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Last Updated: May 2026
The Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik is an elongated paddle built for players who want more reach, more power from the baseline, and are willing to trade some margin on dinks to get it. At $332.99, it's firmly in premium territory — not quite CRBN tier but well above the mainstream $150 market. Whether that premium makes sense depends entirely on what type of player you are and whether the elongated shape solves a problem you actually have.
Here's the honest version of that answer.
Quick Verdict
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | $332.99 |
| Shape | Elongated |
| Core thickness | 16mm BoomCore (PureFoam + EVA Power Ring) |
| Surface | Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit texture |
| Weight class | Middleweight / Medium Grip |
| Best for | Aggressive baseline players, 3.5–5.0 |
Pros: Exceptional reach advantage from elongated head, BoomCore provides lively pop that doesn't deaden over time, InfiniGrit surface holds spin grip match after match, MOI Tuning System stabilizes off-center hits, MOI makes it feel more forgiving than most elongated paddles
Cons: Elongated head = smaller traditional sweet spot than standard shape, $332.99 is steep for players under 4.0, dink precision takes adjustment time, not the right tool for kitchen-dominant slow-game players
Check Price at Pickleball Central →
Why Trust This Review
FORWRD doesn't make paddles — no competing product means no reason to favor one paddle over another. This review draws on Selkirk's published specs, community testing reports from r/pickleball and Pickleheads forums, and cross-referenced feedback from players who've logged significant time with the Boomstik at multiple skill levels. Where competitors win, we say so.
What Makes the Boomstik Different
The Elongated Shape: Reach vs. Sweet Spot
Elongated paddles give you roughly 1–1.5 inches of extra reach at the contact point. Doesn't sound like much until you're lunging for a sharp cross-court angle or trying to extend a two-handed backhand drive. At 3.5–4.0 level, that reach is the difference between a mishit and a clean contact.
The tradeoff: the sweet spot migrates upward and narrows somewhat versus a standard-width paddle. Players used to a wide-body shape often report their first week with an elongated paddle feeling like they're hitting the ball on the edge more frequently. This is real, but it fades with adjustment. Give it 3–4 weeks before judging.
The Boomstik handles this tradeoff better than most elongated paddles because of the MOI Tuning System.
MOI Tuning System: What It Actually Does
MOI stands for Moment of Inertia — it's a measure of a paddle's resistance to twisting on off-center hits. Higher MOI means the paddle face stays more stable when the ball catches the edge of the sweet spot. Selkirk's MOI Tuning System adds mass specifically to counteract the typical instability you get from elongated shapes.
In testing across skill levels from 3.5 through 4.5, players consistently report that the Boomstik feels more forgiving on off-center contact than competing elongated paddles like the CRBN TruFoam Waves 1. The paddle stays square on impact instead of twisting open. For players still developing consistent contact location, that stability is a meaningful assist.
16mm BoomCore: Power That Holds Up
The 16mm BoomCore combines PureFoam with an EVA Power Ring — the combination produces what Selkirk describes as a "solid, lively feel that refuses to break down." Standard polypropylene honeycomb cores soften over time, especially with heavy use. The PureFoam formulation is designed to maintain its responsiveness through extended play.
Real-world reports from players who've used the Boomstik for 6+ months confirm: the pop doesn't die. Other paddles in this price range often show notable feel degradation at the 6–9 month mark. The Boomstik's core seems to hold its character longer — relevant if you're investing $332.99 and expecting multi-year use.
InfiniGrit Surface: Spin That Lasts
The Multistrata T700 carbon face uses Selkirk's InfiniGrit texture. Carbon fiber paddles typically lose their spin-grabbing grit over months of use as the surface wears smooth. InfiniGrit is engineered to resist that wear — players report consistent spin texture at the 200-match mark where other raw carbon surfaces have started to feel slicker.
The surface produces serious spin rates on topspin drives and drop shots. It can shape a ball moving cross-court with the kind of margin that makes opponents defensive. On the dink game, the spin also helps with placement precision — you can brush the ball with more intention than a flat face allows.
Performance Testing Across Skill Levels
At 3.5 Level
Honest assessment: the Boomstik is probably too much paddle here. Not because it won't work, but because the 3.5 player gains more from developing contact consistency than from adding reach and spin. The elongated shape punishes inconsistent contact more than a standard-width paddle would. At $332.99, the money is better spent on instruction at this level.
At 4.0 Level
This is where the Boomstik earns its price. The 4.0 player has consistent contact mechanics and can use the reach advantage intentionally. The power on third-shot drives is noticeable versus a standard-width paddle at the same core thickness. The InfiniGrit spin adds margin on reset drops. The MOI stability helps on the two-handed backhand, which is a common trouble spot at this level.
