Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 vs Selkirk Omni Elongated 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
Add a third paddle to this comparison →
Quick answer
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes spin, forgiveness and value on Paddle DNA against the Selkirk Omni Elongated 16, which costs $300.
Power
Too close to call
90 vs 87
Spin
86 vs 76
Control
89 vs 84
Forgiveness
86 vs 80
Hand speed
112 vs 118 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$280 at IQ 85.2 vs $300 at IQ 79.7
Overall pick: Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 · $280 · IQ 85.2
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 90Power87
- 84Control89
- 86Spin76
- 86Forgiveness80
- 88Sweet spot79
- 90Stability73
- 72Maneuverability76
- 86Pop75
- 78Touch92
- 84Consistency81
- 80Swing weight69
- 88Twist weight59
- 58Launch angle50
- 90Plow through79
- 70Softness84
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 vs Selkirk Omni Elongated 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 Elongated 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $280 — better | $300 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 85.2 — better | 79.7 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.4 | 8.25 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 118 | 112 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7 — better | 5.9 |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.4 | 7.45 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.8 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw carbon fiber | InfiniGrit® Durable Spin Texture |
| Core material | Foam-injected polymer | ReactCore™ (PureFoam™ + Double-Ring Technology) |
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 Elongated 16 verdict
ReactCore's foam-and-ring build makes the elongated Omni unusually stable for its 16.5 in length, and the 5.8 in handle is the longest in the database.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is twist weight: Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 scores 88 against 59 for Selkirk Omni Elongated 16 — a 29-point gap. They are effectively level on power, consistency, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 is $20 cheaper at $280.
Twist weight
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 leads by 29 points (88 vs 59).
Stability
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 leads by 17 points (90 vs 73).
Touch
Selkirk Omni Elongated 16 leads by 14 points (92 vs 78).
Softness
Selkirk Omni Elongated 16 leads by 14 points (84 vs 70).
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 Labs 008 Project 16
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 88 vs 59, stability 90 vs 73, sweet spot 88 vs 79. Twist weight 7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82.7 vs 82.5 on the weighted index). Take Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 and keep the $20.
- Touch
- Control
- Maneuverability
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.1 vs 84.2 on the weighted index). Take Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 and keep the $20.
- Spin
- Plow through
- Power
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (78.4 vs 77.6 on the weighted index). Take Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 and keep the $20.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
Selkirk Omni Elongated 16
Take Selkirk Omni Elongated 16 if you want touch (+14), softness (+14), control (+5). Its swing weight of 112 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Omni Elongated 16 review →Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16
Take Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 if you want twist weight (+29), stability (+17), pop (+11). 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 Elongated 16 vs Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk Omni Elongated 16 or the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16?
- Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.2 vs 79.7), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 leads by 29 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Selkirk Omni Elongated 16, at 112 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 Omni Elongated 16 or the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16?
- Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 scores 90 for power against 87 for Selkirk Omni Elongated 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 Elongated 16 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?
- Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 scores 86 for spin off its Raw carbon fiber face, against 76 for the InfiniGrit® Durable Spin Texture face on Selkirk Omni Elongated 16. In practice a 10-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16, with the higher forgiveness score (86 vs 80). Its 7 twist weight against 5.9 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 costs $280, $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?
- Selkirk Omni Elongated 16: 16 mm ReactCore™ (PureFoam™ + Double-Ring Technology) core with an InfiniGrit® Durable Spin Texture face. Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16: 16 mm Foam-injected polymer core with a Raw carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Selkirk Omni 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 Omni Elongated 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 86 and sweet spot 88 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Selkirk Omni Elongated 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Selkirk Omni Elongated 16 at 8.25 oz against 8.4 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 Omni Elongated 16 to the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 leads on twist weight by 29 points; everything else is within 17 points. At $300 vs $280, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
This matchup is a control vs power decision
Browse every head-to-head that splits on the same trade-off:
Related comparisons
The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
- Honolulu J6CR vs Selkirk OMNI Elongated 16
- Omni Elongated 16 vs OMNI 16
- Labs 008 Project 16 vs Labs Project 006
- Labs 008 Project 16 vs CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
- Labs 008 Project 16 vs GX2 Power Elongated
- Labs 008 Project 16 vs 1X TruFoam Power
- Labs 008 Project 16 vs Hyperion CFS 16
- Labs 008 Project 16 vs TruFoam Genesis X
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 008 Project 16 vs 1X TruFoam Power
- Labs 008 Project 16 vs CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
- Labs 008 Project 16 vs Mach 2 Forza 16
- Labs 008 Project 16 vs Ultré Power 2
- Omni Elongated 16 vs J6CR
- Omni Elongated 16 vs Coral Pro Hybrid UPA-A
- Omni Elongated 16 vs Pursuit Pro MX 12.7
- Omni Elongated 16 vs V1100 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 Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 and Selkirk Omni Elongated 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 and Selkirk Omni Elongated 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.