Every now and then, a paddle enters the pickleball world that forces players to pause, rethink, and recalibrate what they thought they knew about power paddles. The Bread & Butter LOCO has quickly become one of those paddles. On paper, it already stands out—full EPP foam core, EVA foam perimeter, and three distinct shapes (Elongated, Hybrid, and Widebody), giving players options depending on how they construct their game. But after spending hours drilling, testing, and matching up against players using their preferred weapons, I realized this paddle has much more depth than the marketing claims.
As a coach, I always tell players that a paddle should fit you, not the other way around. The LOCO is interesting because at first, it feels unapologetically powerful and similar to the Boomstick, but with a more nuanced touch once it breaks in. During my first 2-hour drill session, the paddle felt noticeably stiff and very lively off the face. However, by session number three, the feel mellowed out and the foam core opened up beautifully. That’s when the controlled drives, buttery drops, and consistent resets started coming alive. I felt like the paddle went from “well this is a bit rigid” to “okay, now we’re cooking” over the course of about 6 total hours of hitting.
One thing that instantly caught my attention was how maneuverable the LOCO feels. Despite being a full-foam build, something that usually increases swing weight, the twist weight is quite easy on the wrist. Even during fast hands exchanges, I was matching blow-for-blow against players using their regular paddles. This surprised me because generally full-foam paddles tend to feel bulkier in hand but this one somehow don’t.
However, the one drawback I personally noticed was dwell time. The LOCO has more dwell time than I typically prefer in a hand battle. While this helps with control and shapes your soft game beautifully, in rapid exchanges it sometimes made me feel a half-step behind. Due to this I had to recalibrate my swing path and timing which caused some unforced errors at first (Yes, im blaming the paddle.) But when I asked power players those who hit big drives to try this paddle, they did not find any lack of pop due to dwell time. In fact, they mentioned that unlike other foam paddles, the LOCO doesn’t need tungsten tape at the head or near the sweet spot to unleash its full potential.
But me being a control-oriented player, I always add tungsten tape at the throat of any power paddle so I did the same with the Loco as well. Through this customization I noticed improved stability, and I was also able to generate the right amount of counter-punching ability without sacrificing maneuverability. So my conclusion is that power players may love the stock setup, control-first players might prefer a bit of customization.
Overall, the Bread & Butter LOCO is an exciting addition in the ‘Power Paddles,’ segment and at $200 it is in my opinion quite reasonably priced . It’s explosive, highly customizable, and available in shapes that allow players to tailor the paddle to their game. If you are looking for a paddle similar to the as the Boomstick or the Gearbox GX2 then the LOCO deserves a test hit at the very least.
Bread & Butter LOCO Paddle Specs Comparison
| Feature | Elongated LOCO | Hybrid LOCO | Widebody LOCO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shape | Longest reach, best for drives | Balanced length + width | Largest sweet spot |
| Core Construction | Full EPP foam + EVA perimeter | Full EPP foam + EVA perimeter | Full EPP foam + EVA perimeter |
| Power | ★★★★★ (Maximum) | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Control | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Spin Potential | High | High | Moderate–High |
| Maneuverability | Very good | Excellent | Good |
| Sweet Spot Size | Medium | Medium–Large | Largest |
| Best For | Aggressive countering, singles, hard drives | All-court players, doubles | Control players, blockers, defenders |
Please Note: I personally only tested the elongated version of the BnB Loco, for the hybrid and widebody versions I asked around in my network for the data, the data displayed on this table is consistent with 7 opinions which is why I can publish it. If any one of you would like for a detailed paddle review do reach out at homeforpickleball@gmail.com
Bread & Butter LOCO Paddle Specs (Elongated)
Power
If you want power, this paddle delivers it without hesitation. The combination of EPP core and EVA foam perimeter creates a trampoline-like rebound that feels very similar to the Boomstick but with a slightly more predictable response once broken in. The Elongated version, in particular, hits like a hammer.
