This Selkirk LUXX Control Air InfiniGrit review compares the Epic and Invikta shapes from the perspective of a 4.0 player who has used both in doubles, singles, clinics, and long practice sessions. It is for intermediate and advanced players who want a pickleball paddle with good control, spin, comfort, and enough power to stay offensive without turning every touch shot into a gamble. By the end, you will understand what the two shapes share, how they play differently, and which one better matches your court positioning, swing style, and skill level.
Key Takeaways
- Both shapes use the same 19mm X7 Thikset Honeycomb Core, Florek Carbon Fiber face, InfiniGrit surface, and vibration-dampening construction.
- The Epic has a wider face with a generous sweet spot that provides more forgiveness and stability during quick doubles exchanges.
- The Invikta has a longer, narrower profile that adds reach and leverage for singles, poaching, and extended volleys.
- The InfiniGrit surface supports heavy spin and is designed for greater durability and slower texture wear than a typical raw carbon surface.
- Neither shape is built as an extreme power paddle, but both provide enough pop for drives, serves, and attacking volleys when you can generate some of your own power.
- The Epic is the easier all-around good paddle for most people, while the Invikta rewards players with sound timing, confident technique, and a desire to play aggressive.
First Impressions: What Both Shapes Have in Common
I’m Mike, a pretty accomplished 4.0 player who spends way too many weekends bouncing between round-robins, local tournaments, and long practice sessions that always seem to run overtime. I got to try out the Epic and Invikta paddles over a few months, using them in dink battles, baseline exchanges, mixed doubles, and the odd singles match. My partner still calls any soft shot a “fuzzy unicorn,” but the feedback from these Selkirk paddles was loads easier to read.
Both paddles turn up in the same sort of high-quality packaging with a streamlined, edgeless profile. The Aero-DuraEdge construction protects the paddle’s outer edge without using the kind of raised edge guard found on many other paddles. The available colors are bold, but they do not change how the paddle performs. Each shape weighs a manageable 7.9 to 8.3 ounces, so neither feels too light or too heavy, and both stay quick enough for hand battles while carrying a fair amount of weight and stability on the block.
The Selkirk Geo Grip has a circumference of 4.25 inches and stays comfortable even after a long session. The Epic has a 5.25-inch handle, while the Invikta stretches out to 5.35 inches. That small difference matters more than you might think. The Epic feels familiar and right at home, while the Invikta gives you more room for leverage and two-handed backhands, plus extra space to transfer energy through the swing. Both are made in the United States, are approved for USA Pickleball play, and come with Selkirk’s limited lifetime warranty after registration.
The Epic Shape: Wider Control and Forgiveness
The Selkirk Luxx Control Air InfiniGrit Epic is the more traditional and forgiving shape of the two. It measures 15.85 inches long and 7.85 inches wide, giving it a wider hitting surface than the Invikta. During a clinic with some 3.5 players, that extra width helped the Epic feel more trustworthy on hurried volleys and slightly off-center shots. It did not erase mistakes, but the decent sweet spot reduced the punishment when we were running a little behind.
The Florek Carbon Fiber face and InfiniGrit surface give you a controlled response with enough grit to shape the ball easily. Topspin lobs had a nice arc, slices stayed low, and serves offered plenty of precision. Selkirk rates the surface for spin potential of up to 2,000 RPM, but the more useful result is predictability. The ball stays on the face long enough for you to place it without feeling stuck or sluggish. Although some players casually call any applied texture “paint grit,” Selkirk identifies this as InfiniGrit Surface Technology, a nextgen texture designed to hold its spin performance longer.
The 19mm X7 Thikset Honeycomb Core is the main reason the Epic feels so composed in the soft game. Dinks come off the face with a plush feel, resets from the transition zone are easier to keep low, and block volleys can be placed with more precision. The thick core helps absorb incoming energy and supports a larger, more consistent sweet spot. Compared with the earlier 003, the LUXX feels more solid around the edges and gives you fewer dead-feeling misses, even though the current InfiniGrit model is 1mm thinner than the previous LUXX version.
