Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16

The verdict

Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is forgiveness: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 88 against 78 for Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated — a 10-point gap. They are effectively level on power, launch angle, plow through, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated is $82.99000000000001 cheaper at $250.

• Forgiveness

  Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 10 points (88 vs 78).

• Sweet spot

  Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 9 points (89 vs 80).

• Twist weight

  Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 8 points (92 vs 84).

• Spin

  Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 5 points (91 vs 86).

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?

Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated FAQ

Which is better, the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 or the Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated?

Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.1 vs 83.4), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — forgiveness — Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 10 points.

Which one is faster at the kitchen line?

Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16, at 118 kg·cm² swing weight against 123 for Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.

Which paddle has more power, the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 or the Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated?

Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 95 for power against 93 for Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated. 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?

Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 at 84 versus 83. 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 carbon face on Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated. In practice a 5-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.

Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?

Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16, with the higher forgiveness score (88 vs 78). Its 7.2 twist weight against 6.3 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.

Is the price difference worth it?

Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated costs $250, $82.99000000000001 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?

Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16: 16 mm BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring core with a Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit face. Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated: 14 mm Solid-span carbon (no honeycomb) core with a Textured carbon 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?

Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 89 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated 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 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (118 vs 123) is what you feel mid-rally.

Is it worth upgrading from the Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated to the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?

Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads on forgiveness by 10 points; everything else is within 9 points. At $332.99 vs $250, 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.

• GX2 Power Elongated vs 2X Power Series
• GX2 Power Elongated vs Labs Project 006
• GX2 Power Elongated vs Pro XS 16
• GX2 Power Elongated vs Hyperion CFS 16

• 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: Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated 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.