Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. 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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Quick answer
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 wins this matchup for most players: it takes control, hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16, which costs $332.99.
Power
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
95 vs 85
Spin
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
91 vs 84
Control
90 vs 84
Forgiveness
Too close to call
88 vs 88
Hand speed
105 vs 118 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$200 at IQ 86.3 vs $332.99 at IQ 87.1
Overall pick: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 · $200 · IQ 86.3
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 85Power95
- 90Control84
- 84Spin91
- 88Forgiveness88
- 89Sweet spot89
- 85Stability92
- 84Maneuverability66
- 84Pop90
- 88Touch80
- 89Consistency85
- 66Swing weight82
- 84Twist weight92
- 54Launch angle58
- 74Plow through93
- 86Softness72
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 | Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 — better | $332.99 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 86.3 | 87.1 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.7 | 8.25 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 105 | 118 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.9 | 7.2 — better |
| Shape | standard | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 7.45 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.8 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.375 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured carbon | Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit |
| Core material | Bantam polymer core | BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring |
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 verdict
The lightweight Bantam. At 7.7 oz it is one of the fastest paddles in the database through hands battles, and Paddletek's core keeps the feel soft rather than tinny.
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 verdict
The highest power score 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
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is plow through: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 93 against 74 for Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 — a 19-point gap. They are effectively level on forgiveness, sweet spot, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 is $132.99 cheaper at $200.
Plow through
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 19 points (93 vs 74).
Maneuverability
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 18 points (84 vs 66).
Swing weight
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 16 points (82 vs 66).
Softness
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 14 points (86 vs 72).
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
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (87.5 vs 88.7 on the weighted index). Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 and keep the $132.99.
- Twist weight
- Stability
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 is a narrow pick at this level — maneuverability 84 vs 66, control 90 vs 84, touch 88 vs 80. At 105 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Control
- Touch
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 — plow through 93 vs 74, power 95 vs 85, spin 91 vs 84. Swing weight 118 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Plow through
- Power
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 86 vs 72. Its 14 mm Bantam polymer core at 7.7 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 if you want maneuverability (+18), softness (+14), touch (+8). Its swing weight of 105 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 review →Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Take Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 if you want plow through (+19), swing weight (+16), power (+10). 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 →Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.1 vs 86.3), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — plow through — Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 19 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, at 105 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 Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 95 for power against 85 for Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14. 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?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 at 90 versus 84. Its 14 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 84 for the Textured carbon face on Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14. In practice a 7-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 88 on forgiveness despite twist weights of 6.9 and 7.2.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 costs $200, $132.99 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?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14: 14 mm Bantam polymer 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 5.25 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?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Forgiveness (88) and sweet spot (89) are identical, so a developing player can start on either — decide on price and handle feel.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 at 7.7 oz against 8.25 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (105 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 to the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads on plow through by 19 points; everything else is within 18 points. At $200 vs $332.99, 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.
- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Bantam ALW-C 12.7
- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Bantam TKO-C 14
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Perseus Pro V 16
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Coral Pro
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Perseus CFS 16
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs GX2 Power Elongated
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs CRBN-3X Power Series
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 14 vs V-Sol Pro 16
- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Ruby Hybrid 16
- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Tenon
- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Vision CGS 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.
Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 and Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 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.