Sound-Dampening Pad for a Paddle

A sound-dampening pad configured to be removably adhered to a face of a pickleball paddle, the sound-dampening pad comprising:

• (a) a cushion/damping layer;
• (b) a repositionable adhesive backing coupled to the cushion/damping layer;
• and
• (c) a low-drag face layer disposed on an impact-facing side of the pad opposite the repositionable adhesive backing;
• wherein the cushion/damping layer comprises at least one of (i) a microcellular viscoelastic polyurethane foam layer or (ii) an expanded thermoplastic polyurethane (eTPU) foam layer, and has a thickness from about 0.5 mm to about 3.5 mm;
• and
• wherein the low-drag face layer comprises a polymer film having a thickness from about 0.02 mm to about 0.30 mm and is configured to present a smoother aerodynamic surface during a paddle swing than an exposed cushion/damping layer surface.

A method of making a sound-dampening pad for a pickleball paddle, comprising:

• (a) providing a cushion/damping core layer comprising a microcellular viscoelastic polyurethane foam layer and/or an expanded thermoplastic polyurethane (eTPU) foam layer, the core layer having a thickness from about 0.5 mm to about 3.5 mm;
• (b) laminating a polymer film to an impact-facing side of the core layer to form a low-drag face layer, the polymer film having a thickness from about 0.02 mm to about 0.30 mm;
• (c) coupling a repositionable adhesive backing to an opposite side of the core layer;
• wherein laminating comprises bonding the polymer film to the core layer using heat and pressure and/or a tie layer to reduce air gaps between the polymer film and the core layer.