WidebodyAll-Court
Widebody16mmAll-Court
Tested by Austin Hardy
5.5+ player · Independent reviewer
Gherkin
Draco 16mm Pickleball Paddle Review
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Retail Price
$161.99$179.99
Promo Code
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Austin's Take
Austin Hardy
Gherkin isn't a household name yet, but the Draco is a serious paddle with serious specs. Available in Hybrid, Elongated, and Widebody shapes, the Draco line covers a wide range of play styles under a single design language.
Read full reviewWeight & Balance
How this paddle compares to 105+ paddles in our database.
Swing Weight105.94
96.66avg 113.92124.18
Below average
Twist Weight6.74
2.36avg 6.187.41
Above average
Static Weight7.6 oz
7.5 ozavg 7.97 oz9.1 oz
Near average
Play StyleAll-Court
Specifications
Dimensions
Core Thickness16mm
ShapeWidebody
Weight7.6 oz
Swing Weight105.94
Twist Weight6.74
Classification
BrandGherkin
Play StyleAll-Court
Featured In Our Guides
Best Pickleball Paddles (2026) →Recommended Gear
Redmond Re-lyte Electrolytes
$45.99 · 15% Off
Slyce Slydr Paddle Weights
$29.95 · 10% Off
VKTRY Carbon Fiber Insoles
$149.00 · 20% Off
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Who Draco Is For
Buy if
- You want a balanced paddle that does a little of everything
- You want the largest sweet spot and most forgiveness
- Low swing weight (105.94) means fast hands at the kitchen
- You prefer the soft, forgiving feel of a 16mm core
Skip if
- You want more reach and leverage on groundstrokes
- You want more power and plow-through on drives
- You want maximum pop — thinner cores are snappier
Ready to buy? Use code PLAYBOOK for a discount.
Buy at GherkinGear We Recommend
All Gear15% OffRedmond Re-lyte Electrolytes
Real salt electrolyte drink mix. Stay hydrated on and off the court.
$45.99
10% OffSlyce Slydr Paddle Weights
Adjustable clamp-on paddle weights. Fine-tune your swing weight in seconds.
$29.95
20% OffVKTRY Carbon Fiber Insoles
Carbon fiber insoles that boost performance and reduce fatigue on the court.
$149.00
How Draco Compares
Paddles in the same category and price range.
HybridAll-Court
WidebodyAll-Court
HybridAll-Court
Honolulu
J2CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface
$195.00$175.50
Weight
8.0 oz
Twist Wt
6.57
Thickness
16mm
PLAYBOOK·Save 10%
Playing Feel
All-CourtThe Gherkin Draco is a 16mm widebody paddle weighing 7.6 oz with a swing weight of 105.94 and twist weight of 6.74. Expect a balanced feel that handles dinks, drives, and everything in between. Neither too stiff nor too soft — it adapts to your game.
Swing Weight105.94
96.66avg 113.92124.18
Below average
Twist Weight6.74
2.36avg 6.187.41
Above average
16mm CoreWidebody7.6 oz
Written Review
Gherkin Draco Review: Three Shapes, Three Play Styles, One Paddle
Gherkin isn't a household name yet, but the Draco is a serious paddle with serious specs. Available in Hybrid, Elongated, and Widebody shapes, the Draco line covers a wide range of play styles under a single design language.
Specs at a Glance
- Core: 16mm
- Hybrid — SW: 108.27, TW: 6.43 (Power)
- Elongated — SW: 112.13, TW: 6.14 (Power)
- Widebody — SW: 105.94, TW: 6.74 (All-Court)
- Price: $179.99 — use code PLAYBOOK for 10% off
Hybrid: Compact Power
Despite being classified as a power paddle, the Draco Hybrid's SW of 108.27 keeps it maneuverable. It's the shape for players who want pop without sacrificing speed at the kitchen. Think of it as a 'controlled power' option.
Elongated: More Pop, More Reach
The Elongated version steps up to SW 112.13, adding meaningful pop on drives and giving you extra reach for poaching. At this SW it's still manageable at the NVZ but starts leaning toward offensive play.
Widebody: The All-Court Option
With SW 105.94 and TW 6.74, the Widebody Draco is the most forgiving and maneuverable of the three. It's an all-court paddle for players who want a big sweet spot, lots of stability, and a paddle that forgives misreads at the NVZ.
Verdict
The Gherkin Draco is a smart paddle line that gives you genuine choices. All three shapes are well-executed at $179.99. Use code PLAYBOOK for 10% off.
Discussion
Have questions or thoughts about the Gherkin Draco? Join the conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the swing weight of the Gherkin Draco?
The Gherkin Draco has a swing weight of 105.94, which is below the catalog average of 113.92.
Who should buy the Gherkin Draco?
The Gherkin Draco is a widebody 16mm paddle best suited for all-court players who want a versatile, balanced paddle.
Is there a discount code for the Gherkin Draco?
Yes! Use code PLAYBOOK at checkout to save 10% on the Gherkin Draco. This code is verified and active.
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Be the first to see new paddle reviews and get exclusive discounts before anyone else.
Draco
Gherkin