Selkirk LABS Project Boomstik Elongated 16mm Review

Construction and materials

The Boomstik uses a 16 mm foam-based core rather than a conventional polypropylene honeycomb. Selkirk describes BoomCore as PureFoam surrounded by an EVA Power Ring, paired with a three-layer Multistrata T700 carbon face and an InfiniGrit surface. The company also claims no core crush, no break-in period, and three times the spin durability of traditional peel-ply raw carbon. Those durability statements remain manufacturer claims; the independent evidence is strong enough to support consistent early performance, but not a universal lifespan guarantee. The defining structural feature is the stock MOI Tuning System: two semi-permanent weights clamped to the edge guard. Independent sources place the weights at roughly 7.5 g each, or about 15 g total. In one instrumented comparison, removing them reduced static weight from 8.22 to 7.67 oz, swing weight from 117.15 to 107.35, and twist weight from 6.65 to 5.25. That large change explains both sides of the paddle: the weights produce excellent stability and a broad effective sweet spot, but they also create much of the handling burden. Selkirk warns that removing them may damage the parts, so the stock Boomstik is not a normal user-tunable weighting platform.

Weight, balance, swing weight, and hand speed

Officially, the Elongated weighs 8.0–8.3 oz with a swing weight of 118 ±2 and a twist weight of 7.2 ±0.3. Independent samples came in around 8.22–8.27 oz, approximately 117–121 swing weight, and 6.65–6.91 twist weight. The differences are plausible sample and protocol variation; they should not be compressed into one false-precision figure. On court, the paddle feels planted rather than merely heavy. It carries momentum through serves, drives, and counters, while the narrower 7.45-inch face moves through the air better than the Widebody. Even so, a swing weight near 118 is not a fast-hand specification. Players coming from low-110s paddles will notice slower redirection in close hand battles. The long handle and mass distribution help two-handed backhands and full swings, but players whose game depends on instant wrist changes may prefer a lighter or adjustable model.

Control, drops, dinks, and resets

The Boomstik is easier to place than its power label suggests. Contact has noticeable dwell and the output is relatively linear: a controlled swing tends to produce controlled pace rather than a random trampoline effect. That makes third-shot drops, transition resets, and defensive blocks more viable than on many extreme power paddles. The large stable zone also prevents some mishits from dying or spraying sideways. This should not be confused with effortless control. The face is lively and direct. Dinks can sail when the player adds unnecessary hand speed, and counters can run long if the paddle face is late or open. Strong players can exploit the predictable response, but developing players may spend more time suppressing power than building touch. Control earns 7.5/10 because the response is coherent, not because the paddle is soft.

Power, pop, drives, and counters

Power is the clearest reason to buy the Boomstik. One updated independent protocol recorded 60.8 mph serve speed and 39.0 mph punch-volley speed from the Elongated sample. Another earlier test produced lower figures, illustrating why cross-session numbers should not be treated as laboratory constants. Across sources, however, the directional conclusion is consistent: serves carry deep with less effort, drives penetrate, counters have substantial put-away pace, and overheads benefit from the paddle’s mass and reach. The Boomstik is no longer uniquely dominant in 2026. Several newer foam-core paddles can match or exceed its maximum power or pop. Its lasting advantage is how much of that power remains accessible across the face. It combines high output with better consistency than many narrower, more explosive designs. That is why the 9.5/10 power score is justified while a perfect 10 is not.

Spin and surface behavior

Independent spin tests report approximately 2,041 RPM, 2,294 RPM, and values around 1,970–1,980 RPM in separate protocols. Those results are not directly interchangeable, but all support the same conclusion: spin is strong. Topspin drives dip reliably, roll volleys can be accelerated without opening the face excessively, and slice returns stay useful even after the sharpest new-paddle texture settles. The long-term picture is less definitive than the marketing. The InfiniGrit surface starts with substantial bite—one source measured surface roughness at 6.94 µm—but at least one extended-use follow-up reported visible smoothing and reduced spin compared with newer durable-grit competitors. The paddle still generated useful rotation, yet the evidence does not validate a universal three-times-lifespan claim. Treat the surface as high-spin and potentially longer-lasting than ordinary peel ply, not maintenance-free or permanent.

