Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik (Elongated) Review — Big Pop, Big Personality, Bigger Debates
By Lleyton Howard (5.0 coach). Playtesters: Mason Kelley (4.5) & Sophia Martinez (3.5).
Quick Summary (TL;DR)
- Rating: ★★★★½ (4.6/5) — elite pop and power with a surprisingly forgiving sweet spot; not built for timid hands.
- Shape Tested: Elongated (new Selkirk Labs silhouette).
- What it’s for: Power players who drive, shake-and-bake, and counter like it’s their job.
- What it’s not for: Developing players who struggle with pop control or prefer pillowy touch.
- Notable stuff: Foam EPP core with EVA perimeter ring, Infinigrit texture, “Labs forever” status, lifetime warranty, and built-in MOI tuning weights at 3 & 9 (≈7.5 g each).
Intro
Hey, hey, hey. Three years. That’s how long it took Selkirk to drop a paddle that’ll go toe-to-toe with the loudest power sticks in the sport. The Project Boomstik isn’t subtle. It cracks like thunder on put-aways, jumps off the face on counters, and — for all that violence — still plays…shockingly civil in the soft game (if your hands are ready). It’s like a muscle car with lane-assist.
Boomstick
Jack Sock’s New Paddle
We tested the Elongated model for two weeks across league nights and tournament-speed drilling. Here’s everything we learned.
What that means in play: You’re getting a dense, connected strike with fewer “hollow” mishits, a big sweet spot for a power paddle, and a factory-tuned balance that favors stability and plow.
Core: EPP foam (no polymer honeycomb in the primary hitting zone)
Perimeter: EVA foam ring (stability + feel)
Face: Infinigrit texture (Selkirk claims extended grit longevity)
Head shape: New elongated Labs silhouette
Handle: Long, two-hand-friendly
Swingweight (our unit): 118 (manageable for an elongated power frame)
Stock add-ons: MOI tuning weights at 3 & 9 (≈7.5 g each; semi-permanent)
Performance Breakdown
Power & Pop
Short version: it booms (truth in branding). Serves jump deep with less effort; drives stay on a rope; high balls don’t come back. Compared with other pop monsters, Boomstik’s top-end power is right there, but with less drop-off when you miss the exact center.
“I got free depth on serves without overswinging. First time in months I didn’t need to tape the head to get the ball to jump.”
Mason (4.5)
Spin
Spin is very good, not cartoonish. Raw-carbon RPM fiends may keep a CRBN/Gen-3 carbon in the bag, but Boomstik gives plenty to dip drives and roll counters.
Sophia (3.5): “I could shape thirds but it wasn’t so grippy that I started sailing balls — that helped me.”
Control & Touch
This is the surprise. For a paddle this hot, drops and blocks were predictable once we dialed in. If you like an immediate, stiff response (no mush, no delay), you’ll click with it. If you need a pillow to absorb pace, you’ll call it “spicy.”
Lleyton (author): “I reset better than expected with a paddle that hits this hard. The stiffer face gives me a clear read on how much to ‘hold’ the ball.”
Forgiveness & Sweet Spot
Better than typical power paddles. Off-center hits still carry bite. On bad contact, you lose a bit of spin, not the whole point.
Maneuverability (Hand Speed)
At 118 SW, it’s quick enough at the kitchen — not featherweight, but never clubby. The elongated shape gives reach on counters and overheads.
Stability & Feel
That EVA ring + built-in side massing makes the head resistant to twist. Blocks stay online; counters feel like you’re punching through the ball instead of catching it.
The MOI Tuning Weights (Let’s Talk About the “Red Ears”)
Selkirk’s 3 & 9 weights add ≈15 g total and are not meant to be removed. They’re snapped on and taped down — you can pry them off, but you’ll likely mess up the edge guard.
- Why Selkirk did it: Guarantee stability, sweet spot size, and punch out of the box.
- Why tinkerers grumble: You lose modularity; starting lighter (say, +3.5 g per side) would give more headroom to customize.
- Our take: Performance wins. The stock tune works. But we’d love a factory-modular option in the future (sliders, magnet rails, anything).
Note on durability: One early demo’s edge guard got cranky near the weight mounts; a replacement was flawless. At this price, QC has to be airtight. We’ll keep an eye on long-term wear.
