Franklin C45 Dynasty Review
Consensus score
Franklin's double-thermoformed flagship, played by Hayden Patriquin, hits like a striker with a heavy right foot: sneaky, sudden pop, especially in the 14mm, plus a 45° carbon face reviewers say spins hard with zero break-in. The catch is weight. Stock it runs light, so reviewers say plan on lead tape to give it the stability it deserves.
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The consensus verdict
Best for
Aggressive all-court players who like to tune their gear. Big pop, big reach, big spin, and a roll of lead tape on the workbench.
Not for
Set-it-and-forget-it buyers. If you will not touch lead tape, the light stock weight will leave you wanting.
Control 79 · Power 86 · Spin 87 · Forgiveness 76 · Hand speed
Specs
| MSRP | $229.95 |
|---|---|
| Shapes | Elongated 16.4" × 7.6" |
| Thickness | 14mm & 16mm |
| Face | Toray T700 raw carbon fiber, 45° peel-ply texture |
| Core | PowerFlex polymer + hidden foam layer, double-thermoformed unibody with foam perimeter |
| Weight | 7.5–7.9 oz |
| Handle | 5.6" · 4.3" grip |
| Measured (third-party) | Serve speeds ~55 MPH in one reviewer test (Dynasty; single source, not consensus) |
| Approval | USAP approved · UPA-A certified |
Specs from Franklin and retailer listings; measured figures from independent reviewer lab data (unit-to-unit variance applies).
What reviewers agree on
Strengths
- Serious, sneaky pop. The 14mm Dynasty is one of the poppiest paddles reviewers have tested recently — power without the harsh feel, thanks to the foam-layered core.
- Spin from the 45° face. The peel-ply texture laid at 45 degrees gives strong grit out of the box. Reviewers rate the spin highly with zero break-in.
- Reach plus fast hands. The elongated shape and long 5.6" handle give leverage on drives, yet reviewers say it stays quick in hand battles. That combination is rare.
- Consistent, durable build. Double thermoforming — thermoformed twice — gets credit for structural consistency and vibration control over single-pass builds.
Weaknesses & caveats
- Plan on lead tape. Stock weight runs light, and reviewers consistently recommend added perimeter weight for stability and plow-through. Tinkerers will love it. Everyone else should know before buying. Lead tape placement guide →
- $229.95 is premium. Brand discount codes (typically ~10%) take the edge off, but it's firmly flagship-priced.
- Confusing lineup dimensions. The Dynasty, hybrid, and Tempo shapes sit close together dimensionally — choosing between them is harder than it should be.
- 14mm can run hot. All that pop demands respect — reviewers warn the 14mm punishes loose mechanics. The 16mm is the safer pick for most players.
Synthesized from expert long-form reviews (Pickleball Blast's Dynasty/Tempo testing, measurement-focused outlets), retailer owner reviews, and player-community discussion. How we rank →
Who it's for
Who it's for
- Aggressive all-court players who attack from everywhere
- Tinkerers who enjoy dialing in weight and balance
- Elongated-shape fans who want reach without sluggish hands
Who should skip it
- Players who want full stability out of the box — no tape, no tuning
- Beginners — the pop will cause more problems than it solves
- Anyone on a budget — see the $100–$200 tier
Pro usage
Hayden Patriquin — Franklin C45 Dynasty 16mm (Patriquin edition), match-verified. See the full tracker →
Where to buy
← Best paddles $200 & up · Lead tape placement · Foam cores explained
C45 Dynasty FAQs
14mm or 16mm?
14mm for maximum pop and aggression; 16mm for control. Most players should take the 16mm.
Does it need lead tape?
Reviewers say yes — stock weight is light, and added weight transforms the stability.
Dynasty vs Tempo?
Same C45 construction. Dynasty is elongated (reach/power); Tempo is the standard shape (compact/control).