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Vanguard Power Air if its distinctive throat design suits you — it's no longer a premium buy; CRBN 1X Power for a more conventional carbon feel at near-identical money.
Both paddles aim at the upper end of pickleball, but the philosophies differ — and the old price divide has collapsed to about £10. The CRBN 1X Power Series at £130 is brand-agnostic carbon fibre that's built a strong following among players upgrading from intro paddles. CRBN punch above their weight on materials for the price.
The Selkirk Vanguard Power Air at £120 brings real engineering: 220-235g, elongated shape, Polymer X5 honeycomb, QuadFlex Hybrid carbon fibre face, 4 1/4" grip and 16mm thickness. The Air Dynamic Throat genuinely changes swing feel — less wind resistance through the loop — and the QuadFlex face delivers serious spin and power. The catch is no longer the price tag; it's the niche feel that won't suit players who want a forgiving sweet spot.
The old "Selkirk premium" argument is dead: at similar money, this is purely a question of which feel suits your game.
Hand-written editorial — not auto-generated. By Gary, RacketRise.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Pickleball Paddles | Pickleball Paddles |
| Sport | Pickleball | Pickleball |
| Skill Level | Advanced | Advanced |
| Weight | — | 220-235g |
| Shape | Elongated | Elongated |
| Core | Polymer honeycomb | Polymer X5 honeycomb |
| Surface | T700 Raw Carbon | QuadFlex Hybrid carbon fibre |
| Grip Size | — | 4 1/4" |
| Core Thickness | — | 16mm |
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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The main differences are: Core: CRBN 1X has Polymer honeycomb vs Polymer X5 honeycomb. Surface: CRBN 1X has T700 Raw Carbon vs QuadFlex Hybrid carbon fibre. Overall, the CRBN 1X Power Series Pickleball Paddle is best for advanced players while the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air Pickleball Paddle suits advanced players.
Neither is specifically designed for beginners — the CRBN 1X Power Series Pickleball Paddle suits advanced players and the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air Pickleball Paddle suits advanced players. Beginners may find both challenging.
The CRBN 1X Power Series Pickleball Paddle (£130) costs more than the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air Pickleball Paddle (£120). Whether the premium is worth it depends on your skill level — if you are advanced players, the extra investment in the CRBN 1X Power Series Pickleball Paddle can pay off.