Last Updated: August 2026
FTC Disclosure: FORWRD earns a commission from purchases made through affiliate links in this post, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we'd genuinely use on court.
Here's the honest take: the Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Epic was a $200 paddle. Now it's $99.99 at Pickleball Central. That price shift changes the entire conversation — because at $100, this fiberglass paddle competes in a category where it's genuinely hard to beat.
I've spent time with the Epic across multiple sessions — outdoor concrete, indoor gym floors, morning drills, and actual matches. The short version: it's a heavier, poppier, more forgiving paddle than most of the carbon fiber paddles dominating 2026. And for the right player, that's exactly what they need.
Quick Verdict
✅ Pros
- Exceptional pop from the FiberFlex+ fiberglass face — more immediate power than most carbon paddles at this price
- FlexFoam Perimeter makes off-center hits forgiving and stable
- Air Dynamic throat cuts weight from the neck, improves swing speed for an 8 oz paddle
- $99.99 is a legitimately strong value for a Selkirk flagship design
- ProSpin+ NextGen texture adds more spin than you'd expect from fiberglass
❌ Cons
- 8.0 oz average weight — on the heavier end compared to modern carbon paddles (7.6-7.8 oz)
- Fiberglass face generates less spin ceiling than raw carbon or T700 carbon fiber alternatives
- The AMPED line is older technology — no thermoformed construction
- Medium grip (4.25") doesn't suit everyone; no small grip option in stock
Price: $99.99 (on sale from $199.99) at Pickleball Central
Best for: Intermediate players who prefer power and feel over maximum spin; players transitioning from tennis who want a familiar fiberglass face response
Who should skip it: Players obsessed with spin numbers; anyone who needs a sub-7.8 oz paddle
Check Current Price at Pickleball Central →
Specs at a Glance
| Spec | Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Epic |
|---|---|
| Average Weight | 8.0 oz (range: 7.8–8.2 oz) |
| Paddle Length | 16" |
| Paddle Width | 7.8" |
| Handle Length | 5.3" |
| Grip Circumference | 4 1/4" (Medium) |
| Face Material | FiberFlex+ Fiberglass with ProSpin+ NextGen texture |
| Core Material | X5+ Honeycomb (polypropylene) + FlexFoam Perimeter |
| Core Thickness | 16mm (0.629") |
| Edge Guard | Aero-DuraEdge |
| Price | $99.99 (was $199.99) |
Why Trust This Review
FORWRD designs pickleball bags — not paddles. That means we have no competing paddle to sell you and no brand bias toward Selkirk's lineup over anyone else's. We've tested paddles from JOOLA, CRBN, Six Zero, Paddletek, Diadem, and Gearbox over the past year, across both indoor and outdoor courts, at varying player skill levels from 3.0 to 4.5.
For this review specifically, I hit with the AMPED Pro Air Epic across several sessions over three weeks: outdoor concrete at a public park in 88°F heat, indoor gym flooring at a rec center, and two casual match-play sessions. I compared it directly against the Selkirk LUXX Control Air InfiniGrit and a CRBN-1 TruFoam Genesis during those sessions.
Build Quality and Design
The AMPED Pro Air Epic has a distinctly different feel in-hand than 2025/2026 carbon fiber paddles — and that starts before you even hit a ball. The FiberFlex+ fiberglass face has a slightly textured finish that's noticeably softer to the touch than raw carbon. It's also more matte in appearance, which honestly looks good. Selkirk's build quality here is excellent — no flex in the body, no rattle from the edge guard, and the 360° Proto Molded construction means there's no seam gap where the face meets the frame.
The Air Dynamic throat cutout is a real design feature, not marketing noise. Removing material from the neck section genuinely shifts the balance point slightly toward the head and allows for faster swing transitions. For an 8.0 oz paddle, it swings lighter than the number suggests. I'd put the actual swing feel closer to a 7.7 oz standard paddle once you account for the throat reduction.
The Aero-DuraEdge guard covers the entire perimeter. It's well-fitted — no gaps, no raised sections that'll chip prematurely. Selkirk has been doing this long enough that the edge guard quality isn't really a question mark anymore.
Performance: Power, Control, Spin, and Sweet Spot
Power
The FiberFlex+ fiberglass face is where the Epic earns its reputation. Fiberglass deflects slightly on contact and then springs back — which creates a trampoline effect that carbon fiber faces don't replicate. The result: the Epic generates more raw pop on drives and put-aways than most carbon paddles in the $150-$250 range.
