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I have been playing with the new Selkirk Boomstick ST in anticipation of it’s launch on November 10, 2026.
That said, I wanted to compare it to some of the greats and some recent paddles, including the Omni, the original Selkirk Boomstick, and the new BNB Loco 2 paddle.
If you’d like me to add to this review, shoot me a note at ben@bepickleballer.com.
Let’s start with first impressions, playability, cost and how it compares to other paddles, cost considerations and how to use code INF-BALLER, and then which paddle I would choose.
First Impressions
The unboxing is a disappointment at this price. The Boomstick ST costs $350 and does not include a paddle cover. The original Boomstick costs $333 and came with a premium cover that made the unboxing feel special. The ST’s warranty is still a strong point, though.
Here’s a view of the paddle.
Here’s a close up of the new durable grit.
The Selkirk Boomstick ST made a big impression as soon as I took it on court. I had some of the best spin and pop I’ve felt from a paddle, and I could see the ball spinning through the air. My serve was especially effective: I hit four aces in a row on the challenge court and got some big compliments afterward.
The ST has a lively response and a lot of power. Its power felt very similar to the Bread & Butter Loco 1, and I didn’t notice a meaningful difference between the two. The Sharktooth edge is a notable feature, but I didn’t feel that it added much dwell time.
I’m also not sure yet whether it makes the ST’s effective sweet spot smaller. The original Boomstick had a very good sweet spot, so I’ll need more time with the ST before I can make that comparison confidently.
These five paddles suit different styles. The Boomstick ST and original Boomstick bring power and pop, while the Omni offers a softer, more controlled feel. The RPM Jade stands out for spin, and the Loco 2 offers a spin-focused update to the Loco platform.
Playability
The biggest differences show up when I move from serves and drives into dinks, resets, and fast exchanges. Here’s how I’d rank the five paddles in each category based on my court impressions.
Spin
The Boomstick ST takes the top spot for me. Its spin felt premium, and the ball’s rotation was easy to see in flight. The RPM Jade is close behind, with an exceptionally gritty face and the kind of spin that makes it easy to shape drives and serves.
The original Boomstick also generates excellent spin, while the Omni’s surface and spin performance made a strong impression in my earlier review. The Loco 2’s Space Dust Grit is designed to improve spin and durability, though it lands behind these paddles in my overall ranking.
Spin ranking:
- Selkirk Boomstick ST
- RPM Jade
- Selkirk Boomstick
- Selkirk Omni
- Bread & Butter Loco 2
Power
The Boomstick ST is the power choice in this group for me. It has a lot of pop, and I found it easy to put pressure on opponents with my serve. Its power felt close to the Loco 1, which gives me a useful point of comparison for the ST’s lively response.
The original Boomstick also delivers serious power, with a solid, stable feel.
The Loco 2 has plenty of power from its dual-density foam core, while the RPM Jade has good drive power with a more balanced feel. The Omni has enough power to finish points, but its softer response makes it feel more focused on control and consistency.
Power ranking:
- Selkirk Boomstick ST
- Selkirk Boomstick
- Bread & Butter Loco 2
- RPM Jade
- Selkirk Omni
Control
The Omni is the easiest paddle for me to control in this group. Its softer, more cushioned feel gave me confidence on drops, resets, and placement shots.
The Jade is a close second because it pairs strong spin with a more controlled response than the Boomstick paddles. The Loco 2’s muted feel made it easier for me to settle into softer shots than the more poppy Loco 1. I found both Boomsticks harder to control when I first started using them, though the original Boomstick had a very good sweet spot. I’m not sure whether the ST’s Sharktooth ridge changes the sweet spot, so I wouldn’t rank it lower based on that alone.
My control rankings:
- Selkirk Omni
- RPM Jade
- Bread & Butter Loco 2
- Selkirk Boomstick ST and Selkirk Boomstick Tie
Cost Considerations
The Boomstick ST is the most expensive paddle in this comparison at $350. That is $17 more than the original Boomstick, and the ST does not include a paddle cover. The ST still has Selkirk’s strong warranty, which adds value, but the missing cover is noticeable at this price.
The Selkirk influencer discount code INF-BALLER provided $40 in Selkirk bonus bucks for the Boomstick.
The original Boomstick is listed at $333 and came with a premium cover. I’m curious if the price will change when the ST is released.Check whether that offer applies to the ST before ordering. The Boomstick comes with the best pickleball paddle cover I’ve ever owned.
The Omni was listed at $300 in my review, with INF-BALLER offering $30 in bonus bucks at the time. The paddle does not come with a cover.
The RPM Jade was listed at $269.99, or $229.49 after the 15% BEPICKLEBALLER discount. Unfortunately, the paddle comes in a bag, and does not come with a cover.
The Loco 2 was listed at $220, or $198 with BEPICKLEBALLER. My Loco 2 came with a nice paddle cover, a drink koozie, and stickers.
For value, the Loco 2 is the least expensive option here after its discount. The Jade is also considerably less expensive than the Selkirk paddles while bringing excellent spin and a balanced feel. The ST’s premium price makes the missing cover especially noticeable.
Which Paddle Would I Choose?
If I were choosing one based on my time on court and if budget were no option, I’d pick the Selkirk Boomstick ST or the RPM Jade.
The Bookstick ST’ combination of visible spin, pop, power, and serve pressure was hard to ignore. Hitting four aces in a row made the paddle’s strengths especially clear. I’d go into it knowing that the power takes some adjustment when I’m trying to control softer shots.
The RPM Jade would be my choice for a strong mix of spin and touch at a lower price. It’s a great all around paddle.
I’d choose the Omni if my priority were control and confidence on drops and resets.
The Loco 2 looks like the best value, while the original Boomstick remains compelling if I want a premium cover and the familiar power feel.
My pick is the Boomstick ST for the excitement and pressure it brought to my game. I’d still give the Omni the edge for players who want the easiest paddle to manage in the soft game.
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