Selkirk Boomstik: The Most POWERFUL Paddle in 2025?

Black Friday Update: Selkirk has launched its early Black Friday event with up to 60% off select gear through November 25. See all Selkirk Black Friday details to compare current Boomstik pricing against the official sale window.

Selkirk Boomstik Public Launch

Tomorrow, August 14, 2025, Selkirk finally lets the Boomstik loose – and the first batch will likely vanish. It is $333 and unapologetically built for players who already win with pace and pressure, not for beginners or most intermediates.

The question that matters: does Selkirk now have reliable grit that holds its bite, or will the face smooth and steal your spin? And if you are buying, which one actually wins you points – the Widebody with a huge sweet spot or the Elongated with reach and heavy serves? I spent last weekend stress-testing both in live points and targeted drills so you get straight answers to help you decide if this paddle lives up to the hype.

Update (Sept 8, 2025): UPA-A has ruled that the Elongated Boomstik is only certified without the MOI side clamps, and the Widebody is not currently on their approved list. Jump to full update ↓

Why I Tested Selkirk Boomstik

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of being invited to a private event for the new Selkirk Boomstik. I wanted to see if the talk around this paddle was real or just noise. I ran both shapes in open play and targeted drills, then tracked what changed and if the face began to smooth.

Quick take: Both shapes hit hard and keep lines straight. Pick the Widebody if you want instant forgiveness. Pick the Elongated if you want reach and extra drive leverage.

PickleTip Pro Insight

The fixed side weights push mass to the edges. That stabilizes the face on mishits and is why both shapes feel straighter under pressure than their raw numbers suggest.

Selkirk Boomstik Review: How It Compares to JOOLA Pro 4 & Gearbox GX2

1. Quick Verdict
2. Metrics at a Glance
3. Specifications
4. On Court Performance
5. Design and Build Quality
6. How It Compares
7. Where to Buy
8. Pros and Cons
9. Player Feedback
10. Who Should Pick It Up
11. Comparable Paddles
12. Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Verdict

Who it suits: 4.0+ players – drivers, counter punchers, singles, and doubles teams that win with pace and pressure.

Verdict: two strong takes. Widebody has a big sweet spot and relaxed defense. Elongated is the point starter with reach and heavy serves. Both are loud and poppy, so soften your hands on blocks.

Pros

• Real power without wild sprays
• Useful spin that holds as the face smooths
• Wide stability window on mishits
• Long handle supports two handed work
• Lifetime warranty

Cons

• Premium price
• Loud at contact
• Fixed side weights limit tuning
• Soft game needs a short adjustment
• Edge-guard lift reports by some testers

Metrics at a Glance

So what? Higher TW on Widebody = steadier blocks and fewer sprays; higher SW on Elongated = heavier serves/drives. Both spin between 2200–2300 rpm, so expect top-tier dip; small drops are normal as texture smooths.

Selkirk Boomstik Specs

• Weight: 8.0–8.4 oz
• Dimensions: Elongated ~16.5 × 7.45 in, Widebody ~15.95 × 8.0 in
• Thickness: 16 mm
• Materials: Face T700 carbon, Core BoomCore foam with EVA Power Ring
• Handle length: ~5.6–5.8 in
• Grip circumference: ~4.25 in

On Court Performance

Selkirk Boomstik Elongated Shape

Control

Contact is dense and direct. The face sends a clear message, so once you calm your hands, blocks stop sailing. Resets work when you hold the ball a split second and trust the core.

Power

Best raw pace of the two. Serves jump, drives carry deep, and the extra reach turns marginal balls into pressure swings.

Spin

Easy to shape rolls and counter dips. As the face smooths, the dwell keeps rpm playable.

Pop

Counters are instant. Keep a loose grip at the kitchen or you will float balls.

Forgiveness

More stable than most elongated builds. Miss the middle and the ball still tracks the target well.

Maneuverability

Quicker through the slot than the numbers suggest. The balance feels athletic, not whippy.

Widebody Shape

Control

The easier winner on resets and blocks. The face feels calmer and gives you a bigger window to absorb pace.

