Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16

The verdict

Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is pop: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 90 against 74 for Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 — a 16-point gap. They are effectively level on sweet spot, forgiveness, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 is $112.99000000000001 cheaper at $220.

• Pop

  Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 16 points (90 vs 74).

• Softness

  Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 leads by 14 points (86 vs 72).

• Power

  Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 13 points (95 vs 82).

• Launch angle

  Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 12 points (58 vs 46).

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.

Which one should you buy?

Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 FAQ

Which is better, the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?

Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.1 vs 85.9), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — pop — Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 16 points.

Which one is faster at the kitchen line?

Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16, at 114 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 Pursuit Pro EX 16 or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?

Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 95 for power against 82 for Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16. 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 Pursuit Pro EX 16 at 90 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 86 for the Textured graphite face on Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16. In practice a 5-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.

Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?

Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 88 on forgiveness despite twist weights of 6.8 and 7.2.

Is the price difference worth it?

Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 costs $220, $112.99000000000001 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 Pursuit Pro EX 16: 16 mm Control Pro Black core with a Textured graphite 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 5.5 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 Pursuit Pro EX 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 88 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?

Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 at 8.25 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (118 vs 114) is what you feel mid-rally.

Is it worth upgrading from the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 to the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?

Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads on pop by 16 points; everything else is within 14 points. At $220 vs $332.99, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.

Also worth comparing

Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.

• Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Double Black Diamond Control V2
• Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs LUXX Control Air Invikta
• Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Pursuit MX 6.0
• Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs 2X TruFoam Genesis

• 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.

Read the full reviews: Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 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.