RPM Friction Pro V2
Best discount code for this paddle: Use code KITCHEN for 15% off
- Shape
- Elongated
- Core Thickness
- 16mm
- Core Type
- Gen 3
- Handle Length
- Medium
- Certification
- USAP
- Price
- $249.99
Our take on the Friction Pro V2 Elongated
The RPM Friction Pro V2 is an updated version that offers more power and pop than the original Friction Pro while maintaining the Gen 3 feel that many high-level players prefer.
In an interview with The Kitchen, RPM Founder and pro player James Ignatowich said he has moved to China to be at the factory where RPM paddles are made, which has allowed him to be very hands-on and make small tweaks that ultimately impact performance. He compared the RPM Friction Pro V2 to an iPhone update — it’s not a complete overhaul, rather a 5-10% improvement from the original.
“With me in China I was able to really dial in the materials,” he said.
The Friction Pro V2 comes in three shapes — elongated, hybrid and widebody — as well as 14mm and 16mm options in each shape.
Find our full review of the RPM Friction Pro V2 here.
Is the Friction Pro V2 Elongated worth $249.99?
Yes, for players who want added power while keeping a Gen 3 feel. At $249.99 it sits in the high price range, and it shines on flicks and speed-ups while the gritty face gives elite-level spin.
Who should buy the Friction Pro V2 Elongated?
Players who want more power and pop than the original Friction Pro but still prefer a Gen 3 feel. It feels solid and stable out of the box, so it suits players who would rather play it close to stock than load it with perimeter weight.
Buy it if
- You want a solid, stable Gen 3 feel
- You live on flicks and speed-ups
- You want more pop than the original
- You like precise placement on attacks
Skip it if
- You prioritize dinks, drops and resets
- You want Boomstik-level raw power
- You want the plush feel of the original
- You need a UPA-A approved paddle
How does the Friction Pro V2 Elongated play?
On big swings it has a satisfying thump, flexing slightly without feeling soft or flimsy. The solid feel builds confidence in hands battles because you know how the ball will react, and the 119 swing weight and 6.4 twist weight support that stability. It does not feel overly jumpy off the face.
What are the strengths and trade-offs of the Friction Pro V2 Elongated?
Its biggest edge is flicks, speed-ups and drives with a stable Gen 3 feel. The main cost is soft shots that are trickier to dial in than on the original.
Strengths
- Clear power upgrade over the original
- Superb flicks and speed-ups
- Stable stock, little perimeter weight needed
- Predictable pop in hands battles
Trade-offs
- Dinks and drops are trickier to dial in
- Resets are less plush than the original
- Less raw power than Boomstik or RPM Q2
Closest match we’ve tested
RPM Friction Pro V2 vs JOOLA 3S Dual
Same elongated shape, same 16mm Gen 3 core and nearly the same power.
- Shape
- Elongated
- Core Thickness
- 16mm
- Core Type
- Gen 3
More specs
- Paddle Type
- Power
- Static Weight
- 8 oz
- Swing Weight
- 119
- Twist Weight
- 6.4
- Handle Length
- Medium
- Certification
- USAP
15% off with code KITCHEN
- Shape
- Elongated
- Core Thickness
- 16mm
- Core Type
- Gen 3
More specs
- Paddle Type
- Power
- Static Weight
- 8 oz
- Swing Weight
- 121
- Twist Weight
- 6.3
- Handle Length
- Medium
- Certification
- UPA-A
15% off with KITCHEN
Not sure yet? Compare the RPM Friction Pro V2 against any paddle
See their stats, price and playability side by side
Questions people ask about the Friction Pro V2 Elongated
Is the RPM Friction Pro V2 worth $249.99?
Yes, for players who want power with a Gen 3 feel. It's excellent on flicks and speedups, strong on drives and serves, and its gritty surface delivers elite-level spin.
Is the RPM Friction Pro V2 a power paddle or a control paddle?
It leans toward power, though not as much as super-charged foam paddles like the Selkirk Boomstik or RPM Q2. Its feel sits between the softer original Friction Pro and those stiffer paddles.
Does the RPM Friction Pro V2 need lead or tungsten tape?
Not really. It feels solid and stable stock and needs less perimeter weighting than most paddles, though a little tungsten tape on the bottom sides can match your usual swing weight.
RPM Friction Pro V2 vs RPM Friction Pro: which is better?
It depends on what you want. The V2 has more pop and a slightly more solid feel, while the original is better on dinks, drops and resets.
Is the RPM Friction Pro V2 USAP approved?
Yes, it's USA Pickleball approved.
What are some RPM Friction Pro V2 alternatives?
RPM Friction Pro V2 – James Ignatowich signature paddle
Power 84Spin 92
16mm Gen 3 · Swing weight 119
How we test every paddle
Why trust our ratings? Every paddle is played by Team Kitchen, our team of expert paddle reviewers, and measured on the same scale before we rate it.
- Expert reviewers. All 5.0+ players, testing alongside other high-level players in their area.
- Hours of drills and games. Every kind of shot, in real points, to see how a paddle plays in a match and not just on paper.
- Measured on the same scale. Power, spin, swing weight and twist weight for every paddle, so any two compare fairly. The Friction Pro V2 Elongated measured power 84, spin 92, swing weight 119 and twist weight 6.4.
- One ball for every test. The Life Time LT Pro 48.