Power

Plenty of pace, just a touch less top end than the Elongated. Depth on routine swings is almost automatic.

Spin

Same top tier feel on rolls and flicks. The big sweet spot makes spin more repeatable on tired swings.

Pop

Still poppy. The larger stability window keeps counters from spraying when you are late.

Forgiveness

The stability king of the two. Off center hits hold their line instead of yanking wide.

Maneuverability

Can feel heavier in hand than the swing weight number. Once you trust the face, it plays fast enough at the net.

Testing conditions: outdoor sessions with Franklin X40 pickleballs, moderate temps, and varied humidity. Small differences in ball hardness, altitude, and court surface can shift feel and readings slightly.

Technology Primer: Why This Build Feels Different

The full-foam BoomCore packs the face with support, then the EVA Power Ring acts like a spring to return energy. That pairing creates dwell (time on face) without the mushy feel some foams have.

Fixed side weights at 3 and 9 move mass to the edges and raise torsional stability. That’s why mishits hold their line and why the Widebody – with its higher twist weight – often feels calmer in blocks.

The Elongated trades a touch of that calm for leverage. Its higher swing weight and longer reach translate to heavier serves and deeper drives, provided you keep timing clean.

InfiniGrit texture starts lively. As it smooths, the foam-and-EVA combo maintains playable spin through dwell rather than relying only on roughness.

Design and Build Quality

Full-foam BoomCore with an EVA Power Ring for energy return and stability. Multilayer T700 carbon with InfiniGrit (brand claims durability about three times traditional grit); in testing, texture stayed usable. Fixed side weights at 3 and 9 o’clock are ~7.5 g each (~15.5 g total). Do not remove them: on one unit, taking them off dropped static weight 8.22→7.67 oz, swing weight 117.15→107.35, and twist weight 6.65→5.25 – face stability fell off. Octagonal handle feels defined without harsh edges. A few early edge-guard lift reports; replacements were issued quickly. Lifetime warranty adds real peace of mind.

• Side-weight removal deltas: −0.55 oz static, −9.8 SW, −1.4 TW on a tested unit – measurable stability loss.
• Edge-guard & QC: isolated lift reports; quick replacements when verified.
• Texture break-in curve: initial smoothing is normal; spin stays usable due to dwell from foam + EVA.

How Selkirk Boomstik Compares to JOOLA Pro 4 and Gearbox GX2

All three live in the power lane. Boomstik gives the biggest sweet spot and the straightest flight on mishits. Pro 4 can feel crisper out of the box and varies more by unit. GX2 brings a one piece feel and similar pace at a lower price with a lighter warranty.

Choose Boomstik Widebody if: you want easy resets, a huge sweet spot, and stress-free counters.

Choose Boomstik Elongated if: you want reach, heavy serves, and point-starting drives.

Pick the JOOLA Pro 4 if: you like a very crisp punch and already have it dialed.

Choose Gearbox GX2 if: you want monocoque feel and similar firepower at a lower price.

Who shouldn’t choose Boomstik: players sensitive to loud contact sounds or those who want lots of customization (the fixed side weights are integral to the design).

Where to Buy Selkirk Boomstik (and Save)

Just Paddles will have inventory tomorrow, or buy direct from selkirkLabs.com. MSRP $333. Selkirk offers a lifetime warranty. Expect normal unit-to-unit variance in stock weight and swing weight within the ranges listed. I do not currently know of any discount codes.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Power with line holding stability
• Spin stays useful as texture smooths
• Two shapes target different styles well
• Long handle for two handed play
• Warranty support

Cons

• Price is high
• Contact is loud
• Side weights are fixed
• Soft game requires touch work
• Edge-guard lift reports on some units

Player Feedback

What pickleball players at different levels noticed.

“Widebody was easy mode on resets. I just held the ball and it fell in.” – 4.0 player

“Elongated gave me free depth on thirds and nasty serves.” – 4.5 player

Who Should Buy the Selkirk Boomstik

Attack first players who win with pace and pressure. If you are still learning the soft game at 3.0 to 3.5, start with a different widebody, this is not for you yet. If you are a driver or a singles player who wants reach, go Elongated.

