Selkirk Labs Boomstik Review | It’s About Dang Time
It took three years, but Selkirk has finally released a paddle that feels like it belongs among the top power paddles in the game.
The Project Boomstik has a lot going for it, but also a few potential dealbreakers to consider if you’re comparing it to other power paddles on the market.
In this review, I’ll be covering the paddle’s performance, playstyles it works best for, possible downsides, and ultimately, if it’s worth your consideration.
Let’s break it down.
Table of Contents
Price, Specs & Build
On-Court Performance & Playability
Comparison to the SLK Era
New Built-in Weight System Explained
Durability
Final Thoughts - Should You Buy?
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Price, Specs, and Build
Price
Retail Price: $333
Discount Code: INF-PBSTUDIO for a $40 Selkirk gift card on future orders.
Launch Bonus: Get an extra $33 credit by leaving feedback on the Boomstik within the first 60 days after release.
How to Leave Feedback: Just hold your iPhone to the bottom of the handle, and it will pull up the feedback page automatically. Selkirk built in an NFC chip, similar to what JOOLA uses, so you don’t have to go searching for a link.
Specs
You can get the Boomstik in two shapes: Elongated or Widebody.
These first showed up with the SLK Era, and I think they’re both big upgrades over the older Invicta and Epic designs. The elongated feels more balanced than the old Invicta, and the widebody has a longer handle that just feels right in hand. The measurements below are specific to our units
Widebody
Performance Specs:
Swing weight: 116
Twist weight: 8.21
Static weight: 8.5 oz
RPM: 2,026
General Specs:
Handle length: 5.6"
Grip size: 4.25"
Warranty: Lifetime
Elongated
Performance Specs:
Swing weight: 118
Twist weight: 6.91
Static weight: 8.27 oz
RPM: 2,041
General Specs:
Handle length: 5.8"
Grip size: 4.25"
Warranty: Lifetime
Notable Info
Selkirk says the Boomstik will stay a Labs project permanently, so you shouldn’t expect a cheaper mainline version down the road.
On the plus side, it comes with a lifetime warranty, a notable upgrade from the standard 2-year warranty.
Build
Inside the Paddle: Selkirk went with an EPP foam core and an EVA foam perimeter ring—no polymer honeycomb in the main hitting zone, which should help with durability compared to most Gen 3 honeycomb paddles.
New Grit Technology: Selkirk added their Infinigrit texture, which they claim lasts three times longer than raw carbon fiber. This is the first time they’ve put it on a paddle high-level players will be excited to use.
We’ll see if that durability claim holds up over time, but on paper, the construction checks a lot of boxes for players who want both performance and longevity.
On-Court Performance & Playability
My thoughts here apply to both the elongated and widebody Boomstik. They both play exceptionally well, so it really comes down to what shape you usually prefer.
Widebody
Larger sweet spot
Quicker in the hand
Great for defense
Less reach
Elongated
More reach and power
Tighter sweet spot
Harder to swing
Power
The Boomstik hits harder than my non-core-crushed JOOLA Pro IVs and feels more explosive on drives and put-aways. It’s also competitive with the Gearbox GX2 Power, making it one of the top-tier options in this category.
This paddle complements the style of play for people who enjoy drives, big serves, setting up shake-and-bakes, and counters at the net. With serves, I was able to hit them deep in the court without putting in much effort, making it easier to hit third-shot drops or drives to set up the shake-and-bake.
Sweet Spot
Where I think the Boomstik sets itself apart from the other power paddles is the forgiving sweet spot.
I haven’t had a single moment where I felt the paddle fall flat or lose stability on mishits, a big contrast to paddles like the Ripple V2 or Body Helix Flick F1, where power drops off quickly when hitting off-center.
Control
What surprised me most was how well it plays in resets and the soft game. Most paddles with this much pop are hard to control on touch shots, but the Boomstik has been predictable and easy to place, at least for my game.
If you’re below about a 4.5, expect a challenge. If you pop balls up or struggle with dinks, this paddle will make that clear fast.
Of all the foam core paddles I’ve used this year, the Boomstik feels the stiffest off the face. The feedback is immediate, not muted, which I like because it makes ball placement easier. If you enjoy the connected, crisp feel of a JOOLA Pro IV, you’ll feel right at home.
