Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid vs Elongated: Which Shape Should You Buy? (2026)
The original Bread & Butter Loco walked away with 2025 Paddle of the Year honours from John Kew and Pickleball Studio, and it has been a cult favourite on YouTube ever since. Now the Loco 2 has landed at Picklefox, and the first question every player asks us is the same: Hybrid or Elongated? Same 16mm dual-density foam core, same new Space Dust Grit face, same price. The only real difference is shape, and in this paddle the shape changes more than you might think.
Here is the Malaysia-court breakdown of the Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid versus the Bread & Butter Loco 2 Elongated, using the official specs plus independent lab numbers from two of the most-watched paddle testers right now.
The 60-second verdict
Buy the Loco 2 Hybrid if you play mostly doubles, win points in hand battles, and want the more stable, more forgiving version of a very poppy paddle. Buy the Loco 2 Elongated if you love to drive from the baseline, use a two-handed backhand, or play singles and want every bit of reach and plow-through you can get. Both are RM924 at Picklefox, both are USAP and UPA-A approved, and both are in stock now.
What is new in the Loco 2?
Bread & Butter kept the thing everyone loved, the 16mm dual-density foam core (EPP plus EVA foam), and upgraded the thing players complained about: grit wear. The Loco 2 uses a T700 raw carbon face over a fiberglass layer for extra pop, finished with Bread & Butter's new Space Dust Grit, built to keep its bite much longer than the first-generation surface. Graphics are UV-printed straight onto the surface, so there is no paint layer to smooth out. The handle is an octagon shape with a vibration-dampening wrap, and you get a paddle cover in the box.
This lines up with the two biggest themes on pickleball YouTube this year. Full-foam cores have taken over the top of almost every brand's lineup, and grit durability has become the number one question in reviews, because nobody wants a RM900 paddle that loses its spin after three months.
Loco 2 Hybrid vs Elongated: spec sheet side by side
| Spec | Loco 2 Hybrid | Loco 2 Elongated |
|---|---|---|
| Length x width | 16.2" x 7.6" | 16.5" x 7.375" |
| Weight range | 7.9 - 8.2 oz | 7.9 - 8.2 oz |
| Swing weight (official) | 111 | 118 |
| Twist weight (official) | 6.7 | 6.3 |
| Handle length | 5.3" | 5.5" |
| Grip circumference | 4.25" octagon | 4.25" octagon |
| Core | 16mm dual-density foam (EPP + EVA) | 16mm dual-density foam (EPP + EVA) |
| Face | T700 raw carbon + fiberglass, Space Dust Grit | T700 raw carbon + fiberglass, Space Dust Grit |
| Certification | USAP + UPA-A | USAP + UPA-A |
| Price at Picklefox | RM924 | RM924 |
Read that table and two numbers jump out. The Elongated carries a 7-point higher swing weight (118 vs 111), which is a big gap for two paddles at the same static weight. And the Hybrid has the higher twist weight (6.7 vs 6.3), so it resists twisting on off-centre hits better. That is the whole story of this comparison in two lines.
What the independent labs measured
Brand specs are a starting point, so we cross-checked with independent testing. Note these come from two different labs with different methods, so compare the shapes within a lab, not the raw numbers across labs.
- Loco 2 Hybrid (Matt's Pickleball lab): 7.96 oz, swing weight 111.65, twist weight 6.55. Spin measured at 2,398 rpm, which sat in the 97th percentile of everything they have tested. Serve speed 61.1 mph (95th percentile). Overall rating 5/5, with power, spin and pop all maxed and control and forgiveness at 3/5.
- Loco 2 Elongated (Pickleball Effect lab): 7.94 oz, swing weight 119, twist weight 6.22. Spin 2,154 rpm, power 57 mph (89th percentile) and pop 37 mph (88th percentile).
Both labs confirm the brand numbers are honest: the Elongated really is about 7 points heavier in the swing, and the Hybrid really is the more stable of the two. Both are firmly in "power paddle" territory, with spin numbers near the top of the market.
Power: the Elongated hits heavier, the Hybrid hits quicker
The Loco has always been a power paddle, and the fiberglass layer under the carbon keeps that lively, poppy response in both shapes. The difference is how the power arrives.
The Elongated, with its 118 swing weight and longer 16.5" frame, has more mass moving through the ball. Third-shot drives, serves and returns come off heavier, and the extra leverage makes it the more natural baseline weapon. If you already have a big swing, this is the shape that rewards it.