Internal links: Build a reliable pickleball drive and Blocking in pickleball.

Comparable Paddles

• JOOLA Pro 4 – explosive and crisp, smaller stability window when off center
• Gearbox GX2 Power – similar pace with a one piece feel
• Honolulu J2NF – budget friendly path to power with only a slightly lower ceiling

Boomstik Questions

Update

On August 13, 2025: Just Paddles added listings for an email alert for the Elongated and the Widebody.

Update (Aug 28, 2025): Boomstik Warranty, QC Reports, and Owner Feedback

Warranty note: Selkirk’s Boomstik page lists a limited lifetime warranty for the original purchaser, but also states: “Replacement paddles are not covered under our warranty.” In practice, Selkirk staff have told players this clause exists to prevent “serial warranty abuse,” but the language is unambiguous: once you receive a replacement, it has no further coverage. See Selkirk’s official warranty language here.

Practical tip: If your Boomstik arrives with a clear defect, use the 30-day return window instead of filing a warranty claim. That way, you don’t consume your one covered unit. Boomstik product page.

Quality Control: Mixed Reports from Owners

• Edge guard separation: Numerous players report edge guards peeling within days or even out of the box. Photos show gaps wide enough to slide a penny under. Others noted epoxy misalignment and uneven attachment of the red MOI weights.
• Weights & surface issues: Some paddles shipped with MOI weights obviously offset by an inch or more. A few users noticed chips in the surface or fading graphics after minimal play.
• Handle & sound variance: A handful of reports mention handle cracks or that one Boomstik widebody shape makes the expected “boom” while the elongated sounds muted, leading to speculation about inconsistency batch to batch.
• Early adopters vs. steady units: Several posts argue the first batch may have been rushed, with higher defect rates. Later buyers and demo users reported no issues at all after dozens of hours, praising durability and performance.
• Confirmation bias? One Redditor asked whether we’re simply hearing from the unlucky few. Replies included plenty of satisfied owners: “Mine is perfect,” “34 hours in, no defects,” “no issues besides normal wear.” That said, the visible volume of QC complaints has kept the topic alive.
• Customer service: Most users who filed claims say Selkirk responded quickly and shipped replacements. However, those replacements are technically outside warranty coverage per the written policy.

On-Court Impressions (Positive & Negative)

• Performance: Consistently described as explosive, with a huge sweet spot and strong spin. Multiple players said it felt like an extension of their arm at the kitchen, while drives drew audible reactions from partners.
• Poppy feel: Compared to Joola Perseus Pro IV or SixZero DBD, many say the Boomstik is “poppier,” with a bigger sweet spot but also a learning curve for control-oriented players.
• Durability skepticism: Even satisfied players who love the feel have admitted they’re “skeptical of long-term durability” given edge and finish complaints.

Before You Buy: Two Lower-Cost Alternatives

• Bread & Butter Loco (16 mm, foam core) — Dual-density foam with raw carbon face; multiple shapes, MSRP around $199. Browse Loco lineup •
• Ronbus Quanta (foam power line) — Launching soon around $119; positioned as a lighter, budget Boomstik-style option. Ronbus site •

Bottom line: The Boomstik delivers elite performance, but buyers should be aware of warranty fine print and mixed QC experiences. If you’re risk-averse, wait for later batches, or test alternatives like the Loco or Quanta first.

Update – UPA-A Certification vs. USAP Approval (Sept 1, 2025)

What changed: The UPA-A (the certification body used for PPA-run pro events) lists the Selkirk Project Boomstik Elongated as certified only if the MOI side clamps are not on the paddle. The Widebody Boomstik is not on the UPA-A approved list at this time. USAP approval (the standard for most amateur tournaments) remains intact for consumer Boomstik models.

Why UPA-A limited it: UPA-A’s 2025 equipment rules ban removable or adjustable parts on paddles, while still allowing players to add flat weighted tape on the edge or weight at the handle/butt cap. Because the MOI “clamps” are treated as a factory removable/adjustable component, they fall outside the allowed methods. (This is different from user-applied lead/tungsten tape, which is explicitly permitted.)

