Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 vs Selkirk OMNI 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Selkirk OMNI 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Selkirk OMNI 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes control, forgiveness and hand speed on Paddle DNA against the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16, which costs $280.
Power
Too close to call
90 vs 89
Spin
Too close to call
88 vs 86
Control
92 vs 84
Forgiveness
90 vs 86
Hand speed
115 vs 118 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$280 at IQ 88.7 vs $280 at IQ 85.2
Overall pick: Selkirk OMNI 16 · $280 · IQ 88.7
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 90Power89
- 84Control92
- 86Spin88
- 86Forgiveness90
- 88Sweet spot91
- 90Stability90
- 72Maneuverability74
- 86Pop84
- 78Touch90
- 84Consistency91
- 80Swing weight76
- 88Twist weight89
- 58Launch angle54
- 90Plow through85
- 70Softness86
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 vs Selkirk OMNI 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 | Selkirk OMNI 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $280 | $280 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 85.2 | 88.7 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.4 | 8.1 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 118 | 115 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7 — better | 6.9 |
| Shape | elongated | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.4 |
| Face width(in) | 7.4 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw carbon fiber | Raw carbon |
| Core material | Foam-injected polymer | Full EVA foam core |
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 verdict
A Labs release built for plow-through. Twist weight 88 and stability 90 are among the highest pairings in the database — it simply does not twist on off-center hits.
Selkirk OMNI 16 verdict
Selkirk's answer to the foam era, and the most balanced paddle they have built. The OMNI refuses to specialize: power and control both sit in the top decile, which is rare and expensive.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is softness: Selkirk OMNI 16 scores 86 against 70 for Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 — a 16-point gap. They are effectively level on sweet spot, spin, maneuverability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Both sell for $280, so price cannot break the tie.
Softness
Selkirk OMNI 16 leads by 16 points (86 vs 70).
Touch
Selkirk OMNI 16 leads by 12 points (90 vs 78).
Control
Selkirk OMNI 16 leads by 8 points (92 vs 84).
Consistency
Selkirk OMNI 16 leads by 7 points (91 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 OMNI 16
Selkirk OMNI 16 is a narrow pick at this level — consistency 91 vs 84, forgiveness 90 vs 86, sweet spot 91 vs 88. Twist weight 6.9 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Consistency
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Selkirk OMNI 16
Selkirk OMNI 16 is a narrow pick at this level — touch 90 vs 78, control 92 vs 84, consistency 91 vs 84. At 115 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Touch
- Control
- Consistency
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Selkirk OMNI 16
Selkirk OMNI 16 is a narrow pick at this level — touch 90 vs 78, control 92 vs 84, spin 88 vs 86. Swing weight 115 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Touch
- Control
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Selkirk OMNI 16
Selkirk OMNI 16 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 86 vs 70, forgiveness 90 vs 86, twist weight 89 vs 88. Its 16 mm Full EVA foam core at 8.1 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16
Take Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 if you want plow through (+5), swing weight (+4), launch angle (+4). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 review →Selkirk OMNI 16
Take Selkirk OMNI 16 if you want softness (+16), touch (+12), control (+8). Its swing weight of 115 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk OMNI 16 review →Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 vs Selkirk OMNI 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 or the Selkirk OMNI 16?
- Selkirk OMNI 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88.7 vs 85.2), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — Selkirk OMNI 16 leads by 16 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Selkirk OMNI 16, at 115 kg·cm² swing weight against 118 for Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 or the Selkirk OMNI 16?
- Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 scores 90 for power against 89 for Selkirk OMNI 16. That comes from a 16 mm Foam-injected polymer core swinging at 118 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Selkirk OMNI 16 at 92 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?
- Selkirk OMNI 16 scores 88 for spin off its Raw carbon face, against 86 for the Raw carbon fiber face on Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Selkirk OMNI 16, with the higher forgiveness score (90 vs 86). Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 actually carries the higher twist weight (7 vs 6.9), but Selkirk OMNI 16 makes it back on sweet spot (91) and overall face stability.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Both list at $280. Too close to call — neither has an advantage here.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16: 16 mm Foam-injected polymer core with a Raw carbon fiber face. Selkirk OMNI 16: 16 mm Full EVA foam core with a Raw carbon 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?
- Selkirk OMNI 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 90 and sweet spot 91 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Selkirk OMNI 16 at 8.1 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (115 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 to the Selkirk OMNI 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk OMNI 16 leads on softness by 16 points; everything else is within 12 points. At $280 vs $280, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 and Selkirk OMNI 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 and Selkirk OMNI 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.