Selkirk Boomstik Review (2027): Selkirk Labs’ Power Paddle

The Boomstik is Selkirk Labs’ answer to the power-paddle arms race. Here’s what it does well, where it falls short and who it’s for.

Quick Comparison

The table below summarizes our selkirk boomstik alternatives picks. Use the buttons to check live Amazon prices, then read the detailed sections for pros, cons and who each one suits.

What is Selkirk Labs?

Selkirk is one of the biggest brands in pickleball, and Selkirk Labs is its experimental program. Instead of putting every new idea straight into its main line, Selkirk releases limited “Project” paddles that let players try new technology first. Some Labs ideas later influence Selkirk’s mainstream paddles; others remain niche favorites.

The Project Boomstik is one of the Labs paddles focused squarely on power. Its name says it all: it is designed to make the ball explode off the face.

Design

The Boomstik uses a raw carbon face, the same type of gritty surface that gives modern premium paddles their spin. The paddle is built around a power-first philosophy, with a firmer, more solid feel than Selkirk’s softer LUXX control paddles. Like other Labs paddles, it is aimed at experienced players who know what they want from a paddle.

Performance

Power

Power is the Boomstik’s defining trait and the reason to buy it. Published reviews rate its power as excellent. Drives come off hot, overheads have real authority and counter-attacks at the net are punishing. If your game is built on pace and putting the ball away, this paddle rewards aggressive swings.

Control

Control is good but not at the level of dedicated control paddles. On dinks and third-shot drops, you will need clean contact and soft hands, because the paddle wants to send the ball with pace. Players coming from a soft control paddle such as the Selkirk LUXX Control or CRBN TruFoam Genesis will notice the difference immediately.

Feel

The feel is solid and firm rather than soft and plush. Some players love this connected, direct feedback; others prefer a softer paddle that absorbs pace.

Spin

The raw carbon face provides strong spin, which is especially useful on a power paddle. Topspin helps hard drives dip into the court rather than sailing long.

How the Boomstik performs shot by shot

• Serve: deep, powerful serves with good spin potential.
• Return: easy depth; watch for returns sailing long if you over-swing.
• Third-shot drive: one of its best shots, fast and heavy.
• Third-shot drop: possible with good technique, but less forgiving than a control paddle.
• Dinking: requires soft hands; topspin dinks help.
• Hand battles: strong counters with plenty of pace.
• Overheads: a clear strength.
• Resets: harder than with a control paddle; this is where power paddles demand the most skill.

Selkirk Boomstik price

We saw the Boomstik listed on Amazon at a lower price than at some other retailers, where it has been listed around $333. Labs paddles can vary in price and availability, so check the live listing before buying.

Pros and cons

Who should buy the Selkirk Boomstik?

• Aggressive doubles players who win with drives and put-aways
• Singles players who need pace to pass opponents
• Selkirk fans who want the brand’s most powerful option
• Players with a solid soft game who want more firepower

Who should skip it?

• Control-first players, who will be happier with the Selkirk LUXX Control or CRBN TruFoam Genesis
• Beginners, who need forgiveness more than raw power
• Players who want a proven paddle with hundreds of reviews

Boomstik vs JOOLA Pro V

These are two of the most talked-about premium paddles from the two biggest brands in pickleball.

	Selkirk Boomstik	JOOLA Pro V
Personality	Raw power	Power plus touch
Control	Good	High
Feel	Solid, firm	Lively but controlled
Spin	High (raw carbon)	Very high (raw textured carbon)
Amazon rating	New	4.4 (162)

For most players, the Pro V is the better all-rounder. The Boomstik suits players who prioritize power above everything else. Full comparison: JOOLA Pro V vs Selkirk Boomstik.

Boomstik vs other power paddles

Paddle	Power character	Rating
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik	Explosive, firm	New
CRBN TruFoam Barrage	Foam-core power, durable	4.4 (74)
Paddletek Bantam TKO-CX 14.3mm	Crisp, fast thin core	4.3 (45)
Selkirk SLK ERA Power	Lively, forgiving value	4.5 (283)

If you want power with more forgiveness and a longer review history, the Selkirk SLK ERA Power is a great value option. If you want power with durability, the CRBN TruFoam Barrage uses a foam core designed to avoid core crush.

Alternatives to the Selkirk Boomstik

What makes a paddle “powerful”?

Understanding where power comes from helps you decide whether the Boomstik is right for you.

• Core thickness: thinner cores (around 13–14mm) return energy faster than thick 16mm cores, so the ball leaves the face quicker.
• Construction: thermoformed and unibody designs make the paddle stiffer and more responsive, adding pop.
• Shape: elongated paddles add leverage and swing speed, which translates into more pace.
• Swing weight: a paddle with more weight towards the tip carries more momentum through the ball.
• Face material: some faces, including fiberglass and certain hybrids, have a little more trampoline effect.

