Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control
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
- 84Control88
- 91Spin89
- 88Forgiveness84
- 89Sweet spot85
- 92Stability82
- 66Maneuverability78
- 90Pop78
- 80Touch86
- 85Consistency86
- 82Swing weight70
- 92Twist weight80
- 58Launch angle55
- 93Plow through76
- 72Softness80
Specs
| $333 | Price | $100 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | Core | 16 mm |
| 8.25 oz | Weight | 8 oz |
| 118 | Swing weight | 112 |
| 7.2 | Twist weight | 6.2 |
| elongated | Shape | elongated |
| Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit | Surface | Raw T700 carbon fiber |
| 5.8 in | Handle | 5.75 in |
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 SLK Halo XL Control verdict
A $100 raw-carbon elongated with a 5.75 in handle — the cheapest credible paddle in the database for a two-handed backhand player who wants real spin.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is plow through: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 93 against 76 for Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control — a 17-point gap. They are effectively level on launch angle, spin, consistency, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control is $233 cheaper at $100.
Plow through
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 17 points (93 vs 76).
Power
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 15 points (95 vs 80).
Maneuverability
Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control leads by 12 points (78 vs 66).
Pop
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 12 points (90 vs 78).
Which one should you buy?
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Take Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 if you want plow through (+17), power (+15), pop (+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 SLK Halo XL Control
Take Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control if you want maneuverability (+12), softness (+8), touch (+6). Its swing weight of 112 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control review →Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 or the Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.1 vs 83.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — plow through — Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 17 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control, 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 Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 or the Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 measures 95 on power against 80 for Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control. 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 SLK Halo XL Control at 88 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 89 for the Raw T700 carbon fiber face on Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control. In practice a 2-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 6.2. 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 SLK Halo XL Control costs $100, $233 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 SLK Halo XL Control: 16 mm Rev-Core polymer honeycomb core with a Raw T700 carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16, at 5.8 in of handle against 5.75 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 SLK Halo XL Control at 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 SLK Halo XL Control to the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads on plow through by 17 points; everything else is within 15 points. At $333 vs $100, 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 Hyperion Pro V 16
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Friction Pro Elongated V2
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Labs Project 006
- SLK Halo XL Control vs V7 Hybrid
- SLK Halo XL Control vs V-Sol Pro 16
- SLK Halo XL Control vs Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
- SLK Halo XL Control vs Ruby
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 SLK Halo XL Control. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.