Designed With Purpose. Tested With Data.

  • Engineered Compression

    PBDee holds a Sorbothane layer under compression around the paddle neck, allowing the viscoelastic material to absorb and dissipate impact energy. 

  • Targeted Sound Reduction

    Across 10 controlled impacts per condition, PBDee measured approximately 10 dB quieter near 1.6 Khz when recorded from 0.5 meters. 

  • 13.4% Lower Peak Impact Vibration

    Accelerometer testing found that PBDee reduced the peak vibration measured after ball impact by an average of 13.4%. 

Why Sorbothane? 

Sorbothane is a viscoelastic material that deforms under impact and converts part of the paddle’s vibration into a small amount of heat. PBDee holds it under compression around the paddle neck so the damping layer remains engaged through every hit.

Engineered Under Compression 

Why Compression Matters

Sorbothane can only damp vibration effectively when it stays in firm contact with the vibrating surface. PBDee’s adjustable TPU strap compresses the Sorbothane against the paddle neck, eliminating gaps and allowing it to deform immediately after impact. That deformation helps absorb and dissipate vibration before it travels into the handle.

How We Calculated the Compression

Using our prototype measurements, the Sorbothane and protective rubber measured approximately 0.4 inches before installation and approximately 0.3 inches when secured around the paddle neck.

Estimated compression = (0.4 − 0.3) ÷ 0.4 × 100 = 25%

That places the damping stack within our intended 20–40% compression range. Because paddle-neck dimensions and strap settings vary, 25% represents our prototype-based design estimate.

Why We Chose This Durometer

Durometer measures how soft or firm a material is. If the Sorbothane is too soft, it can compress too far and lose working thickness. If it is too firm, it may not deform enough under strap tension. PBDee’s selected durometer was chosen to deform under compression while maintaining stable, consistent contact with the paddle.

Why Add a Protective Rubber Layer?

The thin heat-resistant rubber is not the primary damping layer. It covers the exposed Sorbothane and creates a durable, non-tacky contact surface against the paddle. This protects the Sorbothane, helps keep PBDee in place, and allows the strap to be removed without leaving the Sorbothane attached to the paddle.

Approximately 10 dB Quieter Near 1.6 kHz

Why the 1.6 kHz result matters
An independent acoustical engineering study commissioned by the City of Lake Oswego found that pickleball impact noise was primarily concentrated between 1,000 and 1,600 Hz. In our controlled test, PBDee produced an approximately 10 dB reduction near 1.6 kHz. These were separate experiments, but the overlap places our measured reduction directly within a prominent frequency range of pickleball impact sound.  

Read the independent acoustic report

13.4% Lower Peak Acceleration

Impact does not stop at the paddle face. The initial shock travels through the neck toward the grip, where it reaches your hand.

Positioned around the paddle neck, PBDee dampens that transmission path. Across 200 controlled impacts, it was associated with 13.4% lower peak acceleration at the lower-grip sensor after accounting for impact strength.

Less initial shock transmitted toward the hand. Measured, not assumed.

Built From a Simple Question

After seeing players at my local club struggle with discomfort in their hands, wrists, and elbows, I kept thinking, “There has to be some way to help.”

After a few months of pondering the problem, I discovered Sorbothane - and the rest is history. I’ll admit, I was skeptical. I didn’t think the first prototype would work, and I had a strong feeling that the sound and accelerometer tests would show no meaningful difference. To my amazement, PBDee kept producing measurable results. That question grew into repeated prototypes, material testing, and the product you see today.

Reduce What Reaches Your Hand

PBDee combines compression-loaded Sorbothane with a removable paddle-neck design - supported by controlled vibration and acoustic testing.

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