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Vanguard Power Air for serious tournament players who love elongated; CRBN 1X Power is the smart upgrade for everyone else.
Both paddles aim at the upper end of pickleball, but the philosophies differ. 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 £170-220 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 the price tag and a niche feel that won't suit players who want a forgiving sweet spot.
For most UK players, the Selkirk premium isn't worth it. CRBN gives you 80 percent of the paddle for 60 percent of the money.
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 Selkirk Vanguard Power Air Pickleball Paddle (£170-220) costs more than the CRBN 1X Power Series Pickleball Paddle (£130). Whether the premium is worth it depends on your skill level — if you are advanced players, the extra investment in the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air Pickleball Paddle can pay off.