Friday
Friday Aura Pro
The Friday Aura Pro is a full-foam, elongated paddle built for strong drives, counters, and spin. It suits you if you want substantial power with a firmer, more predictable response than many foam paddles.
Character from the specs · Power
Worked out from core thickness, weight, face and shape using general rules of thumb — not from a play test.
Is this paddle right for you?
4 quick questions, scored from the specs
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Overview
The Aura Pro combines a 16mm EPP foam core with a carbon fiber face. Its elongated shape gives you extra reach, while the 8.0-ounce weight supports plow-through on drives and serves. The 4.25-inch grip is a standard size for many players, but check your preferred grip circumference before buying.
Reviewers describe a firm, crisp response with long dwell time and a muted feel. Other testing found quick rebound, strong spin, and high power, while a video review found less stability and confidence on some back-court shots. That difference suggests the paddle offers power and control, but off-center contact may feel less dependable.
Play style
Choose it if you attack from the baseline, counter aggressively, or want extra reach on drives and returns. The foam construction gives it considerable power, while the elongated profile favors leverage and plow-through over the quickest hand speed.
The carbon face produces strong spin, and reviewers found the paddle easy to use for drops, resets, and dinks. Still, its firm, poppy character is better for players who create pace than for those who mainly want a soft, plush kitchen paddle. Added weight may improve the sweet spot, but could make fast exchanges harder.
Best for
- Players who want more power on drives, serves, and overheads
- Baseline attackers who value reach and plow-through
- Players upgrading from a starter paddle to a more capable foam design
- Players who want high spin without giving up a usable soft game
Look elsewhere if
- Players who prioritize the softest possible feel at the kitchen
- Players who need maximum stability on frequent off-center hits
- Players who rely on very fast hand exchanges and dislike head-heavy leverage
- Players seeking raw pop above all else
Strengths
- Strong power for drives and counters, according to multiple reviews
- Long dwell time and a muted feel can make placement easier
- Carbon fiber face and textured surface support high spin
- Elongated shape provides extra reach and leverage
- 16mm foam construction offers a substantial, controlled response
Things to consider
- The elongated shape and 8.0-ounce weight may reduce hand speed
- One review found less confidence and stability on off-center back-court shots
- Its firm, poppy response may feel too direct for players who prefer plush touch
- Adding weight may improve the sweet spot but can make the paddle less maneuverable
- Check that the 4.25-inch grip suits your hand or preferred overgrip setup
Specs
| Brand | Friday |
|---|---|
| Weight | 8 oz |
| Core thickness | 16 mm |
| Core material | EPP foam |
| Face | Carbon fiber |
| Face material | Carbon fiber |
| Shape | Elongated |
| Grip circumference | 4.25 in |
| USA Pickleball approved | Yes |
Not listed by the seller: length, width, handle length, handle.
Specs come from the seller's product listing and may be incomplete or change between batches. Double-check before you buy.
Sources
- Friday Aura Pro Review – Their New Pro-Level Foam Paddle for $159 | Pickleheads
- Review: Breaking down the new Friday Aura and Aura Pro paddles – The Kitchen Pickleball
- Friday Aura Pro Review: Polymer-Like Foam Power Paddle
- Friday Aura Pro Paddle Review | This paddle hits hard!
- Friday Aura Pro Paddle | Gen 4 (16mm) – Friday Pickleball
- Friday Aura Pro Elongated — specs & weight setup | PaddleSpecs