Loco 2 First Impressions
The Bread & Butter Loco is widely regarded as one of the best paddle releases of 2025. Now in 2026, Bread & Butter has launched the Loco 2, an updated version of their signature paddle featuring "Space Dust Grit"—their answer to the demand for longer-lasting spin.
Does it live up to the hype, and more importantly, how does it compare in today's highly competitive market? Here are my thoughts on the elongated model.
Specs, Shape, and Construction
For its internal construction, the Loco 2 keeps the exact same dual-density foam core (EPP surrounded by EVA foam) as the original Loco. The only physical change to the paddle is the addition of the new durable grit surface.
For the elongated model, out-of-the-box metrics come in at:
Swing Weight: 115
Twist Weight: 6.10
This is significantly lower than my original Locos, which averaged a 121 swing weight and a 6.25 twist weight.
The Weighting Issue (And How to Fix It)
You will immediately notice that swing weight difference. The Loco 2 feels lighter and faster in the hands, but that speed comes at the direct cost of stability and power. In stock form, the Loco 2 lacks plow-through on drives, and the sweet spot isn't quite as large as the original. It plays very similarly to other light, elongated paddles like the 11Six24 Hurache Power 2 or the Sword and Shield J6CR.
Lighter paddles like this offer a more manageable swing weight for the average player, but it means a slightly worse out-of-the-box experience if you rely on stock performance.
Personally, I think the Loco 2 requires perimeter weighting. I added 3-gram strips of 1g-per-inch tuning tape (from the Pickleball Effect Store) at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions to bump up stability and increase plow-through. This pushed the metrics up to 119 swing weight and 6.65 twist weight, which made the paddle significantly more comfortable and solid.
Playability & Feel
Because the core construction is identical to the original, the feel profile is very similar. Out of the box, the Loco 2 feels slightly lighter and stiffer compared to the solid, pocketing feedback of the original. However, once I added the lead tape and got some games in to break it in, it felt nearly identical to the first generation. If you were a fan of the original Loco, you will feel right at home here.
Once weighted up, the firepower becomes top-tier. It regains that heavy plow-through on drives and serves that makes the Loco series so dangerous.
Space Dust Grit: The Spin Factor
The biggest differentiator is the new enhanced grit texture. The Space Dust Grit provides a massive amount of texture, very reminiscent of 11Six24's HexGrit. According to John Kew's testing, this is a Tier 1 surface, and impressively, it is the first Tier 1 surface to be dual-certified for both UPA and USAP.
In gameplay, the increased RPMs are undeniable. During testing, opponents were frequently caught off guard by the sheer amount of spin I was generating on topspin drops, slice dinks, and aggressive kitchen play. The ball dives fast on topspin dinks, and slices skip aggressively off the bounce.
A quick warning: You will need to slightly adjust your strokes. Because the surface grabs the ball so aggressively, the launch angle on topspin shots is slightly lower than the original Loco. You'll need to aim a little higher on your drives and serves to avoid clipping the tape until you get used to the new trajectory.
Final Verdict
Overall, the Loco 2 is a better performance paddle than the original. It takes what worked with the first generation and upgrades the grit texture to give you elite spin potential. You get the same firepower and feel as the 2025 model, but with a much deadlier bite on the ball.
The lighter stock weight makes it more approachable for the average player, giving you the flexibility to customize the weighting to your exact preferences—though you should absolutely expect to add some tape to maximize its performance.
The Loco 2 is currently available for pre-order from Bread & Butter for $200 (after discount). Check the links below if you want to pick one up.
Bread & Butter Code: DMVPBALL
https://breadbutterpickleballco.sjv.io/EE0LAX
Pickleball Effect Store Discount (Grips and tuning tape): DMVPBALL
