddle batch: 7.8 to 8.15 oz) |
| Built for | Power-first, aggressive play | Control-first, all-court play |
| AU price (October 2026) | About A$330 to A$345 | A$199 |
The shape gap is the one that matters most on court. The 1X is fully elongated with a narrower face, which usually trades some forgiveness for reach and pop. The FLEX Hybrid is a hybrid shape, a little shorter and wider than the 1X. A wider hybrid face is generally associated with a more forgiving sweet spot. We have not tested the two side by side. One is built to attack. The other is built to stay steady through a long rally.
The price question: what you actually pay in Australia
In the United States, CRBN lists its X Series at US$229.99, although crbnpickleball.com had it on sale for US$149.99 in late October 2026. The original CRBN 1, now in CRBN's Classic Series, lists at US$179.99 and was sold out on CRBN's site at the time of writing. Converted at about A$1.42 per US dollar and with GST added, the US list price works out to roughly A$360, so Australian prices sit close to US list. The gap opens up when CRBN runs US sales.
| Paddle | Australian price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CRBN 1X 16mm | About A$330 to A$345 | Often discounted at AU retailers; verify the live price before buying |
| CRBN 1 (original) | About A$269 (Pickleball Superstore, October 2026) | Classic Series, elongated |
| Spinex FLEX Hybrid | A$199 | Sold direct, AU stock, 12-month warranty, 30-day returns on unused paddles |
CRBN paddles do go on sale. In late October 2026 one Sydney retailer listed the 1X 16mm at A$218.40, down from A$364, but it was sold out. Sale prices move, so treat any discount as a moment in time, not the real cost of ownership. At typical in-stock prices, the gap is wide. You are looking at roughly A$130 to A$150 more for the CRBN 1X than the FLEX Hybrid, for a paddle built around a different style of play.
Power-first or control-first? Match the paddle to your game
This is the question that should decide your purchase, not the badge on the throat of the paddle. If you want to understand the trade-off in depth, our guide to the difference between control and power paddles walks through it.
A power paddle like the CRBN 1X rewards a player who already generates pace and can place hard shots under pressure. The elongated head gives reach and swing power, which suits two-handed backhands and aggressive doubles. It asks more of you in return. A narrower face generally leaves less margin on off-centre hits, although CRBN says its reinforced edges expand the sweet spot. Off-centre hits happen more often than most of us admit.
A control paddle does the opposite. It widens the margin for error, keeps the ball on the face a fraction longer, and makes resets and dinks more predictable. That is the brief the FLEX Hybrid was built to. It is a control-first, balanced all-court paddle, and a strong upgrade for style-conscious players moving up from a starter paddle. We do not market it as a power weapon, because it is not one.
If you have decided you specifically want a power-first elongated paddle for an aggressive game, the CRBN 1X is purpose-built for that, and Spinex does not make a direct power equivalent.
At a demo day we ran at Sydney Olympic Park in February 2026, more than 30 players tried the FLEX Hybrid. The most common comment was that it felt softer than expected for a carbon fibre face, and about 80 percent preferred its 16mm core over thinner demo paddles. That feedback lines up with who this paddle is for: players who value a steady, forgiving feel over raw pop.
How we tested the FLEX Hybrid
We want to be straight about the limits of this comparison. We have not independently bench-tested CRBN paddles, so every CRBN figure here comes from the manufacturer and from Australian retailer listings, not from our own lab. What we can speak to directly is the FLEX Hybrid.
| Measure | Result | Sample |
|---|---|---|
| Average weight | 7.95 oz | 20 paddles, March 2026 batch |
| Weight spread | 7.8 to 8.15 oz | Standard deviation 0.09 oz |
| Edge delamination | 0 percent | 12 paddles, 3 to 6 months use |
| Structural failures | None reported | 5 paddles, 5+ months club play (as of April 2026) |
A standard deviation of 0.09 oz across 20 paddles means the paddle you receive should weigh close to the one your club mate has, which matters more than it sounds when you are used to a specific swing weight. None of this proves the FLEX Hybrid is the right paddle for you. It does show the build is consistent, which is part of what you are paying for at A$199.
Which offers better value for most Australian players
Value is not the lowest price. It is the best match between what you pay and what you need. Run any paddle, CRBN or Spinex, through a simple check we use, the Value-Fit Test, before you buy.
- Fit. Does the paddle match the game you play now, not the one you imagine? Control for most improving players, power for established aggressive players.
- Support. Can you get it replaced or serviced locally without shipping it overseas?
- Use. Are you paying for performance you will actually use on court this season?
