CRBN TruFoam Waves Review: Precision Foam for Spin-Hungry All-Court Players

CRBN TruFoam Waves Review: Precision Foam for Spin-Hungry All-Court Players

The CRBN TruFoam Waves series is the evolution of CRBN’s original TruFoam Genesis line—built not to replace it, but to sit alongside it as a more assertive, more dialed-in option.

Where the Genesis woke up the foam category earlier this year, the Waves refine that idea: same core philosophy, more advanced internal patterning, extra stability, and a touch more pop, all wrapped in CRBN’s clean, modern aesthetic. Pickleball Effect+1

Rather than being an uncontrollable “rocket,” the Waves feel like aggressive all-court paddles with serious spin, strong point-finishing potential, and a sweet spot that rewards clean technique.


Technology: TruFoam Core with a New “Waves” Engine

TruFoam 14 mm Core with Wave Cutouts

The Waves retain the 14 mm TruFoam foundation introduced in the Genesis line, but CRBN reshaped the internal cutouts into a symmetrical wave pattern—hence the name. Pickleball Effect

This pattern changes how the paddle flexes, giving:

  • A livelier, more consistent rebound in the strike zone

  • A slightly higher offensive ceiling compared with Genesis

  • A distinct “pocket, then launch” feeling when you middle the ball

Face Layup: Carbon + Fiberglass

CRBN also altered the face construction:

  • T700 raw carbon fiber outer layer for spin and feel

  • A full sheet of fiberglass underneath, rather than just a small sweet-spot patch like Genesis

The result is a face that feels:

  • A bit more powerful

  • More uniform across the central hitting area

  • Crisp without being harsh, with a stable, high-end feel in hand Pickleball Effect+1

Feel & Dwell

Across multiple reviews, the Waves are consistently described as having:

  • A soft, dense, foamy impact

  • More pleasant, “connected” feel than Genesis

  • Higher dwell time that lets you grab and shape the ball more easily speakpickleball.com+1

It’s a nice middle ground: not muted to the point of feeling dead, and not overly sharp like some stiff thermoformed paddles.


Shapes & Specs: Four Frame Options

CRBN offers the Waves in all four of their familiar shapes:

  • TFW 1 – Elongated, extra-long handle, squared top

  • TFW 2 – Standard widebody / “square” shape

  • TFW 3 – Elongated, slightly shorter handle

  • TFW 4 – Hybrid with a more aerodynamic curved top Pickleball Effect+1

Approximate measured specs from independent testing: Pickleball Effect+1

Model Shape Static Wt Swingweight Core Thickness
TFW 1 Elongated, square top ~7.9 oz ~119 Foam 14 mm
TFW 2 Widebody, square top ~8.1–8.3 ~112 Foam 14 mm
TFW 3 Elongated, square top ~8.1–8.2 ~119 Foam 14 mm
TFW 4 Hybrid, curved top ~8.0 oz ~112 Foam 14 mm

Swingweights sit in the average to slightly-above-average band for their shapes, giving a solid sense of stability while still feeling manageable at the kitchen. Twistweight is improved over Genesis, particularly on the TFW 2 and TFW 4, which helps with side-to-side stability. Pickleball Effect+1


On-Court Performance

Power & Drives

CRBN markets the Waves as the “power” step up from Genesis, and there is an extra gear:

  • Drives and serves carry more pace

  • Put-aways feel more decisive

  • There’s noticeably stronger ball action when you catch the center

Some testers even rank the Waves’ power near the top of their databases when you square it up. Pickleheads+1

That said, the Waves still feel like aggressive all-court paddles rather than pure sledgehammers. You get enough power to finish, but with more control and shape than the wildest foam power builds.

Spin

This is one of the standout strengths.

  • Independent tests clocked the Waves’ spin numbers extremely high—up into the 99th–100th percentile on certain shapes. Matt's Pickleball+1

  • The combination of textured carbon and TruFoam dwell lets you grab, roll, and bend the ball with confidence.

Topspin drives, dipping roll volleys, and heavy third-shot drops are a natural fit for this series.

Control, Drops & Dinks

Because the face isn’t excessively “hot,” the Waves reward a confident, modern soft game:

  • Drops and dinks settle nicely thanks to the absorbent feel, especially on shapes 2 and 4, which are noted as the most control-oriented. speakpickleball.com+1

  • The foamy dwell gives you time to shape and place the ball.

