Trusted by many of the sport’s top pros, the C45° Series from Franklin backs up its flashy aesthetic with a few industry-first performance upgrades.
Parris Todd. Hayden Patriquin. Sofia Sewing. Will Howells. Megan Fudge. Jorja and JW Johnson.
When the top names in the sport are all playing the same line of paddles, you know it must be good.
The Franklin C45° Hybrid was an instant hit when it debuted at the beginning of the year, selling out through multiple drops and popping up on courts from rec leagues through to the top pros.
This summer, the brand rounded out the line with two additional shapes – a widebody and an elongated. Here’s what you should know about the paddles Franklin can’t seem to keep on its shelves.
Franklin’s flashy new look
The Hybrid turned heads with its electric blue color and metallic edge guard finish. It was a looker with some serious performance to back it up.
The Dynasty (elongated) and Tempo (widebody) shapes continue this trend, adding chrome green and red colorways and keeping the flashy edge guard aesthetic.
There are also two new signature paddles in the works – a light blue Dynasty model for Hayden Patriquin (16mm and 14mm) and a pink Hybrid model for Parris Todd in a custom 13.25mm core thickness.
The double-thermoforming difference
Looks are one thing – and these paddles do look great – but what sets them apart performance-wise?
All three models in the C45° Series have a few features you won’t find in other paddles:
- The C45° is constructed with a two-step thermoforming process, meaning they bond the face layers with heat and pressure, then do the same to the fully assembled paddle. This results in enhanced structural integrity and reduced vibration upon impact.
- Each paddle features a Powerflex core consisting of a thin, dense foam ring around the entire paddle face and into the handle, plus a wider, softer foam ring that extends along the sides and top. This gives the paddle superior pop without sacrificing control and touch.
- The carbon fiber surface layer is applied as a 45 degree peel ply texture – rather then zero and 90 degrees, like most other paddles – which translates to great grit and spin right out of the box. This helps balance the power supplied from the core while allowing for exceptional shape and power on shots when needed.
All C45° paddles are approved by both USA Pickleball and the United Pickleball Association for competitive play.
Great stock, better with weight
All five of the C45° models – the Hybrid (14mm), Dynasty (14mm and 16mm) and Tempo (14mm and 16mm) – weigh around 7.5 ounces stock on the low end.
That’s light by any standards, but particularly noticeable if you’re looking to generate significant pop and power. It could also impact how the sweetspot feels.
We’d recommend adding some perimeter weight to open up the sweetspot and give it a bit more plow-through potential. It doesn’t take much; you should notice the difference right away.
Most, if not all, Franklin pros use some amount of perimeter weighting to get the most from their models of choice.
Our Impressions
The Tempo is great for players looking for lightning-fast hand speed who don’t mind the compromise of a shorter handle. Its sweetspot feels larger stock, as well. We enjoyed both, but spent the most time with the Dynasty.
I’ve been playing with the Dynasty 16mm for a couple weeks now and it’s quickly become a favorite in my rotation.
First, let’s talk looks. I wouldn’t normally seek out a green paddle, but the metallic chrome finish grew on me. It’s unique – a combination of flashy and fun. And it gets a lot of compliments. I’ll be first in line when the Hayden Patriquin signature paddle comes out.
As far as performance goes, a few things stood out:
- The elongated shape provides nice reach and torque, especially on forehands
- The 5.5-inch handle feels great and allows for a comfortable two-handed backhand
- Once I added weight to the lower corners and sides, the balance of power and control was elite
- I didn’t find the spin to be exceptional, but it wasn’t lacking either – the face on the 16mm pockets the ball well, which does help shape the ball on certain shots
- Pop at the kitchen line is top-tier – the put-away power with these paddles is a selling point
- The double-thermoforming, carbon fiber face laid at 45 degrees, and Gen-3 core all contribute to a deeper, satisfying thud sound upon contact
The Dink’s Partnerships Manager, Alina, spent some time with the Dynasty 14mm. Here’s what she thought:
You might notice a somewhat hollow sound on drives and even dinks. Don’t let that throw you off; it’s more about the paddle’s unique construction than any lack of performance. And while the sweet spot isn’t the largest right out of the box, that’s actually an easy fix. My own experience on the court with it showed that adding a bit of lead tape really helps to open up that sweet spot and enhance stability, all without sacrificing the paddle’s natural quickness.
Alina also appreciated the amount of spin she could generate, especially on her forehand drives. “The ball really bites the face, giving you excellent control for shaping shots,” she added.
How to get it + full specs
The C45° Series is available online, though certain color options are currently sold out.
All models retail for $229.99 and come with a limited one-year warranty.
Here are the full specs for the C45° Series of paddles:
