Paddle tech has come a long way—from wood to aluminum, Nomex, Kevlar, carbon fiber, and polypropylene honeycomb. Now? Foam. It might just be the biggest shift since pickleballs evolved from wiffle balls.
Enter Diadem’s BluCore foam core technology, launching soon in their popular Warrior line. First up: the Warrior BluCore Pro 14, an elongated 14mm paddle with an expanded polypropylene foam core.
Even better—Diadem is releasing nine versions, varying in thickness and shape to suit nearly every play style.
After two weeks of serious testing, I’m giving the Warrior BluCore Pro 14 a strong 4.75 out of 5. Foam might just be the future—and this paddle proves it.
Foam Core Power – Strong, solid, and built to last.
Lifetime Warranty – The core is covered for life.
9 Paddle Options – 3 shapes, 3 thicknesses, your perfect fit.
Made for Competitors – Built for players who never settle.
Quick Video Review
By The Numbers
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Length | 16.4” |
| Width | 7.4” |
| Core Thickness | 14mm (also available in 16mm and 19mm) |
| Grip Length | 5.7” |
| Grip Circumference | 4.125” |
| Weight | 7.81 oz (marketed as 8.0 oz avg) |
| Price | $280 |
Nuts And Bolts
- Elongated shape
- Expanded polypropylene (EPP) foam core
- Kevlar-carbon fiber matrix paddle face – 6 woven layers
- Fusion Guard – molded elastomer polyurethane edge
- Removable handle end-cap for weight augmentation
- Long, comfort tacky grip
- USA Pickleball-approved
How BluCore Came to Life
After a great chat and a few emails with Evan, Diadem’s Co-Founder and Director of Operations, I got a deeper look into the intentional, methodical development of BluCore technology.
The expanded polypropylene core wasn’t just a leap—it made perfect sense: durable, consistent, and built to resist core crush, delamination, and dead spots, all while maximizing the sweet spot and dwell time for precise shot shaping.
Their confidence? It’s backed by a lifetime core warranty.
They also developed and now refined the Fusion Guard edge for durable impact resistance and to make applying lead tape easier, plus even made the handle cap removable for adding weight for balancing tweaks.
According to Evan, the long-term goal is to integrate BluCore into all of Diadem’s top paddles—a clear sign they believe this tech is the real deal.
First Impressions
Unwrapped, the early release paddle feels pretty understated—mostly black with a ghosted Diadem logo, BluCore branding, and a black edge guard and grip. The 5.7” handle is the longest I’ve seen, with a tacky grip that feels secure.
The edge guard stands out—low profile, lightly textured, and tough-looking.
A few air swings revealed what I expected: low twist weight, balanced feel, and fast in the hand. At just 7.81 oz, it’s one of the lightest paddles I’ve tested—quick, agile, and clearly built for speed.
Game On: Playtesting the Warrior BluCore
As usual, I couldn’t wait to get this new tech on the court. After just five minutes of warm-up drills, I was already impressed. The paddle felt like a stealthy, lightweight weapon—quick, responsive, and fun to swing.
In live play, that low twist weight and overall light feel shined immediately. I held my own in hands battles against hard hitters and felt fully in control at both the kitchen and midcourt. Serves and drives packed enough punch, but by game two or three, I recognized this isn’t a pure power paddle.
As Diadem noted, it’s an all-court performer, built for control, finesse, and sneaky spin.
Through a few more sessions, the Warrior really started to click with my play style: touch, accuracy, and feel over brute force.
After two weeks, here’s what made this paddle a standout:
- Fast, agile hand speed – quick to transition and lethal in firefights
- Huge sweet spot – consistent edge-to-edge feel, with forgiveness on mis-hits
- Soft touch – ideal for dinks, drops, and controlled resets
- High grit surface – delivers solid topspin and slice with ease
- Extended dwell time – lets the ball sit and spin, not skip
- Minimal vibration – no arm fatigue, no elbow soreness—just clean contact
This paddle isn’t loud or flashy—but it’s quietly surgical, and for players who value feel and precision backed by a superior warranty, it might just be a game-changer.
Comparison to Similar Paddles
This light, agile all-court paddle plays similarly to the Franklin C45, Ethos Dunamis, Holbrook Aero T Metallic, and to some extent, Diadem’s own VICE—which also features a foam core, though not BluCore. However, the Warrior BluCore delivers better control, touch, and a wider sweetspot than most of these paddles.
CRBN (TruFoam) and Selkirk Labs (PureFoam) have also entered the foam game, with comparable performance reported—but we haven’t tested them yet.
Notably, only Diadem offers a lifetime core warranty, and all three brands price their foam paddles in the $280–$290 range.
The Final Score
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Design / Build | 🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾 |
| Grip | 🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾 |
| Control | 🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾 |
| Spin | 🎾🎾🎾🎾¾ |
| Power | 🎾🎾🎾🎾 |
| Price / Value | 🎾🎾🎾🎾½ |
| Overall | 🎾🎾🎾🎾¾ |
Based on everything I’ve learned—and experienced firsthand with the Warrior BluCore—foam core paddles are a real game-changer, and likely the biggest shift we’ve seen in paddle tech.
With nine Warrior BluCore variations, just about any player—from beginner to advanced—can find a fit, as long as nonstop bashing isn’t your thing.
While they are not pure power paddles, they pack plenty of pop for most players, with far more control and feel.
And while the price tag might give some pause, Diadem’s lifetime core warranty adds serious long-term value and they are priced right there with other brand’s foam core paddles.
Pickle on my friends, pickle on…
