Gherkin Draco
Our take on the Draco Hybrid
The Gherkin Draco is a standout foam core paddle that delivers impressive pop and lively power at a very competitive price. Its quick-in-hand hybrid shape, solid stability and customizable weight profile make it a versatile option for aggressive players who still want feel. If you like a pop-forward paddle similar to a Boomstik — but don’t want to pay premium prices — the Draco is a serious contender.
- Shape
- Hybrid
- Core Thickness
- 16mm
- Core Type
- Gen 4
- Handle Length
- Medium
- Certification
- USAP
- Price
- $179.99
Is the Draco Hybrid worth $179.99?
Who should buy the Draco Hybrid?
How does the Draco Hybrid play?
What are the strengths and trade-offs of the Draco Hybrid?
Draco Hybrid vs J2CR CBE
Power
Gherkin Draco
- Shape
- Hybrid
- Core Thickness
- 16mm
- Core Type
- Gen 4
Additional details
- Brand
- Gherkin Pickleball
- Paddle Type
- Power
- Static Weight
- 8 oz
- Swing Weight
- 113
- Twist Weight
- 6.7
- Handle Length
- Medium
- Certification
- USAP
Power
Honolulu J2CR
- Shape
- Hybrid
- Core Thickness
- 16mm
- Core Type
- Gen 4
Additional details
- Brand
- Honolulu
- Paddle Type
- Power
- Static Weight
- 8 oz
- Swing Weight
- 107
- Twist Weight
- 6.3
- Handle Length
- Medium
- Certification
- UPA-A
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Questions people ask about the Draco Hybrid
What is the price of the Gherkin Draco?
$179.99 for the hybrid, elongated and widebody models.
What is the Gherkin Draco?
A full-foam hybrid power paddle using Gherkin's NCP (nanocellular polymer) foam and a "floating piston" core construction.
How does the Gherkin Draco play?
It's a high-power foam-core paddle with a 16mm core, a 113 swing weight and a high 6.7 twist weight, and it comes in hybrid, widebody and elongated shapes.
Is the Gherkin Draco USAP approved?
Yes, it's USA Pickleball approved.
What are some Gherkin Draco alternatives?
Gearbox GBX Power Hybrid
Pickleball Apes Zen S+
Honolulu J2CR
How We Tested
Our paddle reviewers (all 5.0+ players) work with other high-level players in their area to test paddles on a variety of shots. This testing involves several hours of drills and games in an effort to determine how the paddle impacts performance in real-world scenarios.
We use the Life Time LT Pro 48 pickleball for our testing.