Selkirk LUXX Control Air Pickleball Paddle – A Detailed Review

The Selkirk LUXX Control Air paddle has been creating quite a stir in the pickleball world since its release. As an avid pickleball player and coach with years of experience testing paddles, I was eager to get my hands on this new offering from Selkirk and put it through its paces.

In this detailed review, I’ll provide a comprehensive overview of the LUXX Control Air, including its key features, performance attributes, comparisons to other popular paddles, and my final verdict on whether it’s a worthy investment for pickleball enthusiasts.

Overview

• Price: $250 USD
• Weight: 7.8-8.1 oz
• Grip Circumference: 4 1/4 inches
• Handle Length: 5.35 inches
• Core: 20mm Polymer Honeycomb
• Face: Carbon Fiber + “Floric” Technology
• Edge Guard: “Aerodura”
• Texture: Spray-On “Paint Grit”
• Shape: Invicta (Elongated), Epic, S2
• ThermoFoam: Perimeter Foam Filling
• Made in: USA
• Warranty: Limited Lifetime

The LUXX Control Air comes in 3 attractive color options – red, blue, and gold. Right out of the box, it is one of the best-looking paddles I’ve seen in recent years. The specifications seem aimed at improving power while retaining control compared to earlier Selkirk offerings. The Floric carbon fiber face is an intriguing addition – while the name sounds like marketing jargon, it refers to proprietary carbon fiber layering designed to enhance feel and spin.

First Impressions

Right off the bat, the LUXX Control Air felt very familiar to me, reminding me of its predecessor, the popular Selkirk Project 003. However, it had a more robust, solid feel and did not have the slightly “hollow” sensation that the 003 had. The increased swing weight gave it a very palpable stability.

My initial hits confirmed my hunch – this was essentially an upgraded and fine-tuned version of the Project 003. The weight distribution and balance made it play very similar but with subtle yet important improvements.

Pros

• Robust, solid feel right out of the box
• Increased swing weight improves stability
• Retains positive attributes of Project 003 while enhancing power

Cons

• Experienced 003 users may not perceive a major transformation
• Not a revolutionary departure from the 003 platform

Power

One of the main complaints about the Project 003 was that it lacked put-away power. Selkirk seems to have addressed this by strategically redistributing weight and increasing the swing weight of the LUXX Control Air.

It maintains the familiar soft touch on contact, but now allows more aggressive swings and penetration through the ball. The shots come off faster and with more pace compared to the stock 003.

However, in my testing, the power increase was not drastic enough to suddenly transform the LUXX into a pure power paddle. It still leans heavily towards control and finesse. Power hits require full commitment of your body weight and swing. The pop remains lower than many other modern performance paddles.

For quick snaps and rapid exchanges at the kitchen line, the LUXX cannot match specialized power paddles designed for those lightning fast attacks. But in the hands of strong players who can generate their own pace, it provides adequate punch on drives and serves.

Pros

• Increased power and pop versus Project 003
• Allows harder, more penetrating swing strokes
• Adequate for drives and serves when swung aggressively

Cons

• Still not in the same power range as modern power paddles
• Lacks the snap for quick flicks and rapid-fire exchanges
• Aggressive players may find power lacking on fast exchanges

Control and Feel

The LUXX Control Air stays true to its name and provides a plushy, buttery smooth feel when hitting. The thick polymer honeycomb core and proprietary Floric carbon face deliver an incredibly soft sensation on contact.

It is among the softest and most forgiving thermo-formed unibody paddles I’ve tested. The plush response reminds me of paddles like the Vatic Prisms, Scorpio 16 Carbon, and Selkirk’s own Vanguard 2.0.

This ultra-soft touch lends itself beautifully to controlled shots like blocks, drops, lifts, and dinks. You can delicately shape and guide shots with precision rarely seen in other paddles. The confidence I felt executing these finesse shots was unparalleled.

Pros

• Ultra-soft, plushy feel at contact
• Amazing control for blocks, drops, dinks
• Allows delicately shaping and guiding shots
• Supremely forgiving response

Cons

• Level of softness may take adjustment if coming from a firmer paddle

Sweet Spot Performance

The LUXX Control Air features Selkirk’s largest sweet spot yet in a paddle. ThermoFoam injection around the inner perimeter helps enlarge the responsive hitting area.

I found this exceptionally forgiving sweet spot to be a real highlight of the paddle’s playability. Mishits and off-center hits stayed controlled and accurate. The dwelling sensation provides a supremely comfortable feel, with the ball embedding into the face.

The sweet spot enhancement was most noticeable for me on touch shots like blocks, resets, drops, and dinks where millimeters matter. Even slightly imperfect contact remained well-directed and controlled.

Pros

• Expansive, forgiving sweet spot
• ThermoFoam injection enlarges responsive hitting zone
• Excellent dwell time and comfort on contact
• Mishits stay controlled and accurate

Cons

• • Edgeless design means stability lags behind edge guard paddles

Maneuverability

Despite its thicker core and larger sweet spot, the LUXX Control Air retains a very lightweight and maneuverable feel in hand. The balance between softness and stability is impressive.

