Why Cold-Pressed is Better
Competitors have attempted to use manufacturing gimmicks like thermoforming and “Gen 3” processes in an attempt to increase the power created by their paddles. Some of these companies have gotten into trouble with the governing bodies because the paddles didn't meet tournament play regulations, while others experienced issues like core crushes and face delamination.
We’ve stayed committed to a cold-press process because durability matters—and because our customers love the how ball feels coming off the face of our paddles.
What Makes Our Cold-Pressed Paddles Different
They are more durable.
Heat and pressure can collapse the core structure, causing uneven performance, face delamination, and premature breakdown of the paddle's integrity.
By avoiding thermal stress and excess pressure, Paddletek's cold-pressed paddles ship from the factory with maximum lifespan and unmatched playability.
They are more consistent.
Paddletek's cold-pressed paddles have a reputation for exceptional performance from shot one. They don't require a “break-in” period to increase their power, and they don't degrade in performance over time as quickly as thermoformed and “Gen 3” type paddles.
No surprises—just a paddle that you can count on to go the distance.
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Most thermoformed paddles offer a 3–12 month warranty—because the companies selling them know that they break down more quickly.
Paddletek is proud to offer a limited lifetime warranty on our cold-pressed paddles.
The Science Behind It
Heat affects the underlying structure of polymers used in most Gen 3 thermoformed paddles. At the molecular level, heating polypropylene—the material commonly used in paddle cores—causes the bonds to realign, degrade, and become more brittle. While this may deliver short-term pop, it risks losing stability and structural integrity.
Cold-pressed paddles skip the heat and pressure that compromise material strength. By preserving the integrity of the honeycomb core, our process ensures consistent performance, match after match.
Industry Experts Agree
“The main drawback to ‘Gen 1’ paddles up to now has been their lack of power, which is why thermoformed paddles have become more popular in the last year. Although thermoforming produces more power, it can also damage the core through heat and pressure, and they’ve had issues with breaking down. In these x-rays you can see that the cells in the Paddletek just look healthier than the thermoformed paddle... the cells are more uniform with better defined boundaries.”
–John Kew on the Bantam ESQ-C
“The Bantam GTO-C is a cold-pressed ‘Gen 1’ paddle built around responsiveness and durability. Paddletek skips the foam and thermoforming trends in favor of a tried-and-tested process: layering aerospace-grade carbon over a polypropylene core without applying heat or pressure that could compromise material integrity.”
–Matt's Pickleball on the Bantam GTO-C
“Paddletek found a way to make a ‘Gen 1’ paddle for the modern era. The Bantam is powerful and has several options to fit your play style. This paddle is a beacon of hope in a sea of core crushed ‘Gen 3s.’”
–Pickleball Studio on the Bantam TKO-C
“Another big reason that people love to buy these [paddles] is the durability of them. They tend to remain very consistent over the lifespan of the paddle, unlike a lot of ‘Gen 3’ paddles out there.”
–Pickleball Studio on the Bantam GTO-C
“Like most Bantams—and ‘Gen 1’ builds in general—the performance drops off the further you move from the sweet spot, and this one’s no exception. But stay in the zone, and it absolutely rips. The finish quality is solid, the sweet spot feels well-tuned, and the overall playability is right where it should be for a paddle built to hit hard and play fast.”
–Matt's Pickleball on the Bantam GTO-C
All Paddletek Bantam and Tempest Series paddles are crafted with the same cold-pressed techniques.
Shop Bantam Shop Tempest