Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 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
- 95Power80
- 84Control92
- 91Spin88
- 88Forgiveness84
- 89Sweet spot84
- 92Stability88
- 66Maneuverability74
- 90Pop76
- 80Touch92
- 85Consistency90
- 82Swing weight74
- 92Twist weight82
- 58Launch angle46
- 93Plow through84
- 72Softness86
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 | Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $332.99 | $250 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87.1 — better | 85.6 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.25 | 8.2 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 118 | 114 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7.2 — better | 6.5 |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.45 | 7.375 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.8 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit | Florek carbon fiber |
| Core material | BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring | X5 polypropylene honeycomb |
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 verdict
The highest measured power in the database, and the twist weight (7.2) to back it up. The MOI tuning system lets you dial the balance, but nothing turns a 118 swing weight into a fast-hands paddle.
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
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is power: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 95 against 80 for Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta — a 15-point gap. They are effectively level on spin, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta is $82.99000000000001 cheaper at $250.
Power
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 15 points (95 vs 80).
Pop
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 14 points (90 vs 76).
Softness
Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta leads by 14 points (86 vs 72).
Touch
Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta leads by 12 points (92 vs 80).
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 Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 92 vs 82, sweet spot 89 vs 84, forgiveness 88 vs 84. Twist weight 7.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Sweet spot
- Forgiveness
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.6 vs 85.4 on the weighted index). Take Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta and keep the $82.99000000000001.
- Touch
- Control
- Maneuverability
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.3 vs 85.1 on the weighted index). Take Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta and keep the $82.99000000000001.
- Power
- Plow through
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta
Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta is a narrow pick at this level — softness 86 vs 72. 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?
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Take Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 if you want power (+15), pop (+14), launch angle (+12). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 review →Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta
Take Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta if you want softness (+14), touch (+12), control (+8). Its swing weight of 114 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta review →Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 or the Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.1 vs 85.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — power — Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 15 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta, at 114 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 Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 or the Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 measures 95 on power against 80 for Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta. 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?
- Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta 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 Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 91 for spin off its Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit face, against 88 for the Florek carbon fiber face on Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta. 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 7.2 twist weight against 6.5. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (88) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta costs $250, $82.99000000000001 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 Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16: 16 mm BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring core with a Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit 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?
- 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. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta at 8.2 oz against 8.25 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (114 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta to the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads on power by 15 points; everything else is within 14 points. At $332.99 vs $250, 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 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 CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
- LUXX Control Air Invikta vs Vanguard 2.0 Invikta
- LUXX Control Air Invikta vs Perseus CFS 16
- LUXX Control Air Invikta vs Double Black Diamond Control V2
- LUXX Control Air Invikta vs Pursuit MX 6.0
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 Boomstik Elongated 16 and Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.