---
schema_version: 1
canonical_url: "https://pickleball3.com/selkirk/luxx-control-air-infinigrit-epic-19mm-review/"
locale: en
page_type: review
title: Selkirk LUXX Control Air InfiniGrit Epic 19mm Review — 79/100
description: The LUXX Control Air Epic 19mm combines elite touch, fast hands and strong stability with low power, shorter reach and unproven long-term grit life.
h1: Selkirk LUXX Control Air with InfiniGrit Epic 19mm Review
date_published: 2026-07-18
date_updated: 2026-07-22
source_ids:
  - "https://www.selkirk.com/products/luxx-control-air-with-infinigrit"
  - "https://equipment.usapickleball.org/paddle-list/entry/10853/"
  - "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95ifethTtwc"
  - "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glRhdeZkdHw"
  - "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWb7XwsF3UY"
  - "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0FGNX694f8"
  - paddles/Selkirk/Selkirk LUXX Control Air Epic 19mm/selkirk-luxx-control-air-infinigrit-epic-19mm-review-complete.md
  - "https://www.pickleballwarehouse.com/Selkirk_LUXX_InfiniGrit_Epic_Pickleball_Paddle/descpage-LUXEPGR.html"
  - "https://pickleballnation.com/products/selkirk-luxx-control-air-infinigrit-epic-19mm-pickleball-paddle"
  - "https://forwrd.co/blogs/pickleball/selkirk-luxx-control-air-infinigrit-epic-review-2026"
  - "https://pickleball3.com/methodology/"
  - "https://pickleball3.com/joola/ben-johns-perseus-cfs-16mm-review/"
  - "https://pickleball3.com/{fr|de|it|es|pt|se|no|dk}/glossary/ and /methodology/"
---

## Construction and what changed from the original LUXX

The current LUXX Control Air is not simply the 2023 paddle with a new texture. The core is 19 mm, one millimeter thinner than the original 20 mm version. It remains a polypropylene honeycomb design rather than a full-foam core. Selkirk adds perimeter foam, EVA foam in the throat and part of the handle, an open aerodynamic throat and an edgeless molded frame. The practical objective is to preserve the original LUXX’s soft control while adding a little flex, rebound and vibration damping. The update succeeds more in usability than in raw speed. The paddle is livelier than its predecessor but remains one of the least explosive premium designs. Better spin, slightly easier offense and the same muted touch are the meaningful changes. The face uses Selkirk’s proprietary Florek Carbon Fiber under an applied InfiniGrit texture. It should not be described as exposed peel-ply raw carbon. Selkirk claims up to 2,000 RPM and three times the spin durability of raw carbon. Fresh-paddle spin is broadly consistent with the first claim; the durability multiplier remains a manufacturer claim.

## Weight, balance, swing weight and hand speed

Selkirk lists the Epic at 7.9–8.3 oz (224–235 g). No independent current-generation Epic sample was provided, so there is no responsible basis for publishing a measured static weight, balance point or sample distribution. The official dynamic figures are more informative: 109 average swing weight and 6.6 average twist weight. In principle, that is an attractive doubles combination. A 109 swing weight should recover quickly during counters and hand battles, while 6.6 twist weight should resist face rotation on off-center contact better than many light standard paddles. The family comparison makes the shape choice concrete. The Invikta is listed at 113 swing weight and 6.0 twist weight. The Epic is therefore four swing-weight points lower and 0.6 twist-weight point higher on Selkirk’s own table. That supports quicker hands and stronger stock stability, but it remains a comparison of listed averages rather than measured samples. Adding perimeter weight may be unnecessary for many Epic users and would erode the main reason to choose this shape: speed without obviously sacrificing stability.

## Control, drops, dinks and resets

Control is the Epic’s primary purpose. The thick core and muted face take speed out of incoming balls, making dinks, third-shot drops and transition resets easier to keep below attack height. The paddle rewards a relaxed grip because it does not launch the ball aggressively from a compact motion. The wider 7.85-inch face should improve directional margin compared with the narrower Invikta. More face width and the higher listed twist weight reduce the likelihood that a slight lateral miss turns the paddle and sends the ball wide. That is especially useful on defensive blocks and backhand resets where contact is often rushed. The evidence does not support calling every part of the face identical. No current independent Epic test maps rebound or placement across multiple zones. The defensible conclusion is elite control in the central and near-central area, with a stronger structural basis for off-center consistency than the Invikta—not a proven uniformly perfect face.