On flat groundstrokes from mid-court, the ball leaves the face with real authority. Drives felt comfortable to keep deep. At the kitchen, though, the power feel requires some adjustment — fiberglass transfers energy efficiently, which means you need to be deliberate about soft shots. Dinking with the Epic is doable, but it demands more conscious touch than a foam-core paddle.
Control
This is where the 16mm X5+ Honeycomb core plus FlexFoam Perimeter combination does meaningful work. The FlexFoam perimeter runs along the inside edge of the frame, adding a cushioned layer that absorbs vibration on off-center contact. In practice, this translates to a larger effective sweet spot — mishits that would ping off a hollow-core paddle instead feel like near-center strikes on the Epic.
Control at the kitchen is adequate rather than exceptional. If you're a player who primarily lives at the NVZ and values a soft hands feel above everything, the LUXX Control Air will serve you better. But for a 3.5-4.0 player who wants a paddle that rewards their full-swing shots without punishing their dinks too harshly, the Epic strikes a reasonable balance.
Spin
Fiberglass faces generally lag behind carbon in raw spin generation. That's just physics — carbon fiber surfaces can be textured more aggressively without the texture wearing down as fast. Selkirk's ProSpin+ NextGen coating on the Epic's face does add meaningful texture, and I noticed genuine shot-shaping ability on third-shot drops and cross-court dinks. But compared side-by-side with the CRBN-1 TruFoam Genesis? The Genesis generates noticeably more spin on the same contact.
If spin is your primary metric, this paddle won't top your list. If spin is one of several factors alongside pop, feel, and value — the Epic is more competitive than you'd expect.
Sweet Spot
Big. Genuinely big. The FlexFoam Perimeter delivers on its promise here — off-the-frame shots that would feel dead on other paddles still redirect cleanly on the Epic. For a 3.5 player who's still ironing out consistency, this forgiveness is worth real points per game. I noticed a meaningful difference in point outcomes when comparing to a carbon paddle with a smaller sweet spot during the same drills.
Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Epic vs. The Alternatives
AMPED Pro Air Epic vs. Selkirk LUXX Control Air InfiniGrit Epic ($199.99)
| Feature | AMPED Pro Air Epic | LUXX Control Air InfiniGrit |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 | $199.99 |
| Face | FiberFlex+ Fiberglass | InfiniGrit Carbon Fiber |
| Core | X5+ Honeycomb + FlexFoam | Selkirk Air Core Technology |
| Weight | 8.0 oz avg | 7.8 oz avg |
| Spin ceiling | Moderate | High (InfiniGrit texture) |
| Power feel | Higher (fiberglass pop) | Moderate-high (controlled) |
| Kitchen touch | Adequate | Excellent |
The LUXX Control Air wins on spin, kitchen control, and face technology. It should — it's $100 more. But here's the real question: is the LUXX worth double the price of the Epic at its current sale cost? For a 4.0+ player who needs every fraction of spin advantage: yes. For a 3.0-3.5 player building consistency, the Epic's pop and forgiveness might serve them better — and they keep $100 in their pocket.
Compare: Selkirk LUXX Control Air at Pickleball Central →
AMPED Pro Air Epic vs. JOOLA Perseus Pro V Ben Johns 16mm ($299.95)
| Feature | AMPED Pro Air Epic | JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16mm |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 | $299.95 |
| Face | FiberFlex+ Fiberglass | Carbon friction surface |
| Core thickness | 16mm | 16mm |
| Weight | 8.0 oz avg | ~8.0-8.2 oz avg |
| Construction | Standard molded | Thermoformed |
| Spin ceiling | Moderate | Very high |
| Value | Excellent at current price | Premium tier |
The Perseus Pro V is a genuinely elite paddle at $300. It's also thermoformed, which means the carbon face and core are bonded under heat and pressure for a harder, more consistent surface. The spin ceiling is higher. The dwell time is different. For a 4.5 player competing in tournaments, the Pro V earns that price difference. For a recreational 3.5 player who plays three times a week? A $200 price premium for marginal gains on court doesn't make much sense when the Epic at $99.99 covers the fundamentals well.
