The Vulcan Chapter 1 Series marks the brand’s first major paddle launch in several years following its 2025 acquisition and new leadership, alongside a partnership with tennis star Nick Kyrgios. Built around a floating EPP core with a lighter EVA perimeter band and cutouts, the paddles are designed to flex more than traditional constructions, creating noticeable pocketing and rebound.
On court, they deliver very high power and pop with a surprisingly soft, hollow feel. They’re lively, offensive paddles that reward aggressive play, though that same pocketing can make them harder to control when defending against pace.
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Affiliate disclosure: I was sent this paddle to test, but this review wasn’t paid for or approved by the brand. Everything here reflects my own testing and opinions. If you click the links on the page or use my discount codes, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you that supports my testing and reviews.
Measurements are from my review units and may vary between paddles.
| Paddle | Shape | Handle Length | Weight (oz) | Swing Weight | Twist Weight | Balance Point (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Elongated |
5.75 |
8.12 |
119 |
6.17 |
241 |
|
Widebody |
5.5 |
7.76 |
110 |
6.55 |
239 |
|
Hybrid |
5.5 |
7.9 |
112 |
5.76 |
237 |
What stands out on court:
The Vulcan Chapter 1 paddles are built for offense. When you have time to set up and find the center of the paddle, they can hit as hard or harder than almost anything else. The ball pockets into the face and then springs off with a lively pop that makes drives and putaways especially dangerous. That pocket-and-pop behavior also works well when attacking balls around net height or slightly below the net, where you can lift the ball up and dip it down effectively.
Another stand out trait are their soft, hollow feel. The floating EPP core and perimeter cutouts allow the paddle to flex more than most power paddles, creating a comfortable, dwelly response without feeling overly muted.
That same pocketing can make the paddle harder to control when receiving pace. On resets and defensive shots, incoming speed can activate the pop quickly and make the response feel a little unpredictable compared to other power paddles. Among the shapes, the White Noise widebody felt the most forgiving and controllable and is the one I’d recommend the most out of the series.
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Compared to the Gearbox GX2 Power
Gearbox GX2 Power (code PBEFFECT) >>
Compared to the Selkirk Boomstik
The Boomstik feels stiffer and more hollow, while the Vulcan feels softer with more pocketing.
Both paddles bring big pop, but the Boomstik is more predictable, while the Vulcan has a dwelly pocket-and-pop response.
The Vulcan Chapter 1 paddles are very fun offensive paddles that will appeal most to players who enjoy lively, dwelly paddles with big power.
Best For Players Who
These paddles can be especially appealing for beginner and intermediate players who want more offense in their game. The power and pocketing help generate extra speed and lift when attacking, and because players at these levels typically see less incoming pace, the control challenges of the paddle tend to show up less.
Less Ideal For Players Who
Players who face a lot of speed from advanced opponents may find the pocket-and-pop behavior harder to manage defensively, but for players who want an offensive paddle with a unique feel, the Chapter 1 series delivers something different from most power paddles on the market.
Reviewer Profile
Braydon Unsicker is the founder of Pickleball Effect and has been reviewing pickleball gear since 2020. He’s known for independent, data-backed paddle reviews and hands-on testing that help players cut through marketing claims and make smarter equipment decisions.
Affiliate disclosure: I was sent this paddle to test, but this review wasn’t paid for or approved by the brand. Everything here reflects my own testing and opinions. If you click the links on the page or use my discount codes, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you that supports my testing and reviews.
