RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (86.3 vs 85.6), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
92 vs 80
Spin
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
94 vs 88
Control
Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta
92 vs 86
Forgiveness
Too close to call
84 vs 84
Hand speed
Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta
114 vs 117 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$249.99 at IQ 86.3 vs $250 at IQ 85.6
Overall pick: RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 · $249.99 · IQ 86.3
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 92Power80
- 86Control92
- 94Spin88
- 84Forgiveness84
- 86Sweet spot84
- 88Stability88
- 72Maneuverability74
- 88Pop76
- 82Touch92
- 86Consistency90
- 80Swing weight74
- 86Twist weight82
- 60Launch angle46
- 88Plow through84
- 74Softness86
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta 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 LUXX Control Air Invikta |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $249.99 — better | $250 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 86.3 — better | 85.6 |
| Weight(oz) | 7.9 | 8.2 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 117 | 114 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.375 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.125 | 4.25 |
| Surface | CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup | Florek carbon fiber |
| Core material | Tri-Density honeycomb core with EVA foam ring | X5 polypropylene honeycomb |
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 LUXX Control Air Invikta verdict
The Invikta shape of Selkirk's control flagship. Control 92 and touch 92 with elongated reach — the trade is a 114 swing weight that punishes late hands.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is launch angle: RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 scores 60 against 46 for Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta — a 14-point gap. They are effectively level on sweet spot, maneuverability, forgiveness, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($249.99 vs $250) that it should not break the tie.
Launch angle
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 14 points (60 vs 46).
Power
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 12 points (92 vs 80).
Pop
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 12 points (88 vs 76).
Softness
Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta leads by 12 points (86 vs 74).
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
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.8 vs 85.8 on the weighted index). Pick on static weight — 7.9 oz on the Friction Pro Elongated V2, 8.2 oz on the LUXX Control Air Invikta.
- 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 85.4 on the weighted index). Pick on static weight — 7.9 oz on the Friction Pro Elongated V2, 8.2 oz on the LUXX Control Air Invikta.
- Touch
- Control
- Maneuverability
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.8 vs 85.1 on the weighted index). Pick on static weight — 7.9 oz on the Friction Pro Elongated V2, 8.2 oz on the LUXX Control Air Invikta.
- Power
- Spin
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta
Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta is the clearer pick at this level — softness 86 vs 74. Its 16 mm X5 polypropylene honeycomb core at 8.2 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
Take RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 if you want launch angle (+14), power (+12), pop (+12). 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 LUXX Control Air Invikta
Take Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta if you want softness (+12), touch (+10), control (+6). Its swing weight of 114 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta review →RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta FAQ
- Which is better, the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 or the Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.3 vs 85.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — launch angle — RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 14 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta, at 114 kg·cm² swing weight against 117 for RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2. 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 LUXX Control Air Invikta?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 scores 92 for power against 80 for Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta. That comes from a 16 mm Tri-Density honeycomb core with EVA foam ring core swinging at 117 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta at 92 versus 86. 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 88 for the Florek carbon fiber face on Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta. In practice a 6-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 84 on forgiveness, off the same 6.5 twist weight.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $0.009999999999990905 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- 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 LUXX Control Air Invikta: 16 mm X5 polypropylene honeycomb core with a Florek carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both run a 5.5 in handle, long enough that neither forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 84 and sweet spot 86 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta 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 8.2 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (117 vs 114) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta to the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads on launch angle by 14 points; everything else is within 12 points. At $249.99 vs $250, 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.
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- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs J2CR
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs TruFoam Genesis 3
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs TruFoam Genesis 1
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Coral Pro
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
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
- LUXX Control Air Invikta vs Pursuit Pro EX 16
- LUXX Control Air Invikta vs Vanguard 2.0 Invikta
- LUXX Control Air Invikta vs 2X TruFoam Genesis
- LUXX Control Air Invikta vs Perseus CFS 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 LUXX Control Air Invikta in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 and Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.