Franklin Signature Carbon STR vs Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta 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
- 76Power88
- 83Control80
- 80Spin78
- 85Forgiveness84
- 86Sweet spot84
- 78Stability86
- 82Maneuverability72
- 76Pop90
- 79Touch76
- 81Consistency80
- 54Swing weight76
- 72Twist weight84
- 63Launch angle62
- 64Plow through86
- 82Softness72
Specs
| $110 | Price | $100 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | Core | 16 mm |
| 8 oz | Weight | 8 oz |
| 110 | Swing weight | 115 |
| 6 | Twist weight | 6.4 |
| standard | Shape | elongated |
| Raw carbon | Surface | FiberFlex+ fiberglass with ProSpin+ micro texture |
| 5 in | Handle | 5 in |
Franklin Signature Carbon STR verdict
Franklin's most credible performance paddle to date. It will not win a spin shootout, but the balance and build quality are honest for the money.
Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta verdict
Fiberglass instead of carbon means more pop and less bite. At $100 the Pro Air Invikta is the cheapest way into elongated Selkirk power, as long as you do not need a raw-carbon spin number.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is swing weight: Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta scores 76 against 54 for Franklin Signature Carbon STR — a 22-point gap. They are effectively level on control, touch, spin, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($100 vs $110) that it should not break the tie.
Swing weight
Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta leads by 22 points (76 vs 54).
Plow through
Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta leads by 22 points (86 vs 64).
Pop
Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta leads by 14 points (90 vs 76).
Power
Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta leads by 12 points (88 vs 76).
Which one should you buy?
Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta
Take Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta if you want swing weight (+22), plow through (+22), pop (+14). Its swing weight of 115 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta review →Franklin Signature Carbon STR
Take Franklin Signature Carbon STR if you want maneuverability (+10), softness (+10). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Franklin Signature Carbon STR review →Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta vs Franklin Signature Carbon STR FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta or the Franklin Signature Carbon STR?
- Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (81.9 vs 79.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta leads by 22 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR, at 110 kg·cm² swing weight against 115 for Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta or the Franklin Signature Carbon STR?
- Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta measures 88 on power against 76 for Franklin Signature Carbon STR. That comes from a 16 mm X5+ honeycomb with FlexFoam perimeter core swinging at 115 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR at 83 versus 80. 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?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR scores 80 for spin off its Raw carbon face, against 78 for the FiberFlex+ fiberglass with ProSpin+ micro texture face on Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta, with 6.4 twist weight against 6. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Franklin Signature Carbon STR carries the higher forgiveness score (85) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $10 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta: 16 mm X5+ honeycomb with FlexFoam perimeter core with a FiberFlex+ fiberglass with ProSpin+ micro texture face. Franklin Signature Carbon STR: 16 mm Polymer honeycomb core with a Raw carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta, at 5 in of handle against 5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 85 and sweet spot 86 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta at 8 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (115 vs 110) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Franklin Signature Carbon STR to the Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta leads on swing weight by 22 points; everything else is within 22 points. At $100 vs $110, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Read the full reviews: Franklin Signature Carbon STR and Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.