Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. 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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Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 70Power95
- 93Control84
- 74Spin91
- 82Forgiveness88
- 80Sweet spot89
- 76Stability92
- 88Maneuverability66
- 64Pop90
- 92Touch80
- 88Consistency85
- 58Swing weight82
- 62Twist weight92
- 42Launch angle58
- 66Plow through93
- 90Softness72
Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro | Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $150 — better | $332.99 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 79.8 | 87.1 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.9 | 8.25 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14.3 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 100 | 118 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6 | 7.2 — better |
| Shape | standard | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 15.75 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 7.45 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.8 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured graphite | Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit |
| Core material | Patented Poly Core II | BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring |
Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro verdict
The paddle a generation of control players learned on, and still one of the quietest, most predictable graphite faces made. It will not out-hit a thermoformed paddle, but it will not surprise you either.
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 verdict
The highest measured power 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
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is twist weight: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 92 against 62 for Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro — a 30-point gap. They are effectively level on consistency, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro is $182.99 cheaper at $150.
Twist weight
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 30 points (92 vs 62).
Plow through
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 27 points (93 vs 66).
Pop
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 26 points (90 vs 64).
Power
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 25 points (95 vs 70).
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
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 92 vs 62, stability 92 vs 76, sweet spot 89 vs 80. Twist weight 7.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.8 vs 83.6 on the weighted index). Take Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro and keep the $182.99.
- 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 the clearer pick at this level — power 95 vs 70, plow through 93 vs 66, spin 91 vs 74. Swing weight 118 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Power
- Plow through
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro
Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro is a narrow pick at this level — softness 90 vs 72. Its 14.3 mm Patented Poly Core II core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro
Take Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro if you want maneuverability (+22), softness (+18), touch (+12). Its swing weight of 100 kg·cm² and 14.3 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro review →Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Take Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 if you want twist weight (+30), plow through (+27), pop (+26). 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 Tempest Wave Pro vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.1 vs 79.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 30 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro, at 100 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 Tempest Wave Pro or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 measures 95 on power against 70 for Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro. 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 Tempest Wave Pro at 93 versus 84. Its 14.3 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 74 for the Textured graphite face on Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro. In practice a 17-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16, with 7.2 twist weight against 6. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (88) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro costs $150, $182.99 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 Tempest Wave Pro: 14.3 mm Patented Poly Core II core with a Textured graphite 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?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 89 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro at 7.9 oz against 8.25 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (100 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro to the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads on twist weight by 30 points; everything else is within 27 points. At $150 vs $332.99, 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.
- Tempest Wave Pro vs BALLR+ 16
- Tempest Wave Pro vs Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Hybrid
- Tempest Wave Pro vs Coral Hybrid 16
- Tempest Wave Pro vs Tempest Wave V3
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Ultré Power 2
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Hyperion Pro V 16
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Friction Pro Elongated V2
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Labs Project 006
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro 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.