I play competitive doubles pickleball at a 5.0+ DUPR — as a serious competitor who trains, travels to tournaments, and cares about equipment at a level where differences actually matter.
How I test
I care about how paddles perform under pressure: resets against hard attackers, dink placement in extended rally battles, etc. I also care about specific metrics: RPM, swing weight, twist weight, and how surface texture holds up over weeks of play.
No brand pays for review spots on this site. I write honestly — including the negatives.
What you’ll find here
- Paddle reviews — structured the same way every time: quick specs, feel & control, power & pop, spin, who it’s for, honest verdict. No scores.
- Head-to-head comparisons — when the “which one?” question comes up enough to deserve a dedicated answer.
- Buying guides — best paddle for specific player types and situations, optimized for actually being useful rather than gaming search results.
- Gear reviews — shoes, bags, and other equipment worth writing about. Selkirk shoes in particular are underrated and drive real value for the right player.
On affiliate links and the Selkirk code
I’m a Selkirk Advocate. That means I have a discount code — ADV-NSMYTH — that saves you money at checkout on Selkirk.com. It applies across the full catalog: paddles, shoes, bags, apparel, accessories. I earn a small commission when you use it. This is disclosed on every post with affiliate links.
That relationship doesn’t change what I write. If a Selkirk paddle has a problem, I say so. The reviews that actually build trust are the ones that call out real trade-offs.
Who this is for
Players who want specifics. I write with a competitive lens but explain the concepts when they’re useful — you don’t need to be a 5.0 to get value from these reviews. If you’re deciding between two paddles, stepping up from a beginner option, or trying to figure out whether a new release is actually worth the hype, this is the right place to check first.
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Affiliate disclosure: This site contains affiliate links. If you buy through them I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. No brand pays for review coverage.