Selkirk Boomstik Review: A True Return to High-End Performance

Selkirk Boomstik Review: A True Return to High-End Performance

Selkirk has made a loud comeback. After several releases that felt aimed more at casual players and flashy aesthetics than serious competitors, the Boomstik marks a dramatic shift back to pure performance. This paddle was built for players who want to take points, not just take warm-up pictures.

The Boomstik is Selkirk’s bold entry into the power-focused foam category—with a combination of explosiveness, consistency, and durability that is rare even among premium Gen-4 builds.

It brings back the crisp, hollow impact feel Gen-3 enthusiasts love, but pairs it with a modern foam architecture that avoids the core-crush issues that plague older thermoformed models. If you enjoy a stiffer, livelier response, this paddle will feel like home. If you prefer plush or muted, this paddle is absolutely not for you.


Inside the Boomstik: New Technology That Actually Matters

What makes the Boomstik stand out is the way its components work together as a system. After visiting Selkirk’s facility and seeing their R&D capabilities firsthand, it’s clear they invested heavily to get this one right.

Here’s what drives the Boomstik’s identity:

EVA Perimeter Foam

A rigid EVA ring surrounds a lightweight EPP block to:

  • Boost pop and peak power

  • Maintain structure under pressure

  • Deliver a sharp, lively impact feel

  • Prevent long-term collapse

This is the most “Gen-3-inspired” feel of any foam paddle to date—but without the durability risk.

MOI Tuning System

Selkirk integrated ~7.5g weights inside the frame at fixed locations. These:

  • Increase stability

  • Expand the effective sweet spot

  • Make the paddle feel like it’s already professionally customized

It’s essentially a factory-tuned setup—great for players who want stability, limiting for players who prefer full customization control.

InfiniGrit Carbon Surface

Their long-lasting texture is now paired with a core that won’t rapidly soften.
The pairing gives the Boomstik:

  • Reliable spin over time

  • More consistent pop

  • Improved durability compared to Gen-3 honeycomb paddles


Durability & Long-Term Playability

One of the biggest wins here is consistency. Foam cores often drift, soften, or change character over the first 10–20 hours. The Boomstik didn’t.

  • No drop in power

  • No new flex

  • No shift in feel

Selkirk’s testing also allowed them to offer a long-term warranty on the Boomstik—a sign they believe in the construction.

Note: Some early users reported minor lifting around the edge guard where the internal weights sit. It hasn’t happened to me, but it’s worth noting—it is covered under warranty.


Specs & Build Overview

Average Weight: 8.3 oz
Swingweight: 113 (widebody), 121 (elongated)
Twistweight: 7.72 (widebody), 6.9 (elongated)
Spin: ~1970 RPM
Length x Width:

  • Widebody: 15.95" x 8"

  • Elongated: 16.5" x 7.45"
    Grip: 4.25" circumference
    Handle Length: 5.6" widebody, 5.8" elongated
    Core: 16mm EPP with EVA ring
    Category: Power

The widebody delivers the best forgiveness and hand-speed balance.
The elongated version offers more reach and more inherent power, at the cost of maneuverability.


How the MOI Tuning System Affects Play

The internal weight distribution gives the Boomstik a noticeably larger hitting zone and higher stability than most paddles in this category. It feels like a professionally tuned setup right out of the wrapper.

Benefits:

  • Bigger sweet spot

  • More stability on blocks

  • More consistent contact feel

  • Better performance without adding tape

Tradeoffs:

  • Customizers may find the fixed weights restrictive

  • Swingweight is higher than average for these shapes

  • Less maneuverable during hand battles

If you like tweaking, the locked-in MOI positions may frustrate you. If you prefer a pre-optimized setup, this is ideal.


On-Court Performance Review

Power & Pop

This paddle sits firmly in the upper tier of power paddles.

  • Explosive on drives

  • Heavy counters

  • Big put-away potential

  • Immediate response—no warmup needed

It doesn’t quite match the sheer pop of the Body Helix Flik F1, but it beats nearly everything else in its class, especially JOOLA’s offerings.

Resets & Soft Game

Surprisingly, the Boomstik absorbs pace better than expected for such a stiff-feeling paddle.

Resetting works well because:

  • The foam core provides controlled dwell time

  • The built-in weight helps absorb speed

  • Twistweight is strong enough to prevent twisting

However, touch shots require discipline. Dinks and drops come off hotter than average until you adjust. This is not a beginner-friendly power paddle—you need a developed soft game to manage it.

Impact Feel

Make no mistake: this is not a muted foam paddle.

  • Loud

  • Crisp

  • Hollow

  • Gen-3 vibe with more stability

Players who like soft, quiet, or plush paddles will dislike it.
Players who enjoy a lively, cracking response will love it.

Sweet Spot & Forgiveness

The sweet spot is one of the largest in the power category—bigger than:

  • JOOLA Pro IV

  • Gearbox GX2 Power

  • Honolulu J2NF

The tradeoff:
The weight makes it slightly slower in rapid-fire at the net. If you want lightning-fast hands and top-tier power, you’ll need something like the Flik F1.

Spin

The recorded spin numbers sit around 1970 RPM, but the real-world shaping feels higher.

  • Consistent dip on drives

  • Easy topspin control

  • Strong serve mechanics

  • Long-lasting grit

While not the highest measured spin paddle, the feel and on-court performance exceed expectations.


How the Boomstik Stacks Up Against Its Competition

JOOLA Pro 4

Boomstik hits harder, feels stiffer, and has a bigger sweet spot.

Gearbox GX2 Power

Boomstik offers more stability and more “pop”; GX2 is more muted.

Honolulu J2NF

Boomstik is significantly more powerful; J2NF is more accessible and friendlier for control players.

Body Helix Flik F1

Flik F1 edges out the Boomstik on raw pop; Boomstik wins on stability, feel, and consistency.

SLK ERA

ERA is softer, easier to play, and more versatile for a wide range of players.
Boomstik is for players who want maximum power with high stability.


Value Breakdown

At $333, the Boomstik is a premium commitment. But it offers a combination no other foam paddle currently matches:

  • Explosive sound and feel

  • Stable, durable foam construction

  • Pre-tuned MOI weighting

  • Oversized sweet spot

  • Consistent day-one to day-thirty performance

If your priority is performance, longevity, and a distinctively lively response, it earns the price tag.

If cost is a concern, several foam paddles offer great value (J2NF, Flik F1, Gen 4.5 series)—but none deliver this specific blend of power + feel + durability.


Final Verdict: Who Should Buy the Boomstik

Buy the Boomstik if:

✔ You want one of the hardest-hitting paddles in the foam era
✔ You prefer a crisp, hollow Gen-3 style feel
✔ You want a large sweet spot with pro-level stability
✔ You appreciate a pre-tuned weight system
✔ You’re an intermediate or advanced player with a solid soft game

Avoid the Boomstik if:

✘ You prefer a muted or plush feel
✘ You want maximum maneuverability
✘ You are sensitive to higher swingweights
✘ You want a more forgiving or beginner-friendly power paddle


Buy the Boomstik here at get2eleven:  https://get2eleven.com/collections/paddles?filter.p.vendor=Selkirk&filter.v.price.gte=&filter.v.price.lte=&sort_by=price-descending