Which pro-tier paddle wins for Australian players?
For most Australian players, the RPM Q2 16mm Elongated wins on value, spin, and connected feel — at $357.50 delivered same-day from Sydney. The Selkirk Omni Elongated wins if you want an adjustable paddle you can retune for power or control with removable side weights, and you're comfortable spending $449 to get it. Both are premium foam-core paddles built around the same modern construction philosophy — the split comes down to whether you want set-and-forget precision or dial-in-your-own-feel adjustability.
The quick verdict
If you're an intermediate-to-advanced Australian player buying your next paddle and you want us to just pick one — it's the RPM Q2. Ben's been playing the Q2 for months and Chris keeps stealing it. It plays heavier and more connected than a full-foam paddle has any right to, spins the ball hard off John Kew's tuned groove channels, and lands at $357.50 with same-day dispatch from our Sydney warehouse.
The Selkirk Omni Elongated is the smarter buy if you're the kind of player who can't help fiddling with your gear. The MOI Tuning System — three removable 7.5g side weights that reposition low/mid/high on the frame — lets you make it feel like a light control paddle one week and a head-heavy power stick the next. If that flexibility matters to you and $449 is inside your budget, the Omni's a great paddle. If it doesn't, save the $91 and grab the Q2.
Winners by category: Power → tie. Spin → RPM Q2. Control at the kitchen → Selkirk Omni. Sweet spot forgiveness → Selkirk Omni. Value for money → RPM Q2. Longevity → Selkirk Omni edges it on brand track record.
The RPM Q2 16mm Elongated — in detail
RPM was launched by James Ignatowich, one of the top-ranked pro men's players. It's not a marketing partnership — Ignatowich actually competes with an RPM paddle on tour. That matters because it means the Q2 wasn't designed by committee; it was designed to survive pro-level striking under a pro's name.
RPM brought in John Kew to co-engineer the Q2 — Kew is one of the most engineering-literate paddle reviewers in the game, and his input shows up in the specifics. The Q2 is RPM's first paddle to ditch traditional polymer honeycomb in favour of a fully-moulded EPP foam core with 3mm groove channels tuned for uniform flex. That's a real construction shift, not a marketing tweak. The grooves are moulded directly into the foam (not post-cut incisions), and RPM tuned the foam density variably across the paddle to flatten the diving-board response you sometimes get with foam builds.
The 16mm Elongated version pairs that foam core with a 16.5-inch frame, TPU perimeter inserts (denser and more elastic than standard EVA) to reduce twist on off-centre contact, and RPM's CarbonBite fibre surface for spin. The result is a paddle that plays heavier than 8.1oz suggests — you get plow-through, connected feedback (rare on foam builds), and enough surface grit to snap heavy topspin thirds.
Specs: 114 swing weight (fast hands), 6.1 twist weight, CarbonBite surface, EPP foam core with 3mm channels. Price: A$357.50.
Best for: intermediate-to-advanced players who want elite power with a connected feel, without paying premium-brand tax.
Have a look at the Q2 → RPM Q2 16mm Elongated
The Selkirk Omni Elongated — in detail
Selkirk is the OG name in pro pickleball paddles. Ben Johns — the greatest player in the sport's history — plays a Selkirk. So does Simone Jardim. That kind of pedigree gets you a certain kind of buyer, and Selkirk has spent 20+ years building the manufacturing quality to back it up.
The Omni is Selkirk's answer to the growing "adjustable paddle" category. It uses the ReactCore — a PureFoam floating centre surrounded by an EVA Power Ring, which is the same construction lineage as their Project Boomstik (a foam-and-ring build the wider Selkirk community has been asking for since 2024). Selkirk added the PureFoam Ring to smooth out the connected feel and give the Omni more touch than the earlier Boomstik prototypes had.
The differentiator is the MOI Tuning System. Three removable 7.5g weights slide into a track along the paddle's sides. You can position them low (stability without adding much swing weight), mid (balanced feel), or high (head-heavy, more power, higher swing weight). Effectively three paddles in one, all sharing the same face and core.
The elongated shape adds reach, a longer contact path, and plow-through. Selkirk's Multi-Strata carbon face pairs with their InfiniGrit surface treatment, which is designed to hold grit longer than standard sanded surfaces.
Specs: 16mm ReactCore, 41.91cm (16.5") length, 18.92cm (7.45") width, 230-238g weight, 14.73cm (5.8") handle, Multi-Strata Carbon Fibre with InfiniGrit. Price: A$449.00.
Best for: intermediate-to-advanced players who want tuneability and are willing to pay a premium for it — plus buyers who value Selkirk's brand pedigree.