Author & Playtester Notes
- Lleyton (5.0): “Patterns win. With Boomstik I could serve big, drive, then play the cat-and-mouse counter rally I like. It’s a hammer that still lets me paint.”
- Mason (4.5): “This is the first super-power paddle where my mishits didn’t feel like dead rocks. If you can control your backswing, it’s a cheat code.”
- Sophia (3.5): “At first I popped balls. Then I shortened my motion and it clicked. My blocks got mean.”
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Top-tier power & pop without a tiny sweet spot
- Predictable, stiff feel for confident resets and counters
- Stability for blocking bangers; reach of an elongated head
- Infinigrit promises longer texture life; lifetime warranty sweetens the deal
Cons
- Spicy for developing hands; not a training-wheels paddle
- Semi-permanent MOI weights limit custom routes
- Elongated swingweight (~118) is athletic but not “whippy.”
- Price lands in flagship territory
Comparisons & Alternatives (Power Paddle SEO Corner)
- JOOLA Gen-3 / “Pro 4”-class power paddles
- Boomstik vs JOOLA: Boomstik feels stiffer & more connected with less off-center power drop-off; JOOLA can feel hotter when brand-new but varies with core wear.
- Gearbox GX2 Power
- Boomstik vs GX2: Similar elite pop. Boomstik gave us easier resets; GX2 feels more springy off the face.
- Honolulu J2NF (foam)
- Boomstik vs J2NF: J2NF is friendlier in the soft game; Boomstik hits harder and counters cleaner.
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-CX (12.7 mm)
- Boomstik vs TKO-CX: TKO-CX is a thin-core speed stick — zippy hands, crisp contact, but more finicky on mishits. Boomstik brings bigger plow & forgiveness; TKO-CX wins for quick-twitch hands.
- SLK ERA (value power)
- ERA sits a tier below on raw blast but is far easier to live with for a broad range of players.
Keyword hits: power pickleball paddles, JOOLA Pro 4 comparison, Gearbox GX2 Power vs Boomstik, Paddletek Bantam TKO-CX vs Boomstik, best elongated power paddle.
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Use It
Run to it if you…
- Live on drives, counters, and put-aways
- Prefer immediate feedback over plush damping
- Want forgiveness without giving up pop
Think twice if you…
- Are still learning to manage pace control
- Need ultra-soft drops out of the box
- Love to micro-tune weight at multiple head positions
FAQs (More Depth = Better Decisions)
Is the Boomstik actually more durable than Gen-3 honeycomb “power” paddles?
The full-foam EPP core + EVA perimeter should resist core crushing better than thin polymer honeycomb builds. Texture life depends on Infinigrit longevity — early sessions look promising; time will tell.
What swingweight should I expect on the Elongated?
Our unit measured 118. That’s athletic, not brutal. If you’re used to sub-110 SW, expect a short adjustment window.
Can I remove or move the red MOI weights?
Not intended. They’re clipped and taped. You can tinker at your own risk, but the edge guard may not love you for it.
How does it reset so well if it’s so hot?
The stiff, linear response makes depth more predictable if you shorten your stroke and let the paddle’s pop do the work. If you “push” the ball, you’ll sail it.
Elongated or Widebody?
If you crave reach and serve power, Elongated. If you want faster hands and a touch more stability at the same swingweight, Widebody. The cores feel very similar; choose by shape preference.
Is it worth the price vs something like Bantam TKO-CX or SLK ERA?
If you want flagship pop + forgiveness and plan to use it in high-pace play, yes. If you’re value-minded or still building consistency, ERA or TKO-CX can be smarter buys.
I discovered pickleball a few years ago and was instantly hooked. The game itself is exhilarating, but what really drew me in was the sense of community and camaraderie that comes with it. I knew right away that I wanted to be more than just a player; I wanted to contribute to this amazing community in a meaningful way.
As a coach, my goal is to not only improve your game but also to foster a supportive and inclusive environment. I believe that pickleball is more than just a sport; it's a community where everyone should feel welcome, regardless of their skill level.
I'm a firm believer in the power of positivity and encouragement, both on and off the court. Whether you're a beginner looking to learn the basics or an advanced player aiming to refine your skills, I'm here to guide you every step of the way.
When I'm not coaching or playing pickleball, you'll likely find me volunteering at local community events or spending quality time with my family. If you're interested in improving your game or just want to talk about why pickleball is the best sport ever, feel free to reach out. I'm always up for a good conversation and a fun game!
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