Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Selkirk Omni Elongated 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. 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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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
Specs
| $200 | Price | $300 |
|---|---|---|
| 14 mm | Core | 16 mm |
| 7.7 oz | Weight | 8.25 oz |
| 105 | Swing weight | 112 |
| 6.9 | Twist weight | 5.9 |
| standard | Shape | elongated |
| Textured carbon | Surface | InfiniGrit® Durable Spin Texture |
| 5.25 in | Handle | 5.8 in |
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
Measured on the same 15-trait test, 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 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 measures 87 on 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 a 8-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, with 6.9 twist weight against 5.9. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 carries the higher forgiveness score (88) as a result.
- 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 a InfiniGrit® Durable Spin Texture face. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14: 14 mm Bantam polymer core 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 unstable 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.
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 Tenon
- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Magnus 3S 16
- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
- Omni Elongated 16 vs J6CR
- Omni Elongated 16 vs Coral Pro Hybrid UPA-A
- Omni Elongated 16 vs Pursuit Pro MX 12.7
- Omni Elongated 16 vs V1100 16
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 14 and Selkirk Omni Elongated 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.