Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 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 Tempest Wave V3 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 72
Spin
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
91 vs 80
Control
92 vs 84
Forgiveness
Too close to call
88 vs 86
Hand speed
110 vs 118 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$150 at IQ 82.9 vs $332.99 at IQ 87.1
Overall pick: Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 · $150 · IQ 82.9
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 72Power95
- 92Control84
- 80Spin91
- 86Forgiveness88
- 87Sweet spot89
- 82Stability92
- 81Maneuverability66
- 68Pop90
- 91Touch80
- 89Consistency85
- 56Swing weight82
- 76Twist weight92
- 58Launch angle58
- 66Plow through93
- 88Softness72
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 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 Tempest Wave V3 | Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $150 — better | $332.99 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 82.9 | 87.1 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.9 | 8.25 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 110 | 118 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.1 | 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) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured carbon | Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit |
| Core material | Tempest control core | BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring |
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 verdict
The reference control paddle for players who do not want the weight of a 20 mm build. Touch scores trail only the Luxx.
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 66 for Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 — a 27-point gap. They are effectively level on forgiveness, sweet spot, launch angle, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 is $182.99 cheaper at $150.
Plow through
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 27 points (93 vs 66).
Swing weight
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 26 points (82 vs 56).
Power
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 23 points (95 vs 72).
Pop
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 22 points (90 vs 68).
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 a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 92 vs 76, stability 92 vs 82, forgiveness 88 vs 86. Twist weight 7.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Forgiveness
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.2 vs 83.6 on the weighted index). Take Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 and keep the $182.99.
- Maneuverability
- Touch
- Control
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 72, plow through 93 vs 66, spin 91 vs 80. 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 V3
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 88 vs 72. Its 16 mm Tempest control core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3
Take Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 if you want softness (+16), maneuverability (+15), touch (+11). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 review →Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Take Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 if you want plow through (+27), swing weight (+26), power (+23). 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 V3 vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.1 vs 82.9), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — plow through — Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 27 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3, at 110 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 V3 or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 95 for power against 72 for Paddletek Tempest Wave V3. 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 V3 at 92 versus 84. Its 16 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 80 for the Textured carbon face on Paddletek Tempest Wave V3. In practice an 11-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16, with the higher forgiveness score (88 vs 86). Its 7.2 twist weight against 6.1 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 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 V3: 16 mm Tempest control 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?
- 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. Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 at 7.9 oz against 8.25 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (110 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 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 27 points; everything else is within 26 points. At $150 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.
- Tempest Wave V3 vs Bantam TKO-C 14
- Tempest Wave V3 vs Tempest Wave Pro
- Tempest Wave V3 vs Kinetic Pro Flight
- Tempest Wave V3 vs Tempest Pro C 16
- 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
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 V3 vs SLK Halo Control
- Tempest Wave V3 vs Kinetic Pro Flight
- Tempest Wave V3 vs Tempest Pro C 16
- Tempest Wave V3 vs Black Ace LG
- 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 Tempest Wave V3 and Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 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.