Friday Fever Pickleball Paddle Review

Kip Lacey

Friday Fever Gen 3 Paddle Review

Hey guys, it’s Kip, today I’m reviewing the new Friday Fever Gen 3 paddle. I’ve been excited to try this one out—Friday has been around for a while, but this is the first of their paddles I’ve reviewed. Right away, I love the look, and I couldn’t wait to get it on court.

Photo Friday Pickle

Specs and Build

The Friday Fever measures 16 1/12 inches long by 7 1/12 inches wide, with a 5.5-inch grip length and a 4.25-inch circumference. The surface is made from three layers of T700 carbon fiber, designed for excellent dwell time and spin. The stock weight is just 7.7 ounces, which is light for me, so I bumped it up to 8.01 ounces. Swing weight comes in at 112 in stock form—still on the low side compared to my preferred 120. Twist weight is 5.9, making it a lightweight Gen 3 paddle overall.

Inside, the core features an 8mm poly honeycomb with two layers of EVA foam around the perimeter. The outer edge foam is thick and should help with trampoline effect, while the inner edge foam varies—thinner in some spots, even absent at the tip. That might not affect play or durability, but it’s worth noting.

Inside the core (Photo Kip Lacey)

On-Court Performance

After spending a few weeks with the Friday Fever, here’s how it performed:

• Power – My average serve speed with this paddle was 49.4 mph, just shy of my usual 50 mph. Given the low swing weight, adding more mass should increase power numbers. Even so, it’s average power right out of the box.
• Accuracy, Control, and Consistency – Excellent in all areas. Whether driving, dropping, serving, or returning, it’s easy to hit your targets repeatedly.
• Spin – As expected from a Gen 3 surface, spin is outstanding. The three-layer T700 grabs the ball well, and the softer feel gives great dwell time.
• Feel and Feedback – Very comfortable with an adequate sweet spot. Not oversized, but plush on contact and forgiving on softer shots.
• Defense to Offense – Easy to reset, dig out tough balls, and transition into offense. The quick swing speed makes it fast at the net.
• Maneuverability – With its low swing weight, this paddle is lightning quick in hand, great for fast exchanges.

Kip Lacey testing the Friday Fever

Looks and Customization

The Friday Fever comes in four colors. The light stock weight means you can customize it easily with lead tape to suit your style. The grip has a nice ridged texture for control, and the handle length is friendly for two-handed backhands.

Price and Concerns

At $99 USD, this paddle is an incredible deal for a Gen 3. The only concern is durability—after minimal play, paint started scuffing on the edges just from going in and out of my bag. Gen 3 paddles also have a known performance break-in and decline cycle, so longevity is something to watch.

Final Thoughts

The Friday Fever Gen 3 is light, maneuverable, and highly customizable. It delivers strong spin, excellent control, and solid comfort, making it a great fit for a wide range of players. If you add a bit of weight, the power potential goes up even more. For $99, it’s hard to go wrong. I could play with this anytime and have a lot of fun doing it.

Photo Friday Pickle

For in-depth video reviews, check out my Youtube Channel.

Editor’s Note: This article is based on a video by Kip Lacey. We partnered with him to highlight key concepts in a written format for players who prefer to read or reference drills on the court.

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