RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. 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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Quick answer
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (87.1 vs 86.3), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
Too close to call
95 vs 92
Spin
Too close to call
94 vs 91
Control
Too close to call
86 vs 84
Forgiveness
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
88 vs 84
Hand speed
Too close to call
117 vs 118 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
$249.99 at IQ 86.3 vs $332.99 at IQ 87.1
Overall pick: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 · $332.99 · IQ 87.1
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 92Power95
- 86Control84
- 94Spin91
- 84Forgiveness88
- 86Sweet spot89
- 88Stability92
- 72Maneuverability66
- 88Pop90
- 82Touch80
- 86Consistency85
- 80Swing weight82
- 86Twist weight92
- 60Launch angle58
- 88Plow through93
- 74Softness72
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 | Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $249.99 — better | $332.99 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 86.3 | 87.1 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.9 | 8.25 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 117 | 118 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.5 | 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) | 4.125 | 4.25 |
| Surface | CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup | Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit |
| Core material | Tri-Density honeycomb core with EVA foam ring | BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring |
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 verdict
The James Ignatowich signature build is an unapologetic attack paddle: 16.5 in of reach, a grippy CarbonBite face and a tri-density core that launches drives without giving up the sweet spot the first V2 lacked.
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 verdict
The highest power score 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
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is maneuverability: RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 scores 72 against 66 for Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 — a 6-point gap. They are effectively level on power, spin, sweet spot, so those traits should not decide the purchase. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 is $83 cheaper at $249.99.
Maneuverability
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 6 points (72 vs 66).
Twist weight
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 6 points (92 vs 86).
Plow through
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 5 points (93 vs 88).
Forgiveness
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 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
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 88 vs 84, twist weight 92 vs 86, sweet spot 89 vs 86. Twist weight 7.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85 vs 83.6 on the weighted index). Take RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 and keep the $83.
- Maneuverability
- Spin
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.8 vs 86.3 on the weighted index). Take RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 and keep the $83.
- Maneuverability
- Spin
- Touch
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (78.9 vs 80 on the weighted index). Take RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 and keep the $83.
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
Take RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 if you want maneuverability (+6). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 review →Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Take Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 if you want twist weight (+6), plow through (+5), forgiveness (+4). 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 →RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.1 vs 86.3), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 6 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2, 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 RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 95 for power against 92 for RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2. 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?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 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?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 scores 94 for spin off its CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup face, against 91 for the Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit face on Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16. In practice a 3-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16, with the higher forgiveness score (88 vs 84). Its 7.2 twist weight against 6.5 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 costs $249.99, $83 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?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2: 16 mm Tri-Density honeycomb core with EVA foam ring core with a CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup 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. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 at 7.9 oz against 8.25 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (117 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 to the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads on maneuverability by 6 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $249.99 vs $332.99, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Related comparisons
The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
- CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage vs RPM Friction Pro Elongated V2
- 11SIX24 Ultré Power 2 vs RPM Friction Pro Elongated V2
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs CRBN-1X Power Series
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Perseus Pro V 16
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Coral Pro
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Perseus CFS 16
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs GX2 Power Elongated
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Ultré Power 2
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs 1X TruFoam Power
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Agassi Pro 16
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Hyperion Pro V 16
- 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 Labs 008 Project 16
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 and Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 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.