I’m fresh from testing the brand-new SLK ERA Power Elongated and I have to say – after a few OK paddle launches, Selkirk is back with a bang.
This paddle drops today, and already top Selkirk pros like Catherine Parenteau and Rachel Rohrabacher are playing with it. Its $200 price tag is significantly lower than the new model $280 LUXX and the $300+ Selkirk LABS paddles.
Price aside, the SLK Power stands out as an impressive evolution for Selkirk, striking a better balance between control and power than those paddles.
Now, every paddle has its downsides. The main one here is the sweet spot. There’s a noticeable drop-off in power and consistency when I make contact outside the upper-central sweet spot. On the plus side, this can be mitigated if you’re willing to add weighted tape to the paddle.
Overall, after some high-price experiments from Selkirk that didn’t really justify the price tag, this could be the paddle that restores their popularity.
Read on for my first impressions of the SLK ERA Power Elongated.
A knockout Selkirk paddle
Selkirk has long been one of pickleball’s top dogs – up there with JOOLA, Paddletek, Gearbox, and Engage as a select bunch of brands who can charge over $250 for a paddle. They have a wealth of pro players on their roster. However, as someone who’s on the courts all week, coaching and playing, I’ve noticed a drop-off in the number of rec players using their paddles.
Back around 2023, Selkirk paddles were the bomb. Their Vanguard Power Air Invikta was one of the earliest pure paddles for power. It set the bar for the explosive paddles we have today, from the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Power Elongated to the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV.
Fast forward to 2024/2025 and Selkirk’s offerings were becoming a bit hit and miss. The original LUXX Control Air Invikta, the Selkirk LABS Project 007, and the Selkirk LABS Project 008, while all premium paddles, were too soft for competitive players who crave power and pop.
Enter the SLK ERA Power Elongated. This is going to put Selkirk back on the map. It’s the first Selkirk paddle I’ve tested that I can confidently say nails the control/power balance.
✅ What stands out
A true balance of power and control
One of the best parts of the SLK is how versatile it feels. You can hit aggressive drives or play a control-heavy touch game without switching paddles.
Lots of dwell time and spin
The 16 mm core provides good dwell time (how long the ball stays on the paddle face) and control. Drops and dinks are consistent, and spin is solid, letting you shape shots both off the bounce and out of the air.
Fast swing speed
The paddle swings fast, likely among the quicker 16 mm paddles out there. It’s an asset in fast hand battles and getting into position for difficult shots.
Better value for the money
You don’t see many $200 paddles anymore. Everything from the “premium” brands seems to cost at least $250. When you compare this paddle to the new Selkirk LUXX Control Air ($280), the Selkirk LABS Project 007 ($333), and the Selkirk LABS Project 008 ($288), you’re getting way more bang for your buck. This paddle is better than all of those.
❌ What to consider
Smaller sweet spot
The ERA Power is not as forgiving as the new LUXX, with a noticeably tighter sweet spot. When you hit outside of it, power and consistency drop noticeably.
That said, this can be countered with some added weight – and given how light and fast it already feels, customizing it wouldn’t be a problem.
Durability of the InfiniGrit surface
This is a spray-on grit that’s applied over the paddle face to grip the ball and provide spin. The spin you can generate is awesome but I do have reservations about the longevity of any spray-on surface, even if Selkirk claims that InfiniGrit is way longer-lasting than typical spray-on grit.
How the SLK ERA Power Elongated plays
| Category | Rating | Notes |
| Power | 9.5/10 | Very close to a top-tier power paddle. I felt the pop on my drives and had enough juice to defend and attack at the kitchen, but it hits a little softer than a JOOLA or Gearbox. |
| Control | 9/10 | Good dwell time. Plush enough to dink, hit clean drop shots, and place the ball where you want. Pretty balanced overall, especially for a power paddle. |
| Spin | 10/10 | Spin is right up there with the best. The face grips the ball really well. |
| Forgiveness | 8.5/10 | The sweet spot is decent but it’s tight, so you lose consistency on off-center hits. |
| Weighting | 10/10 | Super light and fast. You could add lead tape and it would still feel quick. Great for hand speed and quick exchanges. |
| Grip | 8/10 | Pretty neutral – nothing that stands out, but it doesn’t get sweaty, and the longer handle is nice for a two-handed backhand. |
| Durability | 8/10 | No structural issues so far, and I don’t expect any delamination problems. The only thing to watch is how the spin surface holds up over time. |
| Aerodynamics | 9/10 | It’s a fast paddle that swings easily and quickly. I feel super comfortable at the kitchen and in fast hand battles. |
Features that matter
- Dynamic Fusion Core: this is your traditional polypropylene honeycomb but with “low-density EVA foam” injected into the perimeter and handle. The foam is meant to increase the sweet spot so you get consistency even on off-center hits – I didn’t find that worked, though.
- 3-layered face (fiberglass and T700 raw carbon fiber blend): this is what makes the paddle so well balanced. The fiberglass brings pop while the carbon softens the face for touch.
- Two shapes: I played with the elongated model but there’s a shorter widebody model too. This should have a larger sweet spot, as the playing surface will be wider.
Who the SLK ERA Power Elongated is for
The ERA Power will appeal to a wide range of players because it gives you natural power while still maintaining control and spin capabilities. It’s balanced overall and lets you drive the ball with confidence while retaining a solid soft game.
If you’re someone who’s willing to fine tune your paddle with lead tape, you can fix the sweet spot issues and customize a paddle that’s a great all-rounder.
A premium paddle for $200 – the SLK ERA Power Elongated has really hit on something. There’s been a big gap in the market for a long time between the great-value $150 paddles and the high-end $250 paddles. I can see this paddle being really popular because of the balanced power/control performance it gives you for the price, providing a genuine challenge to the expensive paddles that have been dominating the market for a while now.Today's best deals
