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Last Updated: July 2026
The Selkirk LUXX Control Air InfiniGrit Epic is currently $80 off at Pickleball Central — $199.99 instead of $279.99. At the regular price it's a tough sell against the JOOLA Perseus Pro V. At the discounted price? The value case is genuinely strong. Here's what the paddle actually delivers, and where it falls short.
Quick Verdict
| Pros | 19mm core maximizes dwell time; InfiniGrit maintains spin longer than standard carbon; edgeless design improves maneuverability; currently $80 off MSRP |
| Cons | Heavy for a control paddle (7.9–8.3 oz); short 5.25" grip limits some two-handed backhand players; 19mm feel is very dead — not for players wanting any pop |
| Sale Price | $199.99 (reg. $279.99) — save $80 at PBC |
| Best For | 3.5–5.0 control-first players; kitchen game specialists; players transitioning away from power paddles |
| Skip If | You want a power/pop paddle; you have arm issues and need a lighter swing weight; you prefer 6"+ grip lengths |
Check Price at Pickleball Central ($199.99) →
Specs at a Glance
| Weight | 7.9–8.3 oz |
| Core Thickness | 19mm |
| Face Material | Florek Carbon Fiber with InfiniGrit coating |
| Core Material | X7 Thickset Honeycomb + Flex Foam Perimeter |
| Paddle Length | 15.85" |
| Paddle Width | 7.85" |
| Grip Length | 5.25" |
| Grip Circumference | 4.25" (Medium) |
| Edge Guard | Aero-DuraEdge (edgeless) |
| Certification | USAP approved |
| Price (at time of review) | $199.99 (reg. $279.99) |
Why Trust This Review
FORWRD designs pickleball bags. Part of that work means testing gear — we've run control paddles in conditions that matter to serious players: back-to-back training sessions, tournament practice, the daily dink sessions where feel matters most. The LUXX Control Air InfiniGrit Epic sat in a Court Caddy prototype for three weeks of outdoor testing sessions in Denver, alongside two comparison paddles. That's the context behind what follows.
The 19mm Core: What "Maximum Control" Actually Feels Like
Most premium paddles run 16mm cores. A handful run 14mm for more pop. The LUXX goes 19mm — thicker than anything in the Selkirk lineup, thicker than the JOOLA Perseus Pro V, thicker than the CRBN 3 TruFoam Genesis.
What 19mm buys you: dwell time. The ball stays on the face a fraction longer, which translates to more tactile feedback on every dink, reset, and drop. You feel the ball leave the paddle rather than just watch it go. For kitchen-dominant players who live on the dink-and-reset game, that feeling is everything.
What 19mm costs you: pop. Don't buy this paddle expecting drive power. At the baseline, you're working harder for pace. From mid-court, the thick core absorbs rather than launches. If your game relies on driving from the transition zone or punching through when opponents are back, this paddle will frustrate you. The JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16mm (which we've reviewed separately) is a much better fit for that style.
InfiniGrit: Does the Spin Durability Claim Hold Up?
Selkirk claims InfiniGrit "triples spin durability" versus standard carbon surfaces. That's a marketing number we can't independently verify in a lab — but we can say what we observed over 40 hours of use on outdoor courts.
Standard T700 raw carbon paddles typically lose significant texture by 30 hours of play — you'll notice spin generation decreasing, and the face starts to feel smoother under fingertips. At the 40-hour mark on the LUXX, the InfiniGrit surface still showed visible texture under direct light and still gripped the ball on brush-heavy topspin shots. Whether that's 3× improvement or 2× improvement is impossible to say without a control group. What's measurable: the surface held up meaningfully longer than standard carbon in comparable conditions.
This matters practically. Many players replace paddles not because of structural failure but because the face dies — spin disappears, and the paddle feels slippery. The InfiniGrit extending that timeline is a real, tangible benefit rather than just a spec sheet claim.
The Weight Issue — And Why It Matters More Than People Admit
At 7.9–8.3 oz, the LUXX is heavy for a control paddle. That's not unusual — some control paddles run heavier to increase stability — but it's worth flagging directly because arm fatigue is real and frequently underreported.
Players coming from lighter paddles (6.8–7.5 oz) will notice the difference within a long session. If you play two hours daily or are managing tennis elbow or shoulder tendinopathy, weight matters. A heavier swing weight increases the torque transmitted to your elbow on mishits — and mishits happen to everyone.
If you're in the 7.5–8.0 oz range with your current paddle and comfortable there, the LUXX's weight won't be a problem. If you're used to 7.0–7.4 oz and switching, give yourself two or three weeks of shorter sessions before committing to long ones.
Selkirk LUXX vs. The Competition
vs. JOOLA Perseus Pro V Ben Johns 16mm ($299.95)
The Perseus Pro V is $100 more at regular price, and roughly the same after the LUXX's current discount. The Perseus runs 16mm and weighs 7.4–7.8 oz — noticeably lighter and more maneuverable than the LUXX. The Perseus will generate more pop and has a longer 5.5" grip that many competitive players prefer.
The LUXX wins on kitchen control and spin durability. The Perseus wins on power, swing weight, and grip ergonomics. Pick based on play style: kitchen-dominant → LUXX; transition zone aggressor → Perseus.
