Proton Series One Project Black 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.
Add a third paddle to this comparison →
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 86Power95
- 86Control84
- 90Spin91
- 80Forgiveness88
- 82Sweet spot89
- 86Stability92
- 72Maneuverability66
- 82Pop90
- 82Touch80
- 84Consistency85
- 76Swing weight82
- 86Twist weight92
- 54Launch angle58
- 86Plow through93
- 68Softness72
Proton Series One Project Black vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Proton Series One Project Black | Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 — better | $332.99 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 83.8 | 87.1 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8.25 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 117 | 118 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7 | 7.2 — better |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.45 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.8 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw carbon fiber | Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit |
| Core material | Thermoformed unibody with foam walls | BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring |
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.
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 power: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 95 against 86 for Proton Series One Project Black — a 9-point gap. They are effectively level on control, touch, spin, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Proton Series One Project Black is $132.99 cheaper at $200.
Power
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 9 points (95 vs 86).
Forgiveness
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 8 points (88 vs 80).
Pop
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 8 points (90 vs 82).
Sweet spot
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 7 points (89 vs 82).
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
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 is the clearer pick at this level — forgiveness 88 vs 80, sweet spot 89 vs 82, stability 92 vs 86. Twist weight 7.2 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 (82.8 vs 83.6 on the weighted index). Take Proton Series One Project Black and keep the $132.99.
- Power
- Forgiveness
- Spin
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 One Project Black and keep the $132.99.
- Power
- Plow through
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 72 vs 68, forgiveness 88 vs 80, twist weight 92 vs 86. Its 16 mm BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring core at 8.25 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Proton Series One Project Black
Take Proton Series One Project Black if you want maneuverability (+6). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Proton Series One Project Black review →Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Take Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 if you want power (+9), forgiveness (+8), pop (+8). 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 One Project Black vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Proton Series One Project Black or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.1 vs 83.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — power — Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 9 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Proton Series One Project Black, at 117 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 One Project Black or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 measures 95 on power against 86 for Proton Series One Project Black. 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 One Project Black at 86 versus 84. 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?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 91 for spin off its Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit face, against 90 for the Raw carbon fiber face on Proton Series One Project Black. In practice a 1-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 7. 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 One Project Black costs $200, $132.99 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. 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 5.5 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?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 at 8.25 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (118 vs 117) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Proton Series One Project Black to the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads on power by 9 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $200 vs $332.99, 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 One Project Black vs Ruby
- Series One Project Black vs Oni 16
- Series One Project Black vs Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
- Series One Project Black vs 2X Power Series
- 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 One Project Black 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.