  • Once your timing is set, they make it easy to alternate between soft touch and aggressive spin-driven attacks.


Sweet Spot & Precision

The Waves line has a precision-oriented sweet spot philosophy:

  • When you strike the center of the face, you’re rewarded with elite spin, ball “bite,” and penetrating pace. Pickleball Effect+1

  • The wave cutout design is tuned to flex most efficiently in that central strike zone—perfect for players who naturally hit clean. speakpickleball.com+1

This design leans toward:

  • Intermediate-plus to advanced players (4.0+) who can find the center consistently

  • Players who love using angles, roll volleys, and spin to out-create opponents

If you enjoy paddles that reward accuracy with “wow” ball action, the Waves feel incredibly satisfying.

Some players add a bit of weight toward the tip or top corners—especially on the TFW 2 and TFW 4—to further enhance stability and enlarge the effective sweet spot, while still keeping swingweight very playable. Pickleball Effect+1


Maneuverability

Out of the box, maneuverability is solid:

  • Square and hybrid shapes (TFW 2 & 4) swing whippy and controlled at the net

  • Elongated shapes (TFW 1 & 3) offer extra reach while still staying reasonable in hand

Because the base swingweights aren’t extreme, you can customize with a bit of lead without turning the paddles into boats.


Best Shapes in the Waves Line

From a positive, “easy to recommend” standpoint, two shapes stand out:

TFW 2 – Widebody / Square Shape

  • Most forgiving and user-friendly overall

  • Great for doubles, kitchen battles, and players who want a bigger face

  • Excellent blend of spin, pop, and stability

  • A natural choice for many 3.5–4.5 players who want a high-end foam paddle that still feels familiar Pickleball Nation+1

TFW 4 – Hybrid

  • A nice middle ground between reach and forgiveness

  • Average swingweight for a hybrid, making it versatile for both singles and doubles

  • Responds very well to subtle customization, giving you room to tune feel and balance

The elongated TFW 1 and 3 are great fits for players who value reach and singles performance. They shine for strong baseliners and advanced players who like to impose from the backcourt and have no issues timing a slightly longer frame. Pickleball Nation+1


How the Waves Fit in Today’s Foam Landscape

While many foam paddles chase sheer power, the CRBN TruFoam Waves carve out a more nuanced niche:

  • Aggressive all-court identity rather than pure “max pop”

  • Top-tier spin with a very modern, dense, foamy feel

  • Refined shot-making for players who like to create angles and use pace selectively

Compared with other foam lines:

  • Versus pure power builds (like some Boomstik-style paddles), the Waves feel more controlled and spin-driven. Pickleheads+1

  • Versus value-oriented all-court foam paddles, the Waves bring premium build quality, CRBN’s branding, and strong warranty/return support, plus more advanced shape/feel tuning. Pickleball Effect+1


Who the CRBN TruFoam Waves Are Best For

Ideal If You:

  • Are an intermediate-plus or advanced player who makes clean, centered contact often

  • Want a paddle that blends strong power with elite spin rather than just blunt pop

  • Prefer a soft, dense, foamy impact with clear feedback

  • Like the idea of modern foam tech in an all-court package, not just a “boomstick only” profile

  • Appreciate CRBN’s premium build, warranty, and brand support

Especially Consider:

  • TFW 2 if you want the most forgiving shape with great spin and all-court versatility

  • TFW 4 if you like a hybrid with a balance of reach, control, and customization potential

  • TFW 1 or 3 if you’re a singles or advanced doubles player who loves elongated reach and is comfortable swinging a slightly longer frame


Bottom line:
The CRBN TruFoam Waves line is a great fit for players who want high-end foam feel, elite spin, and precise shot-making in a modern, premium package. It’s less about raw chaos and more about giving advanced and aspiring advanced players a tool that rewards clean mechanics with some of the heaviest, most shapable ball they’ll hit all season.

Buy the CRBN Waves paddles here at get2eleven.com: https://get2eleven.com/collections/paddles?filter.p.vendor=CRBN&filter.p.vendor=GRUVN&filter.v.price.gte=&filter.v.price.lte=&sort_by=price-descending