Tennis star Nick Kyrgios doesn't do subtle, and neither does his first pickleball paddle. If top-tier pop is what you're after, the Vulcan Chapter 01 Kyrgios delivers it in spades.
This elongated, 100% foam-core power paddle was co-designed with Kyrgios, one of the most explosive athletes in racket sports. A former Wimbledon finalist, he's since been increasingly investing in pickleball.
At $250, this is a pricey paddle. Whether it earns that price tag depends on how much you value pop over control.
Vulcan made sure the Kyrgios collaboration came with serious firepower. After my first eight hours playing with this paddle, I found some of the most effortless, explosive pop I've seen. The catch is that all that power comes in a head-heavy frame that feels slow to swing and difficult to load up with additional weight. Control suffers as a result, particularly in the soft game – dinks, drops, and touch shots at the kitchen produce more pop-ups than I'd like. For players who want one of the best power paddles and can tame it, this is a good option. For everyone else, there are better-balanced paddles available for less money.Today's best deals
Buy or pass?
Buy if:
You want top-tier pop:
this sits at the top of the market for effortless response off the face – even a light touch gets the ball over the net with authority.
You want a foam paddle that will last:
the foam construction means it won't delaminate, and the spin generation has held up consistently across eight hours of testing.
You love the brand and the story:
the Kyrgios collaboration, the cool design, and the customizable edge guard weighting system all add up to a paddle that's genuinely fun to pick up.
Pass if:
You're a control or all-court player:
the pop on this paddle will cause pop-ups on dinks, drops, and kitchen exchanges, so I'd recommend one of the best control paddles instead.
You're new to pickleball:
you might be better off with an easier-to-manage paddle for beginners.
You want a power paddle on a budget:
check out the Luzz Pro Cannon or Gherkin Draco for cheaper alternatives that still hit really hard.
Paddle Weight
Paddle Width
7.5 inches (elongated) / 7.35 inches (hybrid) / 7.9 inches (widebody)
Handle Length
5.75 inches (elongated) / 5.5 inches (hybrid and widebody)
Grip Circumference
4.25 inches
Paddle Face Material
Tri-laminate T700 raw carbon fiber
Core Material
Dual-density V-Foam
Core Thickness
16 mm
Sweet Spot
Medium
What stands out about the Vulcan CHPT 01 Kyrgios
The pop is the main story here. The V-Foam core produces an elite ball response. It shows up in ways you don't expect – not just on drives and overheads, but on defense.
When I'm fully out of position, scrambling and barely getting my paddle on the ball, that effortless pop means I can still get it back in play off a minimal touch. There's something generous about a paddle that bails you out like that.
It shines on spin, too. The face (tri-laminate T700 carbon fiber) really grabs the ball. Speed-ups with roll at the kitchen feel sharp, and serves with kick land consistently. My only concern is that the ball doesn't sit on the face quite as long as some of the best spin paddles because the foam core works slightly against dwell time.
The customizable weighting system is a standout feature in theory. Built-in symmetrical slots for precise weight placement is the kind of thing you usually see on custom-shop paddles. In practice, the base weight is already heavy enough that there isn't much room to use it before arm fatigue sets in.
The paddle also asks too much of your soft game. Pop-ups on dinks and drops aren't a catastrophic flaw, but they show up often enough that this won't compete as an all-court paddle for most players. In fast hand battles at the kitchen, the head-heavy swing feels a step behind quicker lightweight paddles.
Vulcan Chapter 01 Kyrgios price check
At $250, the Kyrgios paddle sits firmly in premium territory. The honest answer is that for most players, there are better-value options available. The Holbrook Fuze (under $200 with our discount) has the same power with more control and all-court balance.
However, if you prefer heavier, hard-hitting paddles with great spin, the Vulcan does earn its price tag – especially if the foam construction holds up over time.
Today's best deals
Vulcan CHPT 01 Kyrgios alternatives
The Kyrgios is a specialized paddle, so it's not for everyone. Here are three alternatives depending on what drew you to it in the first place.
Better value alternative
Honolulu Sword & Shield J2NF
Power + control balance
Bread & Butter Loco
Better for beginners
Vatic Pro V-SOL Pro
What even more options? Try my 30-second quiz and I'll recommend the best paddles for your play style and budget.
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