Why review the Selkirk NEO Composite Pickleball Paddle? Well, we’ve all been there. You’ve just watched an insane game of pickleball and instantly want in. Or you’ve been playing for a while but are looking for a change of scenery after a rough patch of form.
Over the past few years, I’ve had quite a few people come up to me and ask about what paddle they should choose.
Even though I’d give my opinions on paddles I’ve used, I quietly started compiling a list of the pros and cons of each of the paddles I’ve used. And if you asked me now, I would have a clear, concise answer for you. I’d tell you to go for the Selkirk Neo Composite Pickleball Paddle.
While every paddle has its pros and cons, I truly believe that the Selkirk Neo is the best paddle for those who want to take their game to the next level.
I’ll be going very in-depth about the features, pros and cons of this paddle. Hopefully, this will make the decision easier for you.
So let’s get into it:
Overview
SELKIRK NEO COMPOSITE PICKLEBALL PADDLE
Overall Rating: 4.7 out of 5
Player Sponsorships: Over 200 professional players
Surface: Composite Vinyl
Design: Bold Neon Blue Vinyl Graphics
Core: X4 Powercore Polymer Core
Length: 15.67 inches (398 mm)
Weight: 7.7 – 7.9 ounces (218 g – 223 g)
Width: 7.875 inches (200 mm)
Grip Circumference: 4.125 inches (104. 775 mm)
Grip Length: 5 Inches (127 mm)
Grip Material: Selkirk Thingrips
Edge: EdgeSentry
Meets USAPA requirements: Yes
Key Features of the Selkirk Neo Composite Pickleball Paddle
Design and Build
If you ask me what I look for in a good pickleball paddle, the first thing I’ll tell you about is the sweet spot of the paddle. In essence, the sweet spot is the area in which the power developed by your paddle swing is optimized. For example, some paddles have honeycomb cores that distribute the impact weight along the entire surface. While this makes it easier to hit shots, it takes a lot away from shot finesse, ability to control your shot, and power.
The SELKIRK NEO COMPOSITE PICKLEBALL PADDLE comes in at that perfect place where you have an apt balance in your paddle along with a certain amount of necessary power. This not only allows you to learn your game with less restrictions, but it also allows you to hold on to the same paddle as your skill as a player improves.
The name makes it obvious, but the core of the Selkirk Neo is made from a Composite Polymer. This layered core makes sure that your paddle surface provides you with great balance, even at inclined angles. In addition, the composite polymer material that is used in core construction distributes paddle impacts evenly throughout every layer.
The paddle body itself is designed in the classic paddle shape. This wider-bodied design works much better for players who want to mold their game around versatility instead of a specific type of shot. In addition, this acts as a learning curve for newer players to figure out a specific playing style.
Grip
This might come as a bit of a surprise, but the grip that your paddle comes equipped with is almost as important as the paddle’s body, material, and looks. A good grip provides two things- comfort and versatility.
The SLK ThinGrip is the perfect grip size with its 4.125-inch circumference. The room between your palm and the handle is at that place where you don’t hit a loose shot due to bad grip fitting. The material itself ensures that your palm fits perfectly, irrespective of whether your palms are sweaty or not.
Pros and Cons
Anyone who has ever played a fair amount of pickleball can attest to one thing: Absolutely no single paddle in the world is perfect. This is true in this case specifically because there are many more expensive options out there in the market. Every paddle has its pros and cons irrespective of its price range, and you need to be aware of those before settling on your paddle. So, let’s look into the pros and cons of the Selkirk Neo:
Pros
- The first thing that I noticed while using the Selkirk Neo was its genuinely perfect sweet spot. Even in my first game with it, I never felt off-balance for one second. And that is a surprising aspect of a paddle that provides you with so much power. The ball seemed to slide nicely off the surface irrespective of how badly I timed my shots. Great first impression!
- The premium Selkirk ThinGrip paddle grips provide a weirdly satisfying level of comfort to your game. A few games into using it, I felt like the paddle had become a part of my natural movement with absolutely no extra effort going into readjusting my grip after every shot.
- The paddle weighs in at an extremely light, yet comfortable 7.8 Ounces. The light weight adds a lot of versatility to your game providing some much-needed finesse for newer players.
- Beautiful surface design is an absolute plus if you want to show off your game. The Bold Neon Blue Vinyl Graphics are a wonderful addition.
Cons
- Alright, maybe there are better-looking paddles out there with the elongated heads. However, the shape might be a benefit depending on where you are at on your pickleball journey.
Final Verdict
The Selkirk Neo Composite Pickleball paddle is an absolute no-brainer at its price range for those who are at the very beginning of your pickleball journey. If you’re further along, you might have different preferences based on your playing style. However, this is still a great paddle and highly recommended. Please take a look at our article containing the most comprehensive list of Pickleball equipment in the market today.
