Selkirk Labs Project 008 Summary
The Selkirk Labs Project 008 introduces PureFoam, a high-density foam resistant to core degradation, the first of its kind across all Selkirk divisions. It’s also one of the best Selkirk paddles to date.
Retail Price: $288
Pros:
- Great balance of power and control
- Carbon fiber wrapped PureFoam Core
- Capable of generating good ball spin
Cons:
- Core break-in time
- Requires finesse to unlock full potential
- Not an abundance of grit
Selkirk Labs Project 008 Show
Shortly after the release of the Selkirk Labs Project 007 came the Project 008, which introduced PureFoam, a high-density foam resistant to core degradation, the first of its kind across all Selkirk divisions.
The Selkirk Labs Project 008 is currently available in two thickness options, 13mm for more of a balance between power and control, and 16mm, which is geared towards control performance. There is also a 10mm thick option (just released last week) for those looking for extra power.
The paddle tested is a 13mm elongated Invikta shape, but it is also available in standard Epic and revamped Tour shapes. The Tour shape has a longer handle for tennis players, and the 16mm option is only available in the Tour shape, as the extra thickness compensates for the loss of sweet spot size due to a smaller hitting area. When available, the 10mm will have all three shapes.
Selkirk Labs Project 008 Specifications
(13mm Elongated Invikta shape)
- Skill Level: Intermediate to Pro
- Average Weight: 7.7-8.1 oz
- Grip Length: 5.5”
- Grip Circumference: 4.25”
- Paddle Height: 16.45”
- Paddle Width: 7.45”
- Core Thickness: 13mm
- Core Material: PureFoam
- Average Swingweight: (may vary +/- 2 pts): 109.1
- Average Twistweight: (may vary +/- 0.3 pts): 5.65
- Assembled in the USA
- Selkirk LABS 2-Year Warranty
- Country of Origin: Assembled in the USA
Selkirk Labs Project 008 Review
The Selkirk Labs Project 008 is interesting in terms of performance. While the 13mm balanced both power and control as well as advertised, it seems there was both a user adjustment period as well as a bit of core break in to unlock just a touch more power.
The PureFoam core wrapped in the softness of raw carbon fiber seemed to lend itself to dwell time, so the paddle feels like it hugs the ball a bit upon contact. This is great for control and generating ball spin without relying on grit, but admittedly, it takes a bit of discipline and proper technique in all scenarios.
If you aren’t careful to hit the ball clean, you may come across some odd results like I did until I smartened up. All that being said , the Project 008’s biggest area for improvement in my time testing is the hitting surface durability.
Out of the box, the raw carbon fiber face felt rather smooth compared to other paddles, and the wear was visibly noticeable after the first and second sessions with the paddle. Fortunately, I don’t see much of an increase in wear from that point, and the paddle generates a lot of spin without a ton of grit. It’s still something to note but doesn’t seem to be a concern that affects performance.
Overall, the Selkirk Labs Project 008 does perform well as the company’s first full foam-core paddle. If you do not trust paddles that lack an abundance of grit, it may not be the foam-core paddle for you, but those that have the patience to dial the paddle in and play a strong fundamental game should feel the benefits of control, power, and spin that the Project 008 provides. Initially, I wasn’t sure it was the paddle for me, but with time I can now say it’s one of my preferred options from any of Selkirk’s divisions, along with the SLK Halo Pro XL.
