HEAD Extreme Tour 16 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
- 84Power95
- 84Control84
- 86Spin91
- 86Forgiveness88
- 86Sweet spot89
- 86Stability92
- 76Maneuverability66
- 82Pop90
- 80Touch80
- 84Consistency85
- 74Swing weight82
- 82Twist weight92
- 54Launch angle58
- 84Plow through93
- 76Softness72
HEAD Extreme Tour 16 vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | HEAD Extreme Tour 16 | Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $180 — better | $332.99 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 83.7 | 87.1 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.2 | 8.25 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 113 | 118 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.6 | 7.2 — better |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.4 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.45 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.4 | 5.8 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured carbon fiber | Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit |
| Core material | Comfort polymer honeycomb | BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring |
HEAD Extreme Tour 16 verdict
HEAD's most balanced pickleball build yet. Nothing spikes, but nothing drops below 74 either — a dependable tournament paddle for players who dislike surprises.
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 power: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 95 against 84 for HEAD Extreme Tour 16 — a 11-point gap. They are effectively level on sweet spot, forgiveness, consistency, so those traits should not decide the purchase. HEAD Extreme Tour 16 is $152.99 cheaper at $180.
Power
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 11 points (95 vs 84).
Maneuverability
HEAD Extreme Tour 16 leads by 10 points (76 vs 66).
Twist weight
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 10 points (92 vs 82).
Plow through
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 9 points (93 vs 84).
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 Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 92 vs 82, stability 92 vs 86, sweet spot 89 vs 86. Twist weight 7.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82.7 vs 83.6 on the weighted index). Take HEAD Extreme Tour 16 and keep the $152.99.
- Power
- Spin
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 is a narrow pick at this level — power 95 vs 84, plow through 93 vs 84, spin 91 vs 86. Swing weight 118 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Power
- Plow through
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (79.8 vs 80 on the weighted index). Take HEAD Extreme Tour 16 and keep the $152.99.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
HEAD Extreme Tour 16
Take HEAD Extreme Tour 16 if you want maneuverability (+10), softness (+4). Its swing weight of 113 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the HEAD Extreme Tour 16 review →Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Take Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 if you want power (+11), twist weight (+10), plow through (+9). 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 →HEAD Extreme Tour 16 vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the HEAD Extreme Tour 16 or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.1 vs 83.7), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — power — Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 11 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- HEAD Extreme Tour 16, at 113 kg·cm² swing weight against 118 for Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the HEAD Extreme Tour 16 or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 measures 95 on power against 84 for HEAD Extreme Tour 16. 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?
- HEAD Extreme Tour 16 at 84 versus 84. 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 fiber face on HEAD Extreme Tour 16. 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 6.6. 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?
- HEAD Extreme Tour 16 costs $180, $152.99 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?
- HEAD Extreme Tour 16: 16 mm Comfort polymer honeycomb core with a Textured carbon fiber 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 5.4 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?
- HEAD Extreme Tour 16 at 8.2 oz against 8.25 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (113 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the HEAD Extreme Tour 16 to the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads on power by 11 points; everything else is within 10 points. At $180 vs $332.99, 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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- Extreme Tour 16 vs Ruby
- Extreme Tour 16 vs Mach 1 Forza 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 CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: HEAD Extreme Tour 16 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.