Selkirk Luxx Series Exploring the Control Air Paddles

Selkirk Luxx Review: Embrace Comfort, Control, and Spin

The Selkirk Luxx series promises a refreshing balance of control, spin, and comfort. These 20mm thick paddles stand out with their springy yet forgiving feel, advanced construction, and generous sweet spots. While many modern designs focus on raw power, the Selkirk Luxx aims to deliver a smooth, controlled experience that helps pickleball players of all skill levels thrive on resets, drops, and dinks.

Multiple testers, from casual weekend players to advanced competitors, rave about the Luxx’s ability to handle defensive plays with surprising ease. If you’ve grown weary of overly stiff, power heavy paddles, the Luxx’s focus on soft control may feel like a breath of fresh air. One advanced player mentioned, “I can sit in the transition area and hit reset after reset without losing my position in the point.”

On the other hand, players with a heavy tennis background sometimes yearn for more immediate pop from the Luxx in stock form. However, lead tape aficionados have found ways to tweak the power level, turning the Luxx into a formidable all court weapon without sacrificing that smooth, consistent feel.

Selkirk Luxx Specifications

• Weight Range: 7.8 – 8.5 oz (depends on shape/model)
• Dimensions:
  • Invikta: 16.45″ length x 7.5″ width
  • Epic: 16″ length x 7.9″ width
  • S2: 15.7″ length x 8.25″ width
• Thickness: 20mm
• Material: Florek Carbon Fiber (face) + X7 Thikset Honeycomb Core
• Handle Length:
  • Invikta: 5.35 inches
  • Epic: 5.25 inches
  • S2: 4.5 inches
• Grip Circumference: 4.25 inches with Selkirk’s Geo Grip

Performance Analysis

Control/Feel

Rating: 10/10. Players describe the Luxx’s touch and feel as “buttery,” “pillow like,” and “invincibility inducing.” The combination of a thick 20mm core and advanced face materials creates longer dwell time on the paddle, making resets, dinks, and drops remarkably easy to place.

Power

Rating: 6.5–8/10 (variable by shape). In stock form, the Luxx sits firmly on the softer side of the power spectrum. If you come from an all-out power paddle, you might feel underwhelmed by the default pop. However, the elongated Invikta shape provides a slight boost, and adding lead tape to the edges noticeably elevates its put away power.

Spin

Rating: 8–9/10. Selkirk’s ProSpin+ NextGen Micro Texture and Florek Carbon Fiber deliver top tier spin potential, especially for a control oriented paddle. Testers reported big improvements in spin compared to the older 003 series. Slow, brushing shots bite hard, and transitional spin volleys dip rapidly into the kitchen.

Pop

Rating: 7/10. While not as explosive as thermoformed power paddles, the Luxx line has decent pop once you find the sweet spot. Defensive blocks remain stable but don’t rocket off the face. The airy throat design and perimeter foam help reduce unwanted vibrations while offering moderate pop for quick exchanges.

Forgiveness

Rating: 9.5/10. This is one of the Luxx’s biggest selling points. The 20mm core plus a wide sweet spot ensure you get a controlled response even if you mis hit. Off center contact rarely vibrates or causes unpredictable rebounds. It’s a lifesaver during fast kitchen battles or hurried defensive transitions.

Maneuverability

Rating: 8.5/10. Despite its 20mm thickness, the Luxx’s Aero-DuraEdge Edgeless design and refined Air Dynamic Throat keep it fairly nimble. Most testers found it surprisingly easy to whip through overheads and flick volleys, although the heavier S2 shape may feel a bit slower if you prefer a lightning fast response.

Selkirk Luxx In Depth Review

Design & Build Quality

From the attractive red, blue, and gold cosmetics to the meticulously refined Aero-DuraEdge Edgeless design, the Selkirk Luxx looks and feels high-end. It’s manufactured by Selkirk Sport in the USA using a proprietary high pressure molding process called 360° Proto Molding for greater consistency and a larger sweet spot. The blend of Florek Carbon Fiber on the face, X7 Thikset Honeycomb Core, and FlexFoam Perimeter around the edges ensures durability while simultaneously enlarging the sweet spot.

The entire Luxx line also features CM Anti-Torque Technology, which stabilizes off-center hits by managing core thickness and mass distribution. This design helps keep the paddle from twisting or vibrating in your hand, which is especially helpful when you find yourself in rapid fire exchanges.

Selkirk Luxx On Court Performance

Real-world testing underscored the Luxx’s ability to empower a controlled, strategic playstyle. With these paddles, some players reported improved defense, feeling they could block anything and calmly move into the kitchen with confidence. Its remarkable dwell time and soft face let you dictate slow, loopy spin shots or knife-like slices. Yet, if you want the capacity for finishing power, a small amount of added weight in the head (via lead tape) transforms the Luxx into a more formidable offensive tool.

