ProKennex Black Ace LG 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
- 74Power95
- 88Control84
- 82Spin91
- 88Forgiveness88
- 86Sweet spot89
- 82Stability92
- 78Maneuverability66
- 70Pop90
- 90Touch80
- 88Consistency85
- 70Swing weight82
- 78Twist weight92
- 48Launch angle58
- 76Plow through93
- 92Softness72
ProKennex Black Ace LG 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 | ProKennex Black Ace LG | Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 — better | $332.99 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 83.1 | 87.1 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8.25 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 109 | 118 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.4 | 7.2 — better |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.3 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.45 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.8 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured carbon | Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit |
| Core material | Kinetic core with damping chambers | BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring |
ProKennex Black Ace LG verdict
The most arm-friendly build in the database. Softness 92 comes from ProKennex's Kinetic damping, and it is the one paddle we recommend without hesitation for players managing tendon pain.
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 power: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 95 against 74 for ProKennex Black Ace LG — a 21-point gap. They are effectively level on sweet spot, consistency, forgiveness, so those traits should not decide the purchase. ProKennex Black Ace LG is $132.99 cheaper at $200.
Power
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 21 points (95 vs 74).
Pop
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 20 points (90 vs 70).
Softness
ProKennex Black Ace LG leads by 20 points (92 vs 72).
Plow through
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 17 points (93 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
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 92 vs 78, stability 92 vs 82, sweet spot 89 vs 86. 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 (83.7 vs 83.6 on the weighted index). Take ProKennex Black Ace LG and keep the $132.99.
- 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 74, plow through 93 vs 76, spin 91 vs 82. 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
ProKennex Black Ace LG
ProKennex Black Ace LG is the clearer pick at this level — softness 92 vs 72. Its 16 mm Kinetic core with damping chambers core at 8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
ProKennex Black Ace LG
Take ProKennex Black Ace LG if you want softness (+20), maneuverability (+12), touch (+10). Its swing weight of 109 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the ProKennex Black Ace LG review →Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Take Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 if you want power (+21), pop (+20), plow through (+17). 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 →ProKennex Black Ace LG vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the ProKennex Black Ace LG or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.1 vs 83.1), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — power — Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 21 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG, at 109 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 ProKennex Black Ace LG or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 measures 95 on power against 74 for ProKennex Black Ace LG. 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?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG at 88 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 82 for the Textured carbon face on ProKennex Black Ace LG. In practice a 9-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 6.4. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and ProKennex Black Ace LG carries the higher forgiveness score (88) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG costs $200, $132.99 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?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG: 16 mm Kinetic core with damping chambers 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 5.5 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?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 86 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?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG at 8 oz against 8.25 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (109 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the ProKennex Black Ace LG to the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads on power by 21 points; everything else is within 20 points. At $200 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.
- Black Ace LG vs Tempest Pro C 16
- Black Ace LG vs Double Black Diamond Control V2
- Black Ace LG vs Atlas 16
- Black Ace LG vs Crush Control 16
- 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 CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Friction Pro Elongated V2
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: ProKennex Black Ace LG 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.