Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 vs Vatic Pro Atlas 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Vatic Pro Atlas 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
- 77Power78
- 89Control88
- 90Spin86
- 77Forgiveness90
- 75Sweet spot90
- 84Stability84
- 92Maneuverability82
- 76Pop74
- 88Touch86
- 83Consistency88
- 50Swing weight66
- 74Twist weight80
- 49Launch angle48
- 64Plow through74
- 85Softness82
Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 vs Vatic Pro Atlas 16 specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 | Vatic Pro Atlas 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $130 | $110 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 82 | 84.8 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.4 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 100 | 106 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.4 | 6.7 — better |
| Shape | standard | widebody |
| Face length(in) | 15.9 | 15.9 |
| Face width(in) | 7.85 | 8.1 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Florek Carbon Face with InfiniGrit | Raw T700 carbon |
| Core material | Polypropylene Honeycomb with Patent Pending Titanium Mesh Layer System | Polypropylene honeycomb |
Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 verdict
A titanium mesh layer under the Florek carbon face gives the 007 Epic a firmer, louder response than the rest of the Labs line, and it sells for a third of Boomstik money.
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 verdict
The most forgiving paddle Vatic has shipped and still under $120. Sweet spot 90 and forgiveness 90 in an 8.1 in widebody is the profile most improving players actually need.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is swing weight: Vatic Pro Atlas 16 scores 66 against 50 for Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 — a 16-point gap. They are effectively level on softness, pop, touch, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Vatic Pro Atlas 16 is $20 cheaper at $110.
Swing weight
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 leads by 16 points (66 vs 50).
Sweet spot
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 leads by 15 points (90 vs 75).
Forgiveness
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 leads by 13 points (90 vs 77).
Maneuverability
Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 leads by 10 points (92 vs 82).
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
Vatic Pro Atlas 16
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 is the clearer pick at this level — sweet spot 90 vs 75, forgiveness 90 vs 77, twist weight 80 vs 74. Twist weight 6.7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Sweet spot
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.3 vs 85.9 on the weighted index). Take Vatic Pro Atlas 16 and keep the $20.
- Maneuverability
- Spin
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82.1 vs 82.8 on the weighted index). Take Vatic Pro Atlas 16 and keep the $20.
- Maneuverability
- Spin
- Touch
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Vatic Pro Atlas 16
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 90 vs 77, twist weight 80 vs 74. Its 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Vatic Pro Atlas 16
Take Vatic Pro Atlas 16 if you want swing weight (+16), sweet spot (+15), forgiveness (+13). Its swing weight of 106 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Vatic Pro Atlas 16 review →Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14
Take Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 if you want maneuverability (+10), spin (+4). Its swing weight of 100 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 review →Vatic Pro Atlas 16 vs Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 FAQ
- Which is better, the Vatic Pro Atlas 16 or the Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (84.8 vs 82), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — Vatic Pro Atlas 16 leads by 16 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14, at 100 kg·cm² swing weight against 106 for Vatic Pro Atlas 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Vatic Pro Atlas 16 or the Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16 measures 78 on power against 77 for Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14. That comes from a 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core swinging at 106 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 at 89 versus 88. Its 14 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?
- Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 scores 90 for spin off its Florek Carbon Face with InfiniGrit face, against 86 for the Raw T700 carbon face on Vatic Pro Atlas 16. In practice a 4-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16, with 6.7 twist weight against 6.4. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Vatic Pro Atlas 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (90) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16 costs $110, $20 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?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Raw T700 carbon face. Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14: 14 mm Polypropylene Honeycomb with Patent Pending Titanium Mesh Layer System core with a Florek Carbon Face with InfiniGrit face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14, at 5.25 in of handle against 5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 90 and sweet spot 90 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Vatic Pro Atlas 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16 at 7.9 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (106 vs 100) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 to the Vatic Pro Atlas 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Vatic Pro Atlas 16 leads on swing weight by 16 points; everything else is within 15 points. At $110 vs $130, 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.
- Labs Project 007 Epic 14 vs Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Hybrid
- Labs Project 007 Epic 14 vs Scorpeus 14
- Labs Project 007 Epic 14 vs Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16
- Labs Project 007 Epic 14 vs BALLR+ 16
- Atlas 16 vs Radius CGS 16
- Atlas 16 vs Crush Control 16
- Atlas 16 vs Double Black Diamond Control V2
- Atlas 16 vs Sapphire 16
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 and Vatic Pro Atlas 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.