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Friday Pickle Challenger vs Spartus Gladius 16
Side-by-side comparison with lab-tested specs
Specs Comparison
Spec
Friday Pickle Challenger
Spartus Gladius 16
Price
$89
$84.99
Swing Weight
122
125
Twist Weight
6.38
6.19
Weight
8.3 oz
7.9 oz
Core
16mm
16mm
Spin
1890 RPM
1791 RPM
Shape
Elongated
Elongated
Face
Carbon
Carbon
Balance
240mm
245mm
Friday Pickle Challenger
This paddle delivers plush 16mm+ feel — a versatile option in a elongated shape.
Pros
- +Heavy swing weight of 122 (88th percentile) delivers extra momentum and plow-through on drives
- +Elongated shape gives extra reach on defense, overheads, and two-handed backhands
- +Thick core (16mm+) provides a soft, controlled feel with a large sweet spot
- +Great value at $89 — cheaper than 99% of paddles (avg $197)
Cons
- −Narrower face means a smaller horizontal sweet spot
- −Thick core trades some pop and hand speed for control
- −On the heavy side at 8.3 oz (88th percentile) — may cause fatigue for players with arm issues
Best For
Singles PlayersTennis ConvertsBudget-Conscious Buyers
Code: PBSTUDIO
Spartus Gladius 16
This paddle delivers plush 16mm+ feel — a versatile option in a elongated shape.
Pros
- +Heavy swing weight of 125 (top 5%) delivers extra momentum and plow-through on drives
- +Elongated shape gives extra reach on defense, overheads, and two-handed backhands
- +Thick core (16mm+) provides a soft, controlled feel with a large sweet spot
- +Great value at $84.99 — cheaper than 99% of paddles (avg $197)
Cons
- −Limited spin at 1791 RPM (14th percentile, avg 1988) compared to newer paddles
- −Very high swing weight of 125 (top 5%) can cause fatigue and slow hand transitions
- −Narrower face means a smaller horizontal sweet spot
- −Thick core trades some pop and hand speed for control
Best For
Singles PlayersTennis ConvertsBudget-Conscious Buyers
Code: PBSTUDIO — 10% OFF
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