When choosing paddles to test, I look for unique features, innovation, and positive reviews. I’ll admit, the cool colors and groovy “air dynamic throat” of this Selkirk paddle totally dazzled me.
After reading about the design and materials, I was impressed. Like most of you, I’m after good pop, control, spin, and a great handle. I had to try it, so I went with the cool blue model. (Go big and bright, right?)
After playing with this AMPED Pro Air – Invikta multiple times over the last several weeks, it delivered very good performance in most areas, but with a retail price of $180, there are better paddles for the same or less.
I am rating the paddle a 3.75 of 5 balls, primarily due to value offered.
Power and Control: The 16.5” Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta Paddle offers strong, precise shots.
Quick Swings: ThroatFlex and Air Dynamic Throat boost swing speed.
Reliable Spin: ProSpin+ Texture and 16mm Honeycomb core ensure consistent spin.
Comfort and Stability: FlexFoam perimeter and 5” grip provide comfort and stability.
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By The Numbers
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Length | 16.5” |
| Width | 7.45” |
| Core Thickness | 16 mm |
| Grip Length | 5.25” |
| Grip Circumference | 4.25” |
| Weight (as tested) | 8.17 oz |
| Colors | Red, blue, light blue, green, black, grey |
Nuts and Bolts
- X5 polypropylene honeycomb core
- ProSpin+ NextGen texture face
- Upgraded octagonal small-medium length handle
- Air dynamic throat (air flow slot)
- FlexFoam perimeter around face
- USA Pickleball-approved
Game On… the Play Testing
Out of the box, I was indeed dazzled by the attractive design and color. The textured face felt nice and rough, and the weight of the paddle was ideal and fairly well balanced.
Handle Comfort and Grip Feel
I do wish the paddle had a longer handle, as that’s pretty important to me. But, the grip felt great—textured and tacky enough to hold comfortably. I really liked the elongated face and edgeless design, too.
Initial Drills and Practice Serves
I started out by trying some solo and duo drills, including practice serves, with the paddle. Right away, I noticed the loud pop of the ball on the face during serves and drives.
It felt powerful, and the sound was definitely louder than most paddles I’ve used. After that, it was time to see how this paddle performed in a real game.
Indoor Play: Control and Spin
I headed to an indoor court for some rec play. I found I could deliver controlled third shot drops and dinks with ease, and after a bit more practice, I started using the textured face for some nice controlled spins.
However, I did miss having a longer handle for my preferred hand positioning and for two-handed backhand drive shots, especially on service returns.
Sweet Spot and Power Performance
With the longer face and foam injection perimeter, I really appreciated the large sweet spot. The paddle gave me better reach and more power compared to paddles like the Franklin FS Tour or Holbrook Mav Pro 2.0. Plus, the swing weight of 119 provided a significant boost in power and stability.
My overall control and aim of shots was about the same as my go to Diadem ICON XL V2, but the swing control and my follow-through was not the same with this Selkirk. It was a bit compromised.
Outdoor Play
My next outing was for some outdoor rec play and a coaching session. I was getting more comfortable with the paddle and my aim was improving. However, I did notice a slightly slower swing speed.
I could still deliver strong serves and drives, but it took a bit more effort. It’s a minor issue, really, but something to keep in mind.
Durability Concerns: Wear and Tear
After playing, I noticed some wear and tear on the face and edge of the paddle, even though I hadn’t hit the ground or anything other than the ball. These were minor dings and chips that didn’t affect performance yet, but it made me concerned about the paddle’s durability compared to raw carbon fiber faces like the Diadem 18K technology or CRBN paddles.
Lastly, this is the third paddle I’ve tested recently with the dynamic air slot. I’m still not sure if it really adds anything beyond the cool look, but it sure does catch the eye.
The Final Score
This Selkirk paddle delivers very good performance in most areas, and certainly has a very cool look (I give it 5 balls for that!), but performance overall is just above average and not extraordinary.
With so many paddles on the market, it’s a good idea to shop around. Luckily, more dealers and online sources are now letting you “test drive” paddles. For comparison and value shopping, check out the Franklin F5 Tour Dynasty 16 ($150), the Holbrook Mav Pro 2.0 ($100), or even the Diadem ICON XL V2 ($100). Those are all great choices, but let’s be honest, they’re not as cool-looking as this Selkirk! Just sayin’.
Pickle on my friends, pickle on…
