Gearbox Pro Integra Power 16 vs Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes spin, control and forgiveness on Paddle DNA against the Gearbox Pro Integra Power 16, which costs $280.
Power
94 vs 90
Spin
86 vs 82
Control
84 vs 76
Forgiveness
86 vs 78
Hand speed
Too close to call
118 vs 120 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$280 at IQ 85.2 vs $280 at IQ 80.9
Overall pick: Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 · $280 · IQ 85.2
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 94Power90
- 76Control84
- 82Spin86
- 78Forgiveness86
- 80Sweet spot88
- 88Stability90
- 70Maneuverability72
- 90Pop86
- 70Touch78
- 78Consistency84
- 82Swing weight80
- 84Twist weight88
- 62Launch angle58
- 92Plow through90
- 56Softness70
Gearbox Pro Integra Power 16 vs Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Gearbox Pro Integra Power 16 | Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $280 | $280 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 80.9 | 85.2 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.5 | 8.4 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 120 | 118 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.9 | 7 — better |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.4 | 7.4 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Solid-span carbon | Raw carbon fiber |
| Core material | Solid carbon core | Foam-injected polymer |
Gearbox Pro Integra Power 16 verdict
The most raw power in the database. Power 94 and plow-through 92 come with a 120 swing weight — this is a serve-and-drive weapon, not a kitchen paddle.
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 verdict
A Labs release built for plow-through. Twist weight 88 and stability 90 are among the highest pairings in the database — it simply does not twist on off-center hits.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is softness: Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 scores 70 against 56 for Gearbox Pro Integra Power 16 — a 14-point gap. They are effectively level on stability, maneuverability, swing weight, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Both sell for $280, so price cannot break the tie.
Softness
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 leads by 14 points (70 vs 56).
Control
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 leads by 8 points (84 vs 76).
Forgiveness
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 leads by 8 points (86 vs 78).
Sweet spot
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 leads by 8 points (88 vs 80).
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
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 is the clearer pick at this level — forgiveness 86 vs 78, sweet spot 88 vs 80, consistency 84 vs 78. Twist weight 7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 is a narrow pick at this level — control 84 vs 76, forgiveness 86 vs 78, touch 78 vs 70. At 118 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Control
- Forgiveness
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 is a narrow pick at this level — touch 78 vs 70, control 84 vs 76, spin 86 vs 82. Swing weight 118 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Touch
- Control
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 70 vs 56, forgiveness 86 vs 78, twist weight 88 vs 84. Its 16 mm Foam-injected polymer core at 8.4 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Gearbox Pro Integra Power 16
Take Gearbox Pro Integra Power 16 if you want power (+4), pop (+4), launch angle (+4). Its swing weight of 120 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Gearbox Pro Integra Power 16 review →Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16
Take Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 if you want softness (+14), control (+8), forgiveness (+8). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 review →Gearbox Pro Integra Power 16 vs Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Gearbox Pro Integra Power 16 or the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16?
- Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.2 vs 80.9), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 leads by 14 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16, at 118 kg·cm² swing weight against 120 for Gearbox Pro Integra Power 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Gearbox Pro Integra Power 16 or the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16?
- Gearbox Pro Integra Power 16 scores 94 for power against 90 for Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16. That comes from a 16 mm Solid carbon core swinging at 120 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 at 84 versus 76. 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 008 Project 16 scores 86 for spin off its Raw carbon fiber face, against 82 for the Solid-span carbon face on Gearbox Pro Integra Power 16. In practice a 4-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16, with the higher forgiveness score (86 vs 78). Its 7 twist weight against 6.9 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Both list at $280. Too close to call — neither has an advantage here.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Gearbox Pro Integra Power 16: 16 mm Solid carbon core with a Solid-span carbon face. Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16: 16 mm Foam-injected polymer core with a Raw carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both run a 5.5 in handle, long enough that neither forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 86 and sweet spot 88 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Gearbox Pro Integra Power 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 at 8.4 oz against 8.5 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (118 vs 120) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Gearbox Pro Integra Power 16 to the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 leads on softness by 14 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $280 vs $280, 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.
- Pro Integra Power 16 vs CX14H Ultimate Power
- Pro Integra Power 16 vs Power Pro X 14
- Pro Integra Power 16 vs Perseus Pro V 14
- Pro Integra Power 16 vs Pro Power Elongated
- Pro Integra Power 16 vs Vanguard Power Air
- Pro Integra Power 16 vs GX2 Power Elongated
- Pro Integra Power 16 vs Labs Project 006
- Labs 008 Project 16 vs Labs Project 006
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- Pro Integra Power 16 vs Pro XS 16
- Pro Integra Power 16 vs GX2 Power Elongated
- Pro Integra Power 16 vs Vantage Power 16
- Pro Integra Power 16 vs CX14E Ultimate Power
- Labs 008 Project 16 vs 1X TruFoam Power
- Labs 008 Project 16 vs CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
- Labs 008 Project 16 vs Mach 2 Forza 16
- Labs 008 Project 16 vs Ultré Power 2
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 Pro Integra Power 16 and Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Gearbox Pro Integra Power 16 and Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.