Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) 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
- 85Power95
- 88Control84
- 95Spin91
- 82Forgiveness88
- 84Sweet spot89
- 83Stability92
- 84Maneuverability66
- 82Pop90
- 86Touch80
- 88Consistency85
- 68Swing weight82
- 82Twist weight92
- 57Launch angle58
- 78Plow through93
- 80Softness72
Specs
| $175 | Price | $333 |
|---|---|---|
| 15 mm | Core | 16 mm |
| 7.9 oz | Weight | 8.25 oz |
| 110 | Swing weight | 118 |
| 6.3 | Twist weight | 7.2 |
| elongated | Shape | elongated |
| Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave | Surface | Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit |
| 5.375 in | Handle | 5.8 in |
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.
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 maneuverability: Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) scores 84 against 66 for Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 — a 18-point gap. They are effectively level on consistency, launch angle, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) is $158 cheaper at $175.
Maneuverability
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 18 points (84 vs 66).
Plow through
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 15 points (93 vs 78).
Swing weight
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 14 points (82 vs 68).
Power
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 10 points (95 vs 85).
Which one should you buy?
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
Take Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) if you want maneuverability (+18), softness (+8), touch (+6). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 15 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) review →Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Take Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 if you want plow through (+15), swing weight (+14), power (+10). 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 →Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.1 vs 85.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 18 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner), 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 Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 measures 95 on power against 85 for Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner). 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?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) at 88 versus 84. 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 91 for the Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit face on Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16. 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 Elongated 16, with 7.2 twist weight against 6.3. 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?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) costs $175, $158 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 Four (Project Roadrunner): 15 mm Nomex and polypropylene hybrid honeycomb core with a Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave 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 5.375 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?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) 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 Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) to the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads on maneuverability by 18 points; everything else is within 15 points. At $175 vs $333, 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.
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs V-Sol Pro 16
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs SLK Halo XL Control
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs V7 Hybrid
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Ruby
- 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: Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) 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.