Have a look at the Omni → Selkirk Omni Elongated
Side-by-side spec table
| Spec | RPM Q2 16mm Elongated | Selkirk Omni Elongated |
|---|---|---|
| Price (AU) | A$357.50 | A$449.00 |
| Core | Full-mould EPP foam, 3mm groove channels | ReactCore — PureFoam centre + PureFoam Ring + EVA Power Ring |
| Core thickness | 16mm | 16mm |
| Surface | CarbonBite fibre | Multi-Strata Carbon Fibre with InfiniGrit |
| Frame length | 16.5" (41.91cm) | 16.5" (41.91cm) |
| Frame width | ~7.5" | 7.45" (18.92cm) |
| Handle length | 5.5" | 5.8" (14.73cm) |
| Weight | ~8.1oz (230g) | 8.1-8.4oz (230-238g) |
| Swing weight | 114 | Variable via MOI weights |
| Twist weight | 6.1 | Adjustable via MOI weights |
| Perimeter tech | TPU perimeter inserts | MOI Tuning System (3× removable 7.5g) |
| Warranty (AU) | Handled locally via Pickld | Handled locally via Pickld |
| Delivery (AU) | Same-day dispatch from Sydney | Same-day dispatch from Sydney |
| Best for | Set-and-forget spin + power | Adjustability + brand pedigree |
Category-by-category head-to-head
Power — TIE. Both hit hard. The Q2's foam core delivers explosive pop with a connected release; the Omni's ReactCore is engineered to give you Boomstik-style power ceiling with more touch. Neither paddle is under-gunned.
Spin — RPM Q2 wins. The CarbonBite surface and 3mm groove channels are a spin-optimised construction — RPM's whole brand identity is "Revolutions Per Minute", and the Q2 is what happens when they lean fully into that. The Selkirk's InfiniGrit is genuinely good — Selkirk's texturing tech is best-in-class for longevity — but the Q2's out-of-the-box grit is measurably higher.
Control — Selkirk Omni wins. Foam-core paddles historically trade touch for power. The Omni's PureFoam Ring is specifically engineered to reintroduce the connected feel that pure-foam builds lose — and it delivers. Resets and dinks at the kitchen line come off the Omni with more feedback than the Q2.
Sweet spot / forgiveness — Selkirk Omni wins. The MOI Tuning System lets you position weights low for maximum twist-weight and sweet-spot expansion. The Q2's 6.1 twist weight is competitive but fixed. The Omni's is adjustable.
Durability — Selkirk Omni edges it. Selkirk has 20+ years of paddle manufacturing under their belt. Their surface treatments have known-good longevity. RPM is newer to market (Q2 launched 2026) and while build quality is genuinely good, we don't have 5 years of durability data.
Value for money — RPM Q2 wins convincingly. You're paying A$91 more for the Selkirk. That premium buys you adjustability, brand pedigree, and slightly better all-court feel. It doesn't buy you more power or more spin. For most Australian buyers, the Q2 is the better dollar-for-dollar paddle.
Which one to buy — by player type
- Baseline power hitter: Grab the RPM Q2. The connected foam feel and elongated reach are built for the attacking baseline game.
- Kitchen crafter: Grab the Selkirk Omni Elongated. The ReactCore's touch and the MOI weights (position them low) give you kitchen-line feedback.
- All-court player who wants one paddle for everything: Grab the Selkirk Omni. Or save $91 and accept slightly less kitchen touch with the RPM Q2.
- Tournament player who's fussy about tuning: Grab the Selkirk Omni. Tune per event.
- Weekend rec player buying their second-ever paddle: Grab the RPM Q2.
- Player upgrading from a $150-$200 mid-tier: RPM Q2. Not sure whether to upgrade at all? Read our mid-tier vs pro-tier decision guide first.
- Player who's been playing Ben Johns paddles and wants brand consistency: Selkirk Omni.
Comparing across other brands too?
If you're not sold on RPM or Selkirk and want to look wider: the Honolulu J6CR Sword & Shield line is another pro-tier option at $308 with genuinely elite spin — rarer in Australia and worth considering if you want something different from the pack.
Where to buy in Australia
Both paddles are in stock at Pickld, the authorised Australian dealer for both RPM and Selkirk. Same-day dispatch from our Sydney warehouse if you order before 2pm AEST, and warranty for both is handled locally.
- Sydney buyers get next-day delivery — see the Sydney paddles page
- Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth — 2-5 business days via Australia Post
- Free shipping over A$150 anywhere in Australia — full delivery info
Browse the full ranges: RPM paddles · Selkirk paddles
FAQ
Is the RPM Q2 as good as more expensive Selkirk paddles?
For most players — yes. The Q2 matches or beats the Selkirk Omni on spin, connected feel, and value. Where the Omni wins is adjustability (MOI Tuning System) and brand pedigree. If those don't matter to you, the Q2 is the better dollar-for-dollar buy.
Can I use MOI weights on the RPM Q2?
No — the Q2 uses fixed TPU perimeter inserts baked into the frame, not removable weights. If you want a paddle you can retune session-to-session, the Selkirk Omni is your answer.
Which paddle is better for spin — RPM Q2 or Selkirk Omni?
The RPM Q2. RPM stands for "Revolutions Per Minute" and the entire paddle is engineered around spin. The Selkirk's InfiniGrit is very good and holds longer, but out-of-the-box spin rate is measurably lower.
What warranty do I get if I buy in Australia?
Both come with full manufacturer warranty. Pickld handles the claim locally on your behalf — you don't ship internationally. Typical resolution is 5-10 business days for a warranty replacement.
Which paddle is better for a 3.5+ DUPR player?
Either — both are legitimate pro-tier options. Default: RPM Q2 for spin-first aggressive players; Selkirk Omni for control-first all-court players who want tuning options.
Cheers, Ben + Chris — Pickld, Sydney