Power is there, but it is not the Epic’s defining feature. Baseline drives have enough pace to keep the other team on its toes, yet the paddle still favors placement over brute force. It does not produce the automatic launch of a thinner thermoformed paddle, which helps keep counters and drives from starting to sail long. The 360-degree Proto Molding, FlexFoam perimeter, and CM Anti-Torque design all contribute to a stable, uniform feel across the face. For doubles players who want dinks, resets, counters, and reliable contact, the Epic offers great control and is the safer, more versatile pick.
The Invikta Shape: More Reach and Leverage
The Selkirk Luxx Control Air InfiniGrit Invikta has the same core construction and face material, but its 16.4-inch length and 7.5-inch width change how it moves through the air. The longer profile gives you more reach for wide balls, overheads, and aggressive poaches. During a singles ladder match, I could stretch for shots that I would normally have to take a step back for with a shorter paddle. That is a useful advantage, although it does not replace good footwork.
Its narrower face and Air Dynamic Throat make the paddle move quickly through the swing. The extra handle length also gives you more leverage, which made drives and serves feel more authoritative than they did with the Epic. The difference is not huge, but players who accelerate through contact will notice more pop from the same basic construction. It still is not a Power Air, and it will not hit hard for you, but it gives capable players enough leverage to create pace.
Control remains the foundation. Dinks still land softly, slices stay low, and third-shot drops can be directed deep into the kitchen. The elongated design came into its own when attacking from the transition zone because the added reach helped me contact the ball farther in front. At the net, it opened up poaching opportunities that a wider but shorter shape might not reach as comfortably. The trade-off is forgiveness. The Invikta’s narrower face can produce less control on off-center contact and demands cleaner timing. The FlexFoam perimeter and Anti-Torque technology stabilize dodgy shots, but they cannot rescue a complete miss. A player I had test it loved the longer feel immediately, especially on overheads and two-handed shots. For singles players who cover a lot of court and want to play aggressive, the Invikta is a strong fit.
How the Shared Technology Affects Your Game
The Epic and Invikta differ in shape, not in what they are made of. Both use InfiniGrit, Florek Carbon Fiber faces, a 19mm X7 Thikset Honeycomb Core, EVA foam in the handle and throat, 360-degree Proto Molding, FlexFoam around the perimeter, Aero-DuraEdge construction, and CM Anti-Torque technology. That shared build gives the series a consistent feel centered on control, spin, stability, comfort, and precision. It is Selkirk’s version of an ultimate control paddle that can still serve players who do not want to give up every bit of offense.
The InfiniGrit surface helps maintain spin longer than a typical raw carbon face. Selkirk says its lab testing showed roughly three times the texture durability of traditional raw carbon surfaces, so normal wear should take longer to flatten the grit. In practical terms, topspin and slice remain available without forcing you to swing like a maniac. The 19mm core softens impact while the 1mm reduction from the previous LUXX adds a little more pop. EVA foam in the handle and throat cuts vibration and adds flexibility, while FlexFoam and Anti-Torque technology help the face stay stable when contact drifts toward the edge.
Epic vs. Invikta: Which Shape Is Right for You?
Go for the Epic if you play mostly doubles and want quick exchanges, consistent contact, and a wider sweet spot. Its wider face gives you more margin, and it feels natural in the kitchen. It is also a great starting point for someone moving to a control paddle for the first time.
Go for the Invikta if you cover the court in singles, poach often, use a two-handed backhand, or simply want more reach and leverage. You will sacrifice some forgiveness, so players with unreliable timing may find the longer shape less comfortable until they clean up their contact.
It is not really about which one is better. Both provide the same basic control, spin, and vibration management, but the Epic makes those qualities more accessible, while the Invikta turns them into a more specialized tool. Your playing style should decide the shape, not the hope that a longer or wider paddle will fix technical problems.
