Gearbox GX2 Integra XL vs Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) wins this matchup for most players: it takes power, spin and forgiveness on Paddle DNA against the Gearbox GX2 Integra XL, which costs $170.
Power
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
85 vs 73
Spin
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
95 vs 90
Control
94 vs 88
Forgiveness
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
82 vs 73
Hand speed
105 vs 110 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$175 at IQ 85.6 vs $170 at IQ 78
Overall pick: Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) · $175 · IQ 85.6
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 73Power85
- 94Control88
- 90Spin95
- 73Forgiveness82
- 71Sweet spot84
- 68Stability83
- 89Maneuverability84
- 70Pop82
- 92Touch86
- 78Consistency88
- 58Swing weight68
- 53Twist weight82
- 46Launch angle57
- 67Plow through78
- 90Softness80
Gearbox GX2 Integra XL vs Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Gearbox GX2 Integra XL | Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $170 — better | $175 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 78 | 85.6 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 15 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 105 | 110 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 5.7 | 6.3 — better |
| Shape | hybrid | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.375 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.375 | 7.375 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.375 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4 | 4.25 |
| Surface | TXR Surface Grip Technology (3K Woven Carbon Fiber) | Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave |
| Core material | 140 FAW-Toray T-700 Mid Modulus Carbon Fiber | Nomex and polypropylene hybrid honeycomb |
Gearbox GX2 Integra XL verdict
Gearbox's solid-span construction removes the traditional honeycomb core, which is why the GX2 feels dense and quiet where thermoformed rivals feel hollow and loud.
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) verdict
The exposed Kevlar weave is the story: it grips the ball like a fresh grit face but, unlike sprayed textures, it is the material itself, so the spin number does not decay over a season.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is twist weight: Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) scores 82 against 53 for Gearbox GX2 Integra XL — a 29-point gap. Price is close enough ($170 vs $175) that it should not break the tie.
Twist weight
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 29 points (82 vs 53).
Stability
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 15 points (83 vs 68).
Sweet spot
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 13 points (84 vs 71).
Power
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 12 points (85 vs 73).
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
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 82 vs 53, sweet spot 84 vs 71, stability 83 vs 68. Twist weight 6.3 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Sweet spot
- Stability
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.3 vs 87.1 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — hybrid on the GX2 Integra XL, elongated on the Series Four (Project Roadrunner).
- Power
- Forgiveness
- Spin
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) is a narrow pick at this level — power 85 vs 73, plow through 78 vs 67, spin 95 vs 90. Swing weight 110 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Power
- Plow through
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 82 vs 53, forgiveness 82 vs 73. Its 15 mm Nomex and polypropylene hybrid honeycomb core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Gearbox GX2 Integra XL
Take Gearbox GX2 Integra XL if you want softness (+10), control (+6), touch (+6). Its swing weight of 105 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Gearbox GX2 Integra XL review →Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
Take Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) if you want twist weight (+29), stability (+15), sweet spot (+13). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 15 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) review →Gearbox GX2 Integra XL vs Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) FAQ
- Which is better, the Gearbox GX2 Integra XL or the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.6 vs 78), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 29 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Gearbox GX2 Integra XL, at 105 kg·cm² swing weight against 110 for Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner). Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Gearbox GX2 Integra XL or the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) scores 85 for power against 73 for Gearbox GX2 Integra XL. That comes from a 15 mm Nomex and polypropylene hybrid honeycomb core swinging at 110 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Gearbox GX2 Integra XL at 94 versus 88. 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?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) scores 95 for spin off its Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave face, against 90 for the TXR Surface Grip Technology (3K Woven Carbon Fiber) face on Gearbox GX2 Integra XL. In practice a 5-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner), with the higher forgiveness score (82 vs 73). Its 6.3 twist weight against 5.7 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $5 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Gearbox GX2 Integra XL: 16 mm 140 FAW-Toray T-700 Mid Modulus Carbon Fiber core with a TXR Surface Grip Technology (3K Woven Carbon Fiber) face. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner): 15 mm Nomex and polypropylene hybrid honeycomb core with an Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Gearbox GX2 Integra XL, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.375 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Gearbox GX2 Integra XL avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 82 and sweet spot 84 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Gearbox GX2 Integra XL rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) at 7.9 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (110 vs 105) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Gearbox GX2 Integra XL to the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads on twist weight by 29 points; everything else is within 15 points. At $170 vs $175, 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.
- GX2 Integra XL vs GX2 Power Elongated
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Series One Project Black
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Double Black Diamond Control
- GX2 Integra XL vs Double Black Diamond Control
- GX2 Integra XL vs Quartz Control
- GX2 Integra XL vs BALLR+ 16
- GX2 Integra XL vs Vanguard Control Air Invikta
- GX2 Integra XL vs Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Hybrid
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- GX2 Integra XL vs Hyperion C2 CFS 16
- GX2 Integra XL vs BALLR+ 16
- GX2 Integra XL vs Perseus 14
- GX2 Integra XL vs Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Hybrid
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Series Two Project Flash
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Ruby Hybrid 16
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Vice V2 16
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Scorpeus Pro IV 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 Gearbox GX2 Integra XL and Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Gearbox GX2 Integra XL and Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner). Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.