What it means for players:

• PPA/UPA-A events: Pros using the Elongated must play without the MOI clamps or switch to a UPA-A–certified alternative. Practically, many will mimic the same balance with lead tape in the same zones.
• USAP-sanctioned/amateur play: No change – the Boomstik remains USAP-approved for standard tournaments and rec play.
• Widebody owners: As of today, the Widebody isn’t on the UPA-A list, so it’s not eligible for PPA/UPA-A events unless/until it’s submitted and listed.

Context: Selkirk markets the MOI clips as “semi-permanent” (they’re pre-installed and not intended for routine removal). UPA-A’s policy looks at the design intent and removability differently than USAP does; that’s why you’re seeing divergence between the two bodies on this specific feature.

Sources:

• UPA-A Approved Paddles – shows “Selkirk Project Boomstik Elongated (No MOI Clamps Allowed).”
• UPA-A Rules – bans removable/moveable paddle parts.
• UPA-A Rules – allows flat weighted tape and handle/butt-cap weighting.
• USA Pickleball Approved Equipment – master list & rules framework for USAP events.
• Selkirk FAQ – states Selkirk (including LABS) paddles are USAP-approved.
• Selkirk MOI explainer – clips are pre-installed, “semi-permanent.”

Selkirk Boomstik Update: 10-1-2025

Summary of Update:

• QC Issues are down: Selkirk claims a successful fix for the early edge guard problems, with a current defect rate under 3%.
• Warranty is tricky but backed: The replacement paddle clause is in writing, but Selkirk is verbally reassuring customers they will honor subsequent reasonable claims.
• Tournament Status is Clear: Fully USAP approved (for amateurs) but strictly limited by UPA-A (for pro play).
• New Durability Concern: A few owners are reporting a “dead foam” feeling after short-term heavy use, which Selkirk indicates is a warrantable defect.

UPDATE: October 1, 2025

Six Weeks Post-Launch: Selkirk Boomstik Refinements, Clarifications, and Real-World Feedback

When the Selkirk Boomstik launched, the conversation centered on its raw power and the new MOI side weights. Six weeks later, the focus has shifted to build quality, Selkirk’s direct response to early defects, and the official stance on tournament approval.

Here is the new information that has come to light since our initial review:

Manufacturer & Owner Clarification on Quality Control & Warranty

The most immediate post-launch discussion revolved around quality control, particularly the edge guard and the MOI weights. Selkirk has since provided a comprehensive public response and updated their production processes.

1. Loose Edge Guard & QC Issues: Officially Addressed

• Selkirk’s Explanation: Selkirk publicly acknowledged that some early production runs experienced a higher rate of loose edge guards. They attributed this to the added complexity of installing the new MOI tuning system and unusual heat conditions during initial assembly.
• Resolution & Current Status: Selkirk reports implementing several fixes, including new custom equipment for MOI installation, improved adhesives, custom edging pressure machines, and enhanced environmental controls.
  • The Claim Rate: As of their public statement, the warranty claim rate for the Boomstik due to defects is now below 3%.
  • Warranty Response: Selkirk has emphasized that any paddle with a loose edge guard is fully covered by their Limited Lifetime Warranty and that a replacement is shipped immediately upon verification of the defect. This directly counters the initial fear that they were denying minor claims.

2. The “Replacement Paddle Void” Clause (Confirmed & Contextualized)

• The Policy: The written warranty language stating that “Replacement paddles are not covered under our warranty” is still present.
• Selkirk’s Stance: Selkirk staff have repeatedly informed players that this clause is intended to prevent “serial warranty abuse” and that they will generally honor reasonable, subsequent warranty claims on a replacement paddle.
• Practical Tip Update: Our initial advice stands: if your paddle arrives with an obvious, immediate defect, use the 30-day return window (if available) instead of filing a warranty claim. This preserves your one official lifetime warranty coverage should a separate defect occur years down the road.

