The Six Zero Ruby made headlines as the world’s first paddle with a 100% Kevlar face, and it’s more than a gimmick. Think of it as the brand’s beloved Double Black Diamond reimagined with a softer, grippier Kevlar surface instead of carbon. The result is a plush, spin-heavy all-court paddle with a distinctive feel all its own. Here’s who it fits, how it plays, and whether it belongs in your bag.
Verdict
Six Zero Ruby
A premium all-court paddle with a world-first Kevlar face, elite spin, and a plush, muted feel, like a softer, spinnier Double Black Diamond.
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Elite, grippy spin
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Plush, muted feel
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Durable Kevlar face
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Slightly less control than the DBD
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Premium price
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Heavier than carbon
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Spécifications
| Spéc | Détail |
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| Forme | Hybride |
| Construction | Thermoformed unibody with foam edges |
| Noyau | 16 mm honeycomb polymer |
| Face | 100% Kevlar (aramid, textured) |
| Largeur | 7.5 in |
| Longueur de la poignée | 5.5 in |
| Taille de la poignée | 4,125 pouces |
| Poids | 7.9 to 8.5 oz |
| Approbation | Approuvé par USAP |
Performance
Puissance
Power is solid and a touch above the carbon Double Black Diamond. Kevlar sits between carbon and fiberglass in feel, so it gives you a little more pop than a pure carbon face without becoming a dedicated power paddle. The thermoformed build and foam edges add to the punch, and the hybrid shape’s reach helps on drives. It’s manageable, controllable power rather than overwhelming pace.
Contrôle
Control is good and all-court capable, though it gives up a little to the Double Black Diamond. The 16mm core and foam edges keep it forgiving and stable, and the plush Kevlar face gives plenty of dwell time for drops and resets. It’s slightly less forgiving than the carbon DBD, so it rewards a steady hand, but it still handles the soft game comfortably.
Spin
Spin is the headline, and it’s elite. The textured Kevlar face grips the ball aggressively, generating top-tier spin of well over 2,000 RPM. What stands out is how grippy it stays across different shots, biting on fast drives and slow dinks alike. If you love shaping the ball with heavy topspin and slice, this is one of the best surfaces you can play with.
Sens
Feel is where the Kevlar really sets the Ruby apart. Compared to the crisp, stiff response of a carbon paddle, the Ruby feels softer, plusher, and more muted, with extra dwell time that spin players love. It’s a refined, well-built unibody paddle, and Kevlar is naturally durable and abrasion-resistant. The trade-off is that it plays a bit heavier than the carbon DBD.
Meilleur Pour
The Ruby is a great match for intermediate to advanced players who lead with spin and want a plush, dwell-oriented all-court paddle. It’s ideal if you already love the Double Black Diamond but want a softer, grippier feel and a touch more pop, and the long handle suits two-handed backhands. Players who prefer a crisp, firm response, want maximum forgiveness, or want the best value will likely be happier with the carbon DBD, which is cheaper and very similar.
Comparaison
vs. Six Zero Double Black Diamond
Against the Six Zero Double Black Diamond, the Ruby is essentially the same paddle with a Kevlar face instead of carbon. The DBD feels crisper and is more forgiving and more affordable, while the Ruby trades a little control for a plusher, more muted feel, slightly more power, and even grippier spin. Spin lovers will gravitate to the Ruby, value seekers to the DBD.
vs. Honolulu J2K
Against the Honolulu J2K, both are Kevlar-faced paddles with a soft, grippy character. The J2K pairs its Kevlar face with Honolulu’s foam core for its own plush feel, while the Ruby uses a thermoformed build with foam edges for a slightly firmer, more pop-oriented response. Both are excellent spin paddles, so the choice comes down to feel and shape.
Valeur
For a spin-focused player, it’s a fair value, but with a caveat. You’re getting an innovative, durable, elite-spin paddle with a plush feel from one of the best brands around. The honest catch is that the carbon Double Black Diamond delivers a very similar all-court game for less money, so the Ruby is worth the premium mainly if you specifically want the Kevlar feel and that extra grip. For everyone else, the DBD is the better-value pick.
Final
The Six Zero Ruby is an innovative, spin-first paddle that proves Kevlar has a real place in the game. It delivers elite spin, a plush and distinctive feel, and solid all-court power and control, all in a durable, well-built package. With only a slight dip in control and a premium price holding it back, it’s an excellent choice for spin lovers who want something that feels different from the usual carbon crowd.
FAQ
What is the Six Zero Ruby’s face made of?
It uses a 100% Kevlar surface, sourced from DuPont aramid fiber, making it the world’s first all-Kevlar paddle face. Kevlar is strong, durable, and abrasion-resistant, and its textured weave grips the ball well for spin while giving a softer, plusher feel than carbon.
How is the Ruby different from the Double Black Diamond?
The Ruby is essentially the Double Black Diamond with a Kevlar face instead of carbon. That swap gives the Ruby a softer, more muted feel, a touch more power, and even grippier spin, while the carbon DBD feels crisper, is more forgiving, and costs less.
Is the Six Zero Ruby good for spin?
Yes, spin is its standout trait. The textured Kevlar face grips the ball aggressively and generates top-tier spin of well over 2,000 RPM. It stays grippy on both fast drives and slow dinks, making it one of the best surfaces available for shaping the ball.
Is the Six Zero Ruby durable?
Kevlar is naturally tough and abrasion-resistant, so the face should hold up well. One tip: the textured grit is an epoxy layer that can wear over time like a carbon surface, and it’s best to avoid cleaning it with the rubber erasers often used on carbon paddles.
Is the Ruby good for two-handed backhands?
Yes. The 5.5-inch handle gives you room to fit both hands comfortably for added leverage on two-handed backhands, and the hybrid shape adds a bit of reach. The plush, grippy feel also makes it easy to shape two-handed drives with spin.