Comparison to the SLK Era
The SLK Era and Boomstik aren’t in the same class.
Era – $200, lower power, easier to use, and a great entry point into power paddles. Works for a wide range of skill levels.
Boomstik – Built for competitive players chasing maximum pop and power. Not a replacement for the Era and not something I’d recommend to most recreational players.
New Built-In Weight System Explained
Selkirk calls the side weights their MOI Tuning System, a “semi-permanent” weight setup at 3 and 9 o’clock. In reality, it’s basically permanent. They’re snapped tightly onto the edge guard and also secured with adhesive, so if you try to remove them, there’s a good chance you’ll damage the edge guard. DO NOT REMOVE.
When I first heard about these, I thought they’d be removable weights you could reposition. That would have been really cool, but that’s not the case here. Only a few brands have tried built-in weight systems, and I don’t think anyone’s nailed it yet.
Each weight is 7.5 grams, for a total of 15 grams added to the paddle. Selkirk’s idea is to make the Boomstik more playable right out of the box. Meaning more power, better stability, and a larger sweet spot, without requiring players to add lead tape themselves.
From my perspective, there are two types of players when it comes to paddle weight:
People who want it ready to go as soon as they unwrap it.
People who like to fine-tune every gram to get it exactly how they want.
I tested two Boomstiks without the weights, and here’s what I found:
Widebody without weights — swing weight 102
Elongated without weights — swing weight 107
If it were up to me, I think Selkirk could have met in the middle by adding about half the current weight. That would give you a boost in power and stability while still leaving room for more customization.
At the end of the day, I get why they did it. If they didn’t add the weight, you’d probably have a smaller sweet spot and less power out of the box. But it does come at the cost of flexibility for players who like to tinker.
Even so, the stock swing weights aren’t extreme, so you still have a bit of room to customize and add more weight.
Durability
One of our elongated test units had an edge guard start coming loose near the weights after a couple of sessions.
Selkirk replaced it and said it was an early-production issue that shouldn’t affect retail paddles.
Unfortunately, I can’t confirm this. We’ll just have to see how they hold up in the wild.
The lifetime guarantee is a nice reassurance, but at $333, an edge guard coming loose still isn’t acceptable. The good news is that it’s an easy fix with adhesive, especially compared to more serious paddle issues.
Grit Maintenance & Cleaning
The Boomstik uses a spray-on grit surface, and like other paddle face materials such as carbon fiber or Kevlar, it can collect dust and dirt in the fibers or crevices over time.
To clean it, do not use a carbon fiber eraser; it will damage the grit. Selkirk recommends using only water and a lint-free cloth. You can read more about maintaining the paddle’s spin on their website here.
Final Thoughts - Should You Buy?
Selkirk nailed this one.
The Boomstik delivers elite-level pop, power, and spin with a large sweet spot and a predictable feel.
The built-in weight system will be a love-it or hate-it feature depending on your preferences.
The $333 price will be a sticking point for some, but if the foam core and Infinigrit texture hold up long-term, the value could be better than other high-end paddles that break down faster.
Of course, we’ll need more time to see if it holds up.
For me, the widebody Boomstik has played so well out of the box that I haven’t felt the need to add weight.
It’s in the running as a main paddle alongside my Honolulu J2NF. My only question is whether I can control it as consistently in high-pressure tournament play.
✅ Who It’s For
Players who want top-tier power
People who like stiffer, more immediate feedback from their paddle
Foam core skeptics looking for a different feel
❌ Who Should Skip It
Players on a budget
Players who struggle with drops, dinks, and resets
Not for casual players
Players already happy with a Pro 4, GX2 Power, or Ripple
My take: If you’re interested, try it before you buy it.
Most players will be better served by something more forgiving, but if you’ve got the control and the game to handle it, the Boomstik is one of the best power paddles I’ve tested this year.
Discount: Use code INF-PBSTUDIO for a $40 Selkirk gift card on future orders.
Launch Bonus: For the first 60 days after release, leaving feedback on the Boomstik gets you an extra $33 credit.