Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 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
- 93Power95
- 83Control84
- 86Spin91
- 78Forgiveness88
- 80Sweet spot89
- 87Stability92
- 70Maneuverability66
- 89Pop90
- 80Touch80
- 84Consistency85
- 82Swing weight82
- 84Twist weight92
- 60Launch angle58
- 91Plow through93
- 68Softness72
Specs
| $250 | Price | $333 |
|---|---|---|
| 14 mm | Core | 16 mm |
| 8.4 oz | Weight | 8.25 oz |
| 123 | Swing weight | 118 |
| 6.3 | Twist weight | 7.2 |
| elongated | Shape | elongated |
| Textured carbon | Surface | Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit |
| 5.5 in | Handle | 5.8 in |
Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated verdict
Gearbox's solid-span construction with a genuine power tune. It feels unlike any honeycomb paddle — firmer, more direct — and rewards players who already hit clean.
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 verdict
The highest measured power in the database, and the twist weight (7.2) to back it up. The MOI tuning system lets you dial the balance, but nothing turns a 118 swing weight into a fast-hands paddle.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, 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 $83 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 should you buy?
Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated
Take Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated if you want maneuverability (+4). Its swing weight of 123 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated review →Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Take Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 if you want forgiveness (+10), sweet spot (+9), twist weight (+8). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 review →Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- 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 Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 measures 95 on 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 7.2 twist weight against 6.3. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (88) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated costs $250, $83 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?
- Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated: 14 mm Solid-span carbon (no honeycomb) core with a Textured carbon 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?
- 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. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable 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 $250 vs $333, 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 Labs Project 006
- GX2 Power Elongated vs Hyperion CFS 16
- GX2 Power Elongated vs Hyperion Pro V 16
- GX2 Power Elongated vs Friction Pro Elongated V2
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Ultré Power 2
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Hyperion Pro V 16
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Friction Pro Elongated V2
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Labs Project 006
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.