## Power, pop, drives and counters

The 19 mm core and added foam make the new LUXX more responsive than the original 20 mm model, but the Epic remains a low-power, low-pop paddle. Full swings can create useful pace when the player supplies racket-head speed. Compact punches, counters and overhead put-aways receive less assistance from the face. The Epic’s shorter 15.85-inch body also gives up leverage to the 16.4-inch Invikta. That trade is rational for doubles defense: less rotational burden helps reaction speed, but the top end of serves and baseline drives is unlikely to improve. Spin can shape the ball and create depth, yet it does not replace missing rebound speed. Players moving from a soft control paddle should find the power functional. Players coming from a modern thermoformed or foam power paddle will notice the gap immediately. The LUXX Epic is coherent only when low launch and placement are more valuable than effortless finishing pace.

## Spin and InfiniGrit surface behavior

InfiniGrit is a clear improvement over the original LUXX surface. Current-generation observations consistently describe more bite on topspin drops, roll volleys, serves and slices. One testing approach placed the shared platform in the low 2,000-RPM range, close to Selkirk’s claim of up to 2,000 RPM. That is enough to make the paddle more offensive without relying on raw power. Topspin helps drives dip, roll volleys clear the net with margin and shaped drops land shorter. The surface does not need to feel aggressively sandpaper-like because the soft core also contributes dwell time. Long-term confidence is lower. Selkirk’s three-times-longer spin claim comes from its own abrasion testing, while independent long-duration evidence for the exact 19 mm Epic remains limited. The correct position is strong fresh-paddle spin, no shape-specific RPM claim and unresolved real-world retention.

## Sweet spot, forgiveness and off-center stability

The Epic shape is the strongest reason to choose this LUXX. At 7.85 inches wide, it places more material laterally around the hitting zone than the 7.5-inch Invikta. Selkirk’s listed 6.6 twist weight is also materially higher than the Invikta’s 6.0, which should reduce face rotation and directional loss on lateral mishits. The 19 mm core and perimeter foam add depth control and soften impact, so forgiveness should be felt in two ways: fewer sudden changes in rebound and less twisting when contact drifts from center. The edgeless frame still offers less physical protection than a conventional edge guard, and no independent current Epic sample establishes how far the high-output zone extends. The rating therefore reflects a strong stock structural profile, not a measured claim that the Epic has the largest sweet spot in the category. It should be more stable and forgiving than the Invikta out of the box, while remaining lighter in rotational feel.

## Feel, feedback and vibration

The LUXX has one of the most distinctive soft responses in the premium market. Impact feels plush, damped and slightly rubbery rather than crisp, hollow or metallic. EVA foam in the throat and handle reduces sharp feedback, while the 19 mm honeycomb core softens rebound. Players who use touch and pace absorption as tactical tools are likely to value this character. Players who want precise, high-frequency feedback may find it too muted. A clean center hit and a mild mishit can feel closer together than they do on a firmer paddle even when the ball outcome is different. Comfort here refers only to perceived impact character. It is not an injury-prevention or medical claim.

## Durability and maintenance

Three durability questions remain separate. First, surface life is not yet proven. InfiniGrit may retain bite better than the original coating, but current independent evidence does not validate a threefold advantage over raw carbon. Second, the edgeless perimeter is exposed to court contact. Selkirk’s warranty excludes chips to the top or sides of edgeless paddles and normal texture fading. Protective edge tape is practical for players who scrape low balls, provided it remains legal and does not cover the striking surface. Third, routine cleaning should be gentle. A microfiber cloth with water and mild soap is the conservative approach; abrasive carbon-fiber cleaning blocks are inappropriate for an applied coating. These steps may preserve cleanliness but do not prove long-term spin retention.

## Best fit and player profile

The LUXX Control Air Epic fits a specific but useful player profile. It makes the most sense for an intermediate or advanced doubles player who: • generates enough racket-head speed without a hot face; • prioritizes drops, dinks, resets, blocks and placement; • wants fast hands and a wider defensive face; • prefers plush, muted impact over crisp feedback; and • does not need elongated reach or a long two-handed handle. The shape is especially logical for a right-side or defense-first player who absorbs pace and creates the next attack rather than ending every rally with the first available ball. It can also suit a control-minded player who found the Invikta too narrow or too slow in quick exchanges.

