Friday Pickleball Aura vs Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air Epic
Pickle's 5-axis score
Spec-grounded, quartile-ranked across the 322-paddle catalog. Diff highlighted when one paddle leads by 0.5+ points.
The value vs. premium matchup
The Friday Pickleball Aura's 16mm core delivers a more forgiving sweet spot, while the Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air Epic's 13mm core trades a little plush feel for quicker ball speed. Friday Pickleball Aura is the value pick at $129. Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air Epic is the premium option at $219.99 — you're paying for
Side-by-side specs
| Spec | Friday Pickleball Aura | Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air Epic |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 8–8 oz | 7.7–8.1 oz |
| Shape | Elongated | Widebody |
| Core thickness | 16mm | 13mm |
| Core material | EPP foam core with EVA foam and unique throat foam | Polymer honeycomb (x5+) |
| Face material | Carbon fiber | T700 raw carbon fiber |
| Handle length | 5.5" | 5.25" |
| Price | $129 | $219.99 |
Weight
Shape
Core thickness
Core material
Face material
Handle length
Price
What the spec differences mean
- Weight. Friday Pickleball Aura is listed at 8 oz; Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air Epic at 7.7–8.1 oz. At the low end of each listed range, the Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air Epic is 0.3 oz lighter. How paddle weights compare across our catalog
- Core thickness. Friday Pickleball Aura has a 16mm core; Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air Epic has a 13mm core, so the Friday Pickleball Aura core is 3mm thicker. What core thickness changes
- Length and width. Friday Pickleball Aura measures 16.5" × 7.5"; Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air Epic measures 15.88" × 8.13" (elongated vs widebody). The Friday Pickleball Aura is 0.63" longer. Paddle shapes and the size rule
- Handle length. Friday Pickleball Aura has a 5.5" handle; Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air Epic has a 5.25" handle, so the Friday Pickleball Aura handle is 0.25" longer. What grip length changes
- Face material. Friday Pickleball Aura lists its face as Carbon fiber; Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air Epic lists T700 raw carbon fiber. Paddle face materials explained
- Core material. Friday Pickleball Aura lists its core as EPP foam core with EVA foam and unique throat foam; Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air Epic lists Polymer honeycomb. Paddle core materials explained
Who each paddle is for
Friday Pickleball Aura
Best for 3.5+ players who prioritize control and reach who play with a balanced two-handed/one-handed mix. The elongated shape extends your reach at the kitchen line, the 16mm core gives you a soft touch window, and the face surface keeps spin honest without overdoing it.
Playing style: balanced
Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air Epic
Best for advanced power players (4.0+) who can manage a hot face who play with a balanced two-handed/one-handed mix. The widebody profile gives you a generous sweet spot, the 13mm core delivers high pop with a tighter touch window, and the raw carbon face bites on spin shots.
Playing style: balanced
Both are great. Pick by playstyle, not specs.
Pick the Friday Pickleball Aura if…
- ✓you prize control on resets and dinks
- ✓you like reach at the kitchen line
Pick the Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air Epic if…
- ✓you want a hot face for put-aways
- ✓you want a generous sweet spot
More matchups with the Friday Pickleball Aura
More matchups with the Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air Epic
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