Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control 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
- 76Power80
- 85Control88
- 90Spin89
- 77Forgiveness84
- 76Sweet spot85
- 74Stability82
- 98Maneuverability78
- 79Pop78
- 85Touch86
- 79Consistency86
- 39Swing weight70
- 68Twist weight80
- 51Launch angle55
- 47Plow through76
- 82Softness80
Specs
| $105 | Price | $100 |
|---|---|---|
| 12.7 mm | Core | 16 mm |
| 7.65 oz | Weight | 8 oz |
| 93 | Swing weight | 112 |
| 6.2 | Twist weight | 6.2 |
| standard | Shape | elongated |
| PT-700 Raw Carbon Fiber | Surface | Raw T700 carbon fiber |
| 5.25 in | Handle | 5.75 in |
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 verdict
At 7.65 oz this is the lightest paddle in the database, and the 12.7 mm core makes it faster still. It is a hands-speed specialist, not a power tool.
Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control verdict
A $100 raw-carbon elongated with a 5.75 in handle — the cheapest credible paddle in the database for a two-handed backhand player who wants real spin.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is swing weight: Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control scores 70 against 39 for Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 — a 31-point gap. They are effectively level on control, softness, spin, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($100 vs $105) that it should not break the tie.
Swing weight
Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control leads by 31 points (70 vs 39).
Plow through
Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control leads by 29 points (76 vs 47).
Maneuverability
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 leads by 20 points (98 vs 78).
Twist weight
Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control leads by 12 points (80 vs 68).
Which one should you buy?
Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control
Take Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control if you want swing weight (+31), plow through (+29), twist weight (+12). Its swing weight of 112 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control review →Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7
Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 if you want maneuverability (+20). Its swing weight of 93 kg·cm² and 12.7 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 review →Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control vs Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control or the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7?
- Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (83.8 vs 79.4), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control leads by 31 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7, at 93 kg·cm² swing weight against 112 for Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control or the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7?
- Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control measures 80 on power against 76 for Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7. That comes from a 16 mm Rev-Core polymer honeycomb core swinging at 112 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control at 88 versus 85. 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?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 scores 90 for spin off its PT-700 Raw Carbon Fiber face, against 89 for the Raw T700 carbon fiber face on Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control. In practice a 1-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control, with 6.2 twist weight against 6.2. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control carries the higher forgiveness score (84) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $5 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control: 16 mm Rev-Core polymer honeycomb core with a Raw T700 carbon fiber face. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7: 12.7 mm Polymer Honeycomb core with a PT-700 Raw Carbon Fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control, at 5.75 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 84 and sweet spot 85 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 at 7.65 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (93 vs 112) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 to the Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control leads on swing weight by 31 points; everything else is within 29 points. At $100 vs $105, 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.
- Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs Scorpeus 14
- Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs Labs Project 007 Epic 14
- Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Hybrid
- Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage
- SLK Halo XL Control vs V7 Hybrid
- SLK Halo XL Control vs V-Sol Pro 16
- SLK Halo XL Control vs Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
- SLK Halo XL Control vs Ruby
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 and Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.