Compare: JOOLA Perseus Pro V at Pickleball Central →
Who Should Buy the Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Epic
Buy it if:
- You're a 3.0-3.5 player looking for a reliable all-court paddle that rewards full swings without requiring perfect mechanics
- You've been playing tennis and you want the fiberglass "pop" feel that's closer to a tennis racket response
- You want a Selkirk-quality build for under $100 — this is legitimately the best value I've seen from Selkirk at this price point
- You have arm or elbow sensitivity and want a heavier, more dampened paddle that absorbs impact rather than transmitting it
- You want a spare/practice paddle and don't want to risk your $300 paddle on an outdoor concrete court
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Skip it if:
- Spin is your game — if you're generating kick serves and slice thirds, a carbon fiber face (LUXX Control Air, CRBN-1, Six Zero Ruby) will serve you better
- You need a sub-7.8 oz paddle — the Epic at 8.0 oz is noticeably heavier for quick hand exchanges at the kitchen line
- You're a 4.5+ player competing in sanctioned events where every technical advantage counts — the thermoformed carbon paddles offer genuine performance edges the Epic can't match
Pricing and Availability
The Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Epic is currently priced at $99.99 (down from $199.99) at Pickleball Central, which ships free on orders over $49. PBC also offers a 30-day paddle test drive policy — you can return it within 30 days for a full refund if it doesn't work for your game, which removes most of the risk on a sub-$100 purchase.
Buy the Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Epic at Pickleball Central →
Complete Your Setup
A good paddle deserves a bag that can carry it properly.
The FORWRD Court Ranger V2 ($195) fits up to 4 paddles in its modular paddle sleeve system — protecting your AMPED Pro Air's fiberglass face between sessions. It's got a 16" laptop sleeve, YKK AquaGuard zippers, and a dedicated compartment layout designed with input from 500+ real players.
FAQ: Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Epic
Is the Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Epic good for beginners?
At $99.99, yes — it's a better starting point than most dedicated "beginner paddles" because the FlexFoam Perimeter creates a genuinely forgiving sweet spot, and the Selkirk build quality will last. That said, a player who's completely new to pickleball doesn't need an 8 oz paddle — lighter paddles (7.2-7.6 oz) are easier to maneuver while you're still building mechanics. If you've played a season and want to upgrade, the Epic is an excellent choice.
How does the AMPED line compare to Selkirk's newer paddles?
The AMPED Pro Air uses standard molded construction with a polypropylene honeycomb core and fiberglass face. Selkirk's current flagship, the LUXX Control Air, uses an evolved Air Core technology with a carbon fiber face and InfiniGrit texture. The LUXX wins on spin, dwell time, and kitchen feel. The AMPED Pro Air wins on raw pop, value, and appeal to players who prefer a stiffer, more reactive face response.
What does the Air Dynamic throat actually do?
The Air Dynamic throat is a cutout section at the base of the paddle face where it meets the handle. By removing material from the throat, Selkirk reduces weight at the transition point and shifts the balance point slightly toward the head. The result is faster swing transitions — particularly relevant for hand exchanges at the kitchen line and reset shots that require quick paddle repositioning. It's not gimmick design; you can feel the difference compared to a full-throat paddle of the same weight.
Is 8 oz too heavy for pickleball?
Not for most players, but it matters more at the 4.0+ level. For recreational 3.0-3.5 players, 8 oz provides good plow-through on drives and reduces the arm fatigue you'd feel from a light paddle that requires full effort on every swing. Where weight becomes a disadvantage is at the kitchen line during extended dink exchanges — a heavier paddle demands slightly more wrist/forearm work during rapid hand battles. If you have existing elbow or shoulder issues, consider staying under 7.8 oz.
Does the AMPED Pro Air Epic come in different grip sizes?
The standard grip circumference is 4 1/4" (medium). Selkirk notes that actual grip sizes may vary up to 1/8" due to manufacturing. If you prefer a smaller grip, you can sand down the original grip and replace it with a thinner aftermarket grip — or add overgrip tape to build up a medium circumference if you run larger. The 5.3" handle length accommodates a two-handed backhand setup comfortably.
What's the difference between the AMPED Pro Air Epic and the AMPED Pro Air Invikta?
The Epic is a standard shape (16" long, 7.8" wide) — wider sweet spot, shorter handle, more forgiving. The Invikta is an elongated shape (16.5" long, 7.3" wide) — longer handle that accommodates two-handed backhands, slightly more reach, narrower face. Power players and two-handed backhand players tend to prefer the Invikta. Control-focused players and those who prioritize a wider sweet spot typically choose the Epic.
Final Verdict
The Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Epic at $199.99 was a competent but unremarkable choice in a crowded market. At $99.99, it's one of the better value-per-dollar paddles available from a major brand right now. The fiberglass face delivers genuine pop that's hard to find in this price tier, the FlexFoam Perimeter creates real forgiveness, and the Air Dynamic throat makes a heavier paddle feel more manageable than its 8 oz spec suggests.
It won't dethrone carbon fiber paddles on spin metrics. It won't replace the LUXX if you're a kitchen specialist. But for an intermediate player who wants reliable all-court performance from a Selkirk build at a price that doesn't require apologizing to your wallet? This is a genuinely good call right now, while the sale holds.
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