The Dark Matter pickleball paddles by Fiber Lab™ are built with T-700 Raw Carbon Friction Technology by Toray (Japan). These paddles are meant for the intermediate to advance category players!

This type of finish comes by using the peel ply technology to enhance the grit on the surface. The spin on these paddles is unparalleled compared to normal carbon fiber paddles. Raw carbon refers to carbon fibers that have been processed into a textile form but not yet infused with resin to create a composite material. In the context of pickleball paddles, this raw form of carbon offers unique properties that are highly sought after by both amateur and professional players. The appeal of raw carbon lies in its strength-to-weight ratio, durability, and the nuanced control it offers to the player.

Key Advantages of Carbon Friction Surface:

1. Superior Spin Capabilities: For players looking to add spin to their shots, raw carbon paddles provide an ideal surface. The texture and composition of raw carbon can interact with the ball in a way that maximizes spin potential, allowing for more strategic play.

2. Lightweight for Enhanced Maneuverability: The inherent lightweight nature of raw carbon allows for paddles that are easy to handle and maneuver. This is critical in a fast-paced game like pickleball, where quick reflexes and the ability to adjust your shot on the fly can mean the difference between winning and losing a point.

3. Precision Control and Consistency: One of the most compelling reasons to choose a raw carbon paddle is the unmatched control it offers. Thanks to the material's stiffness and response, players can execute shots with precision and consistency. This level of control is complemented by innovative core technologies, such as Polypropylene Honeycomb Cores, enhancing the sweet spot and providing a softer feel upon impact.

4. Comfort and Aesthetics: Beyond performance, raw carbon paddles often feature ergonomic designs and sleek aesthetics. Upgraded grip technologies ensure comfort during play, reducing fatigue and improving shot accuracy.

5. Exceptional Strength and Durability: Paddles crafted from raw carbon fibers, like the Dark Matter, boast superior durability without the added bulk. This means players can enjoy a paddle that stands up to intense gameplay while maintaining its integrity and performance over time.

Elongated paddle shapes, generally, are for a more experienced player. Due to their longer length and slimmer width, a player just getting into the sport of pickleball may have more mishits. On the other hand, an experienced player is going to love the performance and reach on an elongated paddle shape. Reach at the kitchen, power on overhead lobs, and even a little more clearance on an ATP attempt. Additionally, players transitioning from tennis will find a very familiar comfort in an elongated pickleball paddle shape.

Elongated pickleball paddles have made their way to the professional ranks and are here to stay on all courts!

Why should you try out an elongated pickleball paddle? 

• Sweet spots are generally toward the end of the paddle.
• Performance paddles made to take your game to the top court
• Grips length can vary, but a player with a two-handed backhand generally will find comfort
• Generally, experienced players will have more success than a first-time player

Thermoforming, a cutting-edge manufacturing process, sets the stage for the creation of advanced pickleball paddles. Thermoformed paddles are crafted using a process that involves heat and pressure, resulting in a durable and precisely engineered product. This construction method offers players the advantage of a paddle designed for longevity and optimal performance.

Thermoformed paddles provide a unique playing experience. Their lightweight nature ensures less arm fatigue, enabling longer play sessions. Their durability means you won't be replacing your paddle anytime soon. And let's not forget the perfect blend of control and power that these paddles offer, allowing you to make precise shots with just the right amount of force.

Thicker core paddles are considered to be control paddles because the ball gets absorbed into the core on contact when compared to its thinner counterpart. This allows for a greater margin of error when trying to finesse your shots, whether you are trying to drive, dink, or reset the ball.

While this being the general definition of thick core paddles, it is not always the case. This is because it also depends on the construction, design and materials of the paddle that define how much power and control a paddle produces. Our proprietary design gives the best of both worlds, a thicker core for control and it is designed to produce more power. 

Foam injection is a great way for us to expand the sweet spot, control the weight, add stability, strengthen the edge, and even add power to a paddle, without having to drastically change the core or hitting surface.

Without getting too deep into the engineering side of things, foam is injected around the edges or into the honeycomb pattern of the core to produce the desired effect. Foam is a great material to fill this space because it doesn’t add much extra weight. Foam is also able to offer impressive rebound to add power and expand the sweet spot from edge to edge, helping you better control mis-hits. When used exclusively around the edge, foam is also able to strengthen the edge of the paddle, protecting it against impacts with the court to boost longevity.

We use the T-700 grade carbon fiber for all our pickleball paddles, these are sourced from Toray which are the top manufacturers of carbon fiber in the world. Carbon fibers sourced from these companies produce about 40% more tensile strength in the fibers than other generic manufacturers.

Toray is the world’s first commercial manufacturer of polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based carbon fibers, since 1971, and Toray Composite Materials America, Inc., has been producing TORAYCA™ carbon fibers in Decatur, Alabama, since 1999, and recently expanded to Spartanburg, South Carolina, as well. Toray is the largest carbon fiber manufacturer in the world with a global capacity of 29,100 metric tons per year of TORAYCA™ carbon fiber produced in the United States, Japan, France, and South Korea.

T700 is a grade of carbon fiber that must contain at least 93% carbon in its elemental composition. Carbon fiber is often used on paddle surfaces to improve performance and reduce wear and tear. Toray carbon fiber is renowned for its quality and is more expensive than regular carbon fiber.