RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16

The verdict

Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is maneuverability: RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm scores 78 against 66 for Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 — a 12-point gap. They are effectively level on spin, forgiveness, launch angle, so those traits should not decide the purchase. RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm is $63 cheaper at $269.99.

• Maneuverability

  RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm leads by 12 points (78 vs 66).

• Twist weight

  Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 11 points (92 vs 81).

• Softness

  RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm leads by 10 points (82 vs 72).

• Plow through

  Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 9 points (93 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.

Which one should you buy?

RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 FAQ

Which is better, the RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?

RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.2 vs 87.1), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm leads by 12 points.

Which one is faster at the kitchen line?

RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm, at 112 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 Jade Elongated 16mm or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?

Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 95 for power against 90 for RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm. 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 Jade Elongated 16mm at 89 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 Jade Elongated 16mm scores 94 for spin off its Proprietary SICmatrix surface, 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 86). Its 7.2 twist weight against 6.2 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 Jade Elongated 16mm costs $269.99, $63 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 Jade Elongated 16mm: 16 mm MPP floating full-foam core with soft EVA surround core with a Proprietary SICmatrix surface. 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 Jade Elongated 16mm rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.

Which is lighter in the hand?

RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm at 7.8 oz against 8.25 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (112 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.

Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 to the RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm?

Only if you need what it actually adds. RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm leads on maneuverability by 12 points; everything else is within 11 points. At $269.99 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.

• Jade Elongated 16mm vs J2CR
• Jade Elongated 16mm vs Coral Pro
• Jade Elongated 16mm vs Aura Pro Hybrid 16mm
• Jade Elongated 16mm vs Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm

• 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.

Read the full reviews: RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm 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.