Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Proton Series One Project Black
Proton's two headline models, split by shape and swing weight rather than tech. Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) 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
- 85Power86
- 88Control86
- 95Spin90
- 82Forgiveness80
- 84Sweet spot82
- 83Stability86
- 84Maneuverability72
- 82Pop82
- 86Touch82
- 88Consistency84
- 68Swing weight76
- 82Twist weight86
- 57Launch angle54
- 78Plow through86
- 80Softness68
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Proton Series One Project Black specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) | Proton Series One Project Black |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $175 — better | $200 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 85.6 — better | 83.8 |
| Weight(oz) | 7.9 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 15 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 110 | 117 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.3 | 7 — better |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.375 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.375 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave | Raw carbon fiber |
| Core material | Nomex and polypropylene hybrid honeycomb | Thermoformed unibody with foam walls |
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) verdict
The exposed Kevlar weave is the story: it grips the ball like a fresh grit face but, unlike sprayed textures, it is the material itself, so the spin number does not decay over a season.
Proton Series One Project Black verdict
A thermoformed unibody built around stability. The foam walls push twist weight to the top of our measured range, which is why off-center drives still land deep.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is maneuverability: Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) scores 84 against 72 for Proton Series One Project Black — a 12-point gap. They are effectively level on stability, launch angle, control, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) is $25 cheaper at $175.
Maneuverability
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 12 points (84 vs 72).
Softness
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 12 points (80 vs 68).
Swing weight
Proton Series One Project Black leads by 8 points (76 vs 68).
Plow through
Proton Series One Project Black leads by 8 points (86 vs 78).
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 (83.4 vs 84 on the weighted index). Take Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) and keep the $25.
- Consistency
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) is a narrow pick at this level — maneuverability 84 vs 72, spin 95 vs 90, touch 86 vs 82. At 110 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Spin
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.4 vs 86.3 on the weighted index). Take Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) and keep the $25.
- Maneuverability
- Spin
- Touch
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) is the clearer pick at this level — softness 80 vs 68, forgiveness 82 vs 80. Its 15 mm Nomex and polypropylene hybrid honeycomb core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Proton Series One Project Black
Take Proton Series One Project Black if you want swing weight (+8), plow through (+8), twist weight (+4). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Proton Series One Project Black review →Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
Take Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) if you want maneuverability (+12), softness (+12), spin (+5). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 15 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) review →Proton Series One Project Black vs Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) FAQ
- Which is better, the Proton Series One Project Black or the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.6 vs 83.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 12 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner), at 110 kg·cm² swing weight against 117 for Proton Series One Project Black. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Proton Series One Project Black or the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)?
- Proton Series One Project Black measures 86 on power against 85 for Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner). That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed unibody with foam walls core swinging at 117 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) at 88 versus 86. Its 15 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?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) scores 95 for spin off its Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave face, against 90 for the Raw carbon fiber face on Proton Series One Project Black. In practice a 5-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Proton Series One Project Black, with 7 twist weight against 6.3. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) carries the higher forgiveness score (82) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) costs $175, $25 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?
- Proton Series One Project Black: 16 mm Thermoformed unibody with foam walls core with a Raw carbon fiber face. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner): 15 mm Nomex and polypropylene hybrid honeycomb core with a Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Proton Series One Project Black, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.375 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Proton Series One Project Black avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 82 and sweet spot 84 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Proton Series One Project Black rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) at 7.9 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (110 vs 117) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Proton Series One Project Black to the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads on maneuverability by 12 points; everything else is within 12 points. At $200 vs $175, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
This matchup is a hand speed vs plow through decision
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Read the full reviews: Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) and Proton Series One Project Black. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.