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About Dragonfire Sporting Goods
Our Mission
Established in 2024, Dragonfire Sporting Goods is dedicated to providing high-quality pickleball paddles for players of all skill levels. Based in Mississauga, ON, our mission is to enhance the game for everyone, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro.
Elevate your game!
Choosing the Perfect Paddle for you
Paddle Core Materials
The core is the primary structure found in every pickleball paddle. It's typically formed as a layer of honeycomb assembled between both front and back faces of a paddle. Cores can be made with several different materials, using different techniques and shapes.
Paddle Core Thickness
Core thickness in pickleball paddles is the distance between the inside edges, meaning, the depth of the paddle's internal core. This measurement is usually given in millimeters, where thick cores tend to be between 16-20mm while thinner cores start around 11mm. Thickness can vary widely across paddles.
Thicker cores will give you greater control with each hit, as it dampens the impact of the ball as it makes contact with the paddle surface. Conversely, a thinner core will create more power.
Thicker core (15-20mm) = more control
Thinner core (11-14mm)= more power
What you gain in control with a thick core, you lose in power, and the opposite is true for a thinner core. The right combinations will give you the ideal pickleball paddle for you, and support your style of play where you need it most.
Paddle Surface
For surfaces, you'll most often encounter either Fiberglass, Carbon Fiber, or Graphite paddles today. Here's what you need to know about all three.
Fiberglass Surface - Power Material
Of the three surface materials listed, fiberglass is the heaviest, but also the most flexible. When the ball hits a fiberglass face, it sinks in a little and then fires off the face of the paddle, much like a spring uncoiling. Between the extra weight and elastic effect, it's able to generate greater power.
Graphite Surface - Finesse Material
Graphite is a lightweight yet remarkably strong material, proven to be ideal for many sports, but certainly pickleball. When the ball strikes a graphite paddle, it helps spread the force of each hit evenly across its entire face. This creates a larger sweet spot on your graphite paddle, but also comes at the price of relative power.
Carbon Fiber Surface - Balanced Finesse and Power
Carbon fiber remains lighter and stronger than graphite. Carbon fiber is is widely popular today and used by the majority of high end paddle manufacturers. It acts as a good balance between what's most loved about fiberglass and graphite paddles.
It's the closest thing to finding an optimal compromise between finesse and power, and is part of the reason this is the most popular surface material for any versatile paddle.
Paddle Weight
A few ounces in paddle weight may not sound like much, but you’d be surprised at the difference it can make in your game. Most importantly, paddle weight affects reaction time and swing speed. A lightweight paddle can get you to the ball quicker, if you can’t get to the ball, you have no chance of making a return shot. A small weight difference of .10 of an ounce will not affect the weight of the paddle.
A heavier paddle will help you drive the ball, but will provide less control of the ball, conversely, a paddle that is too light may not provide enough drive but will increase ball control. Also be aware that a heavier paddle can accelerate arm fatigue and joint strain.
A weaker player can sometimes benefit with a heavier paddle that has a higher deflection, making the ball travel faster and further with less player effort. Power and tennis players will feel more comfortable with a heavier paddle, balanced or top heavy. Some players use a heavier paddle in singles matches to get power shots to the baseline, and also use a lighter control/touch paddle in doubles matches.
Lightweight paddles (between 7.2-7.7oz) will absorbs less energy every time it contacts the ball, instead, your arm will start to pick up the heavy lifting. If you have a history of tennis and golf elbow, this probably won't be the best weight for you.
Midweight paddles (between 7.8oz-8.3oz) make up the majority of paddles to suit both power and control, so it's ideally suited for all skill levels and shots. Whether you're looking for a soft dink or a power serve, this weight class should suffice.
Heavyweight paddles (8.4oz +) If you need greater power, this is when you would want to pick a heavier paddle. But this comes with a huge disclaimer; heavy paddles are rarely good options for new players since they require a higher degree of control and placement to wield properly, and beginners rarely possess those skills.