The MOI Tuning System: Semi-Permanent by Design

Selkirk has clarified the intent and function of the fixed perimeter weights (MOI Tuning System).

• Semi-Permanent vs. Removable: Selkirk explicitly states the MOI system is semi-permanent and pre-installed for optimal performance. The company does not recommend removing the weights as it could potentially cause damage to the MOI parts and, as our original testing showed, drastically reduce the paddle’s stability.
• Optimized Performance: The purpose is to provide professional-level sweet spot expansion and stability right out of the box, eliminating the need for players to manually customize with lead tape—a key difference from other paddles where perimeter weighting is a user-applied option.

Pro-Tour Approval: The Official Stance & A Clear Distinction

Selkirk has officially clarified the confusion surrounding the Boomstik’s tournament approval, making a crucial distinction between amateur and professional play.

• USAP (Amateur Play): Fully Approved. The Boomstik, with the MOI weights pre-installed, remains fully USA Pickleball (USAP) approved for standard sanctioned tournaments and all recreational play.
• UPA-A (Professional Play): Limited. Our previous update was accurate: The UPA-A (the PPA’s certification body) is more restrictive.
  • Elongated: Only certified without the MOI side clamps.
  • Widebody: Still not on the UPA-A approved list as of this update.
• The Bottom Line for Owners: The vast majority of Boomstik owners competing in amateur events will not face any restrictions. Only pro players competing in UPA-A–sanctioned events need to worry about the MOI clamps, as UPA-A views them as a “removable/adjustable part” even though Selkirk classifies them as “semi-permanent.”

New Player Feedback: The “Dead Foam” Phenomenon

While the Boomstik’s new BoomCore is engineered to eliminate the “core crush” that plagues traditional honeycomb paddles, a new, concerning durability discussion has emerged on player forums.

• The Complaint: Some owners, after a few weeks of heavy play (one reported about 60 hours), have described the paddle feeling “dead” or “deader,” particularly on power shots, losing the initial explosive pop. This is distinct from spin loss, which is expected as the texture wears.
• Theories: Community speculation points to potential issues like uneven core bonding, the effect of moisture/humidity on the foam core if the edge guard seal is compromised, or simply the grit wearing off enough to change the feel significantly.
• Manufacturer Stance: This phenomenon is not a previously known issue, but Selkirk has stated it would be covered under warranty. Owners experiencing this are encouraged to file a claim.

October 4, 2025 Update

Since publishing my original review, I’ve received a steady stream of player questions about the Boomstik. The most common themes were around how the core design actually works, how to care for the surface to preserve spin, and which types of players benefit most from this paddle. To make sure this review stays both accurate and useful, I’ve added the following clarifications and expansions.

The “Foam Donut” Core Explained

Several independent reviewers have described Selkirk’s Boom Core System as a kind of “foam donut.” That’s a useful way to visualize it: the paddle has a softer polymer foam at the center, surrounded by a denser EVA perimeter. The result is a face that feels lively when you strike the ball in the middle, but with added stability and forgiveness around the edges. This combination helps explain why the Boomstik produces both power and consistency, rather than forcing a trade-off.

How to Maintain the Infinigrate Surface

While Selkirk’s Infinigrate surface lasts longer than raw carbon, keeping that gritty texture requires the right care. The best method is simply washing the face with warm water and mild soap after play. Avoid using rubber erasers to clean the surface – despite being popular, they can wear down the grit prematurely. Players who maintain their paddles this way are reporting longer spin retention and more reliable performance deep into the paddle’s life cycle.

Who the Boomstik Really Fits (Player Archetypes)

From all the testing and player feedback, it’s clear that the Boomstik is not a universal fit. Instead, it matches specific player archetypes:

• Singles attackers – benefit most from the elongated version, using its power and reach for serves, drives, and passing shots.
• Counterpunchers – thrive with the widebody version, leaning on stability, reset ability, and controlled blocks at the kitchen.
• Soft-game specialists – players who win through dinks and patience should probably look elsewhere, since the Boomstik rewards first-strike pressure more than delicate touch.

These updates should help clarify the most common questions players have asked since the original review.