Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta
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
- 85Power74
- 88Control95
- 95Spin86
- 82Forgiveness80
- 84Sweet spot82
- 83Stability84
- 84Maneuverability72
- 82Pop66
- 86Touch94
- 88Consistency90
- 68Swing weight74
- 82Twist weight78
- 57Launch angle44
- 78Plow through82
- 80Softness88
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta 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) | Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $175 — better | $200 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 85.6 — better | 83.6 |
| Weight(oz) | 7.9 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 15 | 19.05 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 110 | 116 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.3 — better | 6.2 |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.375 | 7.375 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.375 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave | Quadcarbon woven carbon fiber |
| Core material | Nomex and polypropylene hybrid honeycomb | X5 polypropylene honeycomb |
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 Vanguard Control Air Invikta verdict
The softest premium elongated paddle we measure. The thick Quadcarbon build absorbs pace so completely that resets from mid-court land in the kitchen almost by default.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is pop: Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) scores 82 against 66 for Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta — a 16-point gap. They are effectively level on forgiveness, sweet spot, consistency, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) is $25 cheaper at $175.
Pop
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 16 points (82 vs 66).
Launch angle
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 13 points (57 vs 44).
Maneuverability
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 12 points (84 vs 72).
Power
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 11 points (85 vs 74).
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 (84 vs 83.5 on the weighted index). Take Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) and keep the $25.
- Twist weight
- 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 86, power 85 vs 74. At 110 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Spin
- Power
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) is a narrow pick at this level — power 85 vs 74, spin 95 vs 86, maneuverability 84 vs 72. Swing weight 110 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Power
- Spin
- Maneuverability
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta
Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta is a narrow pick at this level — softness 88 vs 80. Its 19.05 mm X5 polypropylene honeycomb core at 8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
Take Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) if you want pop (+16), launch angle (+13), maneuverability (+12). 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 Vanguard Control Air Invikta
Take Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta if you want touch (+8), softness (+8), control (+7). Its swing weight of 116 kg·cm² and 19.05 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta review →Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta FAQ
- Which is better, the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) or the Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.6 vs 83.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — pop — Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 16 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner), at 110 kg·cm² swing weight against 116 for Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta. 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 Vanguard Control Air Invikta?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) measures 85 on power against 74 for Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta. That comes from a 15 mm Nomex and polypropylene hybrid honeycomb core swinging at 110 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta at 95 versus 88. Its 19.05 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 86 for the Quadcarbon woven carbon fiber face on Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta. In practice a 9-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner), with 6.3 twist weight against 6.2. 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 Four (Project Roadrunner): 15 mm Nomex and polypropylene hybrid honeycomb core with a Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave face. Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta: 19.05 mm X5 polypropylene honeycomb core with a Quadcarbon woven carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner), at 5.375 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- 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 Four (Project Roadrunner) 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 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (110 vs 116) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta to the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads on pop by 16 points; everything else is within 13 points. At $175 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.
- 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
- Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Pursuit MX 6.0
- Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Luxx Control Air
- Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Perseus CFS 16
- Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Sapphire 16
Top alternatives to both
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Read the full reviews: Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) and Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.