The paddle moves easily into position for volleys and rapid exchanges at the net. For players like myself who rely heavily on paddle speed and maneuverability, the LUXX delivers on quick positioning and smooth transitions between forehand and backhand.

Wrist flicks come off easily, aided by the plush response that cushions the impact. The paddle glides effortlessly into dinks, allowing you to swiftly redirect shots with subtle angling of the face.

Pros

• Lightweight with a fast, nimble feel
• Quick maneuvering for volleys and rapid exchanges
• Makes wrist flicks and dinks easy to execute swiftly

Cons

• Players preferring maximum hand speed may find it slightly slower than ultra-light paddles

Spin Potential

I found the LUXX Control Air to generate substantial topspin on serves and groundstrokes. The Floric carbon face seems optimized for grabbing and rotating the ball.

To maximize spin potential, I needed to adjust my swing path slightly and brush up the back of the ball. Once I dialed in the motion, I produced some incredibly heavy topspin. The dip and arc I could generate on serves was remarkable.

However, for my best spin results, I did have to put in the extra work of adjusting my swing technique. Out of the box, the spin was reasonable, but fine-tuning my motion took it to the next level.

Pros

• Capable of producing heavy topspin
• Floric face aids grab and rotation
• Allows shaping serves with a huge dipping arc

Cons

• May require swing adjustments to unlock the maximum spin potential

Comparisons to Other Selkirk Paddles

Having tested the full range of Selkirk paddles, I would categorize the LUXX Control Air on the far control end of their lineup, with the Invicta Power Air on the power side of the spectrum.

The LUXX provides exemplary touch and finesse, while the Power Air leans into power and pop. Models like the Epic and Vanguard occupy the middle ground.

For players seeking the pinnacle of control, spin, and stability, the LUXX Control Air represents a refined evolution of earlier paddles like the Project 003 and Vanguard 2.0.

The Power Air remains ideal for players prioritizing speed, pop, and quick exchanges. It outperforms the LUXX for rapid counters and reflex volleys.

LUXX Control Air

• Ultimate control and finesse
• Massive sweet spot forgiveness
• Plush comfort and touch

Power Air

• Speed, pop, lightning exchanges
• Penetrating power on drives
• Quick counters at the kitchen line

Lead Tape Customization

Through extensive testing, I found the LUXX Control Air hugely benefited from some customized lead tape additions. Out of the box, it remained a top-notch control paddle, but adding lead took it to an even higher level for my game.

I focused lead tape placement in the 3 and 9 o’clock range on the paddle face. This added mass improved stability and plow through while retaining a comfortable swing weight.

The extra weight really enhanced the buttery touch on finesse shots and provided reassuring stability on blocks and resets. While the stock LUXX Control Air played softly and seamlessly, the lead tape acted as a fine-tuning upgrade.

Pros

• Strategic lead tape placement enhances stability
• Improves plow through on touch shots
• Retains comfortable swing speed

Cons

• Reduces margin for additional weighting experiments

Durability Concerns

My main worry around the LUXX Control Air centers on the longevity of the spray-on “paint grit” texturing used on the surface.

Previous Selkirk paddles like the Power Air faced criticism over the grip coating wearing down too swiftly. Though improved, the LUXX retains a similar paint-grit texture.

In my experience, these coatings often show signs of wear, especially in the sweet spot zone, with regular play. The softer resin used in the LUXX may increase coating life slightly, but durability remains a consideration.

For players looking to maximize paddle longevity, other texturing options like Electrode Dots (Engage) or Diamond Crystal Polymer (Paddletek) resist wear better in the long run.

Pros

• Paint grit provides excellent initial grip and spin

Cons

• Paint coatings tend to wear down faster than other textures
• Sweet spot often shows early signs of deterioration

Final Verdict

So, is the LUXX Control Air a must-have paddle, or should you look elsewhere? My verdict is that it warrants a conditional thumbs-up for players looking for optimal control and touch.

The LUXX undoubtedly takes the Project 003 DNA to the next level. It looks stunning and plays with buttery precision right out of the wrapper. The expansive sweet spot is remarkably forgiving. Serious players seeking the pinnacle of control would do well to add this to their quiver.

However, for Project 003 users happy with their customized setup, the LUXX may not feel like a dramatic upgrade given the retention of familiar attributes. Players seeking pure speed and power also have better options on the market.

Customizing with lead tape unleashes the paddle’s full potential to transform it into an ideal daily driver for control junkies and finesse aficionados. Just be prepared to re-apply grip coating more frequently to keep it fresh.

So there you have it – a fully comprehensive review of Selkirk’s new star control paddle. I hope these insights from my first-hand testing help you determine if the LUXX Control Air is a worthy investment as you continue your pickleball journey. Let me know if you have any other questions!