Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta
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
- 85Power82
- 90Control90
- 84Spin82
- 88Forgiveness84
- 89Sweet spot84
- 85Stability88
- 84Maneuverability70
- 84Pop76
- 88Touch90
- 89Consistency90
- 66Swing weight78
- 84Twist weight84
- 54Launch angle48
- 74Plow through86
- 86Softness84
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 | Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 | $180 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 86.3 — better | 84.7 |
| Weight(oz) | 7.7 | 8.4 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 19.8 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 105 | 120 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.9 — better | 6.5 |
| Shape | standard | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 7.375 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.375 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured carbon | FiberFlex fiberglass |
| Core material | Bantam polymer core | X5 polypropylene honeycomb |
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 Vanguard 2.0 Invikta verdict
Selkirk's long-running Invikta shape in the softer Vanguard 2.0 build. Touch 90 and consistency 90 with 86 plow-through make it a drive-and-reset paddle for patient players.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is maneuverability: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 scores 84 against 70 for Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta — a 14-point gap. They are effectively level on power, stability, spin, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta is $20 cheaper at $180.
Maneuverability
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 14 points (84 vs 70).
Swing weight
Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta leads by 12 points (78 vs 66).
Plow through
Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta leads by 12 points (86 vs 74).
Pop
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 8 points (84 vs 76).
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 86 on the weighted index). Take Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta and keep the $20.
- 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 — maneuverability 84 vs 70, forgiveness 88 vs 84, power 85 vs 82. At 105 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Forgiveness
- Power
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84 vs 83.5 on the weighted index). Take Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta and keep the $20.
- Maneuverability
- Power
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 is a narrow pick at this level — softness 86 vs 84, forgiveness 88 vs 84. Its 14 mm Bantam polymer core core at 7.7 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 if you want maneuverability (+14), pop (+8), launch angle (+6). 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 Vanguard 2.0 Invikta
Take Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta if you want swing weight (+12), plow through (+12). Its swing weight of 120 kg·cm² and 19.8 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta review →Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta FAQ
- Which is better, the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 or the Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.3 vs 84.7), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 14 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, at 105 kg·cm² swing weight against 120 for Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta. 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 Vanguard 2.0 Invikta?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 measures 85 on power against 82 for Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta. That comes from a 14 mm Bantam polymer core core swinging at 105 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 at 90 versus 90. 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 82 for the FiberFlex fiberglass face on Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, with 6.9 twist weight against 6.5. 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?
- Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta costs $180, $20 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 core with a Textured carbon face. Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta: 19.8 mm X5 polypropylene honeycomb core with a FiberFlex fiberglass face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, at 5.25 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- 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. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 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 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (105 vs 120) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta to the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads on maneuverability by 14 points; everything else is within 12 points. At $200 vs $180, 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 Atlas 16
- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Magnus 3S 16
- Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs Model E Max V3
- Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs Nova R1
- Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs Pursuit MX 6.0
- Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs Perseus Pro IV 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 Vanguard 2.0 Invikta. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.