F+B Runout paddle review – a new American brand with paddles built different

I love when a new American pickleball brand shows up and actually builds their gear here. Forge & Bond (F+B for short) is doing exactly that.

They’re based in a small Utah town and led by former aerospace engineers who know carbon fiber cold. When I talked with CEO Jason Christensen, he told me they wanted to bring the manufacturing you’d see in high-end cars and spacecraft into pickleball.

That’s a great story, but the real question is, how does it play?

I just finished 22+ hours with the full F+B Runout line. The short answer: This paddle is clearly “built different,” and it’s obvious in the first few rallies.

If you’re wondering whether it’s worth a look, I’d say yes—especially if you want something American-made that feels premium in the hand, responds quickly, and forgives the occasional off-center swing.

It launches at $199 (or $180 with code PICKLEHEADS at checkout), which is a fair ask for a U.S.-built paddle with this kind of construction.

The big twist is how these are put together. Instead of the usual glued-up parts, F+B uses a forged, one-piece frame and handle made from a proprietary thermoplastic carbon. Picture a tennis-racket-style frame that wraps the paddle and continues straight into the handle.

On court that means a stiffer, more solid feel than a typical build, and a design that should hold up over time.

You notice it right away. Contact feels clean, with very little “buzz,” and the handle feels like an extension of your hand. That added stiffness also gives the Runout a quick, poppy response.

In plain English, that means the ball comes off the face fast and predictably. You won’t get the super-pillowy “ball sits forever” sensation. Instead, you get a firmer, more immediate feel that makes blocks and counters simple once you’re used to it.

The upside for everyday players is consistency. Miss-hits don’t fly off on you, and the paddle doesn’t wobble.

The Runout comes in three shapes—Hybrid, Elongated, and Standard—but I’m going to focus mostly on the Standard because it’s the standout. It’s the most forgiving and the most maneuverable of the lineup. The slightly wider face makes fast kitchen exchanges easier, and it still brings more pop than most paddles in this class thanks to its thin 12.7 mm core. The trade-off is feel: the ball doesn’t linger on the face as long, so it’s a touch firmer than super-soft control paddles.

Bottom line, the Standard plays responsive, light, and fast. It won my bag spot for a standard-shape option because it helped me in hand battles without beating me up on mishits—and the construction feels tough enough to stay that way. Let’s get into its strengths next.

Not many paddles in this category have this much punch. If you want a fast and poppy paddle at the net, it’s a great alternative to the more expensive JOOLA Scorpeus Pro IV ($280) and Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C ($225 with our discount).

I could approach drives so well. If my opponent was attacking me, I was able to get on top of the ball quicker and put it away more easily.

The texture is so strong you could literally file your nails on it. That translates to great spin. I was able to get such good topspin and keep my attacks in the court, getting the ball up and over the net.

The handle is extremely grippy and has a nice weighted feel. I think people will be able to grab this paddle and play with it right out of the box.

Most edge guards are made of plastic but this one has a carbon fiber edge. In terms of quality, it’s night and day – this will last so much longer and it won’t look beat up as scrapes and dings don’t show up as much as other paddles.

There’s a unique feel that some people will love and some will probably dislike. It’s quite poppy, without the dwell time of a more plush control paddle. Yet it’s still not a raw power paddle, so it’s kind of in between.

The sweet spot on the Standard model is very big and forgiving, but be aware that it’s more difficult to find on the other two models, especially the Elongated one. This is not unusual for an elongated paddle. You can always add some weight to try to open up that sweet spot and give it more stability.

Players with a two-handed backhand will appreciate the roomier handle. Personally, I don't like longer-handle paddles. I had to remind myself to hold lower so the handle didn't get in the way of my wrist flicking.

The Standard model is well priced, but I think the $200 price will turn some players off. It faces stiff competition from the likes of the Bread & Butter Loco, Honolulu J2NF, and SLK ERA Power Elongated, and I don’t know if they do enough to stand out from the crowd. Players I spoke to after using these F+B paddles were surprised they cost $200.

If you play a lot of rec or open play and want something American-made that feels quick and solid, the Runout series is an easy yes. I highly recommend the Standard shape, since it's the most forgiving and easiest to whip around. That makes it great for people who like to play fast at the kitchen.

Newer players will appreciate how the paddles feel stable and predictable, while experienced players will appreciate the stiffer, “no buzz” response when points speed up.