The iconic Selkirk Boomstik has earned its place on pickleball's Mount Rushmore of public opinion. Here's why its combination of power, hype, and brand loyalty keeps it on courts everywhere.
Everyone talks about Mount Rushmores in sports: NFL quarterbacks, MLB hitters, MMA fighters, the list goes on and on.
Well, what if I told you pickleball paddles have their own Mount Rushmore? Not tucked away in the Black Hills of southwestern South Dakota, but somewhere between JOOLA headquarters in North Bethesda, Maryland, and Selkirk headquarters in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
These are not the “best paddles of all time,” but rather the Mount Rushmore of public opinion. Of popularity for their time.
The four paddles that gained immense notoriety during their peak and swept across local parks throughout the country and around the world.
- In April 2022, it was the JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS (Ben Johns’ first signature JOOLA paddle)
- In August 2022, it was the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air, known for its distinctive hole in the throat
- July 2024 brought the JOOLA Perseus MOD TA-15
- August 2025 marked the fourth and final paddle on this mountain (for now): the Selkirk LABS Project Boomstik
Among these, the Boomstik stands out. It introduced revolutionary new tech and a jaw-dropping sticker price.
In a sea of high-performing budget options, why does a $333 power paddle remain such a fan favorite? Why do you see it as the most popular paddle at local parks more than a year after its release?
With so many great new paddles hitting the market every day, we couldn't help but wonder how the original became debatably the most popular paddle ever.
1. Hype Creates Hype
The name, sound, and look grab your attention. “Boomstik” is memorable, and the paddle actually sounds like it goes “BOOM” when you hit the ball.
Selkirk adds on those factors with the look. The classic Selkirk red paired with stealthy black gives the paddle a look that means business. The side-mounted weights of its MOI Tuning System make it recognizable from across the court, even to players who don't know what those weights do.
And Selkirk knows how to market a paddle. The pre-release hype had players thinking, “I need to get my hands on this.” The market was also yearning for Selkirk to produce something that could rival JOOLA and other power paddles.
Chris Olson of Pickleball Studio even suggested that players had been waiting three years for another great Selkirk paddle.
Combine that anticipation with the Selkirk name and a paddle promising serious power, and people pay attention. Once Boomstiks started appearing at open plays, the marketing continued through the players themselves.
But hype alone doesn't keep a paddle on courts a year later; it’s the performance that really catapulted this paddle into stardom.
The Boomstik is more than just a power paddle thanks to its InfiniGrit surface tech.
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2. Performance
Two things made the Boomstik stand out: power and sweet spot.
Other paddles could match or exceed its power, but their smaller sweet spots typically render them less forgiving. The Boomstik found the balance: plenty of power without requiring perfect contact.
That matters more than a maximum-power number on a spec sheet.
Recreational players want to feel the difference on ordinary shots, not just their best swings.
The Boomstik also offers pop (how forcefully the ball comes off the face with minimal effort), spin from its InfiniGrit surface, and stability on drops and resets. Despite its reputation for power, players can hit consistent soft shots once they adjust to its pop. Some describe it as a paddle where you just make contact and let it do the rest.
Most importantly, power translates into points. At beginner and intermediate levels, a fast drive, speedup, or counter can force an error. Those errors lead to points and wins. If a paddle helps players win exchanges without swinging harder, why rush to replace it?
Alex E. Weaver
3. Durability and Warranty
A $333 paddle is an investment. Even players who love its performance might hesitate if they think they'll need to replace it after a few months.
Selkirk addresses that concern with durability claims and a warranty. BoomCore's foam construction is designed to resist core crushing, while Selkirk says InfiniGrit retains its spin-producing texture up to three times longer than traditional raw carbon surfaces. These are manufacturer claims, but they address real concerns about expensive paddles wearing out.
More important is Selkirk's limited lifetime warranty, which covers qualifying manufacturing defects for the original purchaser. That extra peace of mind can be what convinces someone to click “Purchase Now.”
It matters after the sale, too. Rather than abandon an expensive paddle when a covered problem appears, owners can seek support and keep it on the court.
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4. Other Factors
Ultimately, buying a Boomstik feels safe.
Cheaper paddles can match or even outperform it in certain areas, especially now. But unfamiliar brands raise questions: How durable is the paddle? Will its performance last? Will customer service respond? Can you rely on the warranty?
Selkirk answers many of those questions by simply being Selkirk.
The community reinforces that confidence. When several players at your park own Boomstiks, you can try one and ask how it's held up. Seeing it everywhere makes the purchase feel less risky, even if popularity doesn't prove it's the best paddle.
There's a status-symbol element, too. Owning a Boomstik can signal that you take pickleball seriously, whether or not that's actually true.
Finally, the price itself helps explain why Boomstiks remain on courts. After spending $333, players want their money's worth. Rather than chase the next release, they're more likely to stick with the paddle they've already invested in.
Justin Barton
Conclusion
The Boomstik didn't stay popular because it won every performance category. Selkirk gave it a name and look people remember, combined power with forgiveness, and backed it with a warranty and brand that make the price feel safer.
Then the community took over. Every Boomstik at a local court gives someone else a reason to consider one.
With Selkirk debuting the next iteration in a matter of weeks, the company isn't moving on from the Boomstik. It's doubling down.
The only question left is: Will you keep the original or buy the next one?
The Boomstik makes headlines for industry-leading power, but don't sleep on its massive sweet spot and elite spin control either. It all boils up to a paddle that performs in all three zones of play.
Code "ADV-THEDINK" scores you $40 back at checkout.
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Tyler Irvin
Tyler Irvin is a pickleball writer and marketer with six years of experience in the industry. He covers professional pickleball, emerging trends, and the people and brands helping grow the game.
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