What Is Cryo Core? A Look Inside Pickleball Paddle Technology
If you’ve been shopping for a pickleball paddle, you’ve probably come across a lot of technical terms describing what’s inside the paddle. One you may have seen recently is Cryo Core.
But what exactly is a Cryo Core, and what does it mean for your game?
What Is a Cryo Core?
Cryo Core is Onix’s name for a solid EPP foam core combined with traditional cold-press paddle construction.
Unlike traditional honeycomb paddle cores, a solid foam core is made from a continuous piece of EPP (expanded polypropylene) foam. This creates a consistent core structure designed to provide a predictable feel and enhanced control during play.
The “Cryo” in Cryo Core refers to the cold-press construction used to build the paddle. Rather than being a separate material or treatment, Cryo Core describes the combination of the solid EPP foam core and cold-press construction process.
What Is EPP Foam?
EPP stands for expanded polypropylene, a lightweight foam material used in a variety of applications.
In pickleball paddles, EPP can be used as a solid core instead of the traditional honeycomb structure. Because the foam is continuous throughout the core, it provides a uniform foundation beneath the paddle face.
Why Does the Core Matter?
The core is a major part of how a pickleball paddle feels and performs. It influences the paddle’s response when the ball makes contact with the surface, including how the paddle feels during controlled shots and longer rallies.
A solid foam construction gives players a consistent foundation behind the paddle face, helping create the controlled, predictable feel players look for when placing shots.
Cryo Core vs. Traditional Honeycomb Cores
Many pickleball paddles use a honeycomb-style core made from materials such as polypropylene. A solid foam core takes a different approach.
Instead of individual honeycomb cells, solid foam provides a continuous core structure across the paddle. This difference in construction can contribute to a distinct feel and response on the court.
Neither construction is universally better, it comes down to the playing characteristics and feel a player prefers.
How Cold-Press Construction Fits In
The solid EPP foam is only part of what makes Cryo Core.
Cold-press construction is a traditional paddle manufacturing method used to bring the paddle's layers together under pressure. With Cryo Core, this construction process is combined with the solid EPP foam core to create the finished paddle structure.
The combination of solid EPP foam and cold-press construction also allows Onix to deliver the benefits of a solid foam core paddle at a more accessible price point. This makes Cryo Core an option for players looking for the feel and performance characteristics of solid foam construction without the premium price often associated with it.
The result is a straightforward combination of solid foam core technology and cold-press construction designed around control and consistency.
Where Can You Find Cryo Core?
Onix uses Solid Foam Cryo Core technology in the Onix Theory Pickleball Paddle, giving players the option to experience a solid EPP foam construction designed for a controlled and consistent feel.
Whether you're new to foam-core paddles or simply curious about what's inside your paddle, understanding the core is a great place to start.
Because what’s inside your paddle matters just as much as what’s on the surface.
