Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm vs Proton Series One Project Black
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm wins this matchup for most players: it takes forgiveness and hand speed on Paddle DNA against the Proton Series One Project Black, which costs $200.
Power
Too close to call
88 vs 86
Spin
Too close to call
91 vs 90
Control
Too close to call
86 vs 85
Forgiveness
Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm
85 vs 80
Hand speed
Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm
111 vs 117 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Proton Series One Project Black
$200 at IQ 83.8 vs $220 at IQ 85
Overall pick: Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm · $220 · IQ 85
Paddle DNA head-to-head
Estimated scores: the Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm Paddle DNA is our estimate from published specs, not a sourced profile.
- 88Power86
- 85Control86
- 91Spin90
- 85Forgiveness80
- 86Sweet spot82
- 86Stability86
- 76Maneuverability72
- 84Pop82
- 83Touch82
- 85Consistency84
- 76Swing weight76
- 82Twist weight86
- 61Launch angle54
- 83Plow through86
- 85Softness68
Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm vs Proton Series One Project Black specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm | Proton Series One Project Black |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $220 | $200 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 85 — better | 83.8 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.05 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 111 | 117 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.7 | 7 — better |
| Shape | hybrid | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.2 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.6 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.3 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | T700 raw carbon fiber with Space Dust grit over a fiberglass layer | Raw carbon fiber |
| Core material | Dual-density foam core (EPP and EVA) | Thermoformed unibody with foam walls |
Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm verdict
The second-generation Loco in the hybrid shape keeps the dual-density foam core and adds Space Dust grit. A published 111 swing weight makes it quicker than most 16mm power hybrids, while the 6.7 twist weight keeps it stable.
Proton Series One Project Black verdict
A thermoformed unibody built around stability. The foam walls push twist weight to the top of our scored range, which is why off-center drives still land deep.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is softness: Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm scores 85 against 68 for Proton Series One Project Black — a 17-point gap. They are effectively level on plow through, power, pop, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Proton Series One Project Black is $20 cheaper at $200.
Softness
Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm leads by 17 points (85 vs 68).
Launch angle
Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm leads by 7 points (61 vs 54).
Forgiveness
Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm leads by 5 points (85 vs 80).
Sweet spot
Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm leads by 4 points (86 vs 82).
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
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.4 vs 84.9 on the weighted index). Take Proton Series One Project Black and keep the $20.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82.8 vs 84.6 on the weighted index). Take Proton Series One Project Black and keep the $20.
- Maneuverability
- Forgiveness
- Power
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.4 vs 85.1 on the weighted index). Take Proton Series One Project Black and keep the $20.
- Maneuverability
- Power
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm
Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm is the clearer pick at this level — softness 85 vs 68, forgiveness 85 vs 80. Its 16 mm Dual-density foam core (EPP and EVA) core at 8.05 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Proton Series One Project Black
Take Proton Series One Project Black if you want twist weight (+4). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Proton Series One Project Black review →Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm
Take Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm if you want softness (+17), launch angle (+7), forgiveness (+5). Its swing weight of 111 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm review →Where to Buy
Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm
Proton Series One Project Black
Proton Series One Project Black vs Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm FAQ
- Which is better, the Proton Series One Project Black or the Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm?
- Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85 vs 83.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm leads by 17 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm, at 111 kg·cm² swing weight against 117 for Proton Series One Project Black. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Proton Series One Project Black or the Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm?
- Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm scores 88 for power against 86 for Proton Series One Project Black. That comes from a 16 mm Dual-density foam core (EPP and EVA) core swinging at 111 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Proton Series One Project Black at 86 versus 85. Its 16 mm core holds the ball on the face slightly longer, which is what makes resets and dinks land shorter.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm scores 91 for spin off its T700 raw carbon fiber with Space Dust grit over a fiberglass layer face, against 90 for the Raw carbon fiber face on Proton Series One Project Black. In practice a 1-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm, with the higher forgiveness score (85 vs 80). Proton Series One Project Black actually carries the higher twist weight (7 vs 6.7), but Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm makes it back on sweet spot (86) and overall face stability.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Proton Series One Project Black costs $200, $20 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?
- Proton Series One Project Black: 16 mm Thermoformed unibody with foam walls core with a Raw carbon fiber face. Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm: 16 mm Dual-density foam core (EPP and EVA) core with a T700 raw carbon fiber with Space Dust grit over a fiberglass layer face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Proton Series One Project Black, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.3 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Proton Series One Project Black avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 85 and sweet spot 86 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Proton Series One Project Black rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm at 8.05 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (111 vs 117) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Proton Series One Project Black to the Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm leads on softness by 17 points; everything else is within 7 points. At $200 vs $220, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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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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- Series One Project Black vs Agassi Pro 16
- Series One Project Black vs Mach 2 Forza 16
- Series One Project Black vs Ruby
- Series One Project Black vs R4 Pulsar
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Read the full reviews: Bread & Butter Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm and Proton Series One Project Black. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.