The Foam Revolution: Inside the DUO's Game-Changing Ridge Core Design
You know that feeling when you hit a pickleball right in the sweet spot? That perfect blend of power and control that makes you want to fist-pump after a well-placed third shot drop? Most players spend hundreds, sometimes thousands chasing that feeling with paddle after paddle, hoping the next one will be "the one."
Here's the thing about foam paddles: they've been promising that Gen 3 power and feel for a while now, but most fall short. They're either too muted, too mushy, or they lose their pop after a few months of play. The market needed someone to actually crack the code instead of just tweaking someone else's mold.
When Engineers Get Obsessed
Enhance Pickleball didn't take the easy route with the DUO. While most brands are ordering paddles from the same factories, slapping their logo on shared molds, and calling it innovation, the Enhance team went full mad-scientist mode. They built something genuinely new from scratch a patent-pending ridge core that literally changes the internal architecture of how a foam paddle works.
The DuoFoam Ridge Core sounds technical because it is. But here's what it actually does: imagine your paddle core has strategic openings along the sides, creating a slightly hollow structure that generates more trampoline effect. It's like the difference between hitting a drum versus hitting a wall one resonates, one doesn't. That resonance translates to power you can feel in your hand and hear in that satisfying thud at contact.
But they didn't stop there. The ridge itself is filled with EVA foam the same stuff in premium running shoes, which creates a softer perimeter around the edges. This isn't just marketing fluff; it's structural engineering that expands the sweet spot and stabilizes off-center hits. You know those mishits that usually result in a weak pop-up? Yeah, those actually feel solid now.
The Sound of Performance
Let's talk about something nobody mentions enough: paddle sound. Serious players know that the acoustic feedback from a paddle tells you everything about the quality of your shot before you even see where the ball goes. The DUO produces a deeper, more powerful thud that's distinctly different from other foam paddles.
That sound isn't cosmetic it's a direct result of the dual-foam construction. EPP foam at the center provides structure and explosive power, while EVA around the edges adds softness and dwell time. The combination creates what players describe as "Gen 3 feel with foam consistency." It's crisp, it's poppy, and it gives you actual feedback instead of that dead, muted response some foam paddles are known for.
Power Without the Wildness
Here's where things get interesting for intermediate to advanced players. The DUO sits firmly in the power paddle category this isn't a finesse-first design. The dual-foam core delivers serious pop and pace off the face. But unlike some power paddles that feel like you're wielding a cannon with sketchy aim, the DUO maintains a surprisingly controllable feel.
Multiple reviewers have called it "one of the easier power paddles to control." That's not marketing speak—it's the result of that elevated twist weight and expanded sweet spot working together. You get the firepower for aggressive baseline drives and serves that push opponents back, but you're not sacrificing touch at the kitchen line.
The raw T700 carbon fiber face plays a huge role here too. Three layers of carbon grip the ball longer, and when combined with foam's natural increase in dwell time, you're looking at elite-level spin potential. Shape your drives, load up on topspin for rolls, add bite to your dinks the paddle gives you the tools to actually execute those shots instead of just hoping they work out.
Built to Last
Foam paddles have a reputation problem with durability, and it's not entirely undeserved. Traditional honeycomb cores can crush, lose their structure, or develop dead spots after heavy play. EPP foam resists this breakdown significantly better it's engineered to bounce back and maintain its properties over time.
The proprietary honeycomb handle deserves a mention too. It's precision-molded polypropylene fused to the face with carbon-fiber reinforcement. Translation: your handle isn't going to be the weak point that fails when the rest of the paddle is still performing.
Two Shapes, Two Personalities
The DUO launches in both Elongated and Widebody configurations, each with slightly different characteristics:
Elongated brings a longer reach (16.5" vs 16"), slightly higher swing weight (118-122 vs 111-114), and the extended handle length that some players prefer for two-handed backhands. If you like to generate pace from the baseline and appreciate having a bit more leverage on your swings, this is your shape.
Widebody delivers a larger hitting surface (8" wide vs 7.5"), elevated twist weight for even better stability on off-center hits, and a slightly more maneuverable feel at the net. Multiple reviewers have specifically called out the Widebody version as "one of the better foam paddles on the market" for players who want maximum forgiveness without sacrificing power.
Both shapes maintain that same DuoFoam Ridge Core technology, so you're getting the signature feel and performance regardless of which configuration you choose.
What Players Are Actually Saying
The DUO has been reviewed by pretty much every major pickleball gear channel, and the consensus is surprisingly uniform. "This is by far the best paddle Enhance has made so far" from All Drive No Drop. "One of the more promising releases across the market" from Pickleball Blast. "Put this at the top of your list" from Matt's Pickleball.
What's interesting is that these aren't generic endorsements reviewers are getting specific about where the DUO excels. The combination of power with controllability keeps coming up. So does the quality of the sweet spot and the crisp feedback on contact. These are the details that matter when you're actually playing competitive matches, not just hitting balls around in rec play.
The Bottom Line
The pickleball paddle market is crowded with options that all claim to be game-changers. Most of them are incremental improvements at best, slightly tweaked versions of the same basic designs at worst. The DUO represents something different an actual engineering solution to the limitations that have held foam paddles back.
It delivers Gen 3 power and feel with foam consistency and durability. It gives you a larger sweet spot without sacrificing feedback. It produces elite spin potential while maintaining control. And it does all of this at a price point that makes premium performance accessible instead of exclusive.
Whether you're a 4.0 player looking to add more weapons to your game or a competitive player who's tired of paddles that lose their pop after a few months, the DUO merits serious consideration. Available in both Elongated and Widebody shapes, USAP approved for tournament play.
Sometimes the best paddle isn't the one with the biggest marketing budget or the flashiest endorsement deal. Sometimes it's the one built by engineers who actually understand what players need on the court.