RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 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
- 92Power95
- 86Control84
- 94Spin91
- 84Forgiveness88
- 86Sweet spot89
- 88Stability92
- 72Maneuverability66
- 88Pop90
- 82Touch80
- 86Consistency85
- 80Swing weight82
- 86Twist weight92
- 60Launch angle58
- 88Plow through93
- 74Softness72
Specs
| $250 | Price | $333 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | Core | 16 mm |
| 8 oz | Weight | 8.25 oz |
| 117 | Swing weight | 118 |
| 6.5 | Twist weight | 7.2 |
| elongated | Shape | elongated |
| CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup | Surface | Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit |
| 5.5 in | Handle | 5.8 in |
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 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: 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 $250.
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 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 measures 95 on 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 7.2 twist weight against 6.5. 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?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 costs $250, $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 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. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 at 8 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 $250 vs $333, 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.
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Ultré Power 2
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Hyperion Pro V 16
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Pegasus Gen 3
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs CRBN-1X
- 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 Labs Project 006
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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.