The Hybrid is still explosive, but the lower swing weight means you can get the paddle into position faster. Counters, speed-ups and roll volleys at the kitchen feel snappier. You trade a little plow-through for quicker hands.
Verdict: Elongated for drive power and plow-through. Hybrid for quick-hands power at the net.
Spin: same face, slight edge to the Hybrid
Both shapes share the Space Dust Grit surface, and reviewers have rated the Loco 2 spin as elite across the board, with Pickleheads giving it 10/10 for spin and noting the grit held up through heavy competitive testing. In the lab numbers above the Hybrid recorded the higher rpm, but because those came from different testers we would not read too much into the gap. In practice, both will give you heavy topspin drives, aggressive slice and dinks that dip. Pick on shape, not spin.
Control and forgiveness: where the shapes split
This is the Loco's one real trade-off, and it matters more on one shape than the other. Reviewers agree the extra pop makes fifth-shot resets and midcourt defence harder than on a softer control paddle, and mishits can pop up. Pickleheads even suggests newer players look at other paddles first.
The Hybrid's higher twist weight (6.7) and wider 7.6" face help a lot here. It holds its line better on off-centre blocks, which is exactly what you need when the ball comes back hard and you are trying to absorb pace. The Elongated's narrower 7.375" face and 6.3 twist weight give you a smaller margin for error in fast exchanges. If you are a 3.5 player still building your reset game, the Hybrid is the friendlier choice.
Verdict: Hybrid for stability, resets and hand battles. Elongated if you are confident in your contact.
Handle and two-handed backhands
The Elongated's 5.5" handle gives you room for a full two-handed backhand, and the extra length works nicely with that style of drive. The Hybrid's 5.3" handle still fits a two-hander for most hands, but it is closer to a one-handed player's paddle. Both share the same 4.25" octagon grip. If you like a slightly thicker or tackier feel, add a Hesacore M grip - it is one of the most popular upgrades on our shelf. For a deeper look at handle length, see our two-handed backhand paddle guide.
Which Loco 2 should you buy?
Pick the Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid if:
- You play mostly doubles and spend most of the rally at the kitchen
- You want fast hands in speed-ups and counters
- You want more stability on off-centre blocks and resets
- You are moving up from a standard or widebody paddle and do not want a big adjustment
Pick the Bread & Butter Loco 2 Elongated if:
- You love driving third shots and attacking from the baseline
- You use a two-handed backhand and want the longer 5.5" handle
- You play singles, or you want maximum reach at the net
- You are a 4.0+ player with clean contact who wants a heavier, more punishing swing
How the Loco 2 stacks up against other shape pairs at Picklefox
If you are deciding between shapes, the Loco 2 is not the only paddle on our shelf that offers both:
- RPM Jade 16mm Widebody and Elongated (RM1,104): silicon carbide face, floating foam core, a little more expensive. We compared those two shapes in our RPM Jade Widebody vs Elongated post.
- Friday Aura Pro Hybrid and Elongated (RM769): the value option if you want a foam-core feel under RM800.
- Six Zero Coral Pro 16mm (RM911): a similar price, with Six Zero's Double Diamond Tough carbon face.
Where the Loco 2 stands out is the mix of top-tier spin, genuine power and a price that sits below the RPM Jade. If you have been looking at the best pickleball paddle in Malaysia for an attacking all-court game, it belongs on your shortlist.
FAQ
Is the Loco 2 good for beginners?
It is a lot of paddle for a true beginner. The pop makes it harder to keep dinks and resets low until your touch develops. If you are newer and still want the Loco 2, go with the Hybrid for its higher twist weight.
Is the Loco 2 worth upgrading from the original Loco?
The core platform is the same, so the main upgrade is the Space Dust Grit surface, which is designed to hold spin longer. If your original Loco's face is wearing smooth, the Loco 2 is a direct upgrade.
Is the Loco 2 tournament legal?
Yes. Both shapes are dual certified, USAP and UPA-A approved.
Do both shapes come with a cover?
Yes, a paddle cover is included with each Loco 2.
The bottom line
The Bread & Butter Loco 2 keeps everything that made the original a Paddle of the Year, and the new grit fixes the one weakness players kept talking about. The Hybrid is the steadier, quicker all-court version. The Elongated is the heavier, reach-everything driving machine. Same core, same face, same RM924 - pick the shape that matches the way you actually win points.
Both are in stock now at Picklefox Malaysia with a one-year warranty and a 30-day return guarantee on unused paddles. Shop the Loco 2 Hybrid, the Loco 2 Elongated, or browse our full pickleball paddle range.