Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard vs Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 86Power82
- 87Control90
- 86Spin82
- 88Forgiveness84
- 89Sweet spot84
- 87Stability88
- 77Maneuverability70
- 82Pop76
- 85Touch90
- 86Consistency90
- 76Swing weight78
- 86Twist weight84
- 62Launch angle48
- 80Plow through86
- 86Softness84
Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard vs Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard | Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $180 | $180 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 85.7 — better | 84.7 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.1 | 8.4 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 19.8 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 111 | 120 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.8 — better | 6.5 |
| Shape | standard | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 7.375 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Carbon–fiberglass–carbon face | FiberFlex fiberglass |
| Core material | Full foam dual-density core | X5 polypropylene honeycomb |
Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard verdict
The forgiving Loco. Widening the face lifts sweet spot and twist weight and drops the swing weight below the other two shapes, at the cost of some reach and drive.
Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta verdict
Selkirk's long-running Invikta shape in the softer Vanguard 2.0 build. Touch 90 and consistency 90 with 86 plow-through make it a drive-and-reset paddle for patient players.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is launch angle: Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard scores 62 against 48 for Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta — a 14-point gap. They are effectively level on control, swing weight, twist weight, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($180 vs $180) that it should not break the tie.
Launch angle
Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard leads by 14 points (62 vs 48).
Maneuverability
Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard leads by 7 points (77 vs 70).
Pop
Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard leads by 6 points (82 vs 76).
Plow through
Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta leads by 6 points (86 vs 80).
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 (86 vs 87.4 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — elongated on the Vanguard 2.0 Invikta, standard on the Loco 16mm Standard.
- Sweet spot
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.3 vs 84.7 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — elongated on the Vanguard 2.0 Invikta, standard on the Loco 16mm Standard.
- Maneuverability
- Spin
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.5 vs 83.8 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — elongated on the Vanguard 2.0 Invikta, standard on the Loco 16mm Standard.
- Maneuverability
- Power
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard
Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard is a narrow pick at this level — softness 86 vs 84, forgiveness 88 vs 84, twist weight 86 vs 84. Its 16 mm Full foam dual-density core core at 8.1 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta
Take Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta if you want plow through (+6), touch (+5), consistency (+4). Its swing weight of 120 kg·cm² and 19.8 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta review →Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard
Take Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard if you want launch angle (+14), maneuverability (+7), pop (+6). Its swing weight of 111 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard review →Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta or the Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard?
- Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.7 vs 84.7), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — launch angle — Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard leads by 14 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard, at 111 kg·cm² swing weight against 120 for Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta or the Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard?
- Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard measures 86 on power against 82 for Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta. That comes from a 16 mm Full foam dual-density core core swinging at 111 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta at 90 versus 87. Its 19.8 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 16mm Standard scores 86 for spin off its Carbon–fiberglass–carbon face face, against 82 for the FiberFlex fiberglass face on Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta. In practice a 4-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard, with 6.8 twist weight against 6.5. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard carries the higher forgiveness score (88) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $0 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta: 19.8 mm X5 polypropylene honeycomb core with a FiberFlex fiberglass face. Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard: 16 mm Full foam dual-density core core with a Carbon–fiberglass–carbon face face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta, at 5.25 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 89 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard at 8.1 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (111 vs 120) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta to the Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard leads on launch angle by 14 points; everything else is within 7 points. At $180 vs $180, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
This matchup is a control vs power decision
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Read the full reviews: Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard and Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.