Here is how the two paddles land on that test. CRBN wins on range and pedigree. If you want choice across shapes and core technologies, or you play competitive tournaments and value a known tour brand, CRBN earns its place. The 1X is a real power paddle with a real following.
Spinex wins on the three things most Australian club players actually feel week to week: price, control, and local support. The FLEX Hybrid is A$199, built control-first, and sold direct with Australian stock and 30-day returns on unused paddles. CRBN's 1-year warranty covers only US and Canadian purchases, so Australian buyers make claims through the retailer they bought from. Spinex handles its 12-month warranty directly in Australia. If you already know you will keep playing, buying one control paddle you will not outgrow is often smarter than spending more on power you have not grown into. Weigh both paddles against your own game before you spend.
Where paddle pricing is heading
In our view, the premium paddle market is shifting in the buyer's favour. A thermoformed T700 build does not have to cost more than A$300 (the FLEX Hybrid is A$199), and pricing like that puts pressure on paddles at the top of the market.
For Australian players, we think the bigger change is local supply. Direct brands that hold stock in Australia skip the distributor and retailer margins built into many imported premium paddles, and they can handle returns locally. As that continues, we expect the gap between an imported premium paddle and a strong local control paddle to narrow on performance while staying wide on price. That trend rewards buyers who shop on fit rather than badge.
Spinex FLEX Hybrid
Control-focused all-court paddle. 6-layer T700 carbon face, 16mm thermoformed core, USAP-approved.
A$199
Shop the FLEX Hybrid →Frequently asked questions
Are CRBN pickleball paddles worth the money?
For the right player, yes. CRBN makes well-built T700 carbon paddles with a deep range and strong tournament pedigree. The catch is fit. Its X Series paddles are tuned for aggressive, power-first play, so if you are an improving or recreational player, you may be paying for performance you cannot fully use yet. Match the paddle to your current game before you spend.
What is the difference between the CRBN 1 and the CRBN 1X?
The CRBN 1 is the original elongated paddle. The 1X is the X Series version (formerly the Power Series), with a reinforced unibody build that runs carbon from the face through the handle for more pop and a stiffer feel. The 1X usually costs more and leans harder into power.
Can you buy CRBN paddles in Australia?
Yes. Australian retailers including Just Pickleball and Pickleball Superstore list CRBN paddles online, and The Pickleball Studio in Sydney has stocked them, although its CRBN paddles were sold out in late October 2026. Prices and stock change often, so check the live listing before buying.
Is the Spinex FLEX Hybrid a power paddle like the CRBN 1X?
No, and we would not pretend otherwise. The FLEX Hybrid is a control-first, balanced all-court paddle with a wider face and a forgiving sweet spot. The CRBN 1X is a power-first elongated paddle. They are built for different jobs, so the better choice depends on your style, not on which is newer or pricier.
How much does the Spinex FLEX Hybrid cost compared with a CRBN paddle?
The FLEX Hybrid is A$199. The CRBN 1X 16mm sells for about A$330 to A$345 at Australian retailers (October 2026), and the original CRBN 1 is about A$269. At those prices, the FLEX Hybrid is roughly A$130 to A$150 less than the 1X, with a similar T700 carbon face and 16mm core.
Which paddle is better for an improving or intermediate player?
For most improving and intermediate players, a control-focused paddle is the better fit because it is usually more forgiving on off-centre hits and easier to reset and dink with. That points to the FLEX Hybrid over a power-first paddle like the 1X. If your game is already fast and aggressive, the 1X may suit you better.
Do CRBN and Spinex use the same carbon fibre?
Both use a T700 grade carbon fibre face, and both are thermoformed. T700 is a standard modulus grade, sold by Toray as TORAYCA T700S and known for its strength-to-weight ratio, and CRBN specifies Toray T700. The raw material story is similar. The real differences are shape, tuning, price, and where you buy and get support.
Does Spinex offer local support in Australia?
Yes. Spinex is designed by an Australian team and supported locally. Paddles are sold direct at spinexpickleball.com with Australian stock, a 12-month limited warranty, and 30-day returns on unused paddles in original packaging, handled in Australia.
Not sure which paddle matches your game? Start with the range and compare.
find the right paddle for you Explore SpinexLast reviewed: October 2026. CRBN specifications and prices are drawn from manufacturer and Australian retailer listings as of October 2026 and may change; Spinex figures come from our own batch weighing and durability tracking. This article is written and published by the Spinex Pickleball team. We design paddles and sell pickleball gear in Australia; where we recommend Spinex products it is because we believe they are a fair fit for the problem being discussed. We aim for honest, useful guidance even when the best answer is a different brand or a cheaper option. Get in touch if you have questions.
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