Power paddles combine several of these traits. The trade-off is usually control: the same responsiveness that adds pace to drives can make soft shots harder to manage.

Is a power paddle right for you?

Ask yourself these questions:

1. Do you win most points with drives, speed-ups and put-aways? If yes, a power paddle suits your game.
2. Is your soft game already reliable? Power paddles amplify mistakes on dinks and drops. A solid soft game makes them much easier to use.
3. Do you play singles? Singles players often benefit from extra pace on passing shots.
4. Do you have arm sensitivity? Firm power paddles can transmit more vibration; a softer foam paddle may be kinder.

If you answered yes to the first three, the Boomstik is worth considering. If not, a balanced paddle like the JOOLA Pro V or a control paddle like the CRBN Genesis may serve you better.

Boomstik by player level

Level	Recommendation
Under 3.0	Not recommended; choose a forgiving control paddle
3.0–3.5	Consider the Selkirk SLK ERA Power for more forgiveness
3.5–4.5	Good fit for attacking players
4.5+	Excellent weapon for aggressive players

What it is like to switch to the Boomstik

If you are moving from a control paddle, expect your first sessions to feature some long balls. Shorten your swing, especially on returns and drops, and let the paddle supply pace. Within a few sessions most players find the extra power becomes an asset rather than a liability.

Tips for playing with a power paddle

• Shorten your swing on soft shots. Let the paddle do the work on drops and dinks.
• Use topspin. Spin keeps hard-hit balls in the court.
• Practice resets. Power paddles demand softer hands in the transition zone; drill it.
• Choose your moments. Power is most valuable on attackable balls, not every shot.

How to care for a Labs paddle

Raw carbon faces are the source of spin, so keep them clean with a damp microfiber cloth or paddle eraser. Store the paddle in a cover, avoid hot cars and watch for dead spots over time. See How Long Does a Pickleball Paddle Last?

Buying tips

• Check the listing carefully. Labs paddles can have several listings and colorways; confirm you are buying the Project Boomstik.
• Compare prices. Labs paddles can be priced differently across retailers, so check the live price.
• Buy from a reputable seller to ensure warranty coverage from Selkirk.
• Confirm USA Pickleball approval if you play sanctioned events.

Key takeaways

• The Boomstik is a Selkirk Labs paddle built for power.
• Published reviews rate its power excellent and its control good but not elite.
• It suits aggressive players with a reliable soft game.
• Its Amazon review history is still short, so it is less proven than the JOOLA Pro V.
• Selkirk SLK ERA Power is a more forgiving, better-reviewed value alternative.

Final verdict

The Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik is a specialist’s paddle. For attacking players who want maximum power from Selkirk, it delivers. For most players looking for one paddle to do everything, the JOOLA Pro V or the more forgiving Selkirk SLK ERA Power will be the better fit.

See every premium Selkirk in our guide to the most expensive Selkirk paddles, or compare it with all top paddles in our ranking of the 10 most expensive pickleball paddles.

Boomstik for singles and doubles

In singles, the Boomstik’s power is a real weapon on serves, deep returns and passing shots, where pace and depth win points. In doubles, its power helps in hand battles and on put-aways, but you will need soft hands for drops and resets. Many doubles players who choose the Boomstik pair it with a patient partner who controls the soft game.

Customizing the Boomstik

If the Boomstik feels too lively on soft shots, a thicker overgrip and a slightly more relaxed grip pressure can calm it down. Adding lead tape at the sides can improve stability on off-centre blocks. Avoid adding weight at the top unless you want even more power.

Long-term ownership

Like any premium raw carbon paddle, the Boomstik’s face texture will gradually wear with use. Clean it gently, keep it in a cover and never leave it in a hot car. Because Labs paddles can be updated or replaced as Selkirk develops new ideas, consider buying a backup if you love the feel and play competitively.

Who will love the Boomstik most

Aggressive players with fast hands and a reliable soft game, singles players who need extra pace and Selkirk fans who enjoy trying Labs technology will get the most from the Boomstik. If you value balance and proven consistency above all, the JOOLA Pro V remains the safer choice.

Selkirk Labs vs Selkirk mainstream paddles

Labs paddles like the Boomstik test bold ideas, while LUXX and SLK paddles deliver refined, proven designs. Choose Labs for excitement and the newest technology, and the main lines for long-term consistency and wider availability.

For most buyers, the decision comes down to style: power first, or balance first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Selkirk Boomstik a power paddle?

Yes. Power is its defining trait; control is good but not elite.

Is the Boomstik better than the JOOLA Pro V?

For pure power players it can be. For most players, the Pro V is the better all-rounder.

What is Selkirk Labs?

Selkirk’s experimental program that releases new technology in limited Project paddles.

Who should buy the Selkirk Boomstik?

Aggressive doubles and singles players who already have a solid soft game and want more firepower.