Selkirk Halo Max Paddle Review
Introducing the Selkirk SLK Halo Max paddle, the first in our line to feature a raw carbon fiber face. Compared to other raw carbon fiber paddles on the market, the Halo paddle is one of the more affordable options, costing only $140. The paddle comes in four varieties, allowing you to choose the model that suits your style and shape preferences: the Power and Control models, as well as the Max and XL shapes. The Power model, with a thickness of 13 millimeters, is perfect for all-court play with control and enough pop to confidently speed up and put the ball away. Meanwhile, the Control model, with a thickness of 16 millimeters, is best suited for control-oriented play. The Halo paddle provides good spin, resulting in a speed of over 1600 RPM, and its style points are enhanced by a faux leather grip and a red Edge guard. The molded handle around the polypropylene core adds to the paddle's sleek look. Despite the affordable price tag, the Selkirk SLK Halo paddle does not come with a protective sleeve or case, so it is essential to purchase one to keep the racket's performance at its peak. Moreover, the paddle's surface may degrade more quickly than other carbon paddles, reducing its spin capabilities. Though the 16 mm Control model is advertised as control-oriented, it lacks pop and requires an extensive backswing to put the ball away. However, the 13 mm Power version has all-court capabilities, with control and enough pop to make confident shots. Should you desire additional customization, adding lead tape to the neck of the Power model provides relief for the sweet spot. The standard raw carbon fiber paddle with no extra features put the Halo paddle on a par with the earlier original carbon models.
Pros
Pros:
- First Selkirk paddle to use raw carbon fiber face
- More affordable raw carbon fiber paddle on the market at $140
- 4 varieties to choose from based on style/shape
- Good spin, results above 1800RPM
- Faux leather grip and red edge guard add style points
- Handle is molded all the way around the polypropylene core
- XL version has an extra long handle, comes in at 5.75 inches
- Neck tapers up gradually instead of flaring out
- Should never be sold without protective sleeve or case
- Power model is an all-court paddle with control and pop
- Adding lead tape to power model improves sweet spot forgiveness
Cons
- Less pop than comparable paddles
- The sweet spot is okay, but not great; it's slightly more forgiving with the 16 mm version than the 13 mm version
- The paddle is a standard raw carbon fiber paddle with no bells and whistles, such as Edge foam or thermo-formed perimeter
- The Halo paddle surface might degrade and lose its spin quicker than carbon paddles
Are you curious to find out how the Selkirk SLK Halo paddle stacks up against the competition? Let's dive in and see how it fares in the world of pickleball paddles! With a comedic twinkle in our eye, of course.
An Overview of the Selkirk SLK Halo Paddle
The Selkirk SLK Halo Paddle is the first of its kind to feature a raw carbon fiber face, making it a great choice for those looking to upgrade their paddle without breaking the bank.
It comes in four varieties, with each having its own unique shape and thickness to cater to a range of levels of play.
The raw carbon fiber face of the paddle provides an impressive response and durability, making it a great choice for those looking for a competitive edge.
Raw Carbon Fiber Face
The raw carbon fiber face is the highlight of the Selkirk SLK Halo Paddle, providing a reliable, sturdy surface that can stand up to intense play.
It is thicker than the conventional fiberglass composite, allowing it to maintain its shape while improving the connection between paddle and ball.
Affordable Price
The Selkirk SLK Halo Paddle is an affordable option for those seeking a raw carbon fiber paddle.
Coming in at just $140, it is a great choice for the casual player who is looking to improve their game without breaking the bank.
Four Varieties
The Selkirk SLK Halo Paddle comes in four varieties: Power and Control models, Max and XL shapes.
The Power model is 13 millimeters thick, while the Control model is 16 millimeters thick.
The XL version also has a longer handle, measuring 5.75 inches.
Spin and Grip
The Halo paddle offers good spin, with a rate higher than 1600RPM.
Its faux leather grip gives the paddle an extra touch of style, while the red edge guard adds even more.
The handle is molded all the way around the polypropylene core and the neck tapers up gradually instead of flaring out.
Features and Design of the Selkirk SLK Halo Paddle
The Selkirk SLK Halo Paddle is a stylish and spin-friendly paddle.
It offers four varieties based on shape and style: Power and Control, and Max and XL.
Its faux leather grip and red edge guard further enhance its appearance.
Grip and Edge Guard
The faux leather grip complements the red edge guard, giving the paddle an eye-catching appeal.
The handle is also molded around the polypropylene core to provide a better grip.
XL Version
The XL version of the paddle has a longer handle of 5.
75 inches and a neck that tapers up gradually for easier maneuverability.
The Power model has a thickness of 13 millimeters and the Control has 16 millimeters.
Evaluating the Selkirk SLK Halo Paddle through Playtesting
The Selkirk SLK Halo Paddle has been thoroughly evaluated through playtesting to determine its suitability for various styles of play.
The results revealed that the paddle has a lack of 'liveliness' and 'pop' in its face, a top-heavy feel for the 16 mm version, and a control version that requires a wide backswing for effective play.
Additionally, lead tape can be added to the power model for increased forgiveness.
However, the sweet spot of the paddle is only average, and when compared to other paddles on the market, it does not fare as well.
Liveliness and Pop of the Paddle Face
The Selkirk SLK Halo Paddle was found to have a lack of 'liveliness' and 'pop' in its face, which was especially apparent after four weeks of playtesting.
The 16 mm control version was advertised as control-oriented, yet it lacked the 'pop' needed to put away balls with ease and required a wide backswing to be effective.
On the other hand, the 13 mm power version possessed control and adequate 'pop' to make it a suitable all-court paddle.
Adding Lead Tape to the Power Model
Adding lead tape to the neck of the power model improved its performance, making the sweet spot more forgiving.
Despite the fact that the paddle is a standard raw carbon fiber paddle with no additional features such as Edge foam or a thermo-formed perimeter, the lead tape was still beneficial.
Unfortunately, it was difficult to customize the 16 mm version with lead tape due to its top-heavy feel.
Sweet Spot of the Paddle
The sweet spot of the Selkirk SLK Halo Paddle was observed to be only average.
The 16 mm version was more forgiving than the 13 mm version.
It is worth noting that the paddle's surface may degrade faster than carbon paddles, resulting in a decrease in spin.
This is why some companies, such as YOLO, offer their Hyperion paddles without a sleeve for $220, while Selkirk is selling the Halo paddle without a neoprene sleeve at a lower price.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Selkirk SLK Halo paddle is a great paddle for the price. It offers control and power versions, with the power version being slightly more forgiving. It has a faux leather grip, red edge guard, and a molded handle. While it is a good paddle, it does not have any bells and whistles like Edge foam or thermo-formed perimeter like other paddles in its price range. The surface might degrade and lose spin quicker than other carbon paddles, and the more control oriented 16mm version does not have much pop. If you are looking for a good paddle with a low price tag, the Selkirk SLK Halo paddle is a great choice.
