When shopping for a pickleball paddle, one thing you’ll quickly notice is the different terms used to describe where paddles are made: "Made in the USA," "Assembled in the USA," and "Designed in the USA."
At Selkirk Sport, these aren’t just labels — they carry important distinctions about how and where paddles are crafted. Here's what you need to know to understand the differences.
Made in the USA
Paddles labeled “Made in the USA” are manufactured and assembled in our Coeur d’Alene, Idaho facility, with the majority of materials sourced from U.S. manufacturers.
What happens in-house:
At its Idaho facility, Selkirk performs various processes, including:
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CNC routing: Precision cutting and shaping of the paddle.
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Graphics application: Adding high-quality, long-lasting graphics to the paddle face.
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Edgeguard application: Using USA-sourced adhesives to attach the edge guard for enhanced durability.
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Infinigrit™ Surface: The application of our proprietary Infinigrit™ surface, which provides a long-lasting spin capability.
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Build-up, end cap application, and grip application: Assembling the paddle's structure and applying the end cap and grip to complete a playable paddle.
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Final quality control: Ensuring every paddle meets rigorous quality standards before packaging.
These paddles represent the highest level of domestic craftsmanship and USA-sourced materials.
Assembled in the USA
Paddles marked “Assembled in the USA” utilize a mix of domestic and internationally sourced components and materials, but final assembly takes place in our Idaho facility. Each model goes through a unique process, utilizing various in-house capabilities.
What can be done in-house:
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Graphics application: Adding high-quality, long-lasting graphics to the paddle face.
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Edgeguard application: Using USA-sourced adhesives to attach the edge guard for enhanced durability.
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Infinigrit™ Surface: The application of our proprietary Infinigrit™ surface which is made with USA materials and provides a long-lasting spin capability.
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Build-up, end cap application, and grip application: Assembling the paddle's structure and applying the end cap and grip to complete a playable paddle.
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Final quality control: Ensuring every paddle meets rigorous quality standards before packaging.
These paddles benefit from our hands-on assembly, in-house manufacturing processes, and rigorous quality control, while allowing flexibility in sourcing high-quality global components.
Designed in the USA
Paddles labeled “Designed in the USA” are conceptualized, engineered, and tested by Selkirk’s R&D and product teams. Manufacturing is handled by our international partners.
What sets them apart:
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Product design and development: The paddle’s design, engineering, and testing are handled by Selkirk’s U.S.-based team.
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Onsite Selkirk team: Selkirk engineers and technicians oversee quality control and manufacturing standards onsite at partner facilities.
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Quality control and testing: Although these paddles are manufactured overseas, every model undergoes U.S.-based quality control checks and laboratory testing to ensure consistency and performance.
Superior quality control — no matter where it’s made
Whether it’s built in our Idaho facility or overseas, every Selkirk paddle must meet our strict quality standards. Quality control isn’t just a box to check — it directly impacts performance.
Poorly quality-controlled builds can lead to issues like core crushing, which shortens paddle lifespan and can result in illegal power levels. By ensuring consistency from paddle to paddle, we guarantee fairness, performance, and durability you can trust.
