Skip to content
Racquet RankRacquet Rank
Friday Challenger pickleball paddle

Source: Friday

Friday

Challenger Friday

Pickleball· Challenger

Very goodUpdated on 2026-10-03
4.5out of 5108 reviews

The Challenger is Friday's raw carbon paddle, presented by the brand as the best-performing one under 100 dollars. It has a face with two layers of raw T700 carbon and a sandy texture for spin, a 16 mm honeycomb core with foam-injected walls, and thermoformed construction. The shape is elongated, the measured weight is around 7.7 oz, and the handle is 5.5 inches, with a tennis-style 4 1/4 grip. It is approved by USA Pickleball and combines reach with a light touch.

Key specs

Full specs
Weight
7.7 oz
Core thickness
16 mm
Face material
Raw double-layer T700 carbon
Grip length
5.5 in
Grip circumference
4.3 in
Shape
Elongated

LevelsBeginner, Intermediate

We haven't found offers for this racquet yet.

Offers

We haven't found offers for this racquet yet.

Price history

Not enough price history yet.

Strengths and watch-outs

Pros

  • Raw T700 carbon face usually helps generate spin
  • 7.7 oz weight tends to make the paddle agile at the net
  • Thermoformed construction with foam walls, according to the brand
  • 5.5 in handle accommodates the two-handed backhand

Cons

  • 7.7 oz weight may give less stability against hard balls
  • Elongated shape tends to be less forgiving on side hits
Ideal for
Intermediate player who wants raw carbon, reach, and fast hands on a tight budget.
Levels
Beginner, Intermediate

Specs

Construction
Face materialRaw double-layer T700 carbonMedium confidence
CoreHoneycomb with injected foam wallsMedium confidence
Core thickness16 mmMedium confidence
Edge protectionNo dataMedium confidence
ThermoformedYesMedium confidence
USA Pickleball approvedYesMedium confidence
Dimensions
Weight7.7 ozmeasured by Pickleball EffectMedium confidence
WidthNo dataMedium confidence
LengthNo dataMedium confidence
Grip length5.5 inMedium confidence
Grip circumference4.3 inMedium confidence
ShapeElongatedMedium confidence

How the RR Score was calculated

CriterionWeightScore
Specs65%69
Approval from players35%73

The RR Score is not yet a precise figure. It summarizes the data we have today (specs and reviews) and changes as more information comes in. A low score does not mean the racquet is bad and does not reflect its technical quality: often it is just missing data or reviews. The specs combine several sources and may have discrepancies: check the manufacturer's website and the store where you buy.

Buyer reviews

Average of the ratings given at each store, weighted by how many reviews each one has.

Store ratings may reflect the store experience (shipping, service), not only the racquet.

4.5108 reviews
  • Amazon4.5 · 108 reviews

CommunityRacquet RankRacquet Rank

0 review(s) and comment(s)

No reviews yet. Have you played with the Challenger Friday? Tell us how it went.

Similar racquets

See more
More pickleball racquetsSee more Similar pickleball racquets