Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Six Zero Infinity Ruby 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
- 85Power88
- 88Control89
- 95Spin94
- 82Forgiveness90
- 84Sweet spot91
- 83Stability90
- 84Maneuverability70
- 82Pop84
- 86Touch86
- 88Consistency89
- 68Swing weight76
- 82Twist weight90
- 57Launch angle54
- 78Plow through86
- 80Softness78
Specs
| $175 | Price | $220 |
|---|---|---|
| 15 mm | Core | 16 mm |
| 7.9 oz | Weight | 8.2 oz |
| 110 | Swing weight | 116 |
| 6.3 | Twist weight | 7 |
| elongated | Shape | hybrid |
| Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave | Surface | Aramid fiber |
| 5.375 in | Handle | 5.5 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.
Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 verdict
The edgeless Ruby. Removing the edge guard adds face area and twist weight (7.0) to a paddle that already had one of the most durable spin surfaces in the sport.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is maneuverability: Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) scores 84 against 70 for Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 — a 14-point gap. They are effectively level on power, launch angle, pop, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) is $45 cheaper at $175.
Maneuverability
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 14 points (84 vs 70).
Forgiveness
Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 leads by 8 points (90 vs 82).
Swing weight
Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 leads by 8 points (76 vs 68).
Twist weight
Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 leads by 8 points (90 vs 82).
Which one should you buy?
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
Take Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) if you want maneuverability (+14). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 15 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) review →Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16
Take Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 if you want forgiveness (+8), swing weight (+8), twist weight (+8). Its swing weight of 116 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 review →Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) or the Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16?
- Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88.2 vs 85.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 14 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner), at 110 kg·cm² swing weight against 116 for Six Zero Infinity Ruby 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 Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16?
- Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 measures 88 on power against 85 for Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner). That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed honeycomb polymer with foam edgewalls core swinging at 116 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 at 89 versus 88. 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?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) scores 95 for spin off its Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave face, against 94 for the Aramid fiber face on Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16. In practice a 1-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16, with 7 twist weight against 6.3. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (90) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) costs $175, $45 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. Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16: 16 mm Thermoformed honeycomb polymer with foam edgewalls core with a Aramid fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16, 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 Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 90 and sweet spot 91 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Six Zero Infinity Ruby 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 8.2 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 Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) to the Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads on maneuverability by 14 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $175 vs $220, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Also worth comparing
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- Infinity Ruby 16 vs CRBN-3X Power Series
- Infinity Ruby 16 vs CRBN-1X
- Infinity Ruby 16 vs Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
- Infinity Ruby 16 vs Coral Pro
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Read the full reviews: Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) and Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.