The neon-tinted Gherkin Nightshade jumps out at you right away – this is one stylish paddle. I came into this review with no expectations as Gherkin Pickleball is a new brand to me. Based out of Los Angeles, they were set up in 2024.
At the $125 price point (it's even cheaper when you use our 10% discount), I was curious to see if the Nightshade could offer anything different, especially for newer players and intermediates who don't want to fork out for a $250 paddle yet.
After eight hours of play with the Elongated model, I found lots of pop and plenty more to like about this paddle. Read on for my full breakdown.
The Gherkin Nightshade is for you if you like poppy paddles and your budget is below $150. This is a quick, spinny paddle with really solid specs and materials. It's not a soft paddle and it isn't trying to be. It has a thin 14 mm core and fiberglass in the face to launch the ball at your opponents. If you want a fun paddle for a great price, check it out.
A flashy, poppy paddle
This is the kind of paddle you want to whip out at the courts. It's one of the coolest-looking paddles I've seen. It feels really nice in your hands with a balanced weight, comfy grip and a thin 14 mm core. It moves quickly through the air when you swing.
I like paddles that have this CFC (carbon-fiberglass-carbon) layered face. The fiberglass always brings a lot of pop and that's the standout attribute here. Spin is great too. Just know that there's not a lot of dwell time on the paddle for control. I'll explain more about this below.
Overall, if you want a showy paddle that pops hard for just $125, the Nightshade is ideal for you. Use our exclusive 10% discount to get it for just $112.50
✅ What stands out
Great on counters
You don't have to swing on counters to generate the pop you need. You can just stick out the paddle and the ball rebounds off the face back at your opponent. I like that. It gives me quick reaction times when countering.
Great on drives
I was comparing this to the $120 Versix Vector XL and the Gherkin definitely has more power. I noticed it mostly on my drives.
My first time using this paddle, I was coaching someone and teaching them how to deal with drives. So, I was just driving the ball at them repeatedly – drive after drive – and this paddle was so consistent at feeding hard balls. You're able to get at your opponents more quickly because of this.
Great on serves
I also liked the Nighstshade on serves. Because of the pop, I was able to put my serves in the back third of the court easily. For shots like this – drives and serves – the paddle feels controllable because it's so consistent and accurate.
❌ What to consider
Not a soft paddle
While I liked the control most of the time, this is a poppy paddle and it doesn't have as much control off the face as some paddles in this price range.
See the softer Warping Point Neon or Aiso Ryu, two great control paddles under $100, or check out our guide to the best pickleball paddles for control if you want something that's going to boost your touch game.
Not a lot of dwell time
Again, the stiffer face means the ball doesn't sit on the paddle face at all (that momentary lag we call "dwell time"). Some paddles manage to have power and dwell together. If you want a poppy paddle in the same price range that has more dwell-based power, check out the Ronbus Quanta R3.
Doesn't have elite-level power
I don't want you to start thinking this is a power paddle for advanced players. It's built more for players at the intermediate level. If you're looking for a truly aggressive paddle that can really put pressure on your opponents, check out the best pickleball paddles for power.
How the Gherkin Nightshade Elongated plays
| Category | Rating | Notes |
| Power | 8.5/10 | This has great pop but the power level overall won't blow you away like the Selkirk Boomstik. |
| Control | 8.5/10 | Solid control on serves and drives despite the poppiness. It just doesn't have that softer, dwell-based control some paddles have. |
| Spin | 9/10 | I played with the Elongated model and it was great for spin. I was able to roll the ball easily. |
| Forgiveness | 8/10 | I can only vouch for the Elongated model. It's not bad for forgiveness for an elongated paddle – it has a decent sweet spot. |
| Weighting | 8/10 | It's well-weighted for an elongated paddle. It's not head heavy. |
| Grip | 8/10 | The grip has nice cushioning and holds up well. My hands sweat a lot but I didn't feel any slippiness that affected my game. |
| Durability | 8/10 | There are some nicks and scrapes on the top but, due to the coloring, it doesn't show up as much as it could. Nothing to worry about. |
| Aerodynamics | 9/10 | It's a fast paddle. My hands were pretty darn quick with this, especially for an elongated paddle. |
Features that matter
- 14 mm core: there is no core size choice here – it's a thinner 14 mm, which is why it's so poppy.
- Two paddle shapes: you can choose a Hybrid or Elongated paddle. I played with the Elongated, which has more reach and power. Try the Hybrid if you want a touch more forgiveness and speed.
- Extras included: this paddle comes with nice additions like a paddle cover, paddle eraser, lanyard and stickers.
Who the Gherkin Nightshade Elongated is for
I let several people use this paddle and the ones who liked it were the players who play a fast game that relies on pop and spin. The players who weren't that into it wanted more dwell time on the paddle face.
If you're of the former persuasion, this is a great-value paddle. It's a top choice for new intermediates who want a step-up paddle that brings more power to their game without spending upwards of $200.
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