Read our full JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16mm review →
vs. CRBN 1 TruFoam Genesis ($279.99)
The CRBN 1 uses foam core technology — different physics than the LUXX's honeycomb. Foam gives a softer feel and slightly more pop than a comparable-thickness honeycomb, but less feedback on delicate touch shots. The CRBN 1 is also lighter. At the same price point (before the LUXX discount), the choice comes down to feel preference: LUXX for that firm, feedback-rich contact; CRBN 1 for a cushioned, slightly livelier response.
Check CRBN 1 TruFoam Genesis at PBC →
vs. JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16 ($299.95)
The Hyperion CFS 16 runs 16mm with a compression foam system — similar to foam core in concept, but integrated differently. It's lighter, has a shorter learning curve for power players transitioning toward control, and generates more pace. The LUXX's 19mm is more purely control-focused. If you're a 4.5+ player who's fully committed to the kitchen game, the LUXX may edge out the Hyperion; at lower levels, the Hyperion's forgiveness wins.
Read our JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16 review →
Who Should Buy This Paddle
- 3.5–5.0 control-first players who have committed to the dink-and-reset style and want maximum feel at the kitchen
- Players coming off aggressive power paddles who want to rebuild their touch game — 19mm forces you to play softer
- Anyone who rotates multiple paddles and wants a dedicated control paddle in their kit at an honest price point
- Players sensitive to spin durability — if you've burned through standard carbon faces and want texture that lasts, the InfiniGrit is a legitimate upgrade
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Power/speed game players — 19mm will feel dead and slow. Try the JOOLA Perseus Pro V or CRBN-3X instead.
- Players with arm issues — the 7.9–8.3 oz weight range increases strain. Consider a lighter paddle in the 7.0–7.4 oz range.
- Two-handed backhand dominant players — the 5.25" grip is tight for two-handers. Most players in that style want 5.75" or longer.
Pricing and Value at the Current Sale Price
At $279.99 regular price, the LUXX was competing directly with the Perseus Pro V and losing on some fronts. At $199.99, it occupies a much more comfortable position: you're getting premium control paddle specs for a mid-tier price. For players who've been waiting to try a 19mm control paddle without committing $280+ to the experiment, this discount changes the calculus.
Buy Selkirk LUXX InfiniGrit Epic at PBC ($199.99) →
Complete Your Setup
A bag that fits up to 4 paddles in its modular sleeve system. If you're carrying the LUXX alongside a power option (a lot of serious players rotate two paddles), you need a bag built for it. The FORWRD Court Caddy holds up to 4 paddles in a dedicated modular paddle sleeve — plus a 15" laptop, shoes, and enough gear for a full tournament day.
FAQ: Selkirk LUXX Control Air InfiniGrit Epic
What is InfiniGrit and does it actually work?
InfiniGrit is Selkirk's proprietary surface coating on the Florek Carbon Fiber face. It creates microscopic texture that grips the ball for more spin. Selkirk claims it triples spin durability vs standard carbon — meaning the texture lasts 3× longer before smoothing out from wear. In testing over 40 hours, the surface held visible texture longer than standard carbon paddles in the same conditions. The 3× claim isn't independently verifiable, but the durability improvement is real.
Is 19mm too thick for competitive play?
19mm is at the thick end of competitive paddles and is suited to control-first play styles. At the 4.0+ level, players who commit to the dink-and-reset game often prefer thicker cores for maximum feel. Power players and transition zone aggressors generally prefer 14–16mm for more pop. Whether 19mm is right for you depends on your play style, not your rating level.
What's the difference between the LUXX Control Air and the LUXX Control Air Epic?
The "Epic" in the product name refers to the InfiniGrit coating variant within the LUXX Control Air line. The standard LUXX Control Air uses standard Florek Carbon Fiber without InfiniGrit. The Epic version adds the InfiniGrit textured coating for enhanced spin durability. The Epic is the current flagship version and is what's sold at Pickleball Central at the discounted price.
Who is the Selkirk LUXX Control Air InfiniGrit Epic designed for?
Control-focused players at the 3.5–5.0 level who prioritize kitchen performance, spin, and touch over raw power. It's particularly well-suited to players who play 3+ times per week and want consistent feel across long sessions. Players who've been using standard carbon paddles and want spin that lasts longer without replacing the paddle will find the InfiniGrit a meaningful upgrade.
Is the Selkirk LUXX Control Air USAP approved for tournament play?
Yes — the Selkirk LUXX Control Air InfiniGrit Epic carries USAP (USA Pickleball) certification and is approved for sanctioned tournament play. Always verify on the current USAP approved paddle list before competing, as certifications can change with equipment updates.
Final Verdict
At $279.99, the LUXX Control Air InfiniGrit Epic is one competitive option among many. At $199.99, it's a genuinely strong pick. The 19mm feel is not for everyone — if you want any pop in your game, look elsewhere. But if you're committed to the control style and want a surface that stays spiny longer than standard carbon, the Epic delivers. Check the current price at PBC; if the discount is still active, it's worth the buy.
Check Current Price at Pickleball Central →
Related reviews: JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16mm Review | JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16 Review | CRBN 3 TruFoam Genesis Review
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