Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Selkirk Omni Elongated 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 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 spin, forgiveness, hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the Selkirk Omni Elongated 16, which costs $300.
Power
Too close to call
87 vs 85
Spin
84 vs 76
Control
Too close to call
90 vs 89
Forgiveness
88 vs 80
Hand speed
105 vs 112 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$200 at IQ 86.3 vs $300 at IQ 79.7
Overall pick: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 · $200 · IQ 86.3
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 85Power87
- 90Control89
- 84Spin76
- 88Forgiveness80
- 89Sweet spot79
- 85Stability73
- 84Maneuverability76
- 84Pop75
- 88Touch92
- 89Consistency81
- 66Swing weight69
- 84Twist weight59
- 54Launch angle50
- 74Plow through79
- 86Softness84
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Selkirk Omni 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 Omni Elongated 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 — better | $300 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 86.3 — better | 79.7 |
| Weight(oz) | 7.7 | 8.25 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 105 | 112 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.9 — better | 5.9 |
| 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 | InfiniGrit® Durable Spin Texture |
| Core material | Bantam polymer core | ReactCore™ (PureFoam™ + Double-Ring Technology) |
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 Omni Elongated 16 verdict
ReactCore's foam-and-ring build makes the elongated Omni unusually stable for its 16.5 in length, and the 5.8 in handle is the longest in the database.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is twist weight: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 scores 84 against 59 for Selkirk Omni Elongated 16 — a 25-point gap. They are effectively level on swing weight, power, softness, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 is $100 cheaper at $200.
Twist weight
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 25 points (84 vs 59).
Stability
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 12 points (85 vs 73).
Sweet spot
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 10 points (89 vs 79).
Pop
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 9 points (84 vs 75).
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
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 84 vs 59, sweet spot 89 vs 79, forgiveness 88 vs 80. Twist weight 6.9 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Sweet spot
- Forgiveness
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 — spin 84 vs 76, maneuverability 84 vs 76, forgiveness 88 vs 80. At 105 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Maneuverability
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.1 vs 84 on the weighted index). Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 and keep the $100.
- Spin
- Maneuverability
- Control
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 — twist weight 84 vs 59, forgiveness 88 vs 80, softness 86 vs 84. Its 14 mm Bantam polymer core at 7.7 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
Selkirk Omni Elongated 16
Take Selkirk Omni Elongated 16 if you want plow through (+5), touch (+4). Its swing weight of 112 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Omni Elongated 16 review →Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 if you want twist weight (+25), stability (+12), sweet spot (+10). 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 Omni Elongated 16 vs Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk Omni Elongated 16 or the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.3 vs 79.7), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 25 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, at 105 kg·cm² swing weight against 112 for Selkirk Omni Elongated 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Selkirk Omni Elongated 16 or the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14?
- Selkirk Omni Elongated 16 scores 87 for power against 85 for Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14. That comes from a 16 mm ReactCore™ (PureFoam™ + Double-Ring Technology) core swinging at 112 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 at 90 versus 89. 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?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 scores 84 for spin off its Textured carbon face, against 76 for the InfiniGrit® Durable Spin Texture face on Selkirk Omni Elongated 16. In practice an 8-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, with the higher forgiveness score (88 vs 80). Its 6.9 twist weight against 5.9 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 costs $200, $100 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?
- Selkirk Omni Elongated 16: 16 mm ReactCore™ (PureFoam™ + Double-Ring Technology) core with an InfiniGrit® Durable Spin Texture face. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14: 14 mm Bantam polymer core with a Textured carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Selkirk Omni 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 Omni Elongated 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 89 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Selkirk Omni Elongated 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- 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 112) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk Omni Elongated 16 to the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads on twist weight by 25 points; everything else is within 12 points. At $300 vs $200, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
This matchup is a touch vs pop decision
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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 and Selkirk Omni Elongated 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 and Selkirk Omni Elongated 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.