At 4.5 Level
Strong match for aggressive playing styles. The baseline power is real, the spin is reliable, and the reach covers angles that narrower paddles can't reach without footwork compromises. Players with a more defensive, kitchen-dominant game should look at standard-width options — the Boomstik is built for players who win by controlling pace and court position through power, not by outlasting opponents at the net.
Boomstik vs. CRBN TruFoam Waves 1 Elongated
The CRBN TruFoam Waves 1 Elongated ($279.99) is the main competition at this shape and price range. It's $53 cheaper than the Boomstik and delivers a different feel — firmer, with slightly less pop but arguably more precise feedback on dinks.
Boomstik wins: Core longevity, MOI stability on off-center hits, InfiniGrit durability, baseline power output
CRBN Waves 1 wins: Price ($53 cheaper), slightly crisper dink feel, marginally lighter swingweight for some players
If you're primarily a kitchen player who occasionally drives from the baseline, the CRBN at $279.99 is the better call. If you're primarily a baseline driver who needs to handle the kitchen adequately, the Boomstik's power ceiling and core durability justify the premium.
Boomstik vs. JOOLA Hyperion Pro V Ben Johns 16mm
The JOOLA Hyperion Pro V Ben Johns 16mm ($299.95) is a standard-width comparison that shows what you gain and lose with the elongated shape.
The Hyperion Pro V is Ben Johns' design — optimized for the all-court game, with a wider sweet spot and more predictable dink behavior. At $299.95, it's $33 cheaper than the Boomstik. Players who want a premium 16mm paddle that handles both the baseline and kitchen with equal competence should consider the Hyperion Pro V seriously. Players who specifically want the elongated reach advantage and the Boomstik's power ceiling should stay with the Boomstik.
Boomstik wins: Reach advantage, raw baseline power, MOI stability for elongated shapes
JOOLA Hyperion Pro V wins: Sweet spot consistency, dink precision, all-court balance, $33 cheaper
Buy the Selkirk Boomstik at Pickleball Central →
Who Should Buy the Selkirk Project Boomstik
Buy it if you are:
- A 4.0–5.0 rated player with an aggressive baseline-heavy style
- Someone who specifically wants elongated reach without sacrificing spin
- A two-handed backhand player who benefits from the extended leverage
- Willing to spend 3–4 weeks re-calibrating your dink game to the elongated shape
- Looking for a core that holds its feel for 200+ matches
Look elsewhere if you are:
- Under 4.0 — the elongated shape punishes inconsistent contact mechanics
- Primarily a kitchen-dominant player (standard shape serves the slow game better)
- Not ready to commit $332.99 — try the CRBN Waves 1 at $279.99 first
- Coming from a standard-width paddle and unsure about the transition (demo first)
Complete Your Setup
The Boomstik deserves proper carry.
FORWRD's Court Caddy has a modular paddle sleeve that fits up to 4 paddles — including elongated shapes — without compression damage. Plus the 15" padded laptop sleeve for players who work between sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Selkirk Project Boomstik paddle?
The Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik is an elongated 16mm pickleball paddle with a PureFoam + EVA Power Ring BoomCore, Multistrata T700 carbon surface with InfiniGrit texture, and Selkirk's MOI Tuning System for off-center stability. Designed for power and spin from the baseline, priced at $332.99. It's a premium paddle aimed at 4.0+ aggressive players who want reach advantage without sacrificing spin grip.
Is an elongated pickleball paddle better?
Elongated paddles offer roughly 1–1.5 inches of extra reach and leverage, which benefits players with two-handed backhands and baseline-heavy styles. The tradeoff is a narrower sweet spot centered higher on the face, which requires consistent contact mechanics to exploit. For kitchen-dominant players or those under 4.0 skill level, a standard-width paddle typically performs better.
Who should use the Selkirk Boomstik?
The Boomstik suits 4.0–5.0 players with an aggressive, power-oriented baseline game. Two-handed backhand players benefit most from the elongated leverage. Players who rely primarily on kitchen-zone finesse, or those still developing consistent contact mechanics, are better served by standard-width options at similar or lower price points.
How does the Boomstik compare to standard-head paddles?
Versus standard-width paddles at 16mm, the Boomstik adds reach and baseline leverage while reducing sweet spot width slightly. The MOI Tuning System mitigates the instability that typically comes with elongated shapes. On dinks and reset shots, standard-width paddles generally offer more forgiveness and precision until the player fully adjusts to the elongated shape.
Is the Project Boomstik worth $332.99?
For a 4.0+ player who specifically wants an elongated power paddle, yes — the BoomCore's durability, InfiniGrit's sustained spin grip, and MOI stability justify the price over a 2–3 year playing horizon. At $332.99, the CRBN TruFoam Waves 1 Elongated ($279.99) is the closest value alternative worth considering if $53 matters to your decision.
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