{
  "id": "rpm-friction-pro-v2",
  "url": "https://pointcast.xyz/paddles/rpm-friction-pro-v2",
  "brand": "RPM",
  "model": "Friction Pro V2",
  "year": 2026,
  "launch": {
    "date": "2026-02-03",
    "precision": "day",
    "label": "Feb 3 preorder"
  },
  "lifecycle": "current",
  "listPriceUsd": 249.99,
  "listPriceLabel": null,
  "build": "hybrid",
  "buildLabel": "Honeycomb + foam (Gen 3)",
  "thickness": "16mm",
  "shapes": "Elongated",
  "pro": null,
  "summary": "Pickleheads: the spinniest paddle they have tested. RPM is one of the two brands still fighting JOOLA's patent case.",
  "construction": "Tri-density polymer honeycomb core on a Gen 3 design, with an EVA foam ring and extra edge foam. Axial carbon layup aimed at maximum spin.",
  "core": {
    "layers": [
      "Tri-Density polymer honeycomb core (Gen 3 design) with DwellZone sweet-spot construction",
      "enhanced EVA foam ring",
      "additional edge foam and a carbon-reinforced throat (per reviewers)"
    ],
    "face": "CarbonBite raw carbon fiber surface over the new Axial Carbon Layup",
    "edge": "edge guard overlapping the face by 1/8 inch",
    "source": "https://pickleballcentral.com/rpm-friction-pro-elongated-v2-pickleball-paddle/"
  },
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "Friction Pro V2 16mm Elongated (James Ignatowich)",
      "shape": "elongated",
      "lengthIn": 16.5,
      "widthIn": 7.5,
      "handleIn": 5.5,
      "thicknessMm": 16,
      "weightOz": "7.7-8.1",
      "sw": 117,
      "tw": 6.5,
      "specSource": "https://rpmpb.com/products/rpm-friction-pro-16mm-elongated-v2"
    },
    {
      "name": "Friction Pro V2 14mm Elongated (Ryan Fu)",
      "shape": "elongated",
      "lengthIn": 16.5,
      "widthIn": 7.5,
      "handleIn": 5.5,
      "thicknessMm": 14,
      "weightOz": "7.6-8.0",
      "sw": 113,
      "tw": 6.3,
      "specSource": "https://pickleballcentral.com/rpm-friction-pro-elongated-v2-pickleball-paddle/"
    }
  ],
  "status": {
    "usap": "yes",
    "usapSource": "https://pickleballcentral.com/rpm-friction-pro-elongated-v2-pickleball-paddle/",
    "upaa": "split",
    "upaaSource": "https://www.pickletip.com/upa-a-approved-pickleball-paddles/",
    "quiet": false,
    "patent": "named-joola-holdout",
    "investigation": null,
    "lifecycle": "current"
  },
  "certNote": "USAP passed Dec 18, 2025. UPA-A lists only a 14mm widebody (Apr 1).",
  "timeline": [
    {
      "date": "2025-12-18",
      "precision": "day",
      "kind": "approval",
      "text": "Friction Pro V2 passed USA Pickleball approval.",
      "source": "https://www.pickletip.com/usap-approved-pickleball-paddles/"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-02-03",
      "precision": "day",
      "kind": "preorder",
      "text": "V2 pre-orders opened at $250 alongside a 50%-off V2 offer for V1 owners (no return required), with the request window closing March 15.",
      "source": "https://www.pickletip.com/rpm-friction-pro/"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-03-15",
      "precision": "day",
      "kind": "price",
      "text": "The V1-owner half-price V2 request window closed.",
      "source": "https://www.pickletip.com/rpm-friction-pro/"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-04-01",
      "precision": "day",
      "kind": "approval",
      "text": "Friction Pro V2 widebody 14mm appeared on the UPA-A certified list; the elongated models were not found there.",
      "source": "https://www.pickletip.com/upa-a-approved-pickleball-paddles/"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-04-02",
      "precision": "day",
      "kind": "launch",
      "text": "The Kitchen reviewed the released V2 in 16mm (Ignatowich) and 14mm (Ryan Fu) signatures at $249.99.",
      "source": "https://thekitchenpickle.com/blogs/gear/rpm-friction-pro-v2-pickleball-paddle-review-james-ignatowich/"
    }
  ],
  "labs": [
    {
      "lab": "The Kitchen",
      "kind": "review",
      "url": "https://thekitchenpickle.com/blogs/gear/rpm-friction-pro-v2-pickleball-paddle-review-james-ignatowich/"
    },
    {
      "lab": "Pickleheads",
      "kind": "review",
      "url": "https://www.pickleheads.com/pickleball-gear/rpm-friction-pro-v2-review"
    },
    {
      "lab": "Matt's Pickleball",
      "kind": "database-entry",
      "url": "https://www.mattspickleball.com/paddle/friction-pro-elongated-v2-16mm"
    },
    {
      "lab": "PickleTip",
      "kind": "review",
      "url": "https://www.pickletip.com/rpm-friction-pro/"
    }
  ],
  "colorways": [],
  "madeIn": "China",
  "warranty": "1-year warranty against manufacturing defects, up to two claims",
  "notes": "V2 tests at PBCoR .43 versus the V1's .44 (V1 16mm was USAP-approved 2025-08-19); PickleTip ties the refresh to USA Pickleball sunsetting .44 paddles for tournament play from May 2026. Founder James Ignatowich called the V2 a '5-10% improvement'. A widebody V2 is sold by at least one overseas retailer but was not found on RPM's own elongated product page.",
  "productUrl": "https://rpmpb.com/collections/v2-series",
  "sources": [
    "https://rpmpb.com/products/rpm-friction-pro-16mm-elongated-v2"
  ],
  "confidence": "medium",
  "image": "https://pointcast.xyz/images/og/paddles/rpm-friction-pro-v2.png"
}