Gearbox GX2 Integra XL vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 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
- 73Power71
- 94Control94
- 90Spin90
- 73Forgiveness82
- 71Sweet spot81
- 68Stability84
- 89Maneuverability97
- 70Pop70
- 92Touch92
- 78Consistency87
- 58Swing weight47
- 53Twist weight77
- 46Launch angle46
- 67Plow through59
- 90Softness90
Specs
| $170 | Price | $333 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | Core | 16 mm |
| 8 oz | Weight | 8.2 oz |
| 105 | Swing weight | 98 |
| 5.7 | Twist weight | 6.5 |
| hybrid | Shape | standard |
| TXR Surface Grip Technology (3K Woven Carbon Fiber) | Surface | Multistrata T700 Carbon |
| 5.5 in | Handle | 5.6 in |
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.
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 verdict
The widebody Boomstik keeps BoomCore's power but spreads it across a 15.95 x 8.0 in face, which is the most forgiving version of Selkirk's flagship platform.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is twist weight: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 scores 77 against 53 for Gearbox GX2 Integra XL — a 24-point gap. They are effectively level on power, control, spin, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Gearbox GX2 Integra XL is $163 cheaper at $170.
Twist weight
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 leads by 24 points (77 vs 53).
Stability
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 leads by 16 points (84 vs 68).
Swing weight
Gearbox GX2 Integra XL leads by 11 points (58 vs 47).
Sweet spot
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 leads by 10 points (81 vs 71).
Which one should you buy?
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16
Take Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 if you want twist weight (+24), stability (+16), sweet spot (+10). Its swing weight of 98 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 review →Gearbox GX2 Integra XL
Take Gearbox GX2 Integra XL if you want swing weight (+11), plow through (+8). Its swing weight of 105 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Gearbox GX2 Integra XL review →Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 vs Gearbox GX2 Integra XL FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 or the Gearbox GX2 Integra XL?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (84.1 vs 78), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 leads by 24 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16, at 98 kg·cm² swing weight against 105 for Gearbox GX2 Integra XL. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 or the Gearbox GX2 Integra XL?
- Gearbox GX2 Integra XL measures 73 on power against 71 for Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16. That comes from a 16 mm 140 FAW-Toray T-700 Mid Modulus Carbon Fiber core swinging at 105 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 at 94 versus 94. 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 Widebody 16 scores 90 for spin off its Multistrata T700 Carbon face, against 90 for the TXR Surface Grip Technology (3K Woven Carbon Fiber) face on Gearbox GX2 Integra XL. In practice a 0-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16, with 6.5 twist weight against 5.7. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (82) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Gearbox GX2 Integra XL costs $170, $163 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?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16: 16 mm BoomCore™ core with a Multistrata T700 Carbon 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.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16, at 5.6 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 Widebody 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 82 and sweet spot 81 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Gearbox GX2 Integra XL rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Gearbox GX2 Integra XL at 8 oz against 8.2 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (105 vs 98) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Gearbox GX2 Integra XL to the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 leads on twist weight by 24 points; everything else is within 16 points. At $333 vs $170, 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.
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- Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 vs Labs Project 007 Epic 14
- Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 vs Scorpeus 14
- Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 vs Kinetic Pro Flight
- Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 vs Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Hybrid
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Gearbox GX2 Integra XL and Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.