Last updated: May 2026
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FRIDAY is one of the more interesting stories in pickleball gear right now. They built a brand around the idea that a paddle could look great and perform well without asking you to choose between the two. The result is a lineup that's picked up real traction — players who care about how their bag looks also tend to care about how their paddle looks, and FRIDAY figured that out early.
This guide covers the current FRIDAY lineup, who each paddle is actually for, and where the brand wins and loses against competitors at similar price points.
The FRIDAY Paddle Lineup at a Glance
FRIDAY currently runs two main product families:
- Fever series — $99–$102. Entry-level carbon fiber. Two shapes (elongated and widebody), two price points.
- Aura series — $129–$169. Mid-range to premium carbon fiber. Three shapes (elongated, widebody, hybrid) across two tiers (Aura and Aura Pro).
All paddles use carbon fiber faces. None of these are polymer-faced budget paddles pretending to be something else — that's worth stating upfront because the $99 price on the Fever 101 genuinely gets you a carbon fiber surface, not a marketing trick.
FRIDAY Fever Series: The Entry Point Worth Considering
FRIDAY Fever 101 Elongated — $99
The FRIDAY Fever 101 is an elongated carbon fiber paddle at $99. That's the starting price for a lot of thermoformed paddles from JOOLA, CRBN, and others — which means FRIDAY isn't asking you to pay a premium for the brand name. You're getting elongated reach, a carbon face, and FRIDAY's distinctive visual design for the same money as comparable sticks.
Elongated shapes work best if you're coming from a tennis background or want extended reach at the kitchen line. The tradeoff is a slightly smaller sweet spot than widebody options — you'll notice this if you're still developing consistent mechanics.
FRIDAY Fever 102 — $102 (Elongated or Widebody)
The Fever 102 Elongated and Fever 102 Widebody sit just three dollars above the 101. The widebody version is the one to seriously consider if you're playing recreational or competitive 3.5–4.0 — wider face, larger sweet spot, more forgiveness on off-center contact. The elongated 102 is for players who already know they want reach over surface area.
Who the Fever series is for: Players who want a genuine carbon fiber paddle at an accessible price, value aesthetic variety in their gear, and don't want to spend $200+ before they're sure about a new brand.
FRIDAY Aura Series: Where the Brand Gets Serious
FRIDAY Aura — $129 (Elongated, Widebody, or Hybrid)
Three shapes at the same $129 price point. The Aura is FRIDAY's step up from the Fever — more refined, with the same carbon fiber construction but presumably improved build quality and feel based on the price jump.
The Hybrid shape is the one I'd steer most recreational players toward. It sits between elongated and widebody — not as narrow as a pure elongated, not as wide as a classic widebody. It's the shape that's picked up adoption in the 3.5–4.5 demographic because it doesn't force you to make a hard choice between power and placement.
At $129, FRIDAY is competing directly with JOOLA Vision CGS, CRBN 2X, and Selkirk Vanguard Power Air 2.0 on price. Whether the Aura wins that comparison comes down to personal preference in feel — the brand's edge here is design quality and the fact that you can match your paddle aesthetic to your bag setup.
FRIDAY Aura Pro — $169 (Elongated, Widebody, or Hybrid)
The Aura Pro is FRIDAY's premium build. $169 puts it in the same bracket as mid-tier Selkirk and JOOLA options — not cheap, not $250 flagship territory either. Three shape options again (elongated, widebody, hybrid).
The Pro label means more refined construction — typically better grit retention, tighter tolerances in the thermoforming process, and incrementally improved pop and spin response. At this price point, the honest comparison is: are you getting more than a well-built $129 Aura at $169? For tournament-competitive 4.0–5.0 players, the answer is probably yes. For recreational 3.0–3.5 players, the Fever or base Aura is likely enough.
