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Buy the Selkirk if its Air Dynamic Throat feel suits you — it's now the cheaper paddle; the Hyperion justifies the extra £30 with its safer, benchmark feel.
The Hyperion at £149 is the people's champion of pickleball paddles: elongated, 16mm, Carbon Friction Surface, and a Reactive Honeycomb polymer core that delivers consistent control and spin. Ben Johns endorses it because it actually does the job at the top level.
The Selkirk Vanguard Power Air at £120 is the boutique alternative — and, at current prices, the cheaper one by around £30. Its Air Dynamic Throat reduces drag through the swing, the QuadFlex Hybrid carbon face is genuinely premium, and the X5 polymer core is built for sustained power without losing touch.
A few practical points:
The old value case for the Hyperion has gone — the Selkirk now undercuts it. If you get on with the Power Air's throat design, it's the smarter buy; the Hyperion earns its premium only if you want the safer, more conventional feel.
Hand-written editorial — not auto-generated. By Gary, RacketRise.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Pickleball Paddles | Pickleball Paddles |
| Sport | Pickleball | Pickleball |
| Skill Level | Intermediate | Advanced |
| Weight | 215-230g | 220-235g |
| Shape | Elongated | Elongated |
| Core | Reactive Honeycomb polymer | Polymer X5 honeycomb |
| Surface | Carbon Friction Surface | QuadFlex Hybrid carbon fibre |
| Grip Size | 4 1/4" | 4 1/4" |
| Core Thickness | 16mm | 16mm |
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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The main differences are: Weight: JOOLA Ben has 215-230g vs 220-235g. Core: JOOLA Ben has Reactive Honeycomb polymer vs Polymer X5 honeycomb. Surface: JOOLA Ben has Carbon Friction Surface vs QuadFlex Hybrid carbon fibre. Overall, the JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16mm Pickleball Paddle is best for intermediate players while the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air Pickleball Paddle suits advanced players.
Neither is specifically designed for beginners — the JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16mm Pickleball Paddle suits intermediate players and the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air Pickleball Paddle suits advanced players. Beginners may find both challenging.
The JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16mm Pickleball Paddle (£149) 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 intermediate players, the extra investment in the JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16mm Pickleball Paddle can pay off.