Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Review: On-Court Test Notes
Last Updated: October 2026 · By Dylan, 4.5-rated tournament player
The Bottom Line: The Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik is a high-performance power paddle engineered around a 16mm BoomCore™ (PureFoam + EVA Power Ring) and an InfiniGrit® surface. Available in Widebody and Elongated shapes, it delivers exceptional exit velocity and solid spin bite, making it an ideal choice for advanced players who already possess solid control fundamentals and want maximum offensive pop.
Short version: it hits hard, the Widebody shape stays agile in fast-hands battles, and it asks a little more of your hands on resets than a control paddle would. Here’s my full Selkirk Boomstik review, based on real testing time — not a spec sheet.
Selkirk Boomstik Review: Quick Verdict
The Boomstik delivers genuine pop on drives and put-aways without feeling hollow, and it’s one of the more complete pickleball power paddles I’ve tested in the Widebody shape. The trade-off is a hot launch angle out of the box and a real adjustment period on resets — budget time to soften your hands before it clicks. If you already drive and speed up a lot and want more exit speed, it’s worth shortlisting.
Who the Selkirk Boomstik Is For
This is a paddle for players who already have control fundamentals down and want more pop without giving up the whole sweet spot. Two-handed backhand players should check grip space before buying — more on that below. I wouldn’t recommend this as a first paddle; the lively core rewards touch you’ve already built, not touch you’re still developing. Newer players will get more out of my best pickleball paddles for beginners guide.
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik — Best Pure Power
Best Pure Power
| Shape Options | Widebody (Tested) | Elongated Available |
| Dimensions | Widebody: 15.95″ × 8″ | Elongated: 16.5″ × 7.45″ |
| Core Thickness | 16mm |
| Core Material | BoomCore™ (PureFoam + EVA Power Ring) |
| Face Material | 3-Layer Multistrata T700 Carbon + InfiniGrit® |
| Grip Length | Widebody: 5.6″ | Elongated: 5.8″ |
| Grip Circumference | 4.25″ |
| Swing Feel | Balanced widebody |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime |
| USAP Approved | Yes (UPA version available for pro events) |
On-Court Performance
Power & Drives
Baseline drives had solid pop — crisp off the face rather than hollow, which is the thing I actually worry about with foam-core power paddles. Put-aways came with high energy return; the ball jumps off the paddle enough that you don’t need to swing all-out to drive through it. This is squarely why the Boomstik shows up as a top pick whenever people search for pickleball power paddles.
Soft Game & Resets
This is where the paddle asks something of you. Absorbing pace took moderate effort, and it ran slightly lively on hard counters — you’ll feel the core wanting to give the ball back with more energy than a control paddle would. Dink stability was predictable for the most part, with a minor torsional twist showing up only on extreme off-center hits.
Spin & Serve Bite
The InfiniGrit® surface bit aggressively — good grab on heavy cuts, no slipping through contact. Spin readings on standard topspin drives were strong and consistent on my testing rig, which lined up with what the surface feel suggested on court. If spin generation is your main priority, compare this against paddles I’ve already benchmarked in my best pickleball paddles for spin guide.
Kitchen Hand Speed: Widebody vs. Elongated
The Widebody shape was noticeably faster and more agile in quick net exchanges. Reaction time in hand battles was quicker, and the lower swing weight felt less fatiguing over a session compared to an elongated model. I haven’t put the same testing depth into the Elongated shape yet, so I’m holding off on a full verdict there until I’ve logged more hours — I’ll update this section when I do.
Grip & Comfort
The stock wrap felt comfortable through a 2+ hour block — no hot spots, no blistering. For two-handed backhand players: the handle length is adequate, but grip space felt a bit tight if you have larger hands. Worth trying in person or checking against your current paddle’s dimensions before buying if that applies to you.
What Needs Work
- Hot launch angle out of the box: It took real time to dial in drop shots — the ball comes off higher/faster than you’d expect until you adjust.
- Reset adjustment curve: Fast incoming attacks required a deliberately softer hand early on, or the ball would pop straight up. This eased with reps, but it’s a real learning curve, not an instant transition.
- Grip space for larger hands: Two-handed backhand players with bigger hands may find the 5.6″ handle tight.
- Price: A real investment, best suited to players confident they want an aggressive power profile.
Value for Money
The Boomstik sits at the top of the Selkirk pickleball paddles lineup in price. It earns that position with real pop and solid spin bite, but it’s not a paddle to buy on impulse if you’re still deciding whether power is your game — read what makes a good pickleball paddle first if you’re unsure.
How It Compares
If you’re cross-shopping within Selkirk’s power lineup or against JOOLA’s offerings, my JOOLA vs Selkirk comparison breaks down how the core technologies stack up. For general core-thickness questions, my 14mm vs 16mm pickleball paddle breakdown explains what that difference tends to feel like on court, and my how I test pickleball paddles page covers the full process behind every review on this site, including this one.
Final Verdict
To wrap up this Selkirk Boomstik review:
The Selkirk Boomstik earns its power-paddle reputation — real pop, solid spin bite, and a Widebody shape that stays agile at the net despite being built for offense. The catch is the adjustment period: the hot launch angle and lively core on resets mean this isn’t a paddle you pick up and immediately feel comfortable with. Give it time to click, and check your grip fit if you play with a two-handed backhand and larger hands. For players who already know they want a pure power paddle, it’s one of the more complete options I’ve tested at this price tier. See how it stacks up against everything else I’ve reviewed in my best pickleball paddles guide.
Buy if:
You already have control in place and want more pop without giving up the whole sweet spot.
Drives came off crisp, not hollow — you don’t need to swing all-out to drive through the ball.
Pass if:
The lively core rewards touch you’ve already built, not touch you’re still developing.
Fast incoming attacks needed a deliberately softer hand early on, or the ball popped straight up.
FAQs
Is the Selkirk Boomstik good for beginners?
No — it rewards touch you’ve already built. Better suited to players with established control fundamentals.
What’s the difference between Widebody and Elongated?
Widebody was faster and more agile in kitchen hand battles with a lower swing weight. I haven’t logged enough hours on the Elongated shape yet for a full comparison.
Is the Selkirk Boomstik good for a two-handed backhand?
Mostly — the handle length is adequate, but grip space felt tight for larger hands. Worth checking against your current paddle before buying.
Is the Boomstik USAP approved?
Yes, per Selkirk’s spec sheet.
Dylan is a 4.5-rated pickleball player and gear writer who has tested 80+ paddles across 400+ hours on court. He rates spin, power, control, and forgiveness from real court time so you can buy smarter — no sponsored rankings, ever.