Sweet spot, forgiveness, and stability

This is the Boomstik’s most distinctive performance strength. Elongated power paddles often trade reach for a narrower, less stable hitting zone. The Boomstik’s perimeter mass pushes in the opposite direction: off-center contact retains more depth and directional integrity, and the paddle resists twisting during fast blocks and counters. The measured twist-weight figures are strong for the shape even when they fall slightly below the manufacturer’s nominal range. Forgiveness is not absolute. Hits near the extreme edge still lose energy, and the lively face can turn a technically poor contact into a long miss rather than a harmless short ball. The Widebody offers an even larger sweet spot and more lateral stability. Within the elongated power category, however, the Boomstik’s combination of pace and usable hitting area is exceptional.

Feel, feedback, vibration, and comfort

Impact character is dense, crisp, and immediate. Some players experience that as connected and confidence-building because the paddle does not feel vague. Others describe it as stiff, hollow, and unusually loud. Both descriptions can be true: the core produces a solid ball response while the acoustic and tactile feedback remain more aggressive than plush control paddles. There is no basis for an injury-prevention claim. Comfort depends on tolerance for direct feedback and swing inertia. Players who like a muted, soft face may dislike the Boomstik even if they can control it. Players who want clear information at contact may appreciate it. The 7.0/10 comfort score reflects stable impact without pretending the paddle feels universally refined.

Durability and maintenance

Long-term evidence is mixed. Multiple samples retained a broadly consistent power profile without the dramatic break-in shift common to some foam paddles. That supports the idea that the Boomstik does not need a long settling period. At the same time, several independent reviewers and owners reported loose or lifting edge guards, often near the clamp area. Two documented review samples developed the issue early—one after roughly 30 games and another after only a few sessions—while continuing to play normally. These reports are credible but do not provide a population-level defect rate. The current US limited lifetime warranty for the original purchaser lists loose edge guards, cracking, face cracks, handle breaks, and end-cap damage as potentially covered manufacturer defects. Normal wear, graphic wear, rattling that does not affect performance, abuse, and ground-impact damage are excluded; replacement paddles are not covered by the same warranty. That reduces financial risk but does not erase the inconvenience of a claim on a $333 product. For surface care, use a lightly damp microfiber cloth with water or a small amount of mild soap, then let the face dry. Do not use a rubber or carbon-fiber eraser on InfiniGrit; the recommended care guidance warns that this can damage the coating. Avoid scraping the clamp area or trying to remove the semi-permanent weights.

Best fit and player profile

The Elongated version makes the most sense for an advanced or confident intermediate player whose offense starts with serves, returns, drives, speed-ups, and aggressive counters. It also suits singles players who value court coverage and first-strike pace, and two-handed-backhand users who benefit from the 5.8-inch handle. The paddle rewards complete swings and good timing more than compact finesse mechanics. A useful practical threshold is not a rating number but a skill test: can the player already keep dinks low, soften pace in transition, and close the face on fast counters? If yes, the Boomstik’s power becomes an asset. If those skills are still inconsistent, the paddle can magnify the problem.

Limitations and who should avoid it

Avoid the Boomstik Elongated if maximum hand speed, a plush feel, low price, or easy touch is the priority. Beginners and recreational players do not need to spend $333 to access useful power, and the fixed weighting limits experimentation. Players sensitive to loud, firm contact may also reject the feel regardless of performance. Tournament players need an additional caution. USA Pickleball lists the exact Elongated Raw Carbon 16mm model as approved, but UPA-A lists Boomstik Elongated versions with no MOI clamps allowed. A player entering PPA/UPA-A competition should obtain the compliant no-clamp version rather than modifying a retail paddle and should verify the list again before the event.

Alternatives and comparisons

Boomstik Widebody: choose it for the maximum sweet spot, stronger lateral stability, and easier defensive blocking. Choose the Elongated for reach, leverage, serve pace, and a more aerodynamic swing. The Widebody’s official swing-weight number is lower, yet its broader head and slightly higher static-weight range can make it feel more substantial in hand. Selkirk Omni: the Omni is the more adaptable all-court option for most doubles players. It is slightly softer, quicker, and offers adjustable weighting, while the Boomstik remains the better choice for raw pace, planted counters, and players who want the stock setup to stay fixed. SLK ERA Power: the ERA is the easier and less expensive entry into Selkirk’s power family. It gives up some peak output, sweet-spot authority, and premium construction details, but it asks less of the soft game and is the rational value choice for many players. Other current foam power paddles: the market has caught up since the Boomstik launched. Several alternatives now offer equal or higher maximum power, aggressive durable-grit surfaces, or lower swing weight for materially less money. The Boomstik’s defensible edge is not absolute speed; it is the combination of high speed, a stable sweet spot, and relatively consistent output.