Engage Encore Pro EX vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
Add a third paddle to this comparison →
Quick answer
Engage Encore Pro EX wins this matchup for most players: it takes control, hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16, which costs $332.99.
Power
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
95 vs 70
Spin
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
91 vs 74
Control
88 vs 84
Forgiveness
Too close to call
89 vs 88
Hand speed
105 vs 118 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$130 at IQ 80.9 vs $332.99 at IQ 87.1
Overall pick: Engage Encore Pro EX · $130 · IQ 80.9
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 70Power95
- 88Control84
- 74Spin91
- 89Forgiveness88
- 90Sweet spot89
- 80Stability92
- 84Maneuverability66
- 66Pop90
- 86Touch80
- 85Consistency85
- 50Swing weight82
- 74Twist weight92
- 68Launch angle58
- 60Plow through93
- 90Softness72
Engage Encore Pro EX vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Engage Encore Pro EX | Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $130 — better | $332.99 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 80.9 | 87.1 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.8 | 8.25 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 105 | 118 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 5.9 | 7.2 — better |
| Shape | standard | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 15.9 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 7.45 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5.8 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Fiberglass composite | Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit |
| Core material | Control core | BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring |
Engage Encore Pro EX verdict
A soft, light, extremely forgiving paddle that has quietly become the default recommendation for players over 60.
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 verdict
The highest power score in the database, and the twist weight (7.2) to back it up. The MOI tuning system lets you dial the balance, but nothing turns a 118 swing weight into a fast-hands paddle.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is plow through: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 93 against 60 for Engage Encore Pro EX — a 33-point gap. They are effectively level on forgiveness, sweet spot, consistency, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Engage Encore Pro EX is $202.99 cheaper at $130.
Plow through
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 33 points (93 vs 60).
Swing weight
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 32 points (82 vs 50).
Power
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 25 points (95 vs 70).
Pop
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 24 points (90 vs 66).
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 Elongated 16
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 92 vs 74, stability 92 vs 80. Twist weight 7.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82.1 vs 83.6 on the weighted index). Take Engage Encore Pro EX and keep the $202.99.
- Power
- Spin
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 is the clearer pick at this level — plow through 93 vs 60, power 95 vs 70, spin 91 vs 74. Swing weight 118 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Plow through
- Power
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Engage Encore Pro EX
Engage Encore Pro EX is the clearer pick at this level — softness 90 vs 72, forgiveness 89 vs 88. Its 16 mm Control core at 7.8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Engage Encore Pro EX
Take Engage Encore Pro EX if you want maneuverability (+18), softness (+18), launch angle (+10). Its swing weight of 105 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Engage Encore Pro EX review →Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Take Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 if you want plow through (+33), swing weight (+32), power (+25). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 review →Engage Encore Pro EX vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Engage Encore Pro EX or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.1 vs 80.9), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — plow through — Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 33 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Engage Encore Pro EX, at 105 kg·cm² swing weight against 118 for Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Engage Encore Pro EX or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 95 for power against 70 for Engage Encore Pro EX. That comes from a 16 mm BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring core swinging at 118 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Engage Encore Pro EX at 88 versus 84. 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?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 91 for spin off its Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit face, against 74 for the Fiberglass composite face on Engage Encore Pro EX. In practice a 17-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Engage Encore Pro EX, with the higher forgiveness score (89 vs 88). Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 actually carries the higher twist weight (7.2 vs 5.9), but Engage Encore Pro EX makes it back on sweet spot (90) and overall face stability.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Engage Encore Pro EX costs $130, $202.99 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?
- Engage Encore Pro EX: 16 mm Control core with a Fiberglass composite face. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16: 16 mm BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring core with a Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16, at 5.8 in of handle against 5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Engage Encore Pro EX is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 89 and sweet spot 90 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Engage Encore Pro EX at 7.8 oz against 8.25 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (105 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Engage Encore Pro EX to the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads on plow through by 33 points; everything else is within 32 points. At $130 vs $332.99, 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.
- Encore Pro EX vs Pursuit MX 6.0
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Perseus Pro V 16
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Coral Pro
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Perseus CFS 16
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs GX2 Power Elongated
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs CRBN-3X Power Series
- Encore Pro EX vs Obsidian 16
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- Encore Pro EX vs Essentials 16
- Encore Pro EX vs Kinetic Pro Flight
- Encore Pro EX vs Prism Flash
- Encore Pro EX vs Tempest Wave V3
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Ultré Power 2
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs 1X TruFoam Power
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Hyperion Pro V 16
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Labs 008 Project 16
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 Engage Encore Pro EX and Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Engage Encore Pro EX and Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.