Hey folks, if you've been chasing that perfect blend of whisper-soft control and sneaky power on the pickleball court, let me pull you aside for a sec. I'm Jake, a 4.0 grinder who's spent more weekends than I can count rallying under the sun, from casual round-robins to local tourneys that leave you sore but smiling. Lately, I've been obsessed with the Selkirk LUXX Control Air Infinigrit paddles—specifically the Epic and Invikta shapes. I snagged both a few months back, right when the Infinigrit tech hit the scene, and I've put them through the wringer: endless dink battles, baseline bangers, and even a few mixed doubles marathons with my partner who insists on calling every soft shot a "fuzzy unicorn." What can I say? These Selkirk paddles have me rethinking my whole bag. They're not just tools; they're like that reliable co-pilot who anticipates your every move. Let's unpack why this series has me hooked, shape by shape, with all the juicy details from my time swinging them.
First Impressions: Unboxing the Magic
Cracking open the box for either the Epic or Invikta feels like unwrapping a high-end gadget—sleek packaging, that signature Selkirk vibe, and a paddle that screams "pro-level finesse" without the intimidation factor. Both come in those eye-catching purple-blue hues (I've got the purple for the Epic and blue for the Invikta—color-coding my moods, you know?), with a finish that's as durable as it is stylish. Weighing in at a sweet midrange spot—around 8.1 ounces on average, give or take a hair—they sit perfectly balanced in your hand, not too whippy, not too tank-like. The edgeless design? Genius. No bulky guards to snag on your shorts mid-volley, just pure, aerodynamic flow.
Right off the bat, the Selkirk Geo Grip wraps around like it was molded for my palm—4.25 inches of cushioned confidence that stays tacky even after a sweaty session. And the handles? The Epic's 5.25-inch length gives you that classic, two-handed ready stance, while the Invikta stretches to 5.35 inches for folks who like a bit more leverage. Both are made in the USA, USAP-approved, and backed by that rock-solid lifetime warranty if you register online. From the moment I gripped them, I knew these weren't your entry-level sticks; they're built for players like me who live for those kitchen standoffs where every dink counts.
The Epic Shape: Your Go-To for Pure, Plush Control
Starting with the Epic—the standard shape that's like the reliable older sibling in this duo. At 16.45 inches long and 7.9 inches wide, it's got that generous face area that forgives a slightly off-center pop and turns it into a winner anyway. I first took it out for a clinic with some 3.5s, and holy cow, the Florek Carbon Fiber face with Infinigrit just *sings*. It's smooth as silk, yet grippy enough to carve spin that dances off the edge of the court. We're talking up to 2,000 RPMs here—I've watched my topspin lobs arc like they're on a mission, pulling opponents forward only to drop dead at the line.
The heart of the Selkirk Luxx Control Air Epic is that 19mm X7 Thikset Honeycomb Core—thinner than some of its predecessors, but oh man, it packs a plush punch. Dinks feel like butter; I can feather them cross-court with surgical depth, holding the line without popping up. And resets? Effortless. During one endless rally last weekend—I'm talking 30 shots of pure soft game—the core absorbed every block like a pro, letting me stay low and lethal. The EVA foam injection in the throat and handle? That's the secret sauce for vibration dampening. No more that annoying buzz up my arm after an hour; just pure, connected feedback that makes you feel every nuance of the ball.
Power-wise, it's no sledgehammer, but that's the beauty—it's balanced for touch players who sneak in offense when it counts. Baseline drives carry a subtle pop, enough to push back an aggressive foe without overpowering your control. The 360° Proto Molding keeps everything uniform, so no dead zones; the sweet spot feels massive. Add in the FlexFoam Perimeter for extra stability and the CM Anti-Torque tech to straighten out those mishits, and you've got a paddle that builds your confidence rally after rally. For me, the Epic shines in doubles, where quick net exchanges and partner sync demand precision over brute force. If you're an intermediate looking to level up your soft game or an advanced player who values finesse, this shape is your court whisperer.