## Limitations and who should avoid it

Consider another paddle if your game depends on compact power, rapid put-aways or deep baseline pace without a full swing. The Epic’s quicker handling does not change the low-pop identity of the LUXX platform. It is also a weak fit for players who need maximum reach. The body is 15.85 inches, 0.55 inch shorter than the Invikta, and the 5.25-inch handle leaves limited room for some two-handed backhands. Players who prefer crisp feedback may interpret the heavy damping as vague. Finally, buyers should not treat the listed 109 swing weight and 6.6 twist weight as guaranteed unit-level measurements. Until independent current Epic samples are documented, the shape’s dynamic advantage is well supported directionally but not verified for every paddle leaving the factory.

## Comparisons with other LUXX and control paddles

### Epic 19mm vs Invikta 19mm

The Epic is 0.55 inch shorter, 0.35 inch wider and has a handle that is 0.10 inch shorter. Selkirk lists it four swing-weight points lower (109 vs 113) and 0.6 twist-weight point higher (6.6 vs 6.0). Choose the Epic for faster hands, stock stability and forgiveness. Choose the Invikta for reach, leverage and a little more room for a second hand.

### Current Epic 19mm vs original Epic 20mm

The current paddle uses a 19 mm core, InfiniGrit and EVA foam in the throat and handle. It should feel a little livelier and produce stronger fresh-paddle spin than the original 20 mm Epic while retaining the same control priority. The predecessor is softer and more power-limited. Long-term InfiniGrit retention remains less certain than the immediate spin improvement.

### LUXX Epic vs SLK Halo Control Max

The Halo Control Max is the more economical and conventional control option, with a protected edge and a crisper response. The LUXX Epic offers stronger damping, a more distinctive plush feel, a listed quick-and-stable dynamic profile and premium Selkirk support. At the checked $199.99 price, the gap is smaller than at MSRP, but the Halo remains the more straightforward value choice.

### Which Selkirk LUXX Control Air Epic version does this review cover?
This review covers the current Selkirk LUXX Control Air with InfiniGrit in the Epic shape with a 19 mm core. It does not score the original 20 mm Epic, the current Invikta or the discontinued S2 shape.
### Is the LUXX Control Air InfiniGrit Epic approved for tournament play?
The exact 19 mm model appears as Pass on the current USA Pickleball approved-paddle list under “Luxx Control Air Florek Carbon Epic,” added April 2, 2025. Recheck the official list before a sanctioned event.
### What is the difference between the Epic and Invikta shapes?
The Epic is 15.85 by 7.85 inches with a 5.25-inch handle, while the Invikta is 16.4 by 7.5 inches with a 5.35-inch handle. Selkirk lists the Epic at 109 swing weight and 6.6 twist weight versus 113 and 6.0 for the Invikta. Epic favors hand speed and stability; Invikta favors reach and leverage.
### Is the LUXX Control Air Epic a power or control paddle?
It is decisively control-first. The 19 mm update adds a little rebound compared with the original 20 mm LUXX, but free power and compact pop remain below average. It works best for players who create their own pace.
### Are the 109 swing weight and 6.6 twist weight independently measured?
No current independent Epic sample measurement was available for this review. Both figures are Selkirk’s listed averages and should be treated as shape-level guidance rather than guaranteed values for every unit.
### Does the Epic have a larger sweet spot than the Invikta?
The wider 7.85-inch face and higher listed twist weight give the Epic a stronger structural basis for off-center stability and forgiveness. The available evidence supports that direction, but no independent current Epic face map proves the exact size of the high-output zone.
### How much spin does the Epic InfiniGrit surface generate?
Current-generation LUXX evidence supports strong fresh-paddle spin around the low-2,000-RPM range in one testing approach. There is no comparable Epic-only protocol, and the available evidence does not prove Selkirk’s three-times-longer durability claim.
### Is the Epic suitable for a two-handed backhand?
It can work for compact two-handed grips, but the 5.25-inch handle is short by modern elongated-paddle standards. Players who need substantial upper-hand space should check the grip in person or choose the Invikta.
### Is the Selkirk LUXX Control Air Epic worth the price?
At the checked U.S. street price of $199.99, it is defensible for players who specifically want elite touch, fast handling, strong listed stability and Selkirk support. At the $279.99 MSRP, its low power and unresolved surface longevity make the value case much weaker.