Babolat BALLR+ 16 vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (84.1 vs 80.9), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
75 vs 71
Spin
Too close to call
90 vs 90
Control
Too close to call
94 vs 94
Forgiveness
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16
82 vs 76
Hand speed
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16
98 vs 105 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$120 at IQ 80.9 vs $333 at IQ 84.1
Overall pick: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 · $333 · IQ 84.1
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 75Power71
- 94Control94
- 90Spin90
- 76Forgiveness82
- 75Sweet spot81
- 77Stability84
- 86Maneuverability97
- 70Pop70
- 92Touch92
- 82Consistency87
- 58Swing weight47
- 65Twist weight77
- 46Launch angle46
- 70Plow through59
- 90Softness90
Babolat BALLR+ 16 vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Babolat BALLR+ 16 | Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $120 — better | $333 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 80.9 | 84.1 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8.2 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 105 | 98 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.1 | 6.5 — better |
| Shape | hybrid | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16.2 | 15.95 |
| Face width(in) | 7.6 | 8 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.6 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Biaxial 3K Woven Carbon Fiber w/RPM Max Grit | Multistrata T700 Carbon |
| Core material | X5™ Polypropylene Honeycomb | BoomCore™ |
Babolat BALLR+ 16 verdict
Babolat brings its RPM tennis grit to pickleball on a 16 mm hybrid. The face texture is the story — it spins like a raw carbon paddle without the chalky wear pattern.
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 verdict
The widebody Boomstik keeps BoomCore's power but spreads it across a 15.95 x 8.0 in face, which is the most forgiving version of Selkirk's flagship platform.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is twist weight: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 scores 77 against 65 for Babolat BALLR+ 16 — a 12-point gap. They are effectively level on control, spin, pop, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Babolat BALLR+ 16 is $213 cheaper at $120.
Twist weight
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 leads by 12 points (77 vs 65).
Maneuverability
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 leads by 11 points (97 vs 86).
Swing weight
Babolat BALLR+ 16 leads by 11 points (58 vs 47).
Plow through
Babolat BALLR+ 16 leads by 11 points (70 vs 59).
Which one is right for your level?
Each call below re-weights the Paddle DNA traits that matter at that level, so the winner can differ from the overall pick.
Beginner
New to 3.0 — still building a consistent contact point
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 77 vs 65, forgiveness 82 vs 76, sweet spot 81 vs 75. Twist weight 6.5 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 is a narrow pick at this level — maneuverability 97 vs 86, forgiveness 82 vs 76, consistency 87 vs 82. At 98 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Forgiveness
- Consistency
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.9 vs 82.6 on the weighted index). Take Babolat BALLR+ 16 and keep the $213.
- Plow through
- Power
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 77 vs 65, forgiveness 82 vs 76. Its 16 mm BoomCore™ core at 8.2 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Babolat BALLR+ 16
Take Babolat BALLR+ 16 if you want swing weight (+11), plow through (+11), power (+4). Its swing weight of 105 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Babolat BALLR+ 16 review →Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16
Take Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 if you want twist weight (+12), maneuverability (+11), stability (+7). Its swing weight of 98 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 review →Babolat BALLR+ 16 vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Babolat BALLR+ 16 or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (84.1 vs 80.9), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 leads by 12 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16, at 98 kg·cm² swing weight against 105 for Babolat BALLR+ 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Babolat BALLR+ 16 or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16?
- Babolat BALLR+ 16 scores 75 for power against 71 for Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16. That comes from a 16 mm X5™ Polypropylene Honeycomb core swinging at 105 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 94 for control.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 90 for spin.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16, with the higher forgiveness score (82 vs 76). Its 6.5 twist weight against 6.1 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Babolat BALLR+ 16 costs $120, $213 less. Whether that gap is worth closing depends on whether you actually use the traits it trades away — check the head-to-head DNA bars above before paying up.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Babolat BALLR+ 16: 16 mm X5™ Polypropylene Honeycomb core with a Biaxial 3K Woven Carbon Fiber w/RPM Max Grit face. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16: 16 mm BoomCore™ core with a Multistrata T700 Carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16, at 5.6 in of handle against 5.5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 82 and sweet spot 81 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Babolat BALLR+ 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 at 8.2 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (98 vs 105) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Babolat BALLR+ 16 to the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 leads on twist weight by 12 points; everything else is within 11 points. At $120 vs $333, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Related comparisons
The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
- BALLR+ 16 vs Signature Carbon STR
- Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 vs Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
- Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 vs Coral Pro
- BALLR+ 16 vs Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Hybrid
- BALLR+ 16 vs Hyperion C2 CFS 16
- BALLR+ 16 vs R1 Pulsar
- BALLR+ 16 vs GX2 Integra XL
- BALLR+ 16 vs Double Black Diamond Control
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
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- BALLR+ 16 vs Hyperion C2 CFS 16
- BALLR+ 16 vs GX2 Integra XL
- BALLR+ 16 vs Coral Hybrid 16
- Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 vs Labs Project 007 Epic 14
- Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 vs Scorpeus 14
- Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 vs Kinetic Pro Flight
- Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 vs Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Hybrid
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Babolat BALLR+ 16 and Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Babolat BALLR+ 16 and Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.