The Invikta Shape: Elongated Reach for the Bold Strategist
Now, flip the script to the Invikta, and it's like the Epic's adventurous cousin—same DNA, but stretched for drama. Clocking in at the same 16.45-inch length but slimmer at 7.5 inches wide, with that extra 0.1-inch handle extension, it gives you this elongated reach that feels like cheating (in the best way). I remember subbing into a singles ladder match with it, and suddenly, those baseline stretches? No sweat. The narrower profile slices through the air like a hot knife, thanks to the Air Dynamic Throat's refined wings optimizing airflow for quicker swings.
Don't let the length fool you—this bad boy retains all the Epic's control wizardry. The Florek Carbon Fiber and Infinigrit surface combo is identical, so spin is still king: slices that skid low, serves that bite back. But the shape amps up the leverage; I found myself poaching more aggressively at the net, extending just far enough to snag those angled volleys my shorter paddles would miss. The core—same 19mm Thikset goodness—delivers that soft landing on dinks, but with the elongated design, drops from the transition zone land deeper, almost unfairly. It's got this subtle power edge too; drives feel more authoritative, like the paddle's borrowing momentum from your follow-through.
Where the Selkirk Luxx Control Air Invikta really flexes is in versatility. The Aero-DuraEdge keeps it agile despite the length—no drag, just speed—and the FlexFoam beefs up the perimeter for a sweet spot that punches above its width. Off-center hits? The Anti-Torque magic straightens them out, letting you stay aggressive. I paired it with a tennis buddy transitioning to pickleball, and he raved about how the extra reach mirrored his racquet feel, making overheads a breeze. For 4.0+ players who mix it up—long rallies from the back, net rushes, maybe even some singles flair—this shape rewards bold positioning. It's not for the faint of wrist; that length demands solid technique, but once you're dialed in, it's pure court command.
What Ties Them Together: The Infinigrit Superpowers
Zooming out, what makes the LUXX Control Air Infinigrit series a knockout is how these shapes share the same high-octane DNA, letting you pick based on playstyle without sacrificing core performance. Both hover in that 7.9–8.3 oz sweet spot for maneuverability, with the edgeless build shrugging off impacts like they're nothing. The InfiniGrit surface? Game-changer across the board—triple the spin life of raw carbon means it stays grippy session after session, no fading after a tournament weekend. I've gone from crisp slices on day one to still-snapping topspin on day three, and that's huge for consistency.
The Thikset core and EVA enhancements unite them in plush forgiveness; vibrations are a non-issue, so your arm thanks you after back-to-back games. Power's dialed just right—enough pop for offense without overwhelming the touch that defines control paddles. And those Selkirk exclusives? The Proto Molding for even power, Anti-Torque for mishit mercy, Dynamic Throat for speed—they're the invisible glue making both feel premium. Colors pop the same way too—purple for control vibes, blue for that elongated edge, red if you're feeling fiery. At the pro-class level, they're built to last, USAP-stamped and warrantied for the long haul.
Wrapping It Up: Why This Series Owns My Rotation
After logging dozens of hours with both the Epic and Invikta, I'm all in on the Selkirk LUXX Control Air Infinigrit lineup. The Epic's my daily driver for doubles precision, that wide face turning good shots into great ones with effortless grace. The Invikta? It's my secret weapon for singles or when I want to stretch the court, that reach unlocking plays I didn't know I had. Together, they cover every angle—control-first with spin that lasts and power that sneaks up on you.
If you're hovering intermediate to advanced, craving a paddle that elevates your strategy without ego, grab one (or both—trust me). Selkirk nailed it: innovative, intuitive, and downright fun to swing. My game's sharper, my rallies longer, and honestly, I've got that post-match glow knowing I'm wielding something this dialed. What's not to love? Head to the court and feel the difference yourself—you won't look back.