FRIDAY Paddle Comparison Table
| Model | Price | Shapes | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fever 101 | $99 | Elongated | Entry-level carbon, reach-focused players |
| Fever 102 Widebody | $102 | Widebody | 3.5–4.0 rec players, larger sweet spot |
| Aura | $129 | Elongated / Widebody / Hybrid | 4.0+ players wanting refined feel |
| Aura Pro | $169 | Elongated / Widebody / Hybrid | 4.5–5.0, tournament players |
Where FRIDAY Wins — and Where Competitors Beat Them
FRIDAY wins on: Design. There's no other brand in this price range producing paddles that look this distinctive. If you care about your gear matching and you want something that doesn't look like every other black thermoformed stick at your club, FRIDAY delivers that.
Price entry point for carbon fiber is also real — $99 for a carbon fiber face paddle is competitive with what you'd pay at CRBN or JOOLA for comparable tech. You're not subsidizing brand prestige at that price.
Where CRBN beats FRIDAY: Grit retention and spin generation at the top of their respective lineups. CRBN's Pro series paddles are built around spin as a primary feature. If spin is your tactical weapon, CRBN is worth the extra spend.
Where Selkirk beats FRIDAY: Consistency and customer support. Selkirk has been in the game longer and their warranty + support infrastructure is more established. The Selkirk Vanguard series at a similar price point has more documented player feedback from 4.5+ competitive players.
"We've seen FRIDAY paddles at a lot of open-play sessions over the past year. The players drawn to them tend to be style-aware 3.5–4.5s who want their gear to match — and the performance holds up. Not the spinny thermoformed slab you get from CRBN or Selkirk at the top, but genuinely solid at the $99–$129 price range."
— Topher, FORWRD co-founder, former club coach
The honest read: FRIDAY is a strong brand for 3.5–4.5 recreational and competitive players who want good carbon fiber performance, don't want to spend flagship money, and want their gear to look interesting. If you're a 5.0+ tournament grinder optimizing every variable, you probably have opinions about grit texture and swing weight specifications that go beyond what this guide can verify — test one first.
Carrying Your FRIDAY Paddle to the Court
FRIDAY's design-conscious customer and the FORWRD Court Ranger V2 ($195) are a natural match. Both are built around the idea that pickleball gear doesn't have to look like an afterthought. The V2 has a 16-inch laptop sleeve, modular paddle compartment, YKK AquaGuard zippers — designed with input from 500+ real players, featured in The Dink, Pickleball Effect, and The Kitchen.
Your Aura Pro deserves better than a drawstring gym bag. For a full breakdown of the best bags at every price point, see our Best Premium Pickleball Bags 2026 guide.
Our Pick: FORWRD Court Ranger V2
Modular paddle sleeve, 16" laptop compartment, YKK AquaGuard zippers — built for players who take gear seriously. Designed with 500+ real players.
FAQ: FRIDAY Pickleball Paddles
What pickleball paddles does FRIDAY make?
FRIDAY currently makes two main lines: the Fever series (Fever 101 and Fever 102 in elongated and widebody shapes, $99–$102) and the Aura series (Aura and Aura Pro in elongated, widebody, and hybrid shapes, $129–$169). Both lines use carbon fiber faces.
Are FRIDAY paddles USAPA approved?
Check the current USAPA approved paddle list at usapickleball.org before tournament play — approval status changes with every update. FRIDAY paddles have appeared on previous approved lists, but verify before a sanctioned event. Recreational play doesn't require USAPA approval.
How does the FRIDAY Fever compare to the Aura?
The Fever ($99–$102) is FRIDAY's entry-level carbon fiber paddle — solid all-court performance at a price most players can absorb. The Aura ($129) adds more refined feel and three shape options. The Aura Pro ($169) is their premium build for players who want every edge the lineup offers. None of the three tiers are bad choices — it really comes down to how much you play and what you're optimizing for.
Where can I buy FRIDAY pickleball paddles?
FRIDAY paddles are available at Pickleball Central, where you can compare the full lineup side by side with verified pricing and stock status.
What bag works well with FRIDAY paddles?
The FORWRD Court Ranger V2 ($195) pairs well with FRIDAY's design-forward approach. The paddle sleeve fits two paddles securely, the 16-inch laptop sleeve handles a full work setup, and the YKK AquaGuard zippers hold up outdoors. Built with 500+ real players — the details show.
Ready to upgrade your whole setup? Shop the Court Ranger V2 — built with 500+ real players to carry everything without the bulk.
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