Proton Series Two Project Flash 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
- 84Power95
- 88Control84
- 92Spin91
- 84Forgiveness88
- 86Sweet spot89
- 84Stability92
- 80Maneuverability66
- 80Pop90
- 86Touch80
- 88Consistency85
- 70Swing weight82
- 80Twist weight92
- 50Launch angle58
- 80Plow through93
- 80Softness72
Proton Series Two Project Flash 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 Two Project Flash | Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 — better | $332.99 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 85.3 | 87.1 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8.25 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 111 | 118 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.7 | 7.2 — better |
| Shape | hybrid | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.3 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.6 | 7.45 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.4 | 5.8 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Gritted raw carbon | Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit |
| Core material | Thermoformed polymer honeycomb | BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring |
Proton Series Two Project Flash verdict
The grittiest face Proton has made. Spin 92 puts it in the top tier of the database, and the hybrid shape keeps it usable at the kitchen line.
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 Two Project Flash scores 80 against 66 for Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 — a 14-point gap. They are effectively level on sweet spot, consistency, spin, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Proton Series Two Project Flash is $132.99 cheaper at $200.
Maneuverability
Proton Series Two Project Flash leads by 14 points (80 vs 66).
Plow through
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 13 points (93 vs 80).
Swing weight
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 12 points (82 vs 70).
Twist weight
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 12 points (92 vs 80).
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 a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 92 vs 80, stability 92 vs 84, forgiveness 88 vs 84. Twist weight 7.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Forgiveness
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Proton Series Two Project Flash
Proton Series Two Project Flash is a narrow pick at this level — maneuverability 80 vs 66, touch 86 vs 80, control 88 vs 84. At 111 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Touch
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.3 vs 86.3 on the weighted index). Take Proton Series Two Project Flash and keep the $132.99.
- Power
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (81.1 vs 80 on the weighted index). Take Proton Series Two Project Flash and keep the $132.99.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
Proton Series Two Project Flash
Take Proton Series Two Project Flash if you want maneuverability (+14), softness (+8), touch (+6). Its swing weight of 111 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Proton Series Two Project Flash review →Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Take Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 if you want plow through (+13), swing weight (+12), twist weight (+12). 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 Two Project Flash vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Proton Series Two Project Flash or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.1 vs 85.3), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — Proton Series Two Project Flash leads by 14 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash, at 111 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 Two Project Flash or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 measures 95 on power against 84 for Proton Series Two Project Flash. 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 Two Project Flash at 88 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?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash scores 92 for spin off its Gritted raw carbon face, against 91 for the Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit face on Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16. 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 6.7. 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 Two Project Flash 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 Two Project Flash: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer honeycomb core with a Gritted raw carbon 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 5.4 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 Two Project Flash at 8 oz against 8.25 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (111 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Proton Series Two Project Flash to the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Proton Series Two Project Flash leads on maneuverability by 14 points; everything else is within 13 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 Two Project Flash vs Ruby Hybrid 16
- Series Two Project Flash vs Crush Control 16
- Series Two Project Flash vs Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0
- Series Two Project Flash vs R3 Pulsar
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Ultré Power 2
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs 1X TruFoam Power
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Hyperion Pro V 16
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Proton Series Two Project Flash 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.