Final Thoughts: Choose the Shape That Fits Your Priorities
After a lot of hours with both shapes, I still choose the Epic for doubles because its wider face makes life easier in the kitchen. The Invikta is the better option when I want more reach in singles or extra leverage on drives and overheads. Both keep the control-first character of the LUXX line while adding spin durability and slightly more power than the previous version.
At its premium price in a crowded paddle market, the LUXX Control Air InfiniGrit needs to fit your game rather than merely look impressive. The Epic is a great paddle when forgiveness and consistency matter most. The Invikta is better for a confident player who can create pace and use its length. Most people should start with the Epic; players with reliable timing and a clear reason for the elongated shape can choose the Invikta. Adding a huge amount of customization will not transform either one into a pure power paddle, so decide based on the control, reach, and sweet spot you actually need.
FAQs About the Selkirk LUXX Control Air InfiniGrit Series
Is the LUXX Control Air InfiniGrit a Power Paddle?
No. Both shapes are control-focused paddles with enough added pop for drives, serves, and attacking volleys. Players coming from a Power Air or another power-oriented thermoformed paddle may find the response measured because the LUXX expects you to supply more of your own power. Players who already hit hard will likely appreciate how the paddle helps keep the ball in play.
Which Shape Offers More Forgiveness?
The Epic offers more forgiveness because its face is wider. That extra width creates a generous sweet spot and a larger margin during fast exchanges, block volleys, and slightly off-center contact. The Invikta still has a good sweet spot for an elongated shape, but it asks for better timing.
Which Shape Is Better for Singles?
The Invikta is generally the stronger singles option because its elongated profile adds reach and leverage. It can help with wide defensive balls, baseline drives, and overhead coverage, provided the player can manage the narrower face.
Does the InfiniGrit Surface Add Spin?
Yes. The textured surface supports topspin, slice, and shaped serves, with Selkirk rating it for spin potential of up to 2,000 RPM. Selkirk also says InfiniGrit lasts about three times longer than traditional raw carbon texture in its abrasion testing, which addresses one of the biggest durability concerns with surface wear.
How Does the 19mm Core Thickness Affect Control?
The current InfiniGrit model uses a 19mm X7 Thikset Honeycomb Core, not a 20mm core. The previous LUXX Control Air was 20mm. The current 19mm core remains thick enough to absorb pace, support a consistent sweet spot, and make precise resets and block volleys easier, while the 1mm reduction adds a little more power.
How Does It Compare With the Selkirk 003?
The LUXX Control Air builds on the 003 concept but feels more solid and less hollow on contact. It offers a more dependable sweet spot, better performance near the edge, and more pop than a stock 003. The difference is useful rather than extreme: both remain control paddles, but the LUXX requires less effort when you need to counter or drive.
What Is the Swing Weight, and Should You Add Lead Tape?
Selkirk does not publish one official swing weight for every current LUXX Control Air InfiniGrit shape and production unit. A swing weight of 114 has been reported for an earlier 20mm Invikta sample, but it should not be treated as a universal specification for the current 19mm model. If you use lead tape, add it gradually. Adding weight near the sides can improve stability and expand the effective sweet spot, while weight near the top can raise swing weight and power but slow hand speed.
Are These Paddles Comfortable During Long Sessions?
The EVA foam in the throat and handle reduces harsh vibration, while the midweight range keeps both shapes manageable. Comfort still depends on the player’s swing and physical needs, but neither paddle felt excessively jarring during extended testing.
Who Should Choose the Epic?
The Epic is best suited to doubles players, intermediate players moving toward a control paddle, and anyone who wants a wider face with dependable stability. It is the more accessible all-around option and gives a broad range of players good control without demanding perfect contact.
Who Should Choose the Invikta?
The Invikta is better for experienced players who value reach, two-handed backhand space, aggressive poaching, and singles coverage. Players who frequently miss the center of the face may prefer the Epic’s added forgiveness, while players who generate their own pace may find the Invikta’s leverage a better match.
