What I found was that the BluCore took some time to get used to, but it's now the paddle I play with the most. The foam core makes for a softer and more forgiving feel—it's like the suspension on an old Cadillac coupe. ★ Another foam core paddle: I was also pretty impressed with the Selkirk Labs 008, a new foam core paddle from the maker of our top pick for most people above. The 008 has a more traditional feel and a smaller but more poppy sweet spot. Because this paddle uses a T700 raw carbon fiber instead of more durable aramid carbon fiber, I fear the face will lose its effectiveness even when the core remains solid.