Control
Control comes alive after the break-in period. Once the stiffness settles, the foam engages more consistently and the paddle becomes surprisingly touch-friendly. By session number three, my drops, resets, and dinks were landing exactly where I wanted. I was able to alter between dead dinks and topspin dinks at will.
Spin
The raw surface combined with longer dwell time makes the LOCO a top-tier spinner. Rolls, topspin drives, and dipping counters are easy to generate.
Maneuverability
A big highlight. The paddle swings lighter than most full-foam builds. Even in the Elongated shape, the twist weight is tuned tightly enough to allow fast exchanges and reactive blocks.
Durability
Bread & Butter paddles have generally held up well long-term, and the LOCO feels no different. Foam paddles can be prone to early breakdown, but this one shows no signs of softening too quickly.
Selkirk BoomStick vs Gearbox GX2 vs Bread & Butter LOCO – Spec Comparison Chart
| Spec | Selkirk BoomStick | Gearbox GX2 | Bread & Butter LOCO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight Range | 227–235 g | 224–230 g | 224–230 g |
| Core Type | Polypropylene Honeycomb | 3K Carbon w/ Patented SST Core (Solid Span Technology) | EPP Foam Core + EVA Foam Perimeter (Full Foam) |
| Face Material | Raw QuadCarbon Face | Toray T-700 Carbon Fiber | Raw Carbon Fiber |
| Paddle Shape | Elongated | Traditional / Control Shape | Elongated, Hybrid, or Widebody |
| Length | 17 in | 16.5 in | Varies by shape (typically 16.3–17 in) |
| Width | ~7.4 in | ~7.375 in | Widebody ~8 in, Hybrid ~7.6 in, Elongated ~7.4 in |
| Grip Length | 5.75 in | ~5.5 in | ~5.3–5.5 in depending on shape |
| Grip Circumference | 4.25 in | 4 in (smaller profile) | 4.25 in |
| Swingweight | ~125–128 | ~113–116 | ~118–121 (varies by shape) |
| Twistweight | ~6.5–7.5 | ~5.8–6.2 | ~6.0–7.0 |
| Power Rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very High) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (High) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very High) |
| Control Rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Spin Potential | ~1,900–2,000 RPM | ~1,900–2,100 RPM | ~1,800–2,000 RPM |
| Notable Feature | Massive power + longest reach | One-piece molded core + consistent feel | Full-foam core for max pop + adjustable feel after break-in |
| Break-In Time | Minimal | None needed (solid core) | 4–6 hours of drilling |
| Ideal For | Power players, Bangers, Singles | Control players, Precision hitters | Power players, foam-core lovers, hybrids who want power + forgiveness |
FAQs About the Bread & Butter LOCO Paddle
Is the LOCO good for beginners?
It can be, but it’s designed primarily for intermediate to advanced players who want power and shaping ability.
Which LOCO shape should I choose?
- Elongated → Maximum reach & power
- Hybrid → Balanced power and control
- Widebody → Largest sweet spot & best soft game
Does the LOCO need lead or tungsten tape?
Power players generally say no, but control players may benefit from adding tungsten at the throat, not the head.
How long does the LOCO take to break in?
Around 5–6 hours of drilling. It starts stiff but becomes more consistent and soft-feeling with time.
Is this similar to the Boomstick?
Yes, in terms of raw power and foam construction. But the LOCO feels slightly more maneuverable.
Is the LOCO good for hand battles?
It’s solid, but the dwell time may feel long for some players. If you rely heavily on fast counters, you may prefer adding weight.
Does the LOCO come in 14 mm thickness?
No, the BnB Loco only comes in a “16mm” model for all its shapes the elongated, widebody and hybrid.
Does the Bread & Butter LOCO paddle come with a warranty?
Yes, the Bread & Butter generally offers a limited manufacturer warranty on their paddles (including the LOCO), covering defects in materials and workmanship. However, coverage terms (such as duration and what counts as a defect) may vary depending on where you purchase it, so it’s best to check with the retailer or the official Bread & Butter website for the exact warranty details before buying.
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