Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 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
- 85Power82
- 88Control88
- 95Spin90
- 82Forgiveness88
- 84Sweet spot88
- 83Stability84
- 84Maneuverability82
- 82Pop80
- 86Touch86
- 88Consistency88
- 68Swing weight68
- 82Twist weight82
- 57Launch angle50
- 78Plow through78
- 80Softness82
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16 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) | Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $175 | $170 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 85.6 | 85.7 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 15 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 110 | 109 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.3 | 6.8 — better |
| Shape | elongated | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.2 |
| Face width(in) | 7.375 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.375 | 5.3 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave | Raw Toray T700 carbon |
| Core material | Nomex and polypropylene hybrid honeycomb | Thermoformed 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.
Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16 verdict
The Ruby formula in a hybrid shape. Spin 90 with a 109 swing weight is a rare combination — you get grip on the ball without losing the hands battle.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is launch angle: Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) scores 57 against 50 for Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16 — a 7-point gap. They are effectively level on power, maneuverability, pop, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($175 vs $170) that it should not break the tie.
Launch angle
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 7 points (57 vs 50).
Forgiveness
Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16 leads by 6 points (88 vs 82).
Spin
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 5 points (95 vs 90).
Sweet spot
Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16 leads by 4 points (88 vs 84).
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
Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16
Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16 is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 88 vs 82, sweet spot 88 vs 84, stability 84 vs 83. Twist weight 6.8 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Stability
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (87.1 vs 86.3 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — elongated on the Series Four (Project Roadrunner), hybrid on the Ruby Hybrid 16.
- Spin
- Power
- Maneuverability
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.3 vs 84.4 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — elongated on the Series Four (Project Roadrunner), hybrid on the Ruby Hybrid 16.
- Spin
- Power
- Maneuverability
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16
Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16 is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 88 vs 82, softness 82 vs 80. Its 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Forgiveness
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
Take Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) if you want launch angle (+7), 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 →Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16
Take Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16 if you want forgiveness (+6), sweet spot (+4). Its swing weight of 109 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16 review →Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) or the Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16?
- Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.7 vs 85.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — launch angle — Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 7 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16, at 109 kg·cm² swing weight against 110 for Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner). 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 Ruby Hybrid 16?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) measures 85 on power against 82 for Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16. 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?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) at 88 versus 88. 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 Toray T700 carbon face on Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16. In practice a 5-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16, with 6.8 twist weight against 6.3. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (88) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $5 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- 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 Ruby Hybrid 16: 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner), at 5.375 in of handle against 5.3 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 88 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 7.9 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (110 vs 109) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) to the Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads on launch angle by 7 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $175 vs $170, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
This matchup is a forgiveness vs power decision
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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 Series Two Project Flash
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs V-Sol Pro 16
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs SLK Halo XL Control
- Ruby Hybrid 16 vs V-Sol Pro 16
- Ruby Hybrid 16 vs Series Two Project Flash
- Ruby Hybrid 16 vs Crush Control 16
- Ruby Hybrid 16 vs Prism Flash V2 16
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Read the full reviews: Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) and Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.