ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 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
- 72Power71
- 90Control94
- 86Spin90
- 88Forgiveness82
- 88Sweet spot81
- 78Stability84
- 92Maneuverability97
- 74Pop70
- 90Touch92
- 86Consistency87
- 52Swing weight47
- 74Twist weight77
- 60Launch angle46
- 64Plow through59
- 90Softness90
Specs
| $200 | Price | $333 |
|---|---|---|
| 14 mm | Core | 16 mm |
| 7.5 oz | Weight | 8.2 oz |
| 103 | Swing weight | 98 |
| 6 | Twist weight | 6.5 |
| standard | Shape | standard |
| Carbon with Diamond Frost texture | Surface | Multistrata T700 Carbon |
| 5 in | Handle | 5.6 in |
ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight verdict
The arm-comfort paddle. ProKennex's Kinetic mass system and the light 7.5 oz build make this the paddle we point players toward when elbow or shoulder pain is the limiting factor, not skill.
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 verdict
The widebody Boomstik keeps BoomCore's power but spreads it across a 15.95 x 8.0 in face, which is the most forgiving version of Selkirk's flagship platform.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is launch angle: ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight scores 60 against 46 for Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 — a 14-point gap. They are effectively level on twist weight, touch, power, so those traits should not decide the purchase. ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight is $133 cheaper at $200.
Launch angle
ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight leads by 14 points (60 vs 46).
Sweet spot
ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight leads by 7 points (88 vs 81).
Forgiveness
ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight leads by 6 points (88 vs 82).
Stability
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 leads by 6 points (84 vs 78).
Which one should you buy?
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16
Take Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 if you want stability (+6), maneuverability (+5), control (+4). Its swing weight of 98 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 review →ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight
Take ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight if you want launch angle (+14), sweet spot (+7), forgiveness (+6). Its swing weight of 103 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight review →Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 vs ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 or the ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (84.1 vs 83.5), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — launch angle — ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight leads by 14 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16, at 98 kg·cm² swing weight against 103 for ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 or the ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight?
- ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight measures 72 on power against 71 for Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16. That comes from a 14 mm Cloud Cell poly honeycomb with Kinetic mass system core swinging at 103 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 at 94 versus 90. 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 Widebody 16 scores 90 for spin off its Multistrata T700 Carbon face, against 86 for the Carbon with Diamond Frost texture face on ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight. In practice a 4-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16, with 6.5 twist weight against 6. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight carries the higher forgiveness score (88) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight costs $200, $133 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 Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16: 16 mm BoomCore™ core with a Multistrata T700 Carbon face. ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight: 14 mm Cloud Cell poly honeycomb with Kinetic mass system core with a Carbon with Diamond Frost texture face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16, at 5.6 in of handle against 5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 88 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight at 7.5 oz against 8.2 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (103 vs 98) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight to the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight leads on launch angle by 14 points; everything else is within 7 points. At $333 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.
- Kinetic Pro Flight vs Tempest Wave V3
- Kinetic Pro Flight vs Essentials 16
- Kinetic Pro Flight vs Encore Pro EX
- Kinetic Pro Flight vs Prism Flash
- Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 vs Labs Project 007 Epic 14
- Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 vs Scorpeus 14
- Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 vs Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Hybrid
Top alternatives to both
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Read the full reviews: ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight and Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.