Control

Precision shots define the Luxx experience. Many testers shared that it feels as though you can “catch” the ball on the face and deliberately place it in a desired location. This sense of heightened control especially shines in dinking duels and volley drops. One longtime player joked, “It feels like you can close your eyes and still land the ball exactly in the kitchen.”

Power

Power is limited straight off the shelf, which may frustrate players who love bashing drives from the baseline. However, as soon as some lead tape is applied to the upper edges, the Luxx morphs into a lively weapon for drives, serves, and aggressive put-aways. If you appreciate a more balanced, controlled style of attacking, you’ll like how the Luxx transitions from cautious resets to well-placed winners.

Spin

The ProSpin+ NextGen Micro Texture is a major highlight. Even though it’s not a raw carbon face, the ball appears to dwell on the surface long enough for you to impart substantial spin. Topspin passes and flicks generate intimidating dip, while slices and side spins snap quickly off the surface and keep your opponents guessing. Although sprayed on grit eventually wears over time, the dwell time fosters consistent spin production, even as texture fades.

Pop

Pop is moderate. You won’t see the ball catapulting off the face the way it does with some thermoformed designs. Instead, it’s a reserved pop that encourages controlled aggression. You can still engage in fast hands battles, but you might need quicker reflexes to match the speed of raw power paddles.

Forgiveness

Few paddles match the Luxx in terms of forgiveness. Miss the sweet spot by an inch or two, and the ball still stays in play without jarring your arm. This trait extends rallies and gives you a shot at re-gaining control, especially when returning blistering drives or overhead smashes.

Maneuverability

Despite its thickness and heavier construction, the Luxx series remains surprisingly maneuverable. The Air Dynamic Throat design channels air more efficiently during swings, so players report an agile feel through contact. Quick changes in direction, especially at the net, are easier than expected for a thick control paddle.

Selkirk Luxx Series Pros and Cons

Pros

• Exceptional control for drops, dinks, and resets
• Huge sweet spot and forgiving on off-center contact
• Impressive spin potential thanks to ProSpin+ texture
• Highly maneuverable for a 20mm-thick design
• Stable design with minimal vibration or torque
• Easy to fine tune power with lead tape
• Backed by Selkirk’s lifetime warranty for manufacturing defects

Cons

• Lower power in stock form, which may annoy heavy hitters
• Grit based surface could wear down over time
• S2 shape can feel somewhat unwieldy for two handed backhands
• Premium price tag (around $250) might deter budget conscious players

Player Feedback

Real pickleball players who tested the Selkirk Luxx confirm the brand’s reputation for comfort and control:

“I love how easy it is to block heavy drives. I can basically park in no man’s land and turn any defensive shot into a reset.” – Alex, 4.0-level player

“The paddle is springy but not powerful. If I need more pop, I just add some lead tape. The sweet spot is massive, and it’s perfect for my all-court style.” – Sam, 3.5-level player

“After coming from a tennis background, the Luxx took time to adjust to. But once I did, the deep control I gained felt like a cheat code.” – Ryan, 4.5-level player

Where the Selkirk Luxx Stands in Today’s Market

The Selkirk Luxx review demonstrates that these paddles cater to players who crave a softer, more controlled approach without sacrificing spin or forgiveness. Beginners and intermediate players benefit from its large sweet spot and consistent response, while advanced competitors can exploit its dwell time to dominate with strategic dinks and spin. If raw power is your ultimate priority, look elsewhere, or simply add lead tape for a nice compromise.

In an era where so many new paddles focus on stiff thermoforming for maximum pop, the Luxx stands out for bridging old-school comfort and modern spin potential. With robust warranties and reliable build quality, Selkirk has created a series that can elevate your short game and fortify your defensive tactics.

If you plan to invest in one of these paddles, consider fine-tuning your setup. Lead tape or additional custom weighting can unleash extra pace without losing the Luxx’s signature softness. Be sure to check out other articles on PickleTip.com for more gear reviews and tips on lead tape placement, technique adjustments, and training drills.

Comparable Paddles

• Joola Hyperion Ben Johns CFS 14: Also offers balanced power and control, but has a raw carbon face for extra spin.
• PaddleTek Tempest Wave Pro: Similar control-focused design but less spin potential than the Luxx.
• Vulcan V560 Control: Another thick-core option that emphasizes forgiveness and a soft impact feel.

These paddles share some overlap with the Luxx, but none quite match the same blend of thick-core forgiveness and advanced spin-friendly texture.

Q&A

Learn more about USA Pickleball paddle testing standards at the official USAPA website.

If you’re ready to improve your control and reset game, give the Selkirk Luxx a try. Share your experience or ask questions in the comments section, and don’t forget